In quarantine experiences and advice – part 1, some of our international student ambassadors shared their experiences of completing quarantine (self-isolation). In part 2, they share their quarantine advice for new students.

Udochukwu

These comments are from:

• Adityesh from India, studying MSc Mechanical Engineering
• Faiza from Pakistan, studying PhD Business and Management
• Habibatallah from Egypt, studying MEng Electronic and Computer Engineering
• Montaha from Bangladesh, studying MSc Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology
• Soumya from India, studying Msc Computer Science (AI)
• Udochukwu from Nigeria, studying MSc Human Resource Management and Organisation

Advice for quarantine

Udochukwu

For students who need to quarantine I’d advise you enjoy the time before things get overwhelming, because you’d miss the quiet and alone time – I sure do. Do anything you love, play games, connect with family and more. Also, plan ahead make sure you’re comfortable and you’ve got necessary supplies and food to last the period.

Soumya

Soumya

Quarantine is something most people dread because of the solitude it accompanies. When I arrived to the university, I came across a lot of discussion groups and meetings in the website of the University of Nottingham where you can interact with people online and sessions where you can get to know international students. This was really beneficial. There are other groups like Friends International Nottingham available on social media sites like Instagram, where you can join the sessions and talk to people. The time for quarantine is something in which you can nurture your skills like cooking and baking. This will come handy for the rest of the time here at the university. Similarly, there are many skills which you may choose to enhance during this period.

Adityesh

Adityesh

One of the main things is to carry clothes and snacks that can last you through the quarantine period. Another piece of advice would be to keep in regular touch with your family and friends back home to prevent getting homesick!

Montaha

Do your research: try to measure the pros and cons before arriving. Also, make sure you have someone to help you, especially if you are in a private accommodation. Reaching out to country ambassadors or university support systems is very helpful!

Habibatallah

Habibatallah

My advice is to be smooth with it and don’t let your thoughts control you or don’t overthink too much because when we stay alone we can overthink too much that can affect our mental health. Also quarantine is the best time to set habits for yourself and develop your personality so don’t waste it. Don’t forget to bring a mat to do workout on it and get books or stuff you like to entertain you and also call your family and your friends a lot.

Faiza

Faiza (selfie taken in quarantine)

My advice to incoming students would be to develop a set routine:

• Getting up and sleeping at a certain time
• Get in touch and connected to your classmates and other people in quarantine
• Get in touch with your professors
• Try reading a nice book if you are fond of reading
• Play online games with friends and other people
• Be kind to yourself
• Eat well and stay hydrated
• Listen to music

Staying healthy (physically and mentally)

Spaghetti made by Soumya during quarantine

Soumya

Quarantine time is focussed to keep oneself isolated in order to maintain wellbeing of oneself. I made the most out of my quarantine because I could focus on my body and mind through exercises and meditation sessions. This helped me prepare for the impending hectic schedule once the classes commenced. Maintaining a balance of body and mind boosts one’s productivity and that’s what we aim as students here at the university.

Faiza

My advice would be to be kind to yourself during this period as it can be straining on your body and soul. Start a 10-day fitness challenge that works best for you. Make healthy food and meditate a few times a week. Use the time productively by arranging your room, personalise it and – if you want – get started on your work ahead of time. Most importantly, get good quality sleep so you are rested and refreshed for the year ahead.

Udochukwu

Montaha

I’d advise you do anything you find interesting, and communicate online as it’d help a lot. Also you can do some physical exercise indoors to keep fit.

Montaha

Cooking helped me – I was sure I became an expert masterchef by now. It was extremely therapeutic for me, so try to find your niche and keep yourself active!

Habibatallah

For staying healthy during quarantine, mentally: mention five things you are grateful for in your life every day, video call friends and family, mediate, watch TV shows, dance. Physically: work out, eat healthy and I yoga.

Adityesh

To stay healthy physically you can try a home workout or try yoga by watching videos on YouTube.  To stay healthy mentally, I think it’s important you socialise online (not physically) and not completely isolate yourself.

Plan for your own quarantine – check our quarantine guidance

The post Quarantine experiences and advice – part 2 appeared first on International Student Life.

We asked some of our international student ambassadors who joined us in 2020 or early 2021 to share their experiences of quarantine (self-isolation) on arrival in the UK.

These comments are from:

Soumya

• Adityesh from India, studying MSc Mechanical Engineering
• Faiza from Pakistan, studying PhD Business and Management
• Habibatallah from Egypt, studying MEng Electronic and Computer Engineering
• Montaha from Bangladesh, studying MSc Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology
• Soumya from India, studying Msc Computer Science (AI)
• Udochukwu from Nigeria, studying MSc Human Resource Management and Organisation

The quarantine experience

Soumya

I completed my quarantine in the university halls of residence. My quarantine experience was one of a kind. The accommodation team offered a bed pack for a reasonable price so that I didn’t have to hunt for these necessary items. They also gave me a complimentary pack of sweet and savouries.

