The Whys and Whens of Life: Studying Abroad as a Mature Student

At age 23, I realised that I was living through the motions of life but not experiencing it. The advice I received that helped me was: what are the things you broadly enjoy, and how can those things be involved in a career? For me, it was community and support for creatives. This then translated into careers in artistic industries such as music, gaming, film, and writing. The irony of these things being my interests as a young teenager did not fall on me. Sometimes you really do need to go back to your roots.

So, I decided to take another look, with different eyes, to see what a younger me missed at 18, when applying to universities I never ended up attending. I decided to take my hobby of reading more seriously and looked into the book industry. An English degree is not needed to enter the publishing industry, but it is helpful. I decided to study abroad because I wanted to experience something new and felt that, as I was older, I would be able to enjoy it and get the most out of it.

It really is never too late to pursue something else or learn something new. I urge everyone to allow themselves to enjoy the wonderful experience of life, to allow themselves room to grow and understand themselves before asking the big question, “what do I want to be?” or “what do I want to do for the rest of my life?” Life can have many twists and turns, and stumbling should be encouraged. Now, were some of my decisions influenced by being older? Yes!

I suggest you make a list with three categories: non-negotiable, negotiable, and a middle ground of would prefer to have but not necessary. The items on the lists may change as you research and find universities and what they offer. When I decided to return to school, there were a few things I decided were non-negotiable: Campus life, duration of study, career support, and expenses. Since I decided to study abroad, far from my friends and family, I wanted to ensure that I would be able to enjoy my new life and build community. I knew if I wanted to be successful, I would need to build a new support system. Something on my middle list was a beautiful campus with little city-integrated campus buildings. I didn’t want to feel like I was studying in an office building and wanted to feel like I was on a university campus for that “uni life experience.” Now, this was not a need, but a want, which is why it went in the middle. A negotiable for me was if film classes were offered. I wanted to take a few classes, but at the end of the day, they were an added bonus.

Queen’s University Belfast fulfilled most of my list. The beautiful main campus with Lanyon Building and is voted WhatUni’s number one SU in the UK made Queen’s University Belfast ideal. I was able to meet people, build community, explore hobbies that have helped me build valuable skills, and keep me busy (and not homesick). Degrees in the UK are also one year shorter than in Canada. As much as I enjoy university life, I am aware of why I decided to return to school: a career change. I am also aware of the fact that I am entering university later in life, and as much as I want to enjoy the university experience, I also don’t want to prolong it. The careers department at Queen’s is very involved and holds many events. As someone attending university with a specific goal in mind, I found this very enticing. As much as I wanted to live out my London-girlie dreams, I found the city too expensive, especially given the Canadian Dollar-to-GBP exchange rate. Belfast offered the amenities of a big city with friendlier prices.

Now here I am, living in Belfast, having completed my first year at university and, at 25, just starting again with a sparkle in my eyes, but this time with steady feet. You do not need to compromise on the things you want from a university with location. London has many things to offer, and they often come with a hefty price tag.

Now that we have covered the “whys”, let's touch on the “when.” I am truly glad I waited to begin university. I was able to work many different jobs (and save up some money along the way), learn more about myself, and grow as a person. I have soft skills that help me in everyday life that I was able to hone, and I am more confident as a person. These are things that have allowed me to be successful in everyday life, especially studying abroad. However, I am not saying that if you are young, you should avoid university or studying abroad. I encourage everyone to do what feels best for them, but I also encourage people that in the current age of “instant”, waiting or starting later isn’t a bad thing.

My advice to anyone looking at post-secondary education in the UK is to understand what matters to you and what will best serve you in achieving your goals!

– Memphis