Meet our International Ambassador: Shaw Tun Qi (Shawn)

Name: Shaw Tun Qi (Shawn)

BEng in Aerospace Engineering

Nationality: Malaysia

Who am I?

Helooo.. My name is Shaw(Most people call me Shawn). I describe myself as an ambitious, adventurous and passionate person who loves to take risks. I am from Malaysia but I spent most of my childhood in a small town in Brunei Darussalam. (I bet you never heard of this country before :P) I am the best person to talk to if you want to know about commercial aircraft and hiking. I am also really involved in volunteering and I had volunteered in a few countries. 

Why Aerospace?

It goes all the way back to when I was in primary 5, my dad bought me a Flight Simulation game. Since then, I’ve been learning on how to fly all types of aircraft and how aircraft work. I discovered and joined a group called ‘Aviation Enthusiast’ on Facebook and managed to get connected with people from all around the world who share the same passion. I got to learn a lot from different sides of the aviation industry such as the airline business and engineering.  My passion and knowledge on aerospace just keep on growing over the year. I would spend most of my time after school on Facebook chatting with people from all around the world about aircraft. (I think that’s part of the reason I am wearing glasses and addicted to Facebook) At one point, I even started a virtual airline and joined a virtual alliance with a couple of my pen pals. After I graduated from college, I know straight away that I wanted to do something related to aerospace and here I am. 

What is it like studying at the University Of Sheffield?

The University of Sheffield is one of the best universities in term of cultural diversity and facility. There are so many you can do over here. One of the things I loved about UOS is the number of societies you can join. UoS also takes really good care of the welfare of students. For engineering, UoS have a lot of facilities that can help us in our studies such as the flight simulator, 3D printer and the newly built Diamond building. There is also some amazing engineering related projects such as Simurq(aerospace: Human Powered aircraft and UAV) , Formula 1 students ,Railway challenge and EWB(Engineering Without Borders). 

Sheffield?

Sheffield is an amazing place. It is one of the best cities I ever lived in. People here are really kind and nice. Sheffield is really green and there is a lot of park in the area. As a person who loves to hike, Sheffield is the best location to stay in as it is really near to the Peak District. There is also a lot of good coffee house and bar around. 

Tips And Advice?

The best tips I can give for all who planned to come to UoS is to stay in University Accommodation for the first year. The reason is because there is residence mentor around to help you in adapting to living independently and to assist you with any problem or issues. Try to make friends with current students in UoS through Facebook groups. When you are here, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and talk to anyone you meet and always don’t afraid to try something new. 

Meet our International Engineering Ambassador: Marta Grzybek

Name: Marta Grzybek

Course: Aerospace Engineering with a Year in Industry

Nationality: Polish

Who am I..?

Hi everyone! My name is Marta and I come from a city in Poland called Bydgoszcz (believe me or not but it’s not a random combination of letters but the actual name!). This is where I was born and spent my whole life until August 2015 when my Sheffield journey has begun. I am a huge optimist and life enthusiast that always looks for new opportunities to be one step closer in making my dreams come true. I have always been a person looking beyond the mediocrity and that is why I decided to challenge myself and start a new chapter of my life called “Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield”.

Why University of Sheffield..?

That is a good question! So many countries over the world, so many different universities in United Kingdom but somehow I chose UoS. First of all, the engineering faculty here is one of the biggest in UK and it is a highly ranked university. Before applying I spent days browsing offers of numerous universities. As I did not have opportunity to come to England the internet was my only source of knowledge. Among of all, I found our university’s website very useful as it told me exactly what I wanted. What mostly got my interest in UoS was the structure of the course, the idea of spending a year in industry and engineering facilities that the university has in offer. When coming to Sheffield I didn’t know I would find there but honestly, the reality exceeded my expectations!

Why aerospace engineering..?

I’ve always been interested in science, especially physics, in particular I am inspired by the concepts of flying and defying gravity. I also enjoy practical approach to science and the idea of using it to make life easier. Taking it all together, aerospace engineering is a best choice for me as I can do something that I enjoy and at the same time I can make people’s lives better. I believe I will be able to do in my life what I really dream of which is investigating commercial aircraft crashes to reduce number of accidents and save innocent people by introducing new technologies and engineering solutions.

What is it like to study engineering at UoS..?

One word: AMAZING! As aerospace engineering is an interdisciplinary program, the structure of the course is created in such a way that we learn different branches of engineering simultaneously and the difficulty is adjusted gradually so we are able to follow everything. The most exciting part of my course is the fact that we spend a lot of time in laboratories conducting experiments so it is not only learning theoretical concepts but we have a chance to face practical problems or even construct devices such as Stirling engine or screwdriver! Moreover, we are working on many projects and the university’s aim is to increase our employability in the future.