Montaha

Montaha

I completed my quarantine at my dorm at St Peter’s Court. My quarantine experience was much better than what I had expected. Since I knew I will only carry cash and couldn’t go out strictly, I asked a friend to do my groceries for me. I also had access to online delivery services so that was a big lifesaver. Because I was sharing a flat with five others I had to wear a mask or shield to protect them.

Habibatallah

Habibatallah

I quarantined at my hall which was Southwell Hall at Jubilee Campus. It is a catered hall and has en-suite rooms. My quarantine experience was overall good. On day 1 I received my keys from the hall porter and he told me all the rules and instructions for quarantine such as not going out or visiting my roommates and also to leave my trash outside the room and they will take it. I will get two bags of food every day, the first bag in the morning and it has the breakfast and brunch, and the second bag was at 5pm, it has the dinner. I was not allowed to do laundry at the laundry room so I was washing my clothes by hand. The first 3-4 days of quarantine were good as I was busy organising my stuff and decorating my room. Later I got bored as I felt that each day was repeating itself so I started to put a plan for myself to get entertained such as working out, calling friends, reading books. I was doing activities in my room, but I was also counting days to see my friends.

Udochukwu

Udochukwu

I completed my quarantine in private accommodation with my family, in Reading. My quarantine experience went through phases and left me with different emotions. Initially I was excited for the first couple of days: I watched movies, had quiet times, and basically prepared for the new semester ahead. At about day 5 I became bored and was anxious to complete the quarantine so I could move around and explore the city and finally the last day I was excited and happy the quarantine was over.

Faiza

Faiza

I completed quarantine in a private accommodation in Hyson Green. My quarantine experience in a different country was quite a unique experience. I would best describe it as roller coaster of emotions. It started with excitement of being in a different country doing something I had not done since the start of the pandemic period – i.e. quarantine. The excitement lasted only a few days after which I entered the sadness phase since I was alone and started to miss my family quite a lot. This was followed by boredom as there was not much I could do except sit and watch the backyard from my room window. Towards the end I got excited again since I was going to get out of isolation and visit my dream university in person. Overall, there was a sense of happiness during the entire quarantine period because deep inside I knew I was doing it so I could protect others in case I had the virus. Also, I was happy since I did not test positive to it.

Adityesh

I completed my quarantine in my accommodation (Nottingham Two). My quarantine experience was interesting! It was different to what I had experienced back home as I was living by myself, but nevertheless it was a new experience and I tried to make the most of it.

Passing the time in quarantine

Indian food made by Soumya during quarantine

Soumya

I could make the most out of my time during the quarantine. I arrived a couple of days before the start of the course, so I invested my time finding out more about the university and what it offers. To my surprise, there was a lot I had options for. I had joined the online exercises, yoga class and mindfulness sessions with HealthyU. They also had great vlogs about how to maintain a proper diet. I followed them. I also started preparing for the week ahead. I could manage to make a timetable to organize my time once the classes started. This way, I could maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper time for exercises, food and online classes and could organize my day to be more productive. The 10 days quarantine gave me ample time for self-awareness.

Adityesh

Adityesh

Since my courses had begun, I spent half my day attending online classes and the other half watching Netflix. I also had made a couple of friends through my course, so I kept busy by spending time with them on Teams.

Habibatallah

I set a routine for myself so the first thing I was doing when I woke up was meditating and do 30 minutes workout, then taking a shower. After that I eat my breakfast and watch a show on Netflix, then I write in my journal and mention stuff that I am grateful for. I video call my family then I start to study anything related to my course  for 4-5 hours from the internet like reading articles or watching documentaries related to engineering, and after that I have my lunch then I talk to my friends as I was doing a list that has all my friends on it and I was calling one friend every day, and at the evening I read one chapter from a book then I waste dome time on social media and I sleep.

Montaha

How did I spend my time during quarantine? Mostly speaking to my family and trying to be busy with my courses as they were mostly online in the beginning. But at some point it was quite depressing and lonely as I couldn’t interact with people. It started affecting my mental health and because I arrived much later near the winter vacation time, coming out of quarantine was just not necessarily different as well.

Pancakes made by Soumya

Faiza

My typical routine in quarantine would be to wake up at 6 am because I was jetlagged and my body clock was mixed with the one back in Pakistan. First thing, I would do every morning was to do an hour yoga to keep my body and mind active. Then I would talk to my family and friends for an hour or two to keep me connected to people I love. I really enjoy cooking, so I planned out a new dish for each day to keep myself busy. Being a sports scholar, we had couple of zoom calls planned for the week for scholars who were also quarantining so it felt like we were in it together. I also started to get in touch with other students via Teams and small Moodle groups that were created. By the end of quarantine, I had made some scholar friends from other sports and got in touch with my other batch mates.

