Meet some of our students

Behzad from Iran took the Engineering and Physics Foundation year in 2006-07 and in Summer 2010 graduated from his degree in Mechanical Engineering. 

The photo on the right was taken shortly after he started and this is what he told us then:

"This is the first time that I have been in England. I had no idea about the country, people and culture. I felt that it would be inconvenient in a strange environment, where everything is new and I didn’t know how to deal with things. but when I came to Sussex, not only were all of my anticipations wrong, but also after a while I realised Sussex offers a situation in which you can feel confident and have the chance to begin an independent life. Here, everything is up to you.

The university has a really nice campus where you can find all the requirements of your life. There are different shops and restaurants on campus and you can find many hobbies on offer everyday. Apart from the lovely campus, Brighton is just a couple minutes away from university, and with all that you can find in Brighton, it’s really hard to get bored here!

The University of Sussex International Foundation Year gives you the chance to become ready for your favourite degree and there, you meet many people from many different countries. I plan to study mechanical engineering at Sussex after the foundation year. Then I want to continue my education in postgraduate degrees, maybe in Sussex, why not?!"

This is Behzad on the day of his graduation:

Oldemiro graduated in July 2010 from his BSc in Business and Management Studies. He is just one of the many ISC students who completed their studies at the University of Sussex in Summer 2010. Our first intake to go through the full path of study, 4 years after the International Study Centre opened on the University of Sussex campus, we are very proud of them and wish them luck in all their future plans.

"I came to Sussex because the Business and Management Studies programme is one of the best in the country and Europe, and because I found Brighton a wonderful city to be in. Brighton is an amazing place, there is always something of everything you can imagine to do or see. The countryside, the beach and its short distance from London make it easy to get away, or do some shopping – having fun whenever I had some spare time.

Apart from my degree, which was my main objective of being at Sussex, I think my greatest achievement here is building a network of interpersonal contacts with tutors and classmates, who I’ll keep in touch with forever. I will miss the unique multicultural environment of students from all over the world.

The biggest challenge I had while I was here was improving my English while staying on top of the demanding lectures and seminars. Next, I would like to do my masters, but I have just secured a job with an oil company in Angola, so I will go back home to work and apply what I have learned, and gain work experience as well."

Saken, from Kazakhstan, is taking the Pre-Masters Programme, in order to study for a Mechanical Engineering degree.

He was interviewed for the British Council Postgraduate Guide 2010.

"There were a number of reasons that influenced my decision, ranging from the reputation of teaching excellence, to the UK's cosmopolitan background - a background which allows me to meet people from different countries and cultures and network to gain invaluable contacts for the future. The fact that the UK s a global leader in innovative technology and other sciences enables me to gain up-to-date knowledge and skills in my field."

What do you enjoy the most about your course?

"Having only six students in our classroom permits productive interaction with professors and teachers. Operations and management classes are particularly interesting, as I get to grips with the theory behind the practices I have used in my previous work place."

How have you found adapting to life in the UK?

"The most difficult aspect was adapting to the local food, especially in the first few weeks. But after a month or so, with the help of my new Indian and Chinese friends, I tried out several international cuisines which were great. Nowadays I frequently visit some great restaurants over the weekends with my friends."

What do you plan on doing after you finish your postgraduate studies?

"I plan to return to my home country and use my academic skills within the innovative technologies and communication sectors."

What do you do when you're not studying?

"In my spare time I organise a weekly football match with my Italian friends. Sometimes we also attend Premier League and Champions League matches. Also, it is quite handy to fly to other European countries from the UK compared to Kazakhstan. I have realised that my travelling experiences have been even more interesting when travelling with my new international friends because most of them know the places already and have acted as my guides to show me around."

What advise would you give to students who are thinking about studying in the UK?

"For any iternational student, the main goal is to learn and gain knowledge, so hard work and diligence are very important. You have to constantly keep a tab on your spending and remind yourself of your future career.

