"Make the most of your time at university and don’t turn down opportunities."
Claire Louise Sippitt
Age: 21
Course: Spanish and Portuguese (fourth year)
“My Spanish teacher talked to me about Nottingham, and I liked the sound of it and the fact that you could learn another language from the beginning. Then I went on an open day, and really liked the atmosphere of the campus.
I particularly enjoy learning about the different areas where Portuguese is spoken. My year abroad was a highlight too – I did voluntary work in a crèche in Brazil for five months, and I studied in Spain. I searched for the voluntary work myself and the University was really supportive beforehand and while I was away. Meeting new people and experiencing living in a foreign country is incredible. Your language skills improve too because when you’re there, you just absorb things.
I’ve found the lecturers and staff at Nottingham to be very friendly and approachable – you know you can speak to them if you’ve got any problems. I’ve become really good friends with people on my course, too.
I joined the Swimming Club, and in the second year I was on the committee. It’s a great way of meeting people outside of your hall and course. There’s an Athletic Union Ball, which was brilliant, especially as we were voted club of the year. Being in halls was good too, because there’s always something going on, and Nottingham has great shopping and nightlife and is compact enough that you can get around it easily.
This course has really benefitted me because it’s enabled me to develop my communication and critical thinking skills, and the year abroad helped me become more independent.”