Shashwat
Mohapatra

Why did you choose to study your course at NTU?

When I was going through my course page and reading about Brackenhurst Campus – which is literally situated in nature – I was amazed by the diverse wildlife on campus and the Animal Unit, which has many kinds of reptiles, birds and mammals which I felt was good to study animals by being hands-on with them. Reading good reviews in articles online and having some peers from home also joining was also another reason to join NTU.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

The best part about my course is that it is a mixture of theoretical and practical teaching which I feel is the best way to teach about the environment and wildlife. We have classroom sessions one day and the next day we will be out in the field using what we learnt in the classroom. Being outdoors experiencing wildlife and conservation work, hands-on, is something I love the most.

How do you find your modules and what have you most enjoyed studying?

The modules have been quite informative and interactive so far. I have genuinely enjoyed all of my modules as everything is very new to me and interesting. Practical Conservation Skills and Ecological Census Techniques would be the modules I have enjoyed the most because we are outdoors doing practical work related to wildlife census, plant identification and conservation work, such as habitat management.

What do you think about the facilities available on your course and what do you use the most?

The facilities which we have on the course are up to date and advanced, such as the IT labs, library, and laboratories where we conduct a lot of research and experiments. I use the library the most to complete assignments and to do self-directed reading. If a book or research paper isn't available in the library then I can get it from the online library portal which is quite helpful as it gives me the comfort to sit in my room and get all the research material required.

What do you think about Brackenhurst Campus? What do you get up to in your spare time?

Brackenhurst is a quiet, serene, beautiful campus. It has its own fields, ponds, bird hide and a woodland area where most of the wildlife resides, such as badgers and foxes. It's a small campus but is a very relaxing place and I love to study here in the middle of nature.

In my spare time, I love to just walk around the campus on a sunny day as I can do some birdwatching and refresh my mind. If it is raining or cold, I usually sit in the library and read something or do some research.

What is your top tip for someone considering studying/ living at Brackenhurst Campus?

My top tip for studying at Brackenhurst would be to be open to everything and everyone. Do not be scared to interact with people or go out. The campus has its own beauty which you can explore by just walking around. You should be prepared for the rain, as it rains a lot of the time in the UK.

You can volunteer at the Animal Unit where you get to take care of the animals in there. The Conservation Society at Brackenhurst is the best way to meet and socialise with people. You can attend their events which are so much fun and very interesting. Joining the Conservation Society is a must.

Why would you recommend your course to someone considering studying it?

I will recommend my course to someone because of its style and ways of teaching. The professors are so friendly and nice and they are always there to help and make the course easier.

The modules are very well designed with in-depth knowledge of the subject. For almost every module we are outdoors doing or learning something which is one thing I love the most, being an outdoors person.

Any additional comments:

Brackenhurst is the perfect place to study animals, food and the environment, as it has everything you need. Watching the kingfishers from the bird hide is lovely. If you are lucky, you can see a hare hopping away or even a badger or a fox.