Hello! I’m
Salina and I have graduated from the University of Sheffield in July 2015 with
first honours in MEng Chemical Engineering. As an alumnus and former IEA, I am
excited to share with you about my experience at Sheffield and the move to
Sydney, Australia. I have moved to Sydney for almost two months now and here is
my story.
I started my
degree in MEng Chemical Engineering at the University of Sheffield in September
2011. Prior to starting university in England, I have completed my high school
education in Thailand in an American system international school, including
spending my junior year as an exchange student in the States.
My four years in
Sheffield has turned out to be an incredible experience and is definitely one
of the best experiences in my life. The student support, both for academic and
pastoral, was always present and I was always assured that there is someone to
speak to if there was any problem. It has provided me with opportunities to
take part in different activities such as the IEA and Women in Engineering. The
studies done at the University have built a strong foundation and taught me skills,
which I have found to be invaluable.
During my time
in Sheffield, I have worked as an industrial trainee at the Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Melbourne,
Australia, during summer break after Year 2, and was a practicum exchange
student at the University of New South Wales in Sydney during the summer break
after Year 3.
I have a lot of
memorable moments in Sheffield – both in social and academics. Unlike most
students, I chose to live in university accommodation throughout my four years.
Yes, you have read that right. I have lived in Endcliffe for four years and I
loved it. I had different flat mates every year and each year was a different
experience. I was fortunate to be (and currently is) close to most of my flat
mates and we have done many things together from going to the Christmas market
in Manchester, cheering my cheerleader-flat mate at a Varsity game, gossiping
until early morning, and of course, baking lots of cookies. Nowadays, whenever
we catch-up, a lot of conversations start with, ‘Remember that time we…’.
Of course, I had
wonderful experiences with my studies in the Department too. I mean, my Year 3
design project was on chocolate manufacture. How awesome is that? My final year
research project was incredible and I have learned a lot from it. It was on
carbon dioxide utilisation, specifically in using it to
make polymer. I had an incredible experience and it was the reason why I wanted
to work on carbon dioxide utilisation in my further studies.
Moving forward, my
final year was the time I had to consider what I was going to do after
graduation. From the beginning of my degree, I knew that I wanted to continue
with further studies upon graduation. Also, from having good experiences with
previous research projects, I have decided to continue with PhD studies.
Graduation
reception at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The
University of Sheffield. Picture credits to my friend, Amirul Rudy.
After completing
my final year, I lodged an application to the University of New South Wales for
PhD studies. The application process and contact with my supervisor went by
smoothly, and then all I could do was wait for the scholarship outcome. After
months of waiting, I was fortunate to be offered a scholarship. In addition to
applying for postgraduate studies after graduation, I also had to study for my
engineering license exam, a requirement in Thailand. After months of revising
almost everything I've learned throughout the four years of my degree, I am
happy to have passed it and am now an associate engineer in Thailand.
Moving to
another country is always exciting and nerve-wrecking, even though it’s a city
I've lived before. Fortunately, I am living in a college with excellent support
system and an energetic environment. I am also lucky to have family friends
living here and it’s lovely to be able to go to north Sydney for a visit.
The project
itself is under the same research group that I have completed my practicum
exchange in and I had very much look forward to be back. It is quite
challenging in moving on to a new project and there is a lot to learn. It is
definitely a fulfilling learning process and is something I look forward to
understand more in the next couple of years.
The research group have been welcoming and I have learned a lot over the
past 2 months from my supervisors and other PhD students. And for that, I am
truly grateful.
Last, I hope you
enjoy your time in Sheffield and make the most out of it. If you are thinking
about applying to the University of Sheffield, I encourage you to do so. I
myself can’t wait to visit Sheffield – soon!
I found this blog after a long time which is really helpful to let understand different approaches. I am going to adopt these new point to my career and thankful for this help.
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