Meet Sihe

A welcoming city

I chose Newcastle University because I was already familiar with the city. Some of my family members live there, and I had visited many times before, so it felt comfortable and welcoming. I wanted to challenge myself by living and studying there independently, rather than just visiting. 

What surprised me most is how inclusive Newcastle is. Wherever I go, I feel like I’m treated the same as everyone else. Even when I do part-time work, I never feel different or judged, which really gives me a strong sense of belonging. 

The campus is also very central, so everything is close by and convenient. 

A supportive learning environment

What I really like about Newcastle University is the supportive atmosphere and the way we learn. It’s very interactive, with lots of discussion and collaboration, which I find really engaging. 

Most importantly, studying here has helped me discover new interests in education, and it’s really inspired me to think about what I want to do in the future and keep developing in this field. 

Social activities

I’ve found the social aspect really positive, especially through societies and sports clubs. At the beginning of the year, there were so many options at the fair, which was really exciting. There were also trial sessions, which made it easy to try different activities before deciding what to join. 

I joined the pickleball club, and taking part in competitions has been a really fun experience for me. I also sometimes book courts with friends to play squash, which has given me the chance to try different kinds of sports. 

The degree content

This degree explores both current and future approaches to education. It focuses on innovative teaching methods, critical thinking, and how technologies like AI can be meaningfully used in learning. 

The course is very interactive, with lots of discussions, group work and practical tasks, rather than just lectures. You also develop important skills such as academic writing, research, and designing learning materials. 

It’s a great course if you’re interested in education and want to broaden your perspective, think more critically, and explore new ideas in the field. 

A career in Education

Newcastle has helped me clarify my future direction. I see myself continuing to work in the field of education. I already have 10 years of teaching experience, and I would like to keep developing both my teaching and research skills. 

I’m open to different roles, such as teaching or education-related work, and I’m also becoming more interested in research after starting this degree.