From Sri Lanka to Salford: Oshani's Story

A female student sat on a park bench

Oshani Mallawaarachchi, a MSc Project Management in Construction student from Colombo, Sri Lanka, shares her experiences as an international student at the University of Salford.  

Choosing Salford

“I chose the University of Salford because it has a great track record of academic excellence. Whilst I am selective introvert, I’m also a nature lover and wanderer, which made Salford and Manchester a great choice because of its combination of a busy city centre and lots of serene greenery, such as Peel Park right on the University’s campus. It was the perfect place for a fresh start.” 

A Dive into the Course

“We study four modules each semester which involve two-hour lectures, twice a week. As well as our lecturers, we have our course leader and module leaders. Most of our lecturers have years of industrial experience and have then decided to make a career switch to higher education. To successfully find a job in the construction industry you need to practically apply the theory, and our lecturers provide that through their experience. Furthermore, our lecturers are very approachable: they are friendly and do their best to answer our questions at any given moment, be it during the lecture or after. 

We also have very a diverse class. There are students from almost every continent, different backgrounds and different age groups. This enhances our learning of different methods and technologies used in project management in construction because each student brings their own unique experiences to the course. Our lecturers reflect on these perspectives and use it as an opportunity to provide us with further insight.” 

A female student stood in a field

Skills Acquired

“My dream is to lead construction projects in the future. I believe this course will help me to accept and challenge the social norms in construction industry. Through my course, I have gained the ability to navigate various kinds of contracts and choose which is the best for the project initiative process. Furthermore, I have gained the skills to adjust to and understand more about teamworking, culture and people. The course has pushed me to become more of a people person.” 

Outside my Studies

“I started attending Wordscope to develop my academic writing skills and I also joined the Nature Society which has given me the opportunity to connect with likeminded people and experience the green spaces around Salford. One of my favourite experiences was losing my way in Manchester, only to end up roaming around the area and witnessing the architectural marvels the industrial revelation brought to the city.” the industrial revelation brought to the city. 

Support for International Students

“I am truly grateful for the support available to international students. The University of Salford has established many support systems like askUS, the Students' Union, Rafiki, and International Community Events.  All the students at Salford are very friendly and there is a real community feeling here. To explain better, here’s an instance of what happened to me: on my second day in Salford, I went to register at the University. I was lost and completing the procedure wrong. The student ambassadors and staff were extremely kind and understanding. Their friendly nature and encouragement helped me to successfully complete my registration. 

Advice for Future International Students

“Be kind and have the correct attitude with a willingness to learn from anyone and everyone.”