Hesam Hosseinnezhad-Fashkhami is a master’s student in the School of Biosciences studying biotechnology. Originally from Iran, Hesam tells us what drew him to Liverpool and his experiences so far.
Hi everyone! My name is Hesam, and I’m an international student from Iran pursuing an MSc in Biotechnology. When I first arrived in Liverpool, the warmth of the people was evident. Scousers are famous for being incredibly welcoming to newcomers, and I felt that straight away. During my first week, while running around sorting out essentials, such as opening a bank account, I visited the city centre for the first time. It is truly as vibrant as people say! As an art and music enthusiast, seeing people playing guitars and singing on every corner was amazing. Knowing that this is the birthplace of The Beatles made me fall in love with the artistic soul of the city from the start.
Why I chose Liverpool
The University of Liverpool stands out as one of the top universities in the UK and globally, and its membership of the prestigious Russell Group was a huge factor for me. I was motivated to study here because of the strong reputation and exceptional academic standards. I knew that being part of such an esteemed institution would provide the perfect foundation for my future goals.
My academic experience so far
The academic system here in the UK is quite different from where I completed my bachelor’s degree, but in a very positive way. One feature I have heavily relied on and truly appreciate is the access to recorded lectures, which have been incredibly useful for my studies. The professors here are outstanding and deeply professional. You can easily tell their level of expertise just by the way they teach and design the assignments. The course is brilliant because it doesn't just focus on technical skills; it heavily pushes our critical thinking, preparing us to enter the job market.
Beyond the classroom
Outside of my studies, Liverpool has been an incredible experience. I play the guitar and am a big fan of rock music so was thrilled to find several university societies where I could connect with like-minded people or attend live gigs. If you love art, the city's galleries are fantastic too! Liverpool is also wonderfully diverse; you meet people from all over the world here.
On a personal level, I’ve grown a lot. Learning to cook and solving daily personal challenges has been a great learning curve. Sharing these experiences and overcoming internal hurdles alongside classmates who are going through the exact same adjustments has really helped me adapt.
Challenges
Being away from home and family naturally catches up with you after a while, and homesickness is real. But whenever I miss my old friends and the memories we shared, I remind myself of how far I’ve come and the exciting path that lies ahead. Making new friends here will create new memories and overcome those difficult moments. At first it was challenging to adapt to the standards of a world-class UK university. I had to elevate my own standards to match the pace, but I did it. It taught me that whilst stepping out of your comfort zone is difficult, it is never impossible.
Advice for future students
My first practical tip is about housing, since I couldn't secure a place in university accommodation and had to stay elsewhere. While it's close, it doesn't quite match the experience of university halls, so I highly recommend booking university accommodation if you can! My second tip is to reward yourself. Set a prize for yourself after completing a tough assignment - it creates such a positive mindset. Finally, be open and put yourself out there. Leave shyness behind and socialise with people. It helps you find friends who’ll not only support you during tough times but will become a great network for your future.
Looking ahead
My goal is to continue in academia and secure a funded PhD position, focusing on my field. This MSc is not just giving me the degree, but the exact critical mindset and advanced technical skills I need to be ready for high-level research.
Reflecting on my time here so far, I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Moving to a new country and stepping into a top-tier university has transformed me. It's a challenging journey, but every bit of it is helping me grow into the person I want to be.