MA Design Jewellery and Metalwork student Divya is planning to use the skills she learned on her course to set up her own studio back home in India. 

“Jewellery making is a well known craft at home, but there aren’t many universities that teach it. Sheffield Hallam’s art and design department has great equipment and machinery and you have the chance to explore what you’re interested in.”

“Back home in India the focus is more on theory but here it's more practical, so you actually learn how to deal with the materials themselves. As well as jewellery making, I've been exploring ceramics and printing too.”

“The technicians are always there to help you. You can just go and ask them whatever you need and they'll teach you.”

Divya used the University's support services to help ease her transition to Sheffield Hallam University. 

“The Students’ Union had a few Indian groups including a WhatsApp group which I joined before we actually travelled here. There was also an Indian representative from the Sheffield Hallam administrative team, so it was good to get her input on what to expect and be prepared for it. She gave us advice about the weather and what to pack.”

Divya settled into Sheffield quickly and now loves to explore the green spots around the city. 

“I feel like the city has a lot of students so you feel a sense of community with the people around. I specifically chose Sheffield because I like to be away from a lot of noise – I like the quieter areas. I researched Sheffield and discovered there's a lot of greenery here and that’s the inspiration for most of the work that I do in my course.”

“The GoGlobal Team at Hallam organises regular trips to places such as the Peak District. It's nice because lots of like-minded international students go too and it’s a great way to make friends.”

Divya really loved the idea of having creative freedom and has plans after university to move back to India and start up her own creative design studio. She wants to use the contemporary practices that she’s learning here in Sheffield and integrate some traditional practices she learnt from her home in India.