Student Profile
Dimas from Indonesia
MRes Immunobiology
Course Dates: 2011-12
My Course
I like the course. It involves a mixture of taught and research programmes in one year and I enjoy the mixture. The combination of medical and business content makes it very interesting. I have started my research into cirrhosis. I go to the RVI every Monday to collect samples for my experiments. Even though this course is a taught masters, these visits to the hospital give me the chance to meet patients which is another enjoyable aspect.
The lectures are clear and students on this course get good support from the academic staff. There are good facilities at the Medical School for us to use. The labs are great, safe and the technology is very advanced. Academic in the Medical School are very keen on research and encourage the students to do extra research and publish papers.
Why Newcastle?
I chose Newcastle because I am on an intercalating year from the Universitas Indonesia. The selection process is competitive but it was the strong research reputation that Newcastle has which attracted me to it.
Facilities
The Walton Library has a good catalogue system and is a good facility. I study there most days. The computer clusters are great and I like the fact that there is a floating drive where we can share files so you don't have to take your laptop computer around with you. I like the Blackboard system. It's a good way to see your marks and review lectures.
I find the Careers Service very helpful and I enjoy the weekly emails from them. The good employability levels Newcastle has is a lot to do with the work of the Careers Service.
The Student Union bar is a great facility. I am also a member of the Fencing Society. I have made many friends through it. It is a good way of meeting people and is more than just fencing as we have a social night every Wednesday, which is really fun. The University takes sport very seriously and the standard of coaching is very high.
Accommodation
I live in Leazes Terrace. I really like it. It is clean and decent and is a safe and secure place to live. It is a good place to live if you are a postgraduate student and it has a good computer cluster and study room with wifi access.
The City
I like Newcastle as it is a good mixture of old and new. I like the ambience and the old buildings - I feel it is a good representation of British culture. Newcastle has the best nightlife in the UK and has good tourist locations such as Alnwick and Edinburgh nearby. I like the Quayside and go regularly to the Sunday morning market. The SAgE is a fabulous facility and I enjoy attending musicals and operas at the Theatre Royal, which is really different to Indonesia as we don't have these types of events there.
International Advice
Don't be afraid to meet new people. The people here are friendly, especially the locals. Going to Newcastle University is not only about learning. There are so many other things to do and so many services on offer that you really feel part of a community here.