Why did you choose to study here?
The reason why I chose to study at University of South Wales was the relevant course to my background. In addition, the course and living fee were reasonable to my budget.
Tell us about the course you are studying and how you find the lectures?
My course helped me to develop critical and analytical skills, as well as the management expertise required to manage civil engineering projects and implement environmentally sustainable solutions. The staff here are friendly and very helpful.
Tell us a bit more about studying at the University, what is it like?
The University of South Wales provided me a good environment to study. Firstly, during my studies, I got a lot of help from friendly and useful staff, tutors and I met a lot of new friends. Secondly, University allowed me to easily access learning resources via internet, library and IT systems. Lastly, studying in University provided me with many chances to join social groups such as the Meeting House, Sport Centre or trips.
Did you attend the International Welcome Week? If you did, would you recommend it to new students?
Yes, I did. That event provided me with useful information about the University, the course I would study and how to live well in my new environment. The thing I would like to recommend to new students is to remain open-minded, don’t be shy and then you will have lots of chances to meet new friends who will help you to get used to the new living conditions and have friends to enjoy studying, working and travelling together.
What are the facilities like at the University?
The UK is known as the country with a high quality of education and excellent facilities for research and study all over the world. During the time that I studied at the University of South Wales, I was satisfied with the facilities such as the library system which was easily accessible given that it was open 24 hours a day. Library system provided a good and quality resources for referencing which helped me a lot. There are also many convenient facilities such as on-campus accommodation, teaching rooms, IT labs, the sport centre. Given the nature of my course, I made full use of the labs within the engineering faculty.
What have you enjoyed the most (Lecture, project, trip, particular moment)?
I particularly enjoyed building new friendships and understanding more about British culture. I enjoyed going to the student nightclub on campus which allowed me to de-stress when I had a heavy study schedule. The trips organized by the University were fantastic and enabled me to experience different places in and around the UK.
What’s the most useful thing you have learnt?
Besides the knowledge that I have earned from classes, the most useful thing I have learnt during the time I lived in the UK is independence. I am grateful that my parents allowed me to study abroad and the University staff accepted me onto my chosen course; I had a big chance to change and develop my skills of making the right decision from the small things such as what I will cook tonight to bigger things such as who are your friends or how can you regulate your money in the time of studying. In my opinion, independence is one of the most importance things for any international student considering studying overseas.
What is the biggest difference between life in the UK and back home?
I settled into life on campus very well given the many comfortable facilities provided such as the studying facilities and accommodation. There was only the lack of family and the colder climate I had to get used to but it really didn’t take very long at all.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to study in the UK?
Be open-minded, extrovert, study hard and always smile, and be friendly to new friends.
What do you do in your spare time? Have you joined any sports or social clubs?
When I had free time, I always went out to take some fresh air with my friends. Sometimes I’d go to the forest near the University to get a different atmosphere, feel each gentle breeze blowing through the leaves of trees and listen to the bird songs. Everything that surrounded me made me unwind and feel relaxed after the stresses of studying abroad. Besides, The Sport centre on campus played an important role to enhance my strength. I’d often go to the Gym for training and my favourite place in the sport centre was the Sauna. During the term, I was attending a Karate club with an excellent skilled instructor, Mr. Mike Tan. After that course, besides the achievement in martial art skill, I also gained confidence, flexibility and strength. That would help me to have a clear mind to handle any problems in my life.
What moment will you never forget?
I love to climb the mountains and walk through the forest. The moment which I will never forget was the cycling trip from Cardiff to Treforest. That time I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the scenery. I will never forget the time which I went to the forest to seek for mushroom or wild garlic. They were so delicious and a nice memory!
What will you miss the most about University when your course finishes?
I will miss the staff, friends and the landscapes in UK the most.
I have always had in mind since I was young that I would like to complete my educational route with a Master Degree, especially Master of Business Administration (MBA) course due to its recognition all over the world and the wide knowledge it offers for both business skills as well as personal development. With MBA course being offered by University of South Wales based on my Bachelor Degree, I have made the best decision by studying here.
