Why Cardiff was the perfect choice for postgrad student Ali
Student experience Q&A
With Ali Ahmad, Social and Public Policy (MSc)
Ali Ahmad took time out from his studies to chat with us about his student experience so far as a Social and Public Policy (MSc) student.
He highlighted his love for the surroundings, the friendliness of Cardiff and the University's encouraging learning environment.
What’s your favourite thing about the School of Social Sciences (doesn’t need to be related to your course/studies)?
If only I could point to one thing. Here is a brief list of my favourites:
- the lecturers are friendly, approachable, helping, humble and at the same time extremely well-versed in their areas of expertise
- I love the Glamorgan building, especially the entrance flanked by dual antiquity sculptures, it feels like entering a fabled Roman or Greek public house
- the confusing structure of the building and the fun in rescuing oneself after getting lost in one of the corridors
- the revolving door at the front entrance always makes me smile.
If a friend of yours was thinking of coming to Cardiff University, what advice would you give them / what would you say?
I would ask them to apply without wasting a moment. The University is well established across the whole of the city. The architecture offers a blend of historical and modern engineering. The people are friendly and most importantly it doesn’t rain as much as it does in some of the other parts of the country. But what attracts me the most is that it is in Wales, without a doubt the most enchanting part of the country.
"The nature here is untamed, rugged and pristine. I firmly believe Wales is the Alaska of United Kingdom."
What have you enjoyed most about your studies to date?
The friendly and engaging environment in classes, the adrenaline rush of meeting assessment deadlines, the excitement, as an international student, of meeting new people, embracing a different yet poignant perspective on life, studies and society. The respect that the pupils show each other is most inspiring.
What skills have you developed during your studies?
Reading, reading, reading and then analysing what I have read in my mind and forming an opinion on it. This I believe is the rudimentary stage of mind growth and critical development. I have always been an avid reader of literature, but academic reading is in a league of its own.
Initially, and to a great extent, not a single sentence of a research paper with its plethora of complex ideas made sense to me. But slowly I am conditioning my mind to pick up the message that the authors have worked tirelessly to convey.
Learn more about our Social and Public Policy (MSc) programme.