Where are they now?

INTERVIEWS — By admin on July 20, 2010 at 5:54 am

Aspire catches up with former TIEC student and Aspire Cover Girl (June 2009).

Name: Yetade Ayileka

Age: 18

Current Course: Computer Systems Engineering with Management

Year: 1

Current School: University of Sheffield

Secondary school/college attended: Abbey College Cambridge (A-levels); Olashore International School Nigeria.

What was the main reason you decided to study in the UK?

I decided to come and study in the UK because it offers world class post-secondary education in my chosen field of study.

How have you found the University of Sheffield?

The University has been amazing! My department, Automatic Control and Systems Engineering is the largest of its kind in the UK and its teaching and research ratings are the best possible.

Outside academics though, the university community is the best you could ever ask for. Our student’s union has been ranked number one in the UK and there are a lot of societies/clubs available for students to join. The facilities at the university are top of the range: from our sporting facilities to our state of the art library which is open 24 hours. There are also numerous support systems in place to help new students settle into university life.

Have you or are you planning to work during the holidays?

At the moment I’m applying for summer placements, both here in the UK and back at home in Nigeria. That way, I would be occupied over summer and I would also be gaining experience in a field relevant to my course.

What do you plan to do when you graduate?

On completing my course, I would have developed skills to help me succeed in the workplace as an individual and also as part of a team. Armed with my degree and these skills, I hope to secure a job working in the transport sector.

What has been your greatest educational achievement till date?

My greatest academic achievement till date has been receiving the University of Sheffield Undergraduate Merit Scholarship 2009. A scholarship based purely on academic merit and which was applied for by loads of other students as well.

How are you finding the course?

The course is great. The lectures are insightful and group projects are fun. In addition to lectures and labs, tutorials are also available where students get help in solving exercises.

The course requires a lot of research to be done outside lectures because the content delivered in lectures is really just the foundation.

Describe your accommodation.

I live in university accommodation. It’s an en-suite room in a flat for six people. It’s on the University’s city and central campus which means that my lectures are only about 5 minutes away!

The student community usually organises activities such as sports days, free film nights, ice skating trips, comedy nights etc. These are great ways to meet people and make new friends.

Do you engage in any extracurricular activity?

I’m involved in a number of extracurricular activities; I’m a member of Sheffield SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), a society that aims to use students entrepreneurial and volunteering spirit to make a difference in the community through social and commercial projects.

I am also a member of United Nations Youth and Student Association (UNYSA) Sheffield, a student branch of the United Nation Association UK.

In addition to these, I’m a member of the University of Sheffield Women’s Football Club and Sheffield Volunteering which provides volunteering opportunities for students who wish to volunteer.

How would you describe your experience with TIEC?

TIEC has been amazing! They have been very helpful. When I first arrived in Cambridge for my A-levels, I was shown around and given really good advice about student life and life in Cambridge generally. They are very friendly and make you feel very much at home!

What will be your advice to other students who are thinking about studying in the UK?

Studying in the UK is a rewarding experience as you get first-class education and you also get the opportunity to meet loads of people from different backgrounds.

It’s not much different from home, so settling in won’t be hard. However if you do feel a bit home sick or you can’t settle in easily, there’s always someone to help from TIEC, your school and even the Nigerians around you!