Nomsa Mthembu
My name is Nomsa Mthembu and I'm from South Africa
I'm studying Travel and Tourism Management
What I like about my course
You get to travel and see other places. During the course we visited many places for example Manchester Airport, Poland, Co-operative Travel and the travel shows in London and Birmingham.
The University does give students the chance to travel and meet the employers. Also they arrange the transport so there was no hassle whatsoever.
I do work at the Holiday Inn as well which my course is all about.
I have been based at the Buxton Campus
The area is great, the scenery of the Peak District when driving down to Uni, is magnificent.
But the most important issue about the University of Derby is the support system which they have
When I first came to Buxton I was helped to fill in the forms by Professor David Gray who was the Dean in 2006 when I first started my course.
Then followed by the induction where you get a pack with all the information you need as a student. Everything was explained to me.
Then when I started my course the tutors welcomed me so I did not feel alone at all.
The support does not end in the class but it goes all the way to the Learning Centre where you meet helpful staff. When I arrived I found out that the resources in the UK were more advanced and I did not know how to use them but the staff are all helpful. I felt like I was always there.
I made a good choice by coming to Buxton as it felt as if I was driving home
I did not see any culture clash during my studies as I have met so many friends from Austria, Poland, Cyprus and China.
As we are all from outside we have been given an opportunity to get all explained to us from visas to how to get on with our assignments as things are different here from where we come from.
As international students we have had parties, and visits to places for example Chatsworth House
The University paid for the trip to make everyone feel at home.
I have also learned about other students cultures as we party together during our birthdays.
I think it is very nice to travel and see what happens on the other side of the world
My only personal shock was to fill in petrol by myself at the petrol station - that is something I have never ever done since I started driving in South Africa. I will never forget, but it was funny in a way to get to see that things are just far different from where you come from, but I am OK with it now - it is normal to do that.
What I will tell my fellow country man is that UK is the best place to be as everything is fast paced and the resources are available
They should not think twice coming to Derby as help is at hand with visas and assignments.
You are not alone, and they carry you all the way.
If you ask for a letter for any reason; it comes as fast as possible so there is no regrets at all.
I did not see where my three years have gone. I have enjoyed it so much that next year I will be coming back to do my masters degree.
It snows but the snow is beautiful on the mountains
The community in Buxton is so united when I walk in Buxton I have no fear at all as there is not much crime I saw during my study - I do not have to hide everything in my boot it is just paradise.
