March 20, 2020, by International students

International Student Ambassadors: Abhimanyu from the United Arab Emirates

Abhimanyu is an Indian student from the United Arab Emirates, who is studying BMBS and BMedSci Medicine

Why did you choose the University of Nottingham?

I chose UoN because the medicine course seemed to be exactly what I wanted. With the chance to get 2 degrees over 5 years, and be taught in this beautiful campus, I knew this was exactly where I wanted to spend the next 5 years. I also really liked the city when I first visited it, a perfect mix of things to do but not too busy. A great city, great course and amazing campus, what more could anyone want?

What is your favourite thing about the University of Nottingham?

I absolutely love the campus. I’ve spent 4 months at the university, and I still feel there’s so much left for me to discover. The fact that the university is so green makes my walk to the medical school every morning very enjoyable. UAE is a desert, so I really cherish all the trees and greenery we have around us. The fact that the campus is very safe is something I am very happy about too, as I never feel I can’t go for a walk or stroll over to my friend’s hall!

What is the best thing about your course? 

Till now, I have found the course to be very flexible and that’s something I enjoy. While the course is definitely difficult, I have found that the university tries to give us time to ourselves to de-stress and have fun. Since our lectures are recorded, I always feel like I can revisit lectures, and this eliminates a lot of stress. Our weeks are alternatively busy and light, so even when one week may be very hard, I know the next one will be easier, and that’s always great.

What is your experience of accommodation in Nottingham?

I stay in Rutland Hall on the University Park campus. My experience in halls has been great, and I’m glad with the decision to stay on campus. I got the room clean and comfortable, and the halls and rooms are clean often, so even though some students may be messy, the halls itself are quite clean. The staff are very friendly and make sure that there’s no noise late at night. The friends you make in halls are great as well, as these are people you eat meals with and spend a lot of time with! I’d suggest that other students stay on campus too, as I feel that not having to cook your own food is a blessing in the first year!

What are you planning to do next with your career?

My course is 5 years long, so there is a while before my ‘career’ really starts. After that, I will join a 2-year rotation and be a junior doctor as all other graduates in the UK. Soon after that, I will be able to choose the speciality I want to train in further. Although I am still very unsure about which field this may be, I’m currently leaning towards cardiology, which is the field related to the heart and blood vessels. Cardiology training is also 8 years long, so it’s fair to say I have a lot of training ahead of me!

What would be your top tips for a new international student starting at the University of Nottingham in their first year?

I’d tell new students to not worry too much about settling into university. Its normal to stress out about making friends and living away from home, but this is something that you will get used to over time. While making friends may seem hard, you should remember everyone is on the same boat, as stressed as you are, so just try to speak to everyone you can. Have an open mind and you will eventually find people who may become lifelong friends. The process may be slow, but you should take your own time and not let it affect your mood too much. Everything works out in the end!

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