As an international student from Pakistan at the University of Salford, I have had a wonderful experience. Here are some of the things I’ve learnt during my time at Salford so far.

Why I choose Salford?

I was drawn to the University of Salford’s location close to Manchester city centre. Manchester and Salford have excellent transport links which I knew would make commuting to my classes easy and this was very important to me.

The amazing campus and state-of-the-art facilities also attracted me to Salford. I wanted to be in an environment which allowed for learning and collaboration, and I felt that Salford really had this.

For international students, there are a range of scholarships offered to help fund our studies. The chance of receiving a scholarship was another motivation for me to apply to Salford.

The student body at Salford is very diverse and there are students from around the world, fostering a multicultural environment that promotes cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

Finally, I felt the university was very industry-focused and organised lots of career guidance events, guest speakers and live projects. I believe that collaborative group projects and networking events facilitate the development of lifelong connections and friendships.

My friendly lecturers

My favourite thing about studying at the University of Salford is the quality of education and teaching which creates engaging, motivating and stimulating classroom discussions.

At the beginning of my course, I expected that communicating with my teachers and asking them questions would be very difficult for me, as English is not my first language. Before I arrived, I was expecting to have to use formal language to speak to my teachers and request permission to talk with them.

 All my tensions went away when I realised my teachers were very friendly and reassured us that we could talk to them about anything we were unsure of. My teachers are always there to help me and when I share my thoughts or ask for help with anything, they carefully consider my challenges and try their best to help me.

The University of Salford attracts a diverse student body from around the world, fostering a multicultural environment that promotes cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

My advice to future international students

If you are considering studying at Salford, do not be afraid to ask questions. If you are confused or need support, there is always someone in the University who can help. The University has different places you can go for academic and wellbeing support including the library, askUS and the Students’ Union.

The second piece of advice I would give is to be open to constructive feedback. During your studies, you will receive feedback, which will help you to do better next time.  Always try to reflect on your feedback and make the necessary changes as it will make you better. Your teachers are always there to help you, so any time you are confused or need help, simply ask to meet them or email them for advice.

Coming to Salford has been my best decision, it feels more like home now for me. Reflecting on my experiences at the University of Salford, I am grateful for the knowledge acquired, the skills honed, and the memories created. So, international students do not worry, every international student is worried at first, but keeping yourself motivated is the key to success.