My favourite modules made me think outside the box

I’m Aya Mohamed. I'm in my fourth and final year of the MPlan Urban Studies and Planning, meaning that I'm close to graduating, but also that I've been on quite a journey over the past four years.

I was born in Egypt and raised in Kuwait and my international upbringing has played into my work here at the University, under the tutelage of lecturers carrying out international research. Here at the University of Sheffield, I've studied topics like inequality in Detroit and flooding in the Netherlands, in addition to the inner workings of the British planning system.

If this international focus isn’t your cup of tea, that's absolutely fine - the best thing about this course is that even within the structure of the MPlan Urban Studies and Planning, you still have the flexibility to specialise in certain areas. Personally, I think my favourite modules have been the ones that inspire you to think outside the box, like the final year module Making Better Places, which prepares you for professional practice with a real-world project, or the urban design modules.

As for Sheffield, the thing that drew me here was just how friendly the city is, especially for students. I'm sort of a homebody, but when I'm not, I like to go hiking in the Peak District or go out to the movies with my friends. The city has made itself my home away from home. And I'm hoping it will be the same for you!