Jasmijn Stegeman
3rd year bachelor student of English Language and Culture Home University: University of Groningen, NL
Host University: University of Sheffield, UK Minor Abroad: September 2019- February 2020
Courses followed: Psychology of Language, Romantic and Victorian Poetry, and Italian Beginner Accelerated
Pre-departure
The one thing that I would advise people to do before going on an Erasmus stay abroad, is to do research. Look into the procedures that you are going on exchange, look into the course options that most likely will be available to you, and compare and contrast costs, location and accommodation of the different universities that your home university is
partnered with. This will help you to make the most informed decision. Despite the deadlines for the application being somewhat far out when you start thinking about going abroad, make sure you finish your application a good two to three months before the deadline. UK
universities register the Autumn Semester Erasmus students at the same time as they register first year and (post)master students, which happens some time before they graduate. Since you need to pre-sign up for classes you will need to register at the same time as the other students, and classes fill up. Do also compare university accommodation with private accommodation: I went for private accommodation because it was cheaper, and I could go into the room and check out my new environment a few weeks before the International Week and Introduction Week started. Another tip would be to sign up for the Introduction
activities. Though they might feel simplistic at times, you do get to know the university buildings, the city, and people that might become new friends.
The University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a and welcoming, socially and politically involved, beautifully pat, high-quality university.
The services for students and staff are all in place, but you need to employ a high level of indepence to make those services work for you. Ask the questions you need answered, and everyone will do their best to answer them. If they cannot they will send you to those who can. The University is spread over copious buildings grouped close to the city centre. Although reaching the buildings in the allotted time between classes may be difficult, the facilities themselves are good. The libraries have long opening hours, and are a
well-developed (both online and off-line) and well-staffed.
The Students’ Union deserves special commendation, as it is well-organised and provides all services any student might need, as well as housing and governing all student societies. Trips within the country, and workshops with several societies are organised daily. There are try-out periods, and the activities line-up with the university schedules, meaning that there is very little overlap. The societies themselves are numerous, and have something for everyone.
I joined SingSoc, a four choic sing society, the university Mountaineering club, and the Creative Writing Society, while sometimes joining dance sessions with the Swing Society. The courses themselves run a semester long: 10 weeks of classes, a reading week and an exam. Most courses are 20 UK credits, which transposes to 10 ECTS. Since I did my minor there, I followed 3 courses for 30 ECTS, and passed them all successfully. I enjoyed my courses massively, because the teachers were very adept and offered high quality education, and I interacted with mostly native students. The course “Psychology of Language”, I followed to added to my English Studies curriculum, because that course would not be available to me until I did my masters in something related to that course. “Romantic and Victorian Poetry” I was happy to follow, because of my love for poetry, especially from those two era’s. Then I added “Italian Beginner Accelerated” because of my love for languages and my wish to become a polyglot.
Additionally, I volunteered to give Dutch conversation lessons to an
intermediate/advants group of students for the Dutch Department at The University of
Sheffield. Together with another native Dutch speaker we gave those lessons for four months. Sheffield
Sheffield was dubbed the greenest city of the UK a few years ago, despite having a strong mining and steel background. It now has several parks and green pockets all around the city, and does its best to keep their trees growing. Sheffield is a short ride/ walk away from Nation Park the Peak District, which is very beautiful.
Many people walk from home to university, the shops, and the supermarket. However, public transport is also available, and made cheaper for students. There are busses going
everywhere, even out to the Peak District. The metro takes you from one end to the city to its several outskirts, and the train-station is central in the country, which enables you to go everywhere you need from Sheffield. Keep in mind, as with any form of public transport, times are subject to change.
Costs
- 84 pounds per week for my accommodation: A 14-16 m2 room in a 6 bedroom house, with kitchen, two bathrooms, a separate toilet, parking space and garden. 1.50 pounds for the washing machine, 1 poud for the dryer
- groceries, hygenic necessities, and café/restaurant visits: 160-200 pounds a month - travel, both public transport and trips: 100-150 a month
- Valuta difference: because of the difference in valuta between euros and pounds you end up paying more fees when transferring money to bank accounts “abroad” (aka, with the different valuta)- take these extra costs into account. I would recommend going to a cash machine a few times a month to be able to keep an eye on your budget and to incurr less fees.
