Meet Our IEA Alumni: Sajid Mohamed H Mohamed

Department: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Course: BEng Electronic Engineering

Nationality: Sri Lanka

Choosing the correct university is one of the most important decisions to be made in life, and I definitely have no second thoughts in my choice, the University of Sheffield. Though, you probably would have read and heard a lot about the university’s reputation, rankings, facilities and opportunities when I was back in Sri Lanka, you never know whether it would be the right choice for you unless you experience it yourself. Hence, even I was not quite sure whether I made the correct decision by choosing the University of Sheffield. But, if you are looking for high quality education, affordable, comfortable and an amazing living experience with a diverse culture and friendly people in a lovely city, then Sheffield is undoubtedly the place for you!

I am a second year Electronic Engineering undergraduate student, but this is my first year at the University of Sheffield. I completed my Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in Colombo, Sri Lanka which enabled me to enter directly to the second year of my course. The quality and the method of teaching is somewhat different to what I had experienced before, but the transition process had been smooth, mainly due to the fellow students and staff who are always willing to help. My subject area needs a lot of messing around with circuits, wires and other electronic components, and the university provides these in their excellent laboratory facilities. Also, the library facilities at the University, with the Information Commons open 24 hours a day provides the ideal atmosphere for a student who wants to study till night, especially during the exam periods.

University work can be really tough at times, but there is always something to do just to get you relaxed. You can always go to the Goodwin Sports Centre to engage yourself in some sort of sporting activity, watch a movie at the Students Union, make a trip to Peak District or even do some shopping (if it helps you) at the city centre which is only a five minute walk from the university. Being involved with clubs or societies is another good way to keep you stress-free and you have the opportunity to choose what is ideal for you from a variety of clubs and societies.

If you feel afraid that you might lose touch with your Sri Lankan culture, it would be safe to say that, that is something you should not worry at all. There is a very active Sri Lankan Society at the University which brings together all Sri Lankans and helps us feel at home, especially during religious festivals when we tend to miss home the most. Also, whenever we have any free time, we always get together and test our skills in cricket or football, which can be extremely competitive due to the talented sportsmen we find around here.

Finally, a word about the Sheffield. I could not think of a better place for a student to live! Renowned to be UK’s greenest city, living expenses are much low compared to other major cities in UK. You could always find accommodation with close proximity to the University and it is also very convenient to get yourself around the city either by foot, bus or tram.

I certainly did not expect life at University to be anything more than longs hours of stressful work and feeling homesick a foreign land. But as it turns out, there is much more on offer. The experiences I have had so far at the University of Sheffield have been simply amazing and could be cherished for a lifetime. But for now, I have more time left to spend in Sheffield and I am certainly looking forward to gaining the most out of it.

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Sindoori Muhunthan

Name: Sindoori Muhunthan 

Course: Bioengineering

Nationality: Sri Lanka

A little bit about myself first! I am Sindhoori Muhunthan, currently in my first year of Bioengineering at the University of Sheffield. I have lived my whole life in the tiny town of Kandy, in Sri Lanka where I attended an international school that follows the British education system.

Choosing the correct university for yourself, is one of the most important decisions of your life. I found it to be one of the toughest too. So how did I decide? Since our school followed the British curriculum, we had annual visits and education fairs from some of the best universities in the UK. This was one of the main things that helped me decide which university I want to go to.

Before this though, I had to decide which course was the best for me. I knew I wanted to be a part of the medical environment and contribute to healthcare, however, I did not see myself working in a clinical environment for the rest of my life. This led me to Bioengineering. Bioengineering is a diverse field, though relatively new, which attempts to solve biological problems that have persisted throughout history using engineering principles.

Once I knew which course of study I wanted to pursue, I had to find the best place for it. After a lot of research and tough decision making I decided on the University of Sheffield, and I am happy to say I have not had any second thoughts about my decision after arriving here. The most exciting thing about my course is the diversity of it. One minute you will be sitting in an electronics lecture, and the next you will be examining cadavers in the anatomy lab. We also have talks from guest lecturers who are a part of the bioengineering industry. This is one of the most valuable aspects of my course as it helps us stay in touch with the current trends and progress within the industry. Some of the main things prospective students should think about before picking their major would be to choose a subject they like and can see themselves working on for the rest of their professional career.

I must admit, leaving home and learning to live by myself for the first time scared me! I did not know what to expect since I am from a country with a completely different culture and different traditions. However, after coming here I realized that it wasn’t as scary as I expected and the transition was not too challenging. There is also an active Sri Lankan society here that helps me to stay in touch with my culture and makes me feel at home.

University work can be really challenging at times, but there is an abundance of things you can do here to relax when the work load gets a little bit too much! Joining societies and meeting new people is always a stress- reliever! You can make a trip to the Peak District and do a little bit of hiking and walk along with nature, or watch a movie at the Students’ Union (which is THE place to go to if you want to just grab a quick bite to eat or hang out with your friends) or maybe even engage in some sort of sports. However, you never need to worry too much about not being able to catch up with your studies. The Information Commons, which is a library, is open 24/7 and also, the lecturers here are always willing to help.

I am really happy I chose Sheffield and got accepted here! The city is lovely and safe and also an ideal place to do all your shopping. Living costs are also much lower when compared to other major cities in the UK. Overall, the experience I have had at the University of Sheffield have been amazing so far and I cannot believe I have already completed one semester here! Time sure flies by fast when you’re having fun! Honestly, I cannot think of a better place to live!