Read part 2 for advice for making the most of your quarantine days

Plan for your own quarantine – check our quarantine guidance

The post Quarantine experiences and advice – part 1 appeared first on International Student Life.

Faiza and her friend, a Lacrosse scholar from the United States

Faiza Zafar talks about her experience as a sports scholar at the University of Nottingham. Faiza is currently studying towards a PhD in Business whilst continuing to play squash professionally.

I am Faiza Zafar and I am one of the sports scholars at the University of Nottingham. I am very passionate about squash and was the National Women Champion of Pakistan before coming to the UK. As a professional squash player from Pakistan, I was looking at different universities across the UK hunting for a university that offered a platform where student athletes are supported to become the future stars in their respective sport. I had heard about University of Nottingham from professional players across the world, but it was only when I came to the David Ross campus that I realised that it was a grand version of what I had dreamt about.

Faiza with a trophy she has won at the University of Nottingham.

I still remember scrolling on the Department of sports website at UoN and looking at the scholars from all around the world competing at 25 different sports, representing University of Nottingham. I was also very impressed with all the athlete support services that the university was offering to develop its athletes which included a financial support towards training and competition expenses, UoN sports and fitness membership, nutrition and psychology guides. It was then I decided that I wanted to be part of the sports scholar community at Nottingham. I can safely and happily say that it was one of the best decisions of my life and here I am, sharing to you about it!

With a tailored training program that has goals and targets I have been enjoying training more than ever before. I felt very proud the day I walked into the court to receive my winner’s trophy with the scholar jacket. The best part of being a scholar athlete is all the other scholars I was able to meet and be friends with! Here is a picture of me and another scholar (Lacrosse scholar from America) The experience I got from representing UoN and the memories I have made during my time as a sports scholar is something I will cherish for the rest of my life!

My upcoming goal is the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. Wish me luck!

The post What it means to be a UoN international sports scholar appeared first on International Student Life.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of our flagship Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship.

Founded in 2001, this scholarship programme is for international students who want to make a difference to the development of their home country. High-achieving students from Africa, India and other Commonwealth countries are supported to study a masters degree in our Faculties of Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Sciences and Social Sciences.

In this blog post, current scholars talk about their experiences of studying at the University of Nottingham and their advice to future scholars who want to study with us.

Gabriella from Kenya

Gabriella from Kenya

“My motivation for applying to the MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management programme was my interest in understanding how to shape entrepreneurship and innovation within the African continent, to deliver more sustainable enterprises that make both an impact and an income. The end goal is to become a successful entrepreneur and champion of innovation in Africa.

I am so grateful to have 100% of my tuition fees covered by this scholarship. As a young Kenyan woman, at a time when so much is already against my success, it is incredible to have the opportunity to access world-class higher education. Honestly, if it was not for the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship, I would not be pursuing my dream degree at my dream university.

I chose Nottingham because of its international reputation for excellence, but now that I am here, I am even more won over by the tight-knit community, the convenient location, as well as the endless opportunities for growth and personal development. I can confidently say that choosing to study here was the best decision of my life – I will leave here, not just with a degree, but with memories and connections for life.

Great things happen when you leave your comfort zone! Coming to Nottingham is a chance to try new things, meet new people and go on new adventures. Use your time here to join a unique society, learn a different language, try out volunteering, explore an array of cities, or take up a leadership position. Go above and beyond simply earning a degree.”

Eric from Ghana

“I am an entrepreneur and physiotherapist with seven years post qualification work experience in a teaching hospital. I chose MSc Sports and Exercise Medicine because I wanted to challenge myself, gain a new skill set and apply the knowledge I already had. The masters programme is highly specialised, with modules on emergency and trauma medicine, as well as physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation. By the end of my degree, I will have the skills to contribute to the study of sports medicine, influence the practice of sports medicine in Ghana and compete with other professionals globally.

The 50% tuition fee scholarship I received through Developing Solutions has been invaluable – it is the most generous support I have ever received, and it has strengthened my motivation to secure enough resources to pursue sports medicine. The scholarship has enabled me focus on my studies and personal development.

The University of Nottingham offers the right environment to learn and work with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. The academic and support services are always available to help students develop to their full potential. They appreciate the unique needs and aspirations of each student. Nottingham is the city for young professionals and students to learn and achieve their goals without discrimination. It is always green and full of life.

For 20 years Developing Solutions has invested in the dreams of students from all over the world. It has promoted development and continued to invest in people during economic hardships and the ongoing pandemic. I encourage all future scholars who want to make an impact in their communities through their profession, policy, research and education to apply to this scholarship programme.”

Adeeba from Bangladesh

Adeeba from Bangladesh

“I wanted to work in the development sector, leading projects that tackle the environmental consequences of climate change. I felt the programme would give me the right tools to jumpstart my career, as it was tailored to my interest in combining leadership skills with sound environmental knowledge.

