Samantha
Maharaj

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

I knew that I wanted to study a creative course at university, but I couldn’t decide between interior design and architecture. Through researching universities in the USA, Canada and the UK, I found out about interior architecture and design, and then learnt about the option of a placement year at NTU which was ideal. After this NTU was my first choice of universities!

Have you been involved in any live projects of briefs on your course and if so, can you talk a bit about one you really enjoyed?

A few of our university projects were live projects, but my most memorable one was the Gedling Council House live project competition. My team was one of the finalists and we were asked to present our design and proposal to a few council members in the council house chambers. This was an unforgettable experience!

How would you promote NTU to potential students in 10 words or fewer?

NTU is perfect for anyone seeking a new exciting journey!

What is your favourite project that you’ve worked on during your placement and why?

My favourite project worked on whilst on placement was one of the company’s residential projects. Most of my previous university projects were commercial projects, so it was quite interesting to see how different residential projects were.

What skills have you gained by completing this placement?

I feel so much more prepared for life after graduation. My confidence, time management, communication and work-specific skills have improved significantly.

What advice would you give to an NTU student about to begin a placement?

Try to absorb as much information as you can! Every experience is beneficial as you learn from it, so don’t worry about not having the knowledge about certain things as you are on placement to learn and develop yourself and your skills. Be curious and ask questions as those around you have a wealth of knowledge to share.

How is NTU for international students?

NTU is a very diverse university and has something for every student to do. I appreciate that they try to educate students on other cultures through things like the global lounge, global week and countless societies.