Siu Kwan Lee (Sandra)

Sandra came to Manchester from Hong Kong as an undergraduate before studying MEd Psychology of Education. During her time in Manchester she has been involved in the student’s Dance Society. She says this has given her many opportunities to meet new people and explore the UK.

I had a great time studying for my undergraduate degree here at The University of Manchester and chose to do my postgraduate degree here as well. Manchester is a large and vibrant city, with plenty to do and a relatively low cost of living. The University itself also has a great reputation and the course I’ve chosen will help me pursue my ambition of becoming a child psychologist.

Alongside my studies I’ve been involved with the Dance Society at The University of Manchester where I’ve continued my passion for contemporary and street dance. I first became a member of the dance team when I was an undergraduate student and I’ve had the opportunity to participate in dance competitions across the country with my team; we’ve become good friends as a result!

Coming to Manchester for the first time was both a scary and exciting experience as this was my first time studying abroad, but my initial worries soon disappeared and I began to feel more at home here. The pre-departure briefing, orientation and welcome events organised by the University were really useful in helping me gather my bearings. We were given lots of opportunities to meet people and explore the campus and the city. As soon as I stepped off the plane student ambassadors collected me from Manchester International Airport and took me directly to my accommodation. I also attended some events hosted by the International Society and met students from all over the world. I soon made friends and very quickly started to settle in.

My academic experience here in Manchester has also been fantastic. The University provides us with a range of useful learning resources and I’ve found the course content very interesting. I particularly enjoy the way we’re taught here that encourages students to contribute to group discussions and learn from each other.

In addition to my academic studies, I’ve gained administrative and communication skills through working part-time for the International Office at the University. The Careers Service also hosts numerous exhibitions, which I’ve found really useful for meeting company representatives and learning more about career options.

After graduation, I want to either pursue further education in child psychology or look for a job related to the psychology of education back in Hong Kong. My time at Manchester will definitely help me in the future because I’ve had many opportunities to develop a range of important skills and abilities such as leadership, communication, organisation and time management.

Manchester’s a great city with plenty to see and do, but living costs are still relatively low compared to other cities in the UK because there are student discounts available almost everywhere. I really like how the University campus is close to the city centre and on the main transport route that makes it very convenient to travel around the city. I currently live close to the campus in private student accommodation which has great facilities and good security. In previous years, I’ve lived in university accommodation and private rental houses, which have also been good options.

I’ve been a student in Manchester for several years now and have really enjoyed my time here. The University has a great reputation and it's located in the heart of an affordable, vibrant and conveniently located city that caters to students from all over the world.