It would have been impossible for me to receive a world-class degree without the Developing Solutions scholarship. Simply put, this scholarship provided me with the finances to fulfil my dreams.

What I appreciated the most during my time at Nottingham was the help I received from the friendly and approachable staff. They were always there to help no matter what the issue. The university campuses are some of the best in the UK, with lush greenery and beautiful architecture. The student community is really diverse, making it such an enriching experience for anyone. Nottingham city is also a great place to live, full of vibrant entertainment, culture and facilities.

My advice to future scholars would be: set a goal for yourself and then do everything you can to achieve that goal. Goals are realistic targets of our dreams. Do not be afraid to dream. When actions match ambition, wonderful things can happen.”

Apply for Developing Solutions

Applications for the Developing Solutions Masters Scholarship programme close on Friday 21 May 2021. You must apply for and receive an offer to study a full-time masters in the 2021/22 academic year before applying for this scholarship. Search for courses and find out how to apply.

The post Celebrating 20 years of Developing Solutions appeared first on International Student Life.

Nicole Usher is a Chevening scholar from Belize, studying MSc Economic Development and Policy Analysis.

#ChosenforChevening in Belize

My name is Nicole Usher, and I am an international student studying at the University of Nottingham from the country of Belize. Belize is a small nation located in Central America. It is a former British Colony and has retained its historical connection to the United Kingdom as a member of the Commonwealth. The official language of Belize is English.

After completing my undergraduate degree in Economics and Finance at the University of Quintana Roo in Mexico, I earned a position as an Economist at the Central Bank of Belize. My work mainly comprises conducting research on topical issues, forecasting key economic variables, preparing macroeconomic reports on Belize, and monitoring economic affairs to assist with the development of policy recommendations. My career prospects coupled with the desire for personal growth motivated me to apply for the UK’s Chevening Scholarship Scheme. I aspired to fortify my skills in economic development and policy, expand my professional network, and develop my leadership abilities to better serve my country.

My Chevening Experience

Near Tower Bridge in London

2020 has been a defining year on my journey of personal growth and development. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be #ChosenforChevening, but what’s more, is that I am making history, joining the cohort of accomplished and courageous scholars undertaking their postgraduate studies in the midst of the most devastating global health crisis experienced in modern times. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly altered our world and shown us how fragile life can be, with over 35 million cases and one million deaths reported since the start of the outbreak in December 2019. However, the pandemic has also allowed us to pause, reassess our priorities, and take strategic actions to preserve human life. I cannot recall a more iconic demonstration of compassion and resilience among humanity. We are indeed in this together and must continue to show that same level of cooperation and determination as we strive to find a vaccine and set forth on the path to recovery.

No one could have foreseen this event, but in all the chaos, I chose to persevere. Upon receiving my Final Award Letter from the Chevening Secretariat, I had a difficult decision to make: whether to travel to the United Kingdom to pursue my studies in person or commence my studies online remotely. I opted for the former, and to date, it has been one of the best decisions I ever made. Unavoidably, I faced countless challenges, including travel restrictions, issues relating to the visa application process, and of course having to self-isolate for 14 days when I arrived in the UK; but, I overcame every obstacle, learnt a great deal from my experiences, and emerged stronger.

Life in Nottingham

I am now settled in my new home for the next 11 months at the University of Nottingham, pursuing a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Economic Development and Policy Analysis. During the Chevening application process, I sought universities with research-intensive programs, as I am a strong believer of using evidence to support policy decisions. Leaders must have rationales for decision-making, and through conducting research, we gain a better understanding of current issues and can analyse the best way to address them. It did not take long for me to identify the University of Nottingham as my first choice. From an academic standpoint, the University is ranked eighth in the UK on a measure of research intensity and quality by the Research Excellence Framework (2014), and more than 97 percent of research produced at the University is recognized internationally. Moreover, the University boasts award-winning campuses in the UK, China, and Malaysia. On the social front, the University has one of the largest student populations in the UK and is considered a global institution, with more than a quarter of its students hailing from international countries. Finally, the MSc in Economic Development and Policy Analysis program was dynamic and covered a wide range of robust topics. I was confident it would best equip me with the skills and discipline to pursue my goals of improving socio-economic conditions in my home country, Belize.

At Wollaton Park in Nottingham

In the short time that I have been here, I have met amazing people from different backgrounds and cultures, made memories that will last a lifetime, explored the wonderful city of Nottingham, and even found Robin Hood! Nottingham is a thriving student city with plenty to do and see; I am especially fond of the large selection of restaurants and pubs. While I continue to adjust to the weather, time difference, and blended educational mode of delivery this term, I believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I am thankful to have the opportunity to experience a new country and pursue my graduate degree at one of the most prestigious institutions in the UK, which would not have been possible without the generous support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organizations. To date, the UK Government has assisted over 50,000 young, global professionals to complete a graduate degree through the Chevening Scholarship Scheme. Awards are fully funded and offer a unique opportunity for scholars to grow in a professional and academic capacity, while experiencing life in a new country, expanding their network, and building lasting relationships.

