Across the Pond Made It Easy to Find a Master’s Program

I found out about Across the Pond just doing online searches for master’s programs. I eventually wanted to enter a PhD program and knew a master’s degree would make my application more competitive. When I saw that I could get a master’s degree in the UK in half the time (and half the cost) compared to the US, it seemed like a great option, and Across the Pond made choosing a program and applying super easy! Everyone I worked with was so helpful, prompt, and friendly. I really appreciated how smooth they made the application process.
 

Classes at University of Chester

I ended up choosing the University of Chester for its Master of Science in Family and Child Psychology program. In one year, I got a great overview of psychological testing, research and studies, behavior, and other topics that would be relevant to my current job as a teacher for students with autism. The professors were knowledgeable and really helped shape my master’s thesis project, which involved running a behavior study with a local group of primary school students.

I found the class schedule of my program to be incredibly flexible. I had class just one day a week on campus, and the rest of the week I had time to do the reading, writing, group projects, and other assignments involved in the courses. This schedule allowed me plenty of time to work part-time off campus, travel around the UK and Europe, and get involved in activities like a D&D club and a local church.
 

Living Off Campus

While attending the University of Chester, I lived in a nearby town and commuted to classes via bike or train. I came abroad with my wife and dog, so it made more sense for us and our budget to rent a house farther from campus than to rent a flat in the city. However, I had plenty of classmates and friends who lived on or near campus, and it was easy to meet up for dinner nearby or a study session at the campus library.

Chester was a great city to visit every week for classes. The university campus wasn’t far from the train station, and also nearby were many restaurants and shopping venues. My wife really fell in love with Chester’s traditional high street and the Roman architecture. We also traveled to nearby Liverpool and Manchester often for sightseeing because the train system made it easy to connect. Even London was only about a two-hour train ride away, so I packed a lot of travel into my year of study!
 

Studying in England

The biggest adjustment to living as a student in England was all the paperwork I had to do in order to get my visa, process my student loan, get added to national health insurance, pay the local council tax, etc. However, Across the Pond and my university offered plenty of guidance, and once I got all set up in my accommodations, the rest of the year went pretty smoothly.

One of the reasons I chose to pursue a degree in England was that, being from the US, I could study abroad without having to learn a new language! I had previously lived abroad in Japan and Germany for several years, so I was prepared to adjust to a new culture and way of life, and the transition to living in England was pretty smooth. After some initial homesickness, it was exciting to visit new places, try new foods (especially desserts I’d seen watching “The Great British Bake-Off”), and make international friends in my master’s program. I studied along with students from every continent, which was a great experience, and it was especially easy to make friends with the other American students in my program.

Overall, getting my master’s degree in England was a great decision and made a huge impact on my life. I was lucky enough to bring my family to England with me, and we shared many unforgettable experiences together. My wife really enjoyed the climate in England, so when we moved back to the United States, she wanted to settle down in a cool and rainy city! That decision and my master’s degree led to the amazing job I have now, so I owe a lot to my year studying in England! To this day, I’m quick to refer people to Across the Pond for helping make the experience possible for me.

- Jordan