Salvatore Giuseppe Failla

Why did you originally apply to do your chosen course at Birmingham? 

I applied to do my course in Birmingham as it was renowned for its world-class School of Engineering. I also looked at pictures of the campus and of the city and was pleasantly surprised by how much they both had to offer. Aside from widely advertised trivia such as having more canals than Venice and the biggest library in Europe, Birmingham seemed to be a thriving, lively city. The campus offered a beautiful art gallery and brand-new study spaces that I was able to look at while deciding which university to apply to.

What do you think are the best points of your course?

The best points of my course consist in having a challenging and stimulating set of tasks and assignments that inevitably improve your creativity, time management and technical skills. The School of Engineering offers a wide range of labs, from the electronic lab to the Makerspace, making it a real-life heaven for creative minds that want to build concrete objects and work on their projects. This is brought together by a well-rounded theoretical education that is ensured by the several assignments, class tests and exams.

What’s the best thing about studying at Birmingham?

Birmingham is the perfect environment to build your new life. Ranging from world-class sports facilities to brand new study spaces, food courts and bars, not to forget the hundreds of societies that it offers, it makes it easy for students to quickly feel at home away from home, to build a family outside their family. I had the chance to try several new sports, meet people from all over world (and got to visit their home countries) and build unforgettable memories.

What’s the highlight of your time at the University?

It is hard to choose just one highlight. A highlight definitely consists of the times I tried new sports, having also competed in some of them. Whether that be football tournaments, kickboxing competitions, or tennis socials, it allowed me to have a balanced, merry time at university. Other highlights definitely consist of the all-nighter revision sessions with the lifelong friends I made at university, nights in which anxiety, hope and curiosity of what would come next would blend, leaving behind just a bittersweet memory.

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying on the course?

I would encourage them to follow their instinct. If engineering is something that arises their curiosity, I would exhort them not to listen to the common hearsay about how hard and stressful life is as an Engineering student. While I am by no means implying that it is simple, if you manage your time properly, you will be able to grow as a professional while having time to discover yourself and the world around you better.

Is there anything extra students thinking about studying on the course should know?

I would recommend new students to consider that university can be one of the most emotionally intense periods of one’s life. It is important to push yourself out of your comfort zone, find people you can trust and do not be afraid to ask for help, both academically and socially. As everywhere personal growth is involved, this comes at a cost. The currency is hope, passion, energy and discipline.