As the deadline to apply for the 2021/2022 Chevening Award cohort approaches on 3 November 2020, I encourage future scholars to consider the University of Nottingham as their first choice. It is an excellent institution to pursue higher education and meet lifelong friends. I can attest that it has exceeded my expectations in every way. If you are in search of an extraordinary academic, social, and global experience, look no further than the University of Nottingham.

Read comments from other Chevening scholars at Nottingham in our previous blog post, and find out more about Chevening Scholarships at Nottingham.

Apply through the Chevening website by 12pm UK time on Tuesday 3 November 2020.

The post #ChosenforChevening 2020-2021 appeared first on International Student Life.

Applications for Chevening Scholarships in 2021 are closing soon. We asked some of this year’s Chevening Scholars for their thoughts about Chevening and their decision to study with us at Nottingham.

Ayesha Urooj

“Education is not only acquired in the classroom, but it is learned from experience and exposure as well. With Chevening, dreams come true. It opens doors to endless possibilities, sets you on a journey to advance yourself as leaders, and make everlasting bonds. Becoming a part of the Chevening and University of Nottingham community acted as a catalyst in the growth of my social connections and provided an opportunity to expand my circle into a diverse global network to achieve common goals for a sustainable future.”

– Ayesha Urooj, studying MSc Electrical Engineering for Sustainable and Renewable Energy

Naomi Matthew

“I applied for a Chevening Scholarship because of my desire to be part of a prestigious global community of professional scholars and at the same time gain the experience of a lifetime in the UK. My goal is to become an experienced and reputable development economist actively embarking on projects to increase my country’s resiliency to natural hazards and economic shocks.

One of my reasons for choosing the University of Nottingham is that through research I found out that the professors possess impressive knowledge of developing countries like Africa and other low-income countries, which is a strong advantage for me emerging from such a background. This was reaffirmed by past scholars who attended the university. I started my first three weeks remotely and the university has been very supportive thus far, I felt like I was on campus. Apart from attending lectures and seminars, I look forward to learning the culture and traditional cuisine of the British, and also visiting historical museums and landmarks.”

– Naomi Matthew, studying MSc Development Economics

Nicole Usher

“My career prospects coupled with the desire for personal growth motivated me to apply for the UK’s Chevening Scholarship Scheme. I aspired to fortify my skills in economic development and policy, expand my professional network, and develop my leadership abilities to better serve my country. It did not take long for me to identify the University of Nottingham as my first choice. In the short time that I have been here, I have met amazing people from different backgrounds and cultures, made memories that will last a lifetime, explored the wonderful city of Nottingham, and even found Robin Hood!

As the deadline to apply for the 2021/2022 Chevening Award cohort approaches on 3 November 2020, I encourage future scholars to consider the University of Nottingham as their first choice. It is an excellent institution to pursue higher education and meet lifelong friends. I can attest that it has exceeded my expectations in every way. If you are in search of an extraordinary academic, social, and global experience, look no further than the University of Nottingham.”

– Nicole Usher, studying Economic Development and Policy Analysis

Read more about Nicole’s Chevening story and her experiences at Nottingham

Peter Paul Akanko

“I applied for the Chevening Scholarship because I found it as the perfect fit to help me gain more knowledge and experience in business and to build the right networks to help me expand my business across the world and economically empower more kente weavers and other artisans in Ghana. I also intend to help nurture more Social Entrepreneurs to help solve problems in Ghana and Africa at large.

Looking through various UK universities, I found the programmes and modules of the University of Nottingham amazing, and with the support I received from Emma Tayou (Nottingham’s Regional Manager for West Africa) and the Admissions team throughout my application till now, I developed further love for the University. The induction and introductory courses have been great so far with a lot of great professional development opportunities available. I feel very welcomed and I know at the end of the programme I will be glad I chose to study at the University of Nottingham.”

– Peter Paul Akanko, studying Msc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management

Read more about Peter’s story and his advice for Chevening applicants

Apply for Chevening

Chevening Scholarship applications for 2021-22 close on Tuesday 3 November 2020. You don’t need to receive a masters course offer at the time of applying, but we recommend applying for your chosen masters degree courses as soon as possible since you will need an offer later in Chevening’s application timeline.

Find out more about Chevening Scholars at Nottingham and apply through the Chevening website.

The post Chevening Scholars of Nottingham appeared first on International Student Life.

Peter Paul Akanko is a Chevening Scholar from Ghana, beginning an Msc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Management course at the University of Nottingham.