And what about Sheffield itself..?

Literally, I love this city. I’ve never thought I would find a place, especially in a foreign country, where I would feel like at home (in first week already!). For me Sheffield is a perfect city as everything I need is located in the city centre where I can easily get on foot. Furthermore, the number of parks and green areas makes me feel very good.  Who in the morning on the way to their lectures wouldn't like to be welcomed by a squirrel passing by in the local park? Another important aspect of the “Steel City” is that it is very student friendly and if you don’t own a fortune, no worries! The costs of living here are among lowest in the UK.

To Sheffield, or not to Sheffield? That is the question. 
Some advice at the end!

To be honest choosing UoS to study is the best decision I have ever made. Yet a few months ago I didn’t expect my life to change that much and in such positive way! What I’d recommend to anyone is just take all your positive energy, enthusiasm and passion, choose the course you are interested in and be the engineer of your life! The University of Sheffield is a place that will certainly support you, and will give you amazing opportunities. You will also meet number of amazing friends from all over the world, you will have a chance to join any society or sport club that you want (I never thought I’d become a swing dancer before!) and make a step into your better future!

Meet Our IEA Alumni: Phillip Kevin Machoka

Department: Aerospace Engineering

Course: MEng Aerospace Engineering with Private Pilot Instruction (Aeromechanics - Manufacturing)

Nationality: Kenya 






My favourite subject at school?

I enjoyed Physics in addition to Economics and French.

How did you decide which degree course to take?
My first experience in an aircraft while going on holiday to the Kenyan coast at the age of 5 sealed the deal for me. I wondered how something that big and heavy could get off the ground and was subsequently fascinated by the forces generated by flight; from the acceleration during take-off, to the thud of landing. From that day on, I endeavoured to join the industry; be it in aircraft design, management or even piloting.

Which advice would you give to people about to choose a university course?
Select the course that interests you most and will be a gateway to your career. This will allow you to enjoy the course as well as give you extra motivation for the less appealing aspects of the course. Also, speak to current students at various stages of the course, for their opinion of the course and also what to expect during the course.

What inspired you/who inspired you to follow this route?
The desire to do something challenging and as well as contributes to society was additional motivation to pursue this course. Also, I was aware that the aerospace industry is at the cutting edge most industries; from materials to electronics. Therefore pursuing a career in this field would fulfil the desire of doing something challenging but also moving society forward.

What do you particularly enjoy and why?

• The diversity of the modules serves as a good academic balance, giving a well-rounded experience. In addition, there is a diversity of people, which makes for a very positive experience, both in and out of the lecture hall.
• In terms of specific modules, I enjoyed the aircraft principles and performance modules and the material science modules on metals and composites. The lecturers are knowledgeable and helpful outside of the lecture hall.
• The support of the administration is very good, keeping one up to date with deadlines, job and placement openings. The administration is also supportive of one taking a year for placement or study abroad.

Best job/most fun/most fulfilling/challenges:

• I particularly enjoyed the relevance of some of the coursework given, and its application to industry. The most fun was the day trip to Cranfield University, where we took readings while in an aircraft doing over 2g’s while executing a high angle of bank turn.
• The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) group project was the most challenging and fulfilling as it required students to apply theory learned in the design and construction of an actual UAV capable of meeting certain criteria in addition to being able to fly.
• The Pilot Instruction aspect of the course is the most inspiring and a great addition to the learning experience. It also allows for better understanding of lecture theory.

What are your plans for the future/dreams/goals?
To be part of a management team in an aerospace company within 5 years of graduating from university. I am looking forward to a career that allows me to travel the world and also make an impact in society.

What do you like to do when you are not working on your degree?
I play football, for University of Sheffield Futsal team and help build model aircraft for summer competition. The city also has a lot to offer such as theatres, a lively shopping city centre and an amazing night life.

Meet Our IEA Alumni: Wu Xin

Department: Aerospace Engineering

Course: BEng Aerospace Engineering

My name is Wu Xin. I was studying in BEng Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield.

From young I have a fascination with aircraft and always in curious about latest technology introduced in the aviation. I completed a Diploma in Aerospace Electronics in Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore. During the time, I developed interests in the aviation, in particular the aircraft propulsion, namely gas turbine engine. So I decided to switch from aerospace electronics (avionic) to aerospace engineering which more related to propulsion.