Before making the choice of University, I had heard that Welsh people are very friendly and kind; it is an important factor that any student has to consider when choosing to stay away from home; also, seeing a large number of international students studying in USW makes me feel that I am not alone. Furthermore, I feel that being located in a peaceful and pretty part of Wales, especially on a higher land compared to the surrounding area, University of South Wales creates a very conducive and suitable environment for studying. In addition, with many clubs and societies in the University, it gives me an opportunity for the best adventure.
It did not take me a long time to settle here, as I was lucky to meet many amazing international friends who made it feel like home, and local friends who introduced and helped me to adapt to the UK lifestyle. So far the journey in University of South Wales has been really a great experience for me: International classmates who are really friendly and great to work with, interactive classes which allow us to have group discussions, knowledgeable and helpful tutors, suitable timetables which provide us time to do our own studies and research, exciting trainings in Cheerleading Society and the awesome practices in Salsa Dance Society.
Studying in University of South Wales has given me not only the invaluable education for my future, but also brought me many great friends for life from all other the world. Therefore after graduation, my plan is to visit my amazing friends in different parts of Europe and Asia before stepping into the working life. I feel that with the skills and knowledge from MBA course, my opportunity for employment is enhanced, hence I have not much worry about seeking a job.
My humble advice to the international students: Enjoy the time in the University while studying, participate in events that the Student Union or the Societies organise for us, engage with new people and you will be surprised of how many fantastic friends you can meet from around the globe!
Wish every international student a wonderful and memorable time studying here, all the best!
The two and a half years studying in Wales was the best period of my entire student life! People are so friendly, the scenery is so beautiful and serene, and the lifestyle is so peaceful. It is not only a tranquil place to be a conductive studying environment, but also an exciting country for great adventures!
As a guy who loves a quiet and peaceful place, London becomes a luxurious gift for me. After spending much time on finding necessary information as well as consulting with my agent, I decided to choose Wales for my study journey in UK. The Castles, the teaching, a dragon on national flag all leave me with unforgettable impressions. Friendly and experienced professors at the University of South Wales gave me novel and useful experiences. The old and beautiful Castles are perfect places for me to explore the history of Wales. A dragon on the national flag helped me to come up with many crazy and interesting ideas for my study as a marketing student.
My name is Lam Thanh Sang, and I come from Danang City, Vietnam.
I have completed 3 years of university in Vietnam and I am currently studying the final year under the BA International Business top up program at the University of South Wales.
Since I was young, I have desired to become a successful entrepreneur so that I could have opportunities to enrich myself, for my family and to serve my country. For the first three years at college, I have been educated with a broad-based business background. I have also collected a range of transferable and practical skills that are essential to be a good communicator and sensitive to different cultures and traditions. Considering the fact that Vietnam’s international integration is still at a very first stage of development and there is huge room for improvement, I am more and more committed to my desire to gain profound and in-depth knowledge of international business with an aim to make contributions to the prosperity of my country.
I have chosen the University of South Wales as the next stepping stone in my educational process, because of various reasons. First of all, studying at the university could be the shortest path to follow my passion for learning and gain qualifications that are respected by employers and academics worldwide because of its strong reputation and world-class education. Based on three campuses spread around South Wales and having over 33,000 students, The University has become one of the largest universities in the UK and a major regional university.
The University has been providing me with great opportunities to experience practical and professional environments and get access to all material facilities in the very first school day, which creates favorable conditions for all students. Being familiar with living and working in multicultural surroundings, I was able to quickly adapt to a new environment, to accept and appreciate the differences, and to gain valuable life experience. I also cherish the chance to broaden my network, meeting and exchanging views with classmates and peers from around the world. Stepping outside the academic bubble, I also got chances to explore the beauty of UK and discover its unique culture, cities and countryside throughout vacation trips are frequently held by The university.
There are so many societies and clubs available out there for international students, where I met my awesome friends from all over the world, got to know the differences among cultures and religions.
And here comes my best advice to future international students: be open-minded and feel free to say “YES” to those chances that you may have while studying here, and you will see how great it is and the opportunities it could bring to you. As for me, I really enjoy my life in the UK and I am proud to be a USWer! Hope all upcoming international students will have great time while studying here!