I am the founder and CEO of Kente Master Limited, a social enterprise which is into the production of high quality original kente (woven Ghanaian fabric) products while leveraging on digital technology to market and supply these products globally. A core part of the mission of Kente Master is to economically empower local kente weavers by creating newer and  wider markets for them, giving them a sustainable livelihood.

Our main products are graduation stoles (scarves), full kente cloth, clothing and accessories. Over the past 5-6 years, Kente Master has supplied thousands of graduation stoles and other products to students and organizations in 15 countries including the US, UK, China, South Africa among others, helping to economically empower over 100 local kente weavers and promoting this unique cultural heritage. Kente Master has an amazing project coming up which will be exciting for young people around the world so stay tuned.

Kente Master graduation stoles in use at the University of Pennsylvania

I applied for the Chevening Scholarship because I found it as the perfect fit to help me gain more knowledge and experience in business and to build the right networks to help me expand my business across the world and economically empower more kente weavers and other artisans in Ghana. I also intend to help nurture more Social Entrepreneurs to help solve problems in Ghana and Africa at large.

Looking through various UK universities, I found the programmes and modules of the University of Nottingham amazing, and with the support I received from Emma Tayou (Nottingham’s Regional Manager for West Africa) and the Admissions team throughout my application till now, I developed further love for the University. The induction and introductory courses have been great so far with a lot of great professional development opportunities available. I feel very welcomed and I know at the end of the programme I will be glad I chose to study at the University of Nottingham.

Here are my tips on applying for a Chevening Scholarship

1. It’s not about you. Never make your essays revolve around you as a person but more on community impact – be it your essay on leadership, networking, studying in the UK or career goals.

2. Use practical examples as much as possible in your essays and avoid ambiguity. Instead of saying “I plan to help promote education in rural communities in Ghana”, say “I plan to put together some volunteers who would go to various schools to teach and guide school children in their studies”.

3. Choose quality over quantity in citing examples – be it your leadership or networking essays, do not try to state too many examples. That might seem like you are not focused. Choose the most key examples and elaborate on them

4. Be very clear about your career plan (short term, mid-term and long term) and let it be consistent with your essay on leadership.

5. Make sure your introductions are catchy enough.

I hope these tips are helpful. These are my personal views from my own experience and do not reflect directly the views of the Chevening Secretariat. You should refer to Chevening’s full application guidance when you apply.

Applications for Chevening Scholarships in 2021 are open until Tuesday 3 November 2020. Find out more about Chevening Scholars at Nottingham.

The post Peter’s tips for your Chevening Scholarship application appeared first on International Student Life.

Romaine is a Jamaican student who is studying MSc Crop Improvement

Why did you choose the University of Nottingham?

My foremost reason for choosing the University of Nottingham is the structure and relevance of the module contents of the course that I was seeking to study. I was accepted to two other universities for similar MSc courses. However, I found the contents of the Crop Improvement Course were more ideal for me at the UoN, as it would more aptly complement my background in agronomy, and enhance my skills. Secondly, I was particularly pleased with the wide array of clubs and societies available, and immediately considered involvement in one or more of them.

What is your favourite thing about the University of Nottingham?

It’s hard to find a favourite thing when you’re so well-catered for. Nevertheless, I would rank the support systems available to assist students as my favourite thing about the University.

In the first week, all the avenues for students to get assistance if you are struggling with learning and adapting is drilled into your head. We were advised to consult the graduate centres, your tutors, your module convenors and your course coordinators if we encounter any problems. Campus counsellors advising to you drop in, and support from the campus Chaplain was quite reassuring. We are constantly reminded ‘not to suffer in silence’. I have definitely made use of these resources and found them quite useful in rectifying my problems.

What is the best thing about your course?

I like the feasibility of the course and its applicability to the 21^st century concerning food security. I am particularly pleased with the hands-on approach of learning, complemented with the theoretical aspects. In addition to lectures, we get to work in the laboratory and conduct field experiments.

What do you do with your spare time, and what are your hobbies?

I like to go to the gym and work out. I think it breaks some of the stress of studying and completing coursework.

I like learning about other countries and their culture. Therefore, I attend the Globe Café, which is a gathering where mainly international students come and socialise and make friends. It a great opportunity to learnt British customs and experience other cultures from all over the world.

Also, prior to commencing my pursuit of an MSc, I just started to learn how to play to piano, so in my free time, I practise what I have learnt. I like singing. Being based at the Sutton Bonington Campus, I get the opportunity to be involved with the SB Singers! We practise for numerous choir performances. I thoroughly enjoy being a member!

What do you like about Nottingham as a city?

I love ease of transport to the city from the University using the trams and buses. Since the city is out of London, the prices are much affordable when shopping. I like the diversity of the city and enjoy the atmosphere during the holidays such as Halloween and Christmas.

