Before coming to the University of Manchester (UoM), I had always been deeply interested in education, as it has been my childhood dream to become an outstanding teacher. I was thrilled to be accepted by the university, not only because of its great reputation but also because I had wished to pursue my studies in the UK.

Studying at this university has strengthened my belief that I had made the right choice. There are two main factors that contributed to my overall rewarding and enjoyable undergraduate experiences: interesting courses and extracurricular activities.

I greatly enjoyed my education courses, where the lecturers were very welcoming and knowledgeable. What I particularly liked was we had many in-class discussions, as the teachers frequently provided topics for reflection. Talking to other students allowed me to learn about other people’s opinions. This broadened my horizon as I was able to view things from different perspectives. What’s more, studying BSc Education also provided valuable practical experiences, such as a placement in a local high school. I served as a mentor in an after-school program, helping students develop socio-emotional skills and build confidence. I thoroughly enjoyed this placement, which reinforced my aspiration to become a teacher, as I found great fulfilment in working with young people and supporting their growth. In addition, some assignments were very engaging, including creating an academic poster and recording an online presentation. These tasks allowed me to learn and use new digital tools to produce posters and slides, which I had rarely done before. This not only strengthened my digital skills but also enhanced my creativity and confidence in using technology for educational purposes.

Besides my education courses, I was thrilled to discover that the university also offers a range of optional UCIL courses (University College for Interdisciplinary Learning). These courses allow students to incorporate sustainability units into their degree programs and span diverse fields such as biology, business, education, and philosophy. What makes them particularly appealing is that any student can enrol, regardless of year or major. This provides an excellent opportunity to meet different people and make new friends.

I took a course called Leadership of Learning with Teaching Placement, which contributed significantly to my understanding of Education. As part of the course, I completed a 10-day placement at a local high school as a teaching assistant. During my placement, I observed real-life classroom dynamics, interacted with students, and communicated with teachers. These experiences were both valuable and enjoyable—I was able to connect theory with practice and identify weaknesses in both. I also enjoyed teaching math to some sweet students, which made the placement even more rewarding. In the end, I included this experience on my CV, which will be beneficial for future applications.

Another factor that made my experience at UoM meaningful was the extracurricular activities I participated in. I participated in the Education Peer Mentoring Scheme, where Year 3 support Year 2 students, and year 2 assist the freshers. We provide support in both academic and life. I think this is very valuable for students who are shy or feeling homesick. We try our best to build a supportive community, ensuring that everyone feels included and welcomed. Moreover, I joined the Education Society, where we organized numerous exciting events, including the speed friending event, Spring Festival Celebration, and movie night with pizza. Through these activities, I met some of the kindest people and created wonderful memories that I will always cherish.

Written by Chuhan, currently studying BSc Education. 

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