Sheffield is well-known in its mechanical, electrical, auto control and material engineering in the UK. In my course, I am greatly benefited by learning different modules offered from those departments. As aerospace covers a wide range of knowledge that many people described aerospace engineering graduates as ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’. But I strongly believe this knowledge is essential to aerospace engineers. As aviation is one of the most innovated industries, aerospace engineer needs to be resourceful to solve a problem efficiently regardless it’s a mechanical problem, or electrical or in combination.

I would like to work in the aviation industry in the future. Another reason for me to choose Sheffield is that the engineering faculty has a closed relation to industry and provides lots of placement and internship opportunities of world-class companies for engineering students. For these reason, I chose aerospace engineering as my major in the University of Sheffield.

I love Sheffield.

Sheffield is a cosy place to live and quiet place to study. If you want to calm down and study, here is a great place. I enjoy studying at school library (Western Bank) and occasionally relaxing myself at the lovely Western Park just nearby. But it doesn’t mean it is a boring place. There are plenty activities you can do here!  Our student union provides a whole range of activities like: clubbing, café social event, weekend tour, hiking etc. You can always find interesting activities going on whenever you want.

Life in Sheffield is easy. I could found daily necessities in the city with only 15 mins walk and my favourite restaurants in 20 mins walk. Tram and bus services lead you to everywhere in Sheffield city. Meadowhall is an amazing one-stop shopping centre which only 20 mins by tram from city.

Sheffield is really international. Personally, I like to socialise with people from different culture backgrounds as I could make friends from every corner of the world. Furthermore, in the future, working in an international company requires cooperation with colleagues from all over the world. Sheffield with a wide global community provides this opportunity for us to enhance communication skills and culture awareness before we join the society.

The only difficulty I found live in the UK is the weather. Since I lived in Singapore which is a fully tropical country (only two kind of weather: hot and rain) for 7 years, it was a hard time for me to adapt with the winter.

Bits and pieces about the first semester

By: Hui Choo, Tan - BEng Aerospace Engineering

I had been studying in Singapore before coming over to Sheffield for my BEng. To those who do not know where Singapore is, let me share some fun facts about her. Singapore is a tiny little country beside Malaysia. It is a country and also a city. There is only one season, which is summer all year round, with lowest temperature of about 24 degrees Celsius.

Why did I choose the University of Sheffield? I did some research before choosing the universities and I found out UoS is known as one of the best engineering universities in UK. In addition, a friend of mine who is studying in London suggested UoS as it is known for aerospace. Apart from these, UoS is ranked the top 100 of the 2014-2015 Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings’ Engineering and Technology.

University is about independent study although there are many hours of lectures, tutorial and laboratories. You will have to spend time doing revision to keep up with your work. It is all about time management so that you can play and study. UoS has many professors who are top in their engineering field, which is beneficial to the engineering students. Never be shy to consult them because they will be able to share their knowledge and experience.

What are the benefits of UoS?  There are many places that you can seek help from, as well as to get involved. The best place to seek help is the Students’ Union. The Careers Service is one of them and it is a good place to apply for future summer internships and placements. The school has various societies such as Engineering without Borders and Simurq UAV which are related to engineering.

What should you do before coming? Do lots of research! Check out the various stuffs and documents that you will have to prepare, the events that UoS organised for the prospective students and a little research about Sheffield. Get yourselves involved in various events during the Orientation Week and Introduction Week to make new friends. Lastly, be mentally prepared that you will feel homesick as you are far away from home. But this will shape you to be a better person as you will pick up new skills and gain valuable experiences. 

Meet Our IEA Alumni: Jordan D'Costa

Department: Aerospace

Course: BEng Aerospace Engineering

Nationality: Australian

What was your favourite subject at school?

Physics and Physical Education

How did you decide which degree course to take? 

Long before finishing school I wanted to be a pilot but later into my school career I realised I had the ability and interest to go beyond knowing just how to fly a plane. When browsing courses I came across aerospace engineering and there was no looking back. It allows me to satisfy both my abilities and interests at the same time.

What advice would you give to people about to choose a university course?

Be sure to choose a subject you are passionate about. Remember you will be hearing about it five days a week for the next 3-4 years, so make sure it is something you really enjoy. If you can’t come to England to see the university for yourself, do as much research on the city in which the university is located and decide whether you like it. League tables do not say whether a university is good for YOU, so make don’t let them be the only information source to guide your choice of university and course.

What inspired you/Who inspired you to follow this route?

My fascination with flight and love of exploring the world.

What do you particularly enjoy and why?