What would be your top tips for a new international student starting at the University of Nottingham in their first year?

Make the best of the opportunity. Use the resources available to you. The University makes a tremendous effort to meet the needs of each and every student.

Don’t forget to participate! There are so many clubs and societies available that it will be hard for you to choose but get involved with a least one.

Ensure you practise proper time management to balance it all because the MSc programmes can be quite demanding, especially when your adjusting to a different education system. Also, for non-native English speakers, if you need assistance in enhancing your skills in writing and speaking, that option is available. Come with an open mind to learn and explore the UK.

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Prateik Mukherjee, on our MSc Finance and Investment programme, shares his experience of studying, keeping in touch with friends and securing a job whilst in lockdown in the UK.

Prateik Mukherjee, MSc Finance and Investment

At the University of Nottingham, we have had some uncertainty regarding how our degrees would progress for the remainder of the academic year. Additionally, most of us international students have really been worried about whether to travel back home or stay at our university accommodation during such unprecedented times. Following are the key points which were of major concern, how the university has supported us and how we, as students, have adjusted to the situation and worked with each other.

Working remotely – assessments, deadlines and group work

At the University of Nottingham, we have received an incredible amount of support from our course representatives, lecturers, and department heads. Delivery has moved online, through Microsoft Teams, which has turned out to be a very efficient alternative to in-person lectures and seminars. Our examination format has also been re-evaluated and now we will be sitting our exams as individual coursework assignments, over the course of 5 days.

As most of our group members for our coursework assignments have travelled back to their respective home countries, we have found it extremely difficult to keep working on our assignments in a regular manner. However, we have also found it easy to learn from the online teaching methods resorted to by our university to provide lectures and seminars, and we have collaborated and coordinated our group coursework online, through Microsoft Teams, to have frequent team discussions. We have also used online Kanban tools like Trello to remotely track the health of our group projects and work on them together from different locations.

Accommodation – staying in the UK

When the news of the outbreak was received and the number of cases started escalating in the UK every day, most of us international students were very unsure if the best decision would be to travel back to our respective home countries. We were worried about our accommodation arrangements in every possible circumstance. Although a lot of students have decided to travel back to their respective countries, I am among those who have decided to stay back. Those that have stayed have received an incredible amount of help from the accommodations team to resolve all our uncertainties and we have been able to reside in our university accommodation till the end of our contracts in September. We have received extremely encouraging support from our hall tutors, and it has allowed all of us to reside here feeling safe and focused on our degrees. The internet connections in our accommodations have also been extremely good, to help us complete our assignments and communicate with our loved ones back home, which has made us feel very comfortable with our decision to stay back in the UK.

Postgraduate Employment – securing a role at EY

Applying for graduate employment opportunities has been clouded by uncertainty during these times, this is especially true for all the international students. Luckily, the various companies that I had applied to kept me updated and helped in reducing as much of the uncertainty as possible. My final interviews at some of the companies were held online through Microsoft Teams and we tried to follow the same format as we would have done before the outbreak. Some other students have attended their assessment centres online, I have also not encountered any connectivity issues, that may otherwise have interfered with the process of my online interviews.

I feel this has played a vital role in helping me secure a role in one of the big four financial services firms, Ernst and Young, which I start in August. Online communication with the university, regarding any formalities required to be completed before I join my new role after graduation, have been very prompt and I feel so supported by them!

Support groups – keeping in touch

Sometimes, it has been very difficult for us to maintain a regular life here as for the last one month we all have been feeling a little lonely. However, I have noticed incredible collaboration from different groups at the university to help provide support and sometimes just much needed friendly discussions. For instance, as a part of the UoN RockSoc, we have two Facebook messenger groups, one where we share music and one where the entire society gets together to just chat with each other. This has really helped me engage with people at university socially, during such times, and just knowing that I am not the only one in this situation has really helped. Our WhatsApp group for the 2019 PG offer holders, has also been a great source of conversations and helped us all feel involved in a social circle whilst still being far away from each other. There has been a group created on Microsoft Teams as well, specifically to support those who have decided to stay back within university accommodation during this period, for which I am extremely thankful.

It has really given us an opportunity to think about how we can help each other while we are all in this situation together at university.

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The last couple of months have been an extremely difficult and uncertain period for all of us, all over the world. However, most of us continue our daily lives, working remotely and improvising using technologies. Our students talk about studying online during this time and what they have learnt from the experience.

Priya Pai, MBA 

Working from home

Hello! I’m Priya and I am currently studying the MBA programme at the University of Nottingham.

Currently we are facing the unprecedented times with the Covid-19 outbreak and yes, many things have changed in the last couple of days for us. From being in the classroom throughout the day and having brainstorming sessions in the University libraries to now being in my accommodation room and learning through live online sessions and materials, there definitely has been in a shift to our learning experience. But again, all of this is also part of our experience.

