Sasha Crawford

"While in my final year of secondary education and researching prospective universities, I had a very specific criteria I wished to satisfy. The international recognition of the university, the quality of education provided, and the university lifestyle were all important factors to me, and the University of Sunderland ticked all these boxes. My experience here has only solidified and verified this belief.

I always knew I wanted to pursue higher education, and I have a passion for healthcare and helping others, so I decided to pursue a career in pharmacy. Making this decision started my interest in attending Sunderland because of its reputation and the international recognition it holds, particularly in my home country. My guidance counsellor recommended looking into the University as it's ranked in the top universities for pre-registration examination results for multiple years running – reflecting the high level of training delivered. From looking further into the University and the City of Sunderland itself, it seemed to be the perfect choice – especially with an international airport a short journey away, which meant travelling home was also made simple.

For me, the most attractive aspect of the (MPharm) Pharmacy course is the personalised style of education the course provides; the approach to small group work and 1-2-1 reviews gives a more enhanced and individual educational experience. Consistent feedback from tutors means you develop a close professional relationship with them, which enables you to always be reflective about your level of progression, while ongoing assessment provides you with a strong benchmark of your development within the field. The hands-on sessions in the mock hospital wards and working with the Patient, Carer and Public Involvement (PCPI) participants mean we're well-equipped to deal with patients and situations when going into practice.

I'd advise prospective students to thoroughly research the many new aspects of university life, from deciding which course you want to study to the best accommodation to suit you, as the knowledge and preparation will make the process of adjusting simpler and less stressful. Take advantage of the support services the University provides and join clubs and societies to make friends. The Sunderland Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (SPSA) helped me greatly to settle into university life, and I met lots of new friends with similar interests and hobbies. It's difficult for any young student to move away to university, particularly an international student. However, my experience has been entirely positive! I'd highly recommend the University to all prospective students, but in particular international students. Sunderland is a warm, welcoming community and is now my home away from home!

My career developed rapidly in my final year of study. I completed a summer internship in London, developing and enhancing both my academic and practical skills through working in a busy hospital setting. From this, I was lucky enough to achieve a pre-registration position at the renowned St. George’s Hospital. I'm extremely proud that my education at the University has helped me achieve my lifelong dream of becoming a pharmacist.

My experience has been a whirlwind of change and personal development. I moved to a different country at the age of 17 and, since then, have grown both academically and personally to become a mature, responsible individual who'll be representing the University in my practice for years to come. The opportunities I've had are some of which I'd never have thought possible. I'll always be proud to have received such a high standard of education, and I developed close friendships here that'll last a lifetime. I'll look back on my decision to move away to study at the University of Sunderland as the best decision I could've made."