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Students at the ISC
Our students come from all around the world, including Angola, China, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Korea, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Thialand. Meet some of the international students currently at the ISC:
- Sumalee Jaiwangyen from Thailand
- Hilario Oliviera from Angola
- Omar Barifah from Saudi Arabia
- Dywhim Osvaldo Dos Santos Velasco from Angola
- Cathy Chow Yuen Wa from China
- Manuela Domingos from Angola
- Angus Blair from the Philippines
- Cathy Chow Yuen Wa from China
- Ka Nam Lui from Hong Kong
- Daulet Aristambayeu from Kazakhstan
- Alfred Obubo from Nigeria
- Shadi Torky from Saudi Arabia
Sumalee Jaiwangyen
Country: Thailand
Course: Pre-masters
"I chose to study in the UK as it has a good reputation for education. I am really enjoying the new experience of studying at Heriot-Watt and socialising with other students.
All the staff at the ISC are very welcoming and I feel like it is my second home! The course is really helpful for me and all the teachers give me a lot of help to improve my academic study. Studying at the ISC has helped me to make clear in my mind what I want to do next year and the subjects I am interested in studying."
Hilario Oliviera
Country: Angola
"What I am enjoying most about my time at Heriot-Watt is meeting people and making friends from all over the world. I have enjoyed all my classes and found my teachers excellent.
I have had a lot of work to do at the ISC which has given me a good idea of what it is like to study in UK universities."
Omar Barifah
Country: Saudi Arabia
Course: Undergraduate Certificate
Chosen degree: Chemical Engineering with Oil and Gas
"I chose to study at Heriot-Watt University because it has a good international reputation. I also have two cousins studying over here who have studied here for over three years.
I have found the staff at the international study centre absolutely helpful and happy to answer any questions."
Dywhim Osvaldo Dos Santos Velasco
Country: Angola
I chose to come to study in the UK because it offers a better education for what I want to do. My main point of studying here is to meet lots of different people and improve my English skills.
The course and the teachers have been excellent. The International Study Centre has helped me to learn new skills and it is the best way to improve my skills before I start University.
Cathy Chow Yuen Wa
Country: China
Course: Undergraduate Certificate in Life Sciences
Chosen degree: Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
I chose to study in the UK to improve my English and to improve my knowledge of Science. I have made a lot of friends here and you learn more about different cultures at the ISC because there are many different people from different countries. The teachers are helpful and nice and happy to help us. The classes have been extremely useful for me, especially English and Chemistry as I plan one day to work in a pharmacy company.
Manuela Domingos
Country: Angola
Course: Undergraduate Certificate in Engineering and Computing
Chosen degree: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
What I am most enjoying about my time at the International Study Centre is learning to become more independent both in my studies and in my everyday life.
I enjoy socialising with my peers and teachers. I did find it a bit hard to manage my time for my studies but the teachers are great. It has been very useful to gain an introduction to the British education system.
Angus Blair
Country: Philippines
Age: 18
Subject route: Life Sciences
“I wanted to study in the UK because there is a high level of education compared to other countries. The choices are America or UK for successful careers, and I chose Heriot-Watt after I went on a tour of Universities and really liked the campus.
I like the ISC because it’s a small group where everyone knows each other and everyone’s ok with each other, so it works out well. I enjoy my lessons. I find them very entertaining. For Chemistry and Physics we join the university laboratory sessions, so we already get to mingle with university students on degrees.
The university social life is cool, it’s really good. There’s the Student Union and lots of events going on. Also in the Sports Union you can do anything, more or less. I have joined the archery club and the rifle club. There are a lot of clubs to join, we’re spoilt for choice. I have made lots of friends. In the accommodation we share kitchens and it’s a good way to meet new people.
I haven’t managed to see everything in Edinburgh but I want to; there’s so much to do. So far I have been to Princes Street which is pretty good.
I want to go on to do Biochemistry and pursue medicine. I would like to be a doctor and I’ll probably work for the NHS for a while.”
Ka Nam Lui (Erica)
Country: Hong Kong
Age: 17
Subject route: Business Management
“I chose Heriot-Watt because it’s a good university. I like the green campus environment. The people at the ISC are really friendly and very nice and the building here is modern.
The teachers are very good. I can understand what they say and what they teach. This term we have mathematics and business and the teachers are really nice. Helen is the best administrator; she really takes care of us.
I’ve made lots of friends! Sometimes I go to the university sports centre to play squash or games with my friends, and I often go to the city centre, to go shopping.
Edinburgh is really beautiful as the capital of Scotland, because of its old buildings and old town; it’s totally different to other cities. The people here are really nice and if your English is not very good they will speak more slowly and teach you many things.
In my second year, I would like to study economics and finance. I might study for a Masters, then I would like to travel some more. Hopefully I can go to America.”
Daulet Aristambayeu
Country: Kazakhstan
Age: 18
Subject route: Engineering & Computing
“I think that in Scotland it’s a good education and there are opportunities to get a good job here. I chose Heriot-Watt and the ISC route because after the foundation program I can go straight to University after just one year’s preparation.
I enjoy the classes here; they are not so big so you get lots of individual attention.
On campus, the people are very nice and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. In my free time I like to exercise, play football and go to the gym. I like going out with friends from the ISC and I’ve also got friends at Edinburgh University too.
I really like the city of Edinburgh, it’s really nice and the people are kind and friendly, although the weather can be a bit cold.
I want to study Petroleum Engineering. I can only take that on the fourth year, as a Masters, so before that I’ll be taking Mechanical Engineering. I don’t know what will come next. I suppose I’ll go to work and I think I’d like to stay here for a bit after my degree.”
Alfred Obubo
Country: Nigeria
Age: 18
Subject route: Engineering & Computing
“I came to the UK because I knew here I could get a good education and I chose Heriot-Watt specifically because it is one of the top in the UK for Chemical Engineering.
Everyone here has been so welcoming. The people are very good here, everyone gets along. We are all international students and you get to learn about different cultures. I have even learnt a little Chinese as well from fellow students.
Lessons are good. The teachers teach very well and they help and encourage us to always make our best effort.
In my free-time, when not studying or browsing the internet, I like to explore Edinburgh. It’s a nice city and one of the biggest I’ve ever seen.
After my degree, I would like to do my Masters and following that I’d like to work perhaps for an oil company.”
Shadi Torky
Country: Saudi Arabia
Age: 21
Subject route: English Language Preparation, then Engineering & Computing
“A lot of my friends come to the UK to study. I asked them why and they told me the best education is in the UK and that I should choose a good university to study at.
So that’s why I decided to come here, because Heriot-Watt is one of the most famous universities in Scotland, especially for my subject: Electrical Engineering.
The Head and Administrator at the ISC are very good. The people are very friendly and I enjoy studying here. The teachers push us to work hard, they teach us how to study, they talk slowly to help us understand and help us in our speaking.
Sometimes, depending on our hours, I go out to study with my friends and we can help each other with homework. I have made a lot of friends of different nationalities.
Edinburgh itself is a very safe city and I hope to do a Masters here after my degree. I am trying to get experience and get some training in Edinburgh. After this I would like to go back to my country.”