In terms of the University services, here is how things are going. All lectures have moved online, and professors are connecting with students over online platforms. Currently, I’m having my elective modules (i.e. subject) going on and had Innovation Management delivered online last week. Personally, it wasn’t a massive change to adapt to. We had some content of the subject delivered via live sessions where the professors would essentially present their screen, explaining us the subject content and wherever we had any questions we would drop them on a common chat box which are addressed at the end of the seminar.  The professors would also record these sessions and post them online so that we can view the recordings again at our convenience. The module also required us to work on a presentation as a group which again transitioned smoothly to the online mode. As a group, we connected every couple of hours for discussing the group work and were able to complete and present our pitch to the panel members online. Guess where there is a will, one is always able to find a way. In terms of other student services, we have been made available with all the subject content online which also includes accessing the library collections online and other databases which we use for our coursework. It is a lot to take in, but the University is really extending their support to all of us and making us feel as comfortable as possible. The MBA course staff are currently super flexible with their schedule and are there to help us.

At this note, I’m going to wrap up and to all the students out there, here is a humble request. Stay calm and do not panic. I can completely understand that you would have many questions about your future educational endeavours but please be rest assured that University of Nottingham will be supporting and sharing information regularly. The University will be definite at taking measures to ensure that we have all the required learning experience.

Felipe Espitia, MSc in Finance and Investment

Felipe’s desk

First a brief introduction of myself, my name is Felipe Espitia from Colombia and I am studying a MSc in Finance and Investment. During this crazy time the teaching and studying resources have changed and we moved to home. In my case my accommodation room has become my lecture theatre.

My front line to carry on my studies is my home desk, my laptop and my iPad which are helping me to attend my lessons (the majority are recorded by my professors) and to complete my coursework. Since this place is a new and unique location for my university duties, I make it as friendly as I can, giving plenty space for each device, having a bottle of water to hand, a notebook to take notes and I usually play podcasts to feel that I have some company around me.

This new experience has challenged me because I have not had an experience like this before, and I am still a person of the old school teaching resources. However, we are in a technology era where many resources can make our lockdown easier. Resources like Microsoft Teams (some of my professors are using it to continue their lessons), Zoom, Facetime and even Skype are other resources to communicate with my friends, family and colleagues.

Finally, something that it is positive for this social distance isolation is to understand that today we have many sources to communicate and still have social contact with our relatives and friends, it does not matter how far away we are from them.

Angeliki Kondyli, BSc Economics

Economics from home

Hey! My name is Angeliki and I am an Economics student at the University of Nottingham. I’m from Cyprus and in my 2nd year of study. I have moved back to Cyprus following the pandemic and currently studying from home. As I came from the UK, I was quarantined as soon as I landed. My parents left me a car at the airport, and I drove to our holiday house, where I stayed for 14 days quarantined. Many students who came back home a day later, were quarantined at different hotels throughout Cyprus, and after that, the borders closed.

Working from home has been quite an experience. All my lectures have moved online, through lecture capture and some of my seminars/tutorials take place on Microsoft Teams. Interacting with our professors and tutors has never been easier. They communicate with us regularly and check up on us, to make sure we are doing okay in these difficult times.

As for me, adjusting to studying from home took a while. During my first few days of quarantine, I could not concentrate, because I felt lonely and scared in case I was a carrier, but also anxious because of the uncertainty about university and exams. It took a few days for me to finally adjust, and by that time the university had announced that they were turning our exams into Take Home Online exams. I felt relieved and that helped a lot in getting me to concentrate. By the time I went home, 15 days later, I had fully adjusted and managed to do plenty of work. My daily routine nowadays is very different. I make myself wake up early as I used to, but I make sure that I sleep 8 hours a day. I make a day plan, every night before I go to bed and stick to it throughout the day. I usually watch my lectures in the morning through and then I take a break for lunch. Then in the afternoon, I make sure that I have understood the material, by making my own notes for the lectures I watched earlier and by solving tutorial questions. After dinner, I avoid studying. I believe it’s important to have a break and to go to sleep calmer, so I prefer to watch a movie, play video games, or board games with my brothers. I video chat with my friends frequently to make sure we are here for each other and to feel less lonely.

However, staying home has its positives too. Normally my parents have busy schedules, but now we are all home and we spent lots of time together. We try to work out once a day, sometimes together, sometimes on our own. Once a week we have a yoga session together. Other than working out, we play board games a lot nowadays, and if not, my brothers and I play video games, which is a nice bonding activity. Since having more time in my hands, I have focused a lot on learning German. I took German as an extra module at University and now I have more time to practise it. I have applied to do an extra course online on Finance. Usually I do not have so much free time, so I want to take advantage of this as much as possible.

Learning something new is always exciting and useful. I believe it is important to take this time to reflect on who we are and what we have and to be grateful.

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