Anand Kumar Selvam Indian, due to graduate June 2017

MSc Electrochemistry

Southampton, the best place to live in UK. A one year stay at Southampton does not feel like I was in alien land but it was home away from home. Do not think about a second choice when you get an opportunity to study at University of Southampton.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Southampton?

University of Southampton being one of the top most universities in UK is the best place to pursue your degree. University provides all possible modern technologies to the students that makes them comfortable during their course time. Starting from tutorials, lectures, e-assignments and so on. Especially in electrochemistry University of Southampton stands unique with its cutting edge research in the field.

What were your first impressions of the University of Southampton?

It was 16th September 2015, I reached London Heathrow Airport. Since this was my first international trips towards European countries I was bit scared. But I registered for University Meet and Greet from the airport that made my life easy. The student ambassadors at the airport was so friendly and helped with registration, provided UK compatible sim cards and getting to right place to board the coach to Southampton. The coach journey from Heathrow airport to Southampton is a memorable one since it was the journey to my future with lots of dreams.

As soon as we arrived to Southampton it was literally started raining. But apart from all of those student ambassadors managed to get us to right halls of residence. I stayed at St. Margaret’s hall, that is an awesome place to stay provided with every single facility and with very nice ambience. The computer room at my halls of residence is an important place to me. On the day one when I was feeling lonely that is the place helped me to socialize with the people.

What do you enjoy the most about living in Southampton?

Southampton, the best place to live in UK. A one year stay at Southampton does not feel like I was in alien land but it was home away from home. Southampton is not far to any interesting places to visit. Apart from my academics, I visited places such as, Winchester, Cardiff, Leeds, Stonehenge, Brighton, Durdle Door and the main city London. All the places can be reached with in the travel time of maximum 3 hours. I also visited Lordington Lavender Farm during its open days in July 2016, which we cannot witness in our country like India.

In Southampton we have lots of Indian families living here. We have a well-established community background that was evident from temple that was built 30 years back. It was surprising to see that almost all Indian families in Southampton meet there every Sunday for one hour of prayer and they offer a free meal too. This gives an opportunity for the freshers to feel like home in the foreign place.

West Quay with almost all top brands is my most favourite shopping place during weekends. Sainsbury’s is the place where you get best groceries in the city.

Indian people need not to worry since they have so many Indian supermarkets, where you get everything same as of the home country.

The parks serve as the spread of green blanket throughout the city, especially The Riverside Park, you can see nature at its best.

Another interesting thing you can witness is the docks. You can have a chance to see magnificent ships. Southampton being the home place for Titanic, Sea City Museum is an interesting place to visit in the city.

Ice creams, no one will say no to it. The city has huge variety of ice cream shops especially I recommend Sprinkles for waffle lovers like me.

Southampton’s weather is moderate that everyone can enjoy and will not be so hot during summer or so cold during winter. Unfortunately, the possibility for snow fall is very less when compared to the other parts of UK.

Southampton best place to live in UK, it feels like a second home.

What is your favourite spot on campus?

My lab at building 30 / 5035 is my most favourite place.

Library study room 5037 is my favourite place next to my lab. Whenever I want to do any important assignments, this is the place where I will be.

The shop Costa coffee vending machine is my all time love.

What has been your proudest accomplishment while you were in Southampton?

Elected as MSc Chemistry student representative of Staff Student Liaison Committee.

I am looking forward to get my research article published in international journal with high impact factor.

Would you recommend the University of Southampton to students from your home country? If so, why?

What will you do with your degree after you have finished your studies?

I am planning to do PhD after my post grad MSc.

Do you have any stories about your time in Southampton or a happy memory you want to share?

A great experience at University of Southampton

I should start with my peculiar course MSc in Electrochemistry, yes many people looked at me differently when I say this. As soon as I say that I am studying this course, the first question people asks me is to explain what is ELECTROCHEMISTRY because only very few are familiarized with this term. During my first semester I had an opportunity to attend Engineering related modules that gained me good knowledge towards renewable and sustainable energy. I had an opportunity to visit Eling Tide Mill as a part of one of my module. Eling tide mill is one the two remaining tide mills in UK, whose establishment dates back to 14th century and this was my first place to visit outside Southampton.

I was elected as MSc student representative of University’s Staff Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) in the month of October 2015, which was a proud moment. This gave an opportunity to showcase the development that can be made to make the course efficient.

Apart from academic modules I was keenly interested towards research activities that is carried out at the University. I knocked the doors of Dr. Iris Nandhakumar, Chemistry, she mainly working on nanomaterials with electrochemistry that is the division of research I am excited for. She was happy to provide me with a project. From the month of February 2016, I am working at her lab towards fabrication of Palladium nanomaterials from Lyotropic Liquid Phases for electrocatalytic applications, which I wish gets published in a peer reviewed journal. This gave high class research experience.

Had an opportunity to visit Royal Society of Chemistry which is one of the most prestigious place in the world. This visit was arranged by our student office.

Apart from the academic part I would like to mention about the Tempbank. This provided various opportunities to get me a part time jobs that helped me to cope with my living expenses.

Library is my most favourite place at University. The majestic building with the pool of knowledge and excellent modern technology infrastructure. In first semester when we had consecutive group assignments, the group study rooms at library helped us to arrange group meetings with the team members.

For coffee lovers like me Costa vending machine at The Shop at university helps me to refresh often when I am piled up with my regular routine.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Do not think about a second choice when you get an opportunity to study at University of Southampton.