‘I learnt to choose what drives me in University of Sheffield'

Indian Express

3 days ago

— Shreyas Mottur Venugopal
My interest in studying abroad started around four years before I began applying, when I saw my older brother go through the process. He was researching for a suitable degree in Computer Science, and I watched as he balanced his International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma along with SAT prep. He applied to both American and European universities. Watching him work with such dedication and focus left a strong impression on me.
I completed Classes 6 to 10 at a school in Bengaluru, where I also completed my International GCSEs (IGCSEs). However, since the school only offered the International Baccalaureate for Classes 11 and 12 — and I wished to pursue the International A-levels — I transferred to Head Start Educational Academy in Bengaluru, Karnataka, for my final two years of school. There, I followed the International AS and A-level curriculum. My subjects included Pure Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry at both AS and A-levels, along with Biology at the AS level only.
As I was completing my Class 10 studies, I found that the IB diploma and US universities promoted a broader range of studies, including streams like humanities and arts. While interesting, I was far more keen on diving into STEM streams and engineering, and so decided to forgo IB, the SATs, and US universities to instead focus on European-based universities and the A-levels.
Ultimately, I applied to places in the UK and the Netherlands. Since there was no language barrier in the UK and the opportunity to graduate in four years with a degree in Mechanical Engineering convinced me to finally accept an offer from the UK.
UK universities were relatively simple as all applications could be carried out through UCAS. TU Delft and TU Eindhoven had their own portals for application, and it was a smooth process that required a personal statement for UCAS and a similar essay for the Dutch universities. Along with my AS-level results, I also needed predicted grades, which my school teachers were nice enough to write up and submit for me.
I applied for the International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship at Sheffield, which at the time provided a 50 per cent fee waiver on the tuition fees, which greatly helped in funding my studies. The application itself only required me to answer two questions: 'Who are you, and what inspired you to study your chosen subject, and why have you chosen The University of Sheffield?' and 'What are your future ambitions after your degree, and how will your qualifications help you achieve this?'
I found that the courses in the UK focus a lot more on understanding and applying theories and equations that we learn, rather than being able to recite them word perfect in an exam. As someone who really enjoys the science behind the engineering work, I found this style of exams much more interesting and useful long term compared to the more traditional CBSE exams in India. In addition, I found a big emphasis on group assignments and coursework, likely a chance to make students with more experience creating lab reports or design work that would actually be done more in industry. Finally, I also found that the UK education system was focused much less on doing 'perfect' or beating the other students in the class. Iin India, the most competitive exams force students to be certain to get every mark they can (and getting a 97% would move you back several thousand rankings compared to a 99%. Meanwhile, in the UK, the goal is simply to obtain a 70% overall.
I found that this made exams less stressful and it gave me a chance to improve my grade by focusing on modules that I was good at, bringing up the average from modules that I was less suited to.
I really enjoyed working with friends and other engineers on various projects and competitions, each with varying levels of playful interaction. One of the standouts was the Siemens Digitally Designed Stories Challenge. This took place in the Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) at the University of Sheffield which is a cutting-edge facility developed in partnership with Siemens. It serves as a 'living lab' to accelerate digitalisation for students and to help advance our digital skills.
I spent my first few days in the UK with my mother, who helped me settle into my accommodation. What struck me most was how quiet everything was. There was much less noise than I was used to, and loads of green space everywhere. We spent that week wandering around campus, sorting out registration, checking out local shops, and visiting what I later learned was called the Moor (which I initially thought was some sort of town square). I did run into a hiccup with registration. Something hadn't gone through, so I had to visit student support last-minute to get access to my email and timetable just in time for lectures.
One nice moment I remember clearly was taking the tram for the first time. A very friendly conductor explained the ticket system to us and even suggested we visit a nearby mall while we had the day. It was one of those small, kind gestures that really stuck with me.
After my mother left and I started settling in properly, I got along well with one of my flat mates, a student from Sri Lanka. As an icebreaker, we decided to cook chicken curry together. It was a bit of a disaster (burnt onions, way too spicy), but we had a good laugh and ended up going to the gym together a few times after that, before our schedules got too busy.
I really enjoyed how walkable the city was. The parks, sidewalks, and trams made it easy to explore.I'd often head out just to walk around, take photos in random parks, or hop on a tram just to see where it went.
During freshers' week, I met quite a few students and professors who were incredibly open and enthusiastic. It was freeing in a way: sleeping when I wanted, going for a walk at 7pm just because I felt like it, and stopping to take photos with no real agenda. It made me feel like I'd landed in the right place.
Mostly, I found that Sheffield is on the cheaper end for cities in the UK, and with the scholarship I can usually keep up with the cost of living. I also work for the university part-time for open days — usually a 6–8-hour shift on a Saturday around 3 times a semester. It's not the most money, but it gives me a bit extra that I can justify spending on myself (for new shoes, a camping trip etc.). I also enjoy the work itself, talking to prospective students and their parents by showing them around, sharing why I love engineering, and helping them see if it might be the right fit. It's especially rewarding when someone clicks with it. I also think parents find it reassuring to hear how my messy start worked out, it gives them some peace of mind that their kids will be alright too.
Studying abroad gave me the space to actually figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Back home, I'd study and do what I was supposed to because my parents told me to. It was just the routine. But after coming here, they gave me the freedom to decide how I wanted to spend my time. That shift was honestly a bit scary at first. Without someone checking in or guiding me, I had to take responsibility for the decisions I made, even when they went wrong. But over time, that helped me become more confident. Now, I am much more willing to try new things, even if I mess it up. I have realised that even if I make a bad call, I can usually find a way to fix it. And every time I face something I'm a bit afraid of, it becomes slightly less intimidating the next time around.
It also changed how I approach motivation. I don't try to force myself to be great at everything anymore. If I enjoy a module, I'll go all in, give it my full attention, dive deep into the concepts, and try to properly understand what's going on. But if I don't connect with it, I'll do what's needed to pass, and I'm okay with that. It's not about being lazy, it's about choosing where to put my time and energy. That mindset has carried over outside university too. I've started spending my weekends hiking because I genuinely enjoy it. I dropped badminton because it didn't excite me anymore, and picked up running instead. I couldn't run 5k in school without struggling, but since coming here, I've finished multiple half-marathons. And I know I wouldn't have done any of that if I hadn't learnt to follow what actually drives me.
(This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics)
Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More