January 29, 2016, by International students

Meet our Student Callers: Wei from China

Wei 600x400

If you hold an offer to study at The University of Nottingham, you might be lucky enough to receive a call from one of our international students. Chinese student Wei is studying a PhD in Interpreting and Translation. Over the past few months, she has been talking to lots of Chinese students and giving them advice about life at Nottingham.

Why did you choose to study at Nottingham?

Firstly I have friends who are studying here.

Secondly, I really like its convenient location and relatively lower living expenses. It’s close to major cities and attractions such as London, Manchester and Peak District.

Thirdly, I like that UoN has an actual campus.

What is your favourite thing about living in Nottingham?

Nottingham is a very student friendly city and life here is never boring. It has wide reaching transportation such as the new tram network and frequent bus services linking the university and city centre, with discounted student fares. On the one hand, the vibrant city centre has lots of main street brands and various shops, including the popular Kitty Cafe. On the other hand, the quiet residential areas on and off campuses are enjoyable to live, which offer great balance for a diverse student life.

Where is your favourite place in Nottingham, and why?

University Park Campus. It may be confusingly huge for newcomers but I immediately felt in love with it when I first set my footstep on it. It is a fantastic campus, with spectacular views all over the year, not to mention various interesting and exciting on campus activities. It is also home to a lot of wildlife (check out the 2016 ‘Beasts of UoN’ calendar!). Most importantly, the campus is very safe and convenient – with on and off campus support facilities and transportations, such as bookshops, social and eating places, buses and tram stops.

Where is your favourite place to eat out in Nottingham, and why? 

Mr. Mans restaurant. It offers Cantonese style afternoon tea, i.e. Dim Sums – where I can get a nostalgic taste of home.

What’s the most frequently asked question students ask you, and what advice do you give them?

Student accommodation and private housing, which shall I choose?

It really depends. Many taught postgraduate students would prefer student accommodations for its convenience and safety, given that their courses are much shorter. Living in a hall means you don’t have to worry about setting up the internet or paying the monthly utility bills, and there are staff who will take care of the maintenance. On the other hand, living in a privately rented place would mean more freedom. The University’s accommodation office is always a good place to start if you want to see more pictures, virtual tours and get some help.

What’s your number one tip for international/EU students coming to Nottingham?

Engage, embrace and get involved! Join and become one of the International Office Student Ambassadors.

What are you hoping to do after you finish your course?

I will be interested in university-related jobs that facilitate intercultural communications, and adopting a cat!

Posted in AcademicAccommodationCareersCultural integrationFoodFriendsInternational Student callersNottingham city