We Are All Black and Gold, Sheffield University – Varsity 2014
In this report I will try to summarize my experiences during my exchange at Sheffield
University. I feel as though I need to apologize for my inability to give you a complete and
perfect overview of my experiences at Sheffield University, for no words can fully grasp the
way one experiences his or her exchange. I can only hope that this will make you seriously
consider going on an exchange. As I am typing, I am sitting on my couch in the Netherlands
with a very good friend of mine, a guy from Australia that I met in Sheffield and came over
for a visit to my place.
After having travelled for a few hours, I arrived in Sheffield. Unfortunately I cannot say that
my first impression was as good as I hoped. The city looked a bit grim, the rain was pouring
down, and the hostel I was staying at was not the best. But what a big contrast it was with the
next few days. Sheffield University sent us information beforehand about our introduction. A
day before the start of this introduction I had already met numerous people that were staying
at other places whilst they were waiting for the start of the introduction. I couldn’t help but
notice the excitement of all the people that I met to start their adventure. Some people were
prepared and already knew everything there was to know about the university; others decided
to just go somewhere and see what happens. The people were diverse, and so was their
culture.
Everything was very well taken care of by the university. The introduction was structured in
such a way that invited you to talk to other people and make as many friends as possible.
Furthermore, Sheffield University took all the necessary precautions to make us feel at home
as soon as possible. The introduction was not only about making new friends, we also got a
lot of information about our courses and we got our student card. If I had to pick a moment
that made me fall in love with the university, it would be the introduction. Nothing was
forgotten by Sheffield, there was ample room for questions if you didn’t understand
something, and a team of enthusiastic and kind people took care of the event.
And there we went. It was finally time to check in to our accommodation. I and some of the
people that I had already met took the bus to Endcliffe Cresent, the place we would be staying
for the next few months. Again, the university took care of everything. We then had a few
days until our first lecture. Being there a couple of days before we started did help, it helps
you to get used to the changed circumstances. I believe that one needs some time to adapt.
Furthermore, it prevents people from experiencing something called a ‘culture shock’. I
really do not think anyone has any regrets regarding their stay in Sheffield; I met some of the
nicest people there.
The first month of our stay was mostly filled with new experiences, our first lecture, our first
experience with the English culture, and our first experience with the city culture. One thing
that really surprised me was the quality of the lectures; the professors were kind and capable
people. Sheffield University provided a lot of activities for Erasmus students. We were
encouraged to see everything there was to see through a thing called the ‘give it a go’
programme. We as Erasmus students were really happy that they did provide these activities
since it took away the fear that some people had to travel in a foreign country. If there is one
advice that I need to give it is that you should not be afraid to undertake activities and meet
new people. Furthermore, we all went to the varsity, a sports competition between the two
universities of Sheffield that ended with a big ice hockey match.
Time flies when you’re having fun, it really does. Before we knew it, we were already coming
close to the end. After having visited numerous places in England, Scotland and Ireland, one
could say that we had been busy. The exam stress started and we did no longer have the time
to meet up that often. I would still see my mates, but under the hard reality that stuff really
needed to be done. Not only should you keep in mind that you are only there for a limited
time, but you should also make the most of the time you have.
One of the most common mistakes people make is that they think that an exchange is only
about drinking and partying. I have to admit that we did spend a fair amount of time in the
local pup, but at the same time one must also know that there is much more to an exchange. I
have connections all throughout the world now; the amount of people you meet that have the
same mindset on an exchange is incredible. Furthermore, following lectures at a university
abroad enriches you as a person. It makes you think about your study differently since it sheds
a different light on the topics that you covered back home. You get different exams than you
are used to. One of the most important skills that we all obtained abroad is that we will
manage wherever we go. You cannot put a value on this skill I think. Sheffield University did
everything they possibly could to make my life there as pleasant as possible. I will forever
feel like a student of the University of Sheffield.
Cheers!