Studying abroad is the best thing I have done
Planning, planning, planning
During my years in college, I heard about the option of studying abroad in the UK and I ended up planning it all through college and went through with it. After many good recommendations from my advisor in Study Across the Pond, I ended up choosing to study in Aberystwyth in Wales.
The town and University
Aberystwyth University seemed like a good choice for me personally. The scenery around is beautiful, very cute little town and the people, both locals and other students, are very welcoming. I came over by myself, not really knowing anybody but it is very easy to get to know the people around. The university has many different societies to joining, making it easier to find people with the same interests as you and the different societies have many different arrangements where you also get to know the area and the people.
Accommodation
I chose to live in and on-campus accommodation during my 1st year, and I lived with 8 other people, all of them being international students. Although it was a bit crowded sometimes, I am very happy I got to live with such nice people when everything was still a bit scary and new. We had a shared kitchen and bathrooms and separate rooms of course. Would definitely recommend living in university accommodation during your 1st year!
After getting to know more people through my course, I chose to move in with some friends in a flat we found in the middle of the town. To be honest, every accommodation I would have chosen would still be within a walking-distance from everything. Another thing I loved about living there. You could easily walk anywhere; university, supermarkets, pubs, walking trails and so on.
My experience with the student life
My university had a large number of international students, but not that many on my course. Still, I've always felt welcomed and if I have struggled with anything I have always gotten a lot of support from friends and other students. I ended up joining one of the societies related to my course, and that is where I have met the majority of my friends, some of whom I chose to move into a flat with during my 2nd and 3rd year, as mentioned above. I have so many good memories from my time here; long walks in beautiful scenery, studying together with friends at cafés, dinners, bonfires at the beach, exciting nights out and more. So happy I have found a good friend group here, and hoping to stay in contact with all of them!
What did I study
I chose to study Agriculture with Business Management, as that goes under what I am hoping to work with in the future. When I first started, I had more of an interest towards my animal-related modules, but later on I developed more of an interest towards my modules that included crops, grassland and soil management. I was very happy with every lecturer I have had. Since the Agricultural course didn’t have too many students, each lecturer has made time for all of us. Most of them knowing each of their students names.
What I learned from my years abroad
Moving abroad was my first time moving out in general, so it was big change. It is completely normal to feel a bit homesick sometimes, and I did, but surrounding myself with the right people really helped. I have learned to enjoy my own company a lot more and I have found things I can do to enjoy it even more. It was very much out of my comfort zone to move that far away for the first time, and I am glad my parents pushed me to go, as I was a bit hesitant when I first started to apply. Please, please, please enjoy every second of your time abroad, as it goes by so quickly!
-Mari
