Private lives - Part 8

Matthew Nicholls, a computer science student in Cardiff

Группа Learning English.
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Clip Matthew Nicholls
I would consider myself British first and then Welsh but not English, I’m sorry but definitely
not English.
Sue: In Private lives today we meet Matthew Nicholls. Matthew has lived all his life
in Cardiff, the capital city ofWales. Matthew describes himself as British first
and then Welsh, but “definitely not English”! Except that is, when it comes to
football. If England are playing a match, then Matthew supports them. And as
we’ll discover, football is a very important part of Matthew’s life. Wales,
however, is famous for the game of rugby. So, when it comes to watching
Wales play rugby, Matthew considers himself to be Welsh! Matthew is 20 years
old and he’s studying computer science at Cardiff University. During the
programme, we’ll hear him talk about where he lives, and what he enjoys doing
on a typical night in. He also talks about the kind of films and music he likes,
and why he’s chosen to study computer science. And, he talks about his new
girlfriend. First though, football. Matthew started playing at primary school, and
he’s never stopped.
Clip Matthew Nicholls
It’s hard to describe the feeling you get from playing football, from watching football, from
living football. You’ve got to eat football, sleep football, drink football, play football, live
football. Football, it’s just so absorbing, it just takes up so much, it’s great. I started playing
when I was about 9 or 10 maybe. I actually find it difficult to go a week without playing
football. I get withdrawal symptoms. I’m sure I do get withdrawal symptoms. I just start to get
a bit ratty, a bit uptight and tense and it’s just a great way of relieving stress. So many people
just go out on the street and kick a ball around for hours and hours and it’s just a simple thing
that provides so much pleasure. It’s such a great sport. It’s just fantastic. Words just can’t
describe it. People can’t understand how people get so absorbed in the game but it’s such a big
thing - it’s just wonderful - I don’t know how to describe it.
Sue: In between football, Matthew fits in his studies. And he’s almost as enthusiastic
about computer science as he is about football. He’s excited by the speed at
which computer programs can now work, and by what computers can be made
to do. Looking ahead, there are good job opportunities for computer science
graduates, and Matthew admits there’s another good reason for studying
computer science.
Clip Matthew Nicholls
I suppose at the end of the day, I’ve got to say, it’s for the money because the money’s great -
you can get a guaranteed job, really good job prospects - it’s the most developing field of all
jobs in the market. If you want to be a lawyer, it’s tough to get a job . If you want to be an
accountant, you’ve got to pass loads of exams but if you want to be a computer scientist, it’s
just great, you get a job, you earn lots of money and I suppose it’s fairly interesting as well.
Some parts are good -- things like the Internet for example that’s interesting. So I think it’s the
right course to do. It’s good.
Sue: The Internet is a vast network of connected computers. Information can be
exchanged world-wide at the touch of a button. As part of his university degree
course, Matthew is going to work with several other students on a project about
an Internet security system. The system is called a firewall, and it’s designed to
restrict access to the computers on a network - such as the network of a small
business or company - from the outside world.
Clip Matthew Nicholls
My project for my final year is related to the internet and the thing that I have chosen is an
Internet project about firewalls.
...