August 26, 2021, by ZY
Student Sharing: University Life and Preparing for Exchange Programme
This article is written by Tan Swee Ching, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences Year 2 student. Swee Ching is one of the students who got selected to go on the exchange programme for Year 3 Semester 2 in the UK campus.
How did you enjoy the student life in year 1 and 2?
I would say that my student life in year 1 was the most enjoyable one as I spent most of the time on campus in year 1 and it brought a lot of unforgettable memories to me. I have met and made lots of amazing friends here. Together, we studied, did lab practicals, enjoyed meals, wandered around the campus, stayed back in the library until very late and hanged out. These are the normal things that every student experiences in the university, and these pieces of memories are composed to become a significant and precious souvenir for all of us when we graduate. Due to the pandemic and lockdown since March last year, we had to study online at home for the whole year 2. However, I truly believe that everything will get better slowly as when the sun rises, things will get brighter.
How do you feel about getting selected to be one of the exchange students?
The first thought that came to my mind was joyfulness, as this is a great chance for me to step out of my comfort zone by exploring various cultures and learning methods in a foreign country which would broaden my mind and enrich my views on the world. Studying overseas also means that I need to adapt to new environments and make new friends in a place that is strange to me, and these may be challenging. I will treat it as a small adventure and try to cope with the challenges independently to help myself to grow. The only downside is that I will not be able to spend the last semester here to do final year project together with my friends.
How do you prepare yourself for the exchange to UK campus?
I have done some advanced search about the visa application, for example identifying the type of visa that I need to apply for before departure. Besides that, I searched for some general information about the important documents that are needed to bring along with me when studying abroad. Moreover, I read some news and checked some websites e.g. https://www.gov.uk/to keep myself updated about the important notices when travelling to UK during pandemic times. I looked through the map of UK campus for the locations of different buildings and accommodation. I also watched some vlogs about the study experiences in the UK to fulfil my curiosity. From the videos, I have learnt some fun and useful tips, for example, “how do we pack the luggage effectively without wasting any space of it!”. Moreover, it is helpful to ask for these information from your friends who are studying overseas, as they have truly experienced it.
What was your favorite session and the best thing that you have learnt in UNM?
I enjoy every lectures throughout the two years in University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) although my favourite session is lab practical. Through various explorative lab sessions, not only could I build my practical skill set but also practise and learn to operate different types of lab equipment, allowing me to grasp concepts quickly and develop deeper understanding of the topics.
I also appreciate that our lecturers are always kind and friendly. They deliver the lectures enthusiastically with lots of patience, enabling a smooth learning experience. Other than the valuable knowledge, I think the best thing I have learnt when studying in UNM is how to express my thoughts better during group discussion or social communication as I used to be more reserved when talking to other people. I attribute it to the fact that UNM has a variety of curricular and extra-curricular events and activities for students to participate in, hence helping me to build up my confidence. All in all I’m happy to be part of UNM!
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