Looking back at my time at the University of Huddersfield

Rumana Khan

International Education student

Hello! I am a recent Education graduate and I'm originally from India. I am the former President of the Indian Student Society and I have delivered many other roles where I proudly represented my country and the University. I really like to travel and explore places, but I also adore my own space and enjoy my own company. I like shopping and I love coffee; this combination is delightful!

Hello there!! I’m Rumana and I am now a graduate of the University. Welcome to my blog, which I’ve written to look back at my time at the University of Huddersfield. As happy as I am to share my three years at the University with you, I am heartbroken by the prospect of leaving this incredible institution as I write this.

Why did I choose the University of Huddersfield?

So, why Huddersfield? This is a question I've heard several times during my time at University. The University of Huddersfield was one of the five options finalised for my studies when I was back at home. My uncle had spent seven years in the UK and had seen nearly every part of the country. He was astounded by the area's population, serenity, and diversity. When he suggested the University of Huddersfield to me, I began conducting my own research; the greater my expectations of the University, the more I needed to check if the location suited me, which it did. And there you have it! I was amazed by the course and module breakdown because it was just what I was looking for.

In addition, I was able to see the numerous fantastic events and social activities organised for international students at the University. The communication from the admissions team was also super quick, and all my questions and concerns were handled and addressed, which saved me a lot of time when applying to university. When I explored the town online, I found it quite budget-friendly, incredibly beautiful with countryside views and parks, library and a lot of cafes. There was practically every place that a student would ever need whilst at the University. Huddersfield seemed ideal for me since I needed a place that would not be a major distraction from my studies, which have always been my top priority, but also one that I would like to visit in my leisure time.

Getting involved in volunteering and representation of students

During my first year, I was a member of different international student societies, sports and hobby groups (badminton society, belly dancing society), and I even signed up for volunteering roles such as acting as an Academic Representative, Student Helper, Student Election campaigner, and many more in the first few months at the University. Every student is unique, and we presumably all know why we're here; at least, I did! I was always under the impression that as an international student, we had to put in "additional" effort to succeed in our studies abroad. And there's nothing wrong with that since it encourages you to step outside of your comfort zone, take those key opportunities, overcome your fears, and accomplish something that will make you proud. I'm not providing any motivational speeches here; this is my own experience, and if I can do it, I believe anyone can. But I'd also like to confess that I've experienced failures, rejections, and times when I was given a completely blank slate. That's when I stood up and tried again.

When I got my first job at a fast-food restaurant in Huddersfield, I was overjoyed. But I had always wanted to work at the University since I wanted to interact with the professionals and staff members there. I enjoyed getting involved with volunteer work and representing my global student society. I acted as the President of the Indian Student Society and represented my student cohort as the Academic Representative. I then applied for several part-time jobs at the University, and I was offered jobs from two different departments at the University, and I had the option to choose which the one I wanted to accept. I will always be proud of how hard I worked to achieve this. I have been working with the Huddersfield Students’ Union as the Academic Representative Assistant since my second year and I was reappointed for the same position in my third year.

As the President of the Indian Student Society, I organised many events that were quite popular amongst the students, including the ‘Bollywood Night’. The society always took part in the larger events organised as part of the global campus events calendar, such as ‘Global Week’, and was recognised for achievements and won many certificates under my presidentship. I also hosted a celebration for Indian Republic Day before the pandemic in January 2020. Being able to represent my country and celebrate our National Day with students from all around the world was definitely one of my standout moments at the University.

My studies on my course

In addition to my engagement in extracurricular activities, I was considerate of my course work, as it has always been my top priority. I was really proud of myself for achieving a 1:1 (first class) in both of my years of study. It came as no surprise that the study schedule, curriculum, and assessments were very different from what I had previously studied in my native country of India. What I liked best about my course was that it was packed with reading, collaborative activities with peers, and opportunities to learn practically while still obtaining theoretical knowledge. As part of my core module in my second year, I completed a placement. As a result of this placement, I was able to pursue my dream of teaching at a primary school in the United Kingdom.

During this period, I was able to gain a wide range of insights and experience by working in a primary school in the UK, which really aided me in exploring my alternatives for working in other educational firms in my future career. The placement procedure differs per academic school at the University; I worked with my personal tutor and the placement team, and despite the fact that it was a lengthy procedure, I was given complete guidance and assistance. One of the most common mistakes students make is failing to ask for help. Trust me, there is so much help available at University, and it brings out more in you than you could ever imagine; just ask!

My summary

These three years have been unforgettable and will stay a significant part of my life regardless of where I go from here. If you're considering applying to the University of Huddersfield, I'd advise you to ‘just do it’, because you'll be as proud of yourself as I am to be a student at this fantastic University.

Rumana with the Global Campus Events Team

Rumana at Global Week Celebrations

Rumana with friends at the University

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