Shamini De Silva

What attracted me to Leeds?

Leeds has a very diverse community and is home to many international students. As I began to apply to universities in the UK, I realised that the University of Leeds has a very strong online profile which allowed me to learn a lot about the university and what it has to offer me. I realised that compared to the other universities I had applied to, Leeds has a little bit of everything that I was looking for. Certain opportunities like Leeds for life: Broadening attracted my attention as it made the University unique compared to other universities in the UK.

Becoming a part of a global community

I have made friends who have come from different parts of Britain and from all over the world. This has given me the chance to learn more about British culture as well as cultures from around the world. In addition, studying here at Leeds has helped me see things from a different perspective.

My degree of choice is one that I believe opens many doors

As a Medical Sciences student, I study a very broad and flexible course. The course offers a wide range of modules that enables me to develop my critical thinking and analytical skills but also skills like communication, teamwork and time-management. My course gives me the option to do discovery modules which is part of the Leeds for life: Broadening scheme and allows me to explore something different other than what I primarily study, thereby diversifying my knowledge.

Managing stress, having fun and gaining work experience

As a university student, your workload increases and sometimes it can get very intense. However, there are many things an individual can do to make sure that they are taking care of themselves and working hard at the same time. There are many wellbeing sessions provided by the Student Union that help students keep in touch with themselves. At the start of my first semester, I joined the photography society as it is something I have always been interested in and wanted to learn more about. In addition, I got the opportunity to work as a Faculty of Biological Sciences ambassador which has really helped me develop some key skills like communication, team working and time-management.

The ideas I have for my future

Currently, my future plans include going on to higher education after my undergraduate degree. I have also been thinking about exploring career options in the world of academia as I have always been interested in teaching. One of the things that I am very grateful for here at University of Leeds is the guidance and support you receive, whether it is from your lecturers, personal tutor, the faculty or even your friends.

The idea that my first year is almost over is very hard to grasp, mainly because I have experienced a lot in a very short span of time. I think that is what I have enjoyed the most so far; being able to do so many different things, within my course and even outside it.