If you have free time, discover new places, but not at the expense of your coursework and exams. Travelling will enhance your historical and cultural knowledge. The UK is full of many friendly people, so if you require help or directions, just ask and expect to be assisted with a smile."

May is from Saudi Arabia and she was 18 when she took the Business and Management Studies Foundation programme.

"The English people are so friendly and helpful, have a nice English accent and almost all of them are nice to me. But what I like most of all about England is the candy and chocolates! What I like most about Brighton is the sea. Just watching it brings back life. I like to go for a walk and for shopping in Brighton.

I live on campus. My flat mates are really nice to be with and I meet them in the evenings in the kitchen. I like the various activities that are available to do on campus and the special event we have every week organised by the International and Study Abroad Office, like an international food evening and a ghost walk. Because it's my first term I am busy studying most of the time, but next term I will sign up for dance classes and the gym. I have loads of things in my mind to do the next term! I haven't used all of the University facilities yet because there are a lot, but I have used the library, the IT services, the nice studying room at the ISC and the student ID card in some places.

My favourite subjects are English because I like the English language and pure maths because I like thinking about and calculating the numbers. After the foundation year I haven't decided which degree I will study yet, but I am planning to take a masters degree after that."

Yekaterina is from Russia and she was 20 when she took the Business and Management Studies Foundation course.

"I came to London in the past to take a 4-week summer course learning English and to see the capital of England with my own eyes. My experience of London was that it has the best shopping, good clubbing and is a friendly city. I think that my positive impressions of London influenced my decision to study in England.

I chose the University of Sussex because it is in the 20 best universities in the UK. After the Foundation Year, the chance of entering into the University itself is high. Also, Sussex is 10 minutes on the train from the sea and an hour’s ride from London.

I have studied at Sussex from January this year. I like everything here. All the teachers are friendly, and there is much independent work, which makes it necessary to reflect and develop communication skills. The foundation program has helped me not only to improve my English, but also to acquire the necessary knowledge in the subjects which I will study at University."

Bader is from Saudi Arabia and took the Law and Social Studies Foundation course in preparation for his International Law degree.

"Despite the fact I speak English a lot in my job, I have weaknesses in my writing and really need practise in my written English prior to a university level course. I didn't want to put myself in a situation where I would lose out come exams.

They say first impressions last, and I like it here in England and in Brighton. It's a very good environment for living. You're not isolated from the town, which is just ten minutes away, but it's good and quiet on campus. I feel encouraged being here and train services are very quick if you want to visit London. It's also cheaper than London!

I have found staff very helpful. I was helped with the finance issues before I began my course and I really appreciated the fact that the application process for the ISC only took three weeks. Now I'm here my teacher is really very helpful with teaching and everyday life: opening a bank account, finding the right accommodation. We have a half hour every Friday to discuss personal requirements. In this way my tutor acts more like a friend. It's small things but the help means a lot. I feel that if I need anything, then the next day I can ask my teacher and she will be able to answer any questions I have.

I want to study International Law at degree level. I have a scholarship from my Government and I think that I will be going back to the same government body."

Li, from China, took the Business and Management Studies Foundation course, prior to starting her degree.

"I've spoken English since, maybe, eight but my English was very bad when I arrived. I'm from South China and I've never been to England before. I like Brighton. It's very similar to my country. I live by the sea too. My country is also very green with many trees. It took me 12 hours to fly here! I do like the culture here: the art and also the history. I studied History back in China. My family worry about me being in England but it's my decision.

Classes are fun here. My teacher is very friendly and we talk about many things. My English is developing all the time. We study for 20 hours a week, and two hours of homework every day. It might seem a lot, but we can finish it quickly if we want. My teacher helps me with a lot. All my problems have been solved for me.

I would tell my friends that the people here are very friendly and the environment is very beautiful. I learn a lot more English and about other cultures because there aren't many Chinese people here. It's very international here. Students from all over the world. Next, I want to do a business degree at Sussex, and study Holiday Management. I plan to go back to China after."