Student profile: Jonna Jasmin Guven

Student experience 13 August 2020

Fourth-year physics student Jonna Jasmin Güven tells us about her experience of a foundation year, swapping Finland for Fallowfield, and why it’s great to get involved in student societies

What degree course are you on, and what year are you in?

I’m on the MPhys Physics with Theoretical Physics degree course and I’m starting my fourth year this September.

Why did you choose Physics, and why did you choose Manchester?

I grew up in Finland and attended a natural sciences college in Helsinki before coming to uni at Manchester. I originally wanted to become a medical doctor, but after my first year at college I realised I was only interested in my physics and maths modules. I also enjoyed reading books about physics and soon realised I could study physics at university.

I applied to universities in the UK, because I wanted to study abroad. I chose to come to Manchester, because out of my choices, it was the only university who offered me the Integrated Foundation Year since I hadn’t met my expected grades to go straight into my undergraduate degree in physics. This was great for me and after graduating from the Foundation Year, I felt more prepared to start my first year in physics.

“This is one of the reasons I love physics: the skills can be applied to so many different situations.”

What’s been the best (and the worst!) thing about your degree?

After studying physics for three years and having had the chance to work in a professional research environment, I have come to appreciate the problem-solving skills I have learned on this course. This is one of the reasons I love physics: the skills can be applied to so many different situations. A lot of my coursemates are not even planning on staying in academia in physics, as they know their skills can also be useful in other areas such as finance, biology and other sciences. However, as much as I love physics, it is a tough course. There is so much to learn and you need to set enough time for going over lecture notes and assignments.

What are your plans after uni?

I think I would like to do a PhD eventually, possibly coding in statistical physics or data science. However, I would want to have a gap year, maybe working in a research centre to get some more experience in a specific field.

Are you involved in any clubs or societies?

I’ve been volunteering with the University of Manchester Physics Outreach (UMPO) for three years now, and I’m also part of its Senior Team. UMPO is a great way for physicists to do some volunteering: we go to primary and secondary schools and give workshops to children about particles, space and coding. We also attend events such as the Bluedot festival. I think everyone should try outreach, as you can learn important skills like explaining difficult concepts in a simpler way. I also play handball in the University of Manchester Handball Club. The lockdown might make it seem more difficult to stay active with societies, but many of them are already planning to do more and more virtual events, so there will definitely be stuff to do even in lockdown!

What’s your favourite place on campus?

As physicists, we are really lucky since we have our own building with its own library, study space and kitchen! This is my absolute favourite place on campus, especially in exam seasons when everyone is studying in the library together. It’s great because you can ask questions from the older years and everyone is so friendly, it’s like we have our own little community. It feels like a second home to me at this point.

What do you think you’ll miss most after you graduate?

I think I’ll miss the sense of community, not just from uni, but also from Manchester in general. Everyone is so friendly here and there definitely is a sense of community. I love the ‘We love Manchester’ signs and little pictures of bees around town. I have loved becoming a ‘Manc’ and this is what I’ll miss the most.

careersfoundation yearinternational studentsoutreachphysicsstudent societies