• I particularly enjoy case studies in most modules. They present students with situations they may come across in industry and allow us to apply our knowledge to solve these problems. They also allow you to appreciate the material you learn in class that may initially seem to serve no purpose.
• Our lecturers are involved with current industry research and are highly regarded in their respective industries. Each has his or her own teaching technique and everyone has a favourite lecturer for one reason or another.
• The International Engineering Ambassadors scheme is a great employment opportunity offered by the university. It gives international students the chance to work and also feel secure in the university environment and reach out from there.
• I only joined a society in my second year of study. I joined the Skate Society since I used to go skateboarding quite a lot when I was at school. It has been a great experience because I’ve met even more people I can share an interest with, learn new things from and keep fit with too.

Best job/most fun/most fulfilling/challenges.

During summer 2011, I was involved in the Union fundraising event Treasure Hunt Europe. This involved raising £300 for local charities and travelling around Europe by train for 5 days given only clues to cities where new clues were waiting to be found. It ended with a big party in Munich with all the treasure hunters. My team stayed a few days extra to explore some more of Europe. We visited Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands throughout the trip.

How is studying your subject or methods of learning different at university than at school?

       If you had a good studying method at school, try your best to keep it up when you come to university. You can sit in a lecture and it will make sense, but you won’t retain the knowledge unless you do your own work on the topic. Lectures can be spotted throughout a day with big gaps of free time in between unlike full school days. Don’t waste these precious free hours; use them to work, especially if you have plans that don’t involve studying that night.

What are your plans for the future/dreams/goals?

I would love any job in the aerospace industry. It would be fantastic to be part of a team that designs a brand new plane, helicopter, spacecraft or satellite. I hope that my job allows me to travel around the world too.

What do you like to do when you are not working on your degree?

I’m part of the Sheffield Australian Rules Football Club known as Sheffield Thunder. Our season runs from March to August, playing against other cities such as Birmingham and Manchester. It is a great way to keep fit, meet new people, hangout with people from your own country and have fun. It isn’t connected to the university in any way so it’s a good way to get out of the university bubble you find yourself in. I also enjoy going out with friends because Sheffield has such a great night life.

MEET OUR INTERNATIONAL ENGINEERING AMBASSADOR : ASHWIN C ASHOK

Name: Ashwin Chithraveni Ashok

Department:  Aerospace Engineering

Course: MEng in Aerospace Engineering with a year in Industry.

Nationality: Indian

A bit about myself:

Hey, I am Ashwin Chithraveni Ashok from the southernmost tip of India-Kanyakumari. I am pretty sure you are wondering about my long name which is quite hard to pronounce. But the fact is that, guys with long name are usually more romantic and so I am: p. Oh brain don’t be distracted, please let me stick to these details. As mentioned earlier, I am a first year undergraduate student of Aerospace Engineering who enjoys the university life here in Sheffield. Do I really enjoy it? Of course I do.

What was your favourite subject in school?

I enjoyed almost all the subjects in my school but maths, history and computers were much close to my heart.

How did you decide what degree course to take?

Since I was young, I had an ambition in life which I wanted to pursue when I grew up. So it was pretty easy for me whilst taking the degree course. But later on like every students even I was confused about choosing the course between Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering. I was motivated further to choose Aerospace Engineering when I received the Armstrong award from my school (Excel Central School). After all, “Sky is not the limit when there are footprints on the moon”.

What advice would you give to people about to choose a university course?

I would politely ask you to do a lot of research of your own before choosing any university or the course that you wanted to pursue. This is because as a student we need to know about the structure of the course before we start studying. After all it’s your life and you need to take extra special care, as this could determine your upcoming future. “Today is the result of the actions you did yesterday”.

Hobbies:

Being a foodie by birth, I love cooking and eating new kinds of food. Since living in  Sheffield, I have learned to cook myself using the youtube videos and now I can cook some yummy Indian recipes. Apart from eating and sleeping, I love doing volunteering activities for the Sheffield volunteering hub and other local organisations over here. I especially, I enjoy the volunteering activities with kids which makes me feel young and dynamic. Apart from this, I love playing chess, volleyball,spending time at gym and dancing tamil kuthu style.

What are your plans for the future/dreams/goals?

My first year was awesome, fulfilling all the plans that I pre-planned before coming to UK. My plans for the second year are to get a paid internship which relates to my discipline and also I want to be on the committees of my favourite societies in the Students Union. My ultimate goal is to work for NASA and ISRO and then finally start my own business. 

Where can you find me in the University?

Usually aerospace lectures are held at St. George’s Church and Stephenson building. But you can rarely find me over there. Instead just check me on any social medias you use and if not somewhere in Students Union or Information Commons.