The third year is a placement year
I study BSc Business and Management at Royal Holloway, University of London. I’m very pleased with my choice. The main building is one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen. I imagined spending four years of my life there and then. I’m doing a four-year course because the third year is a placement year, meaning that I apply for several course-related internships that last about 9-12 months. All in all, my degree is a BSc in Business and Management with a Year in Business, so it’s not just a regular bachelor.
The Treasure Hunt
I decided to study abroad because I wanted to get a Business degree. I couldn’t do that in Norway because I hadn’t had the right maths in high school. I chose the “easiest” out of the three maths but I needed at least the second option. I could choose to get a grade for the right maths I needed after I graduated high school but that would take at least another half a year or so. So then I decided to look at opportunities to study abroad, and the choice was between the US and the UK. I searched online and found Across the Pond.
They responded very quickly. I was assigned an advisor who helped me through the entire application process. First I was asked what my latest grades were and the course I was interested in. Then she gave me a series of options - both types of courses and universities where it was almost guaranteed that I could get in if I managed to maintain my grades. That helped with not stressing so much.
That same autumn, Across the Pond organised a study fair where many representatives from various universities in the UK came, many of which I’d looked at before. It was a very useful fair where I got to talk to representatives and get information about open days. So I decided to go visit RHUL the following spring.
My advisor also helped me with any questions I had after applying for a visa and applying for student finance, and with every other question I had along the way (which were many!). Across the Pond has been really helpful throughout the whole process.
Student Life
In my free time, I’ve joined one of the reading societies where we’ve read one book per term and discussed it at meetings once a week, amongst other things. There is an incredible amount of things you can do as a student in the UK. There are lots of sports you can choose to do if you’re interested in that, and other types of societies. If you like to party and nightlife there’s lots of that too. Especially clubbing is a big thing among students. The university even has its own club where there are weekly events during the term. If you like hiking and nature, there are beautiful natural areas around and foot paths and hiking trails. Or you can spend time in the library on campus. There’s something for everyone.
The Student Village
The university is located in a small town called Egham. I’ve got everything I need here - grocery stores, pharmacies and quite a few good cafées. However, it’s not a place for shopping, but then you can take the bus for 20 minutes to Staines, 40 minutes to Windsor (10 mins by car), or take the train for 40 minutes and suddenly you’re in central London. I’m very happy with Egham. It’s quiet and it doesn’t take that long to get basically anywhere. Also, it’s not far from Heathrow either, 40 minutes by bus and a 20-minute drive.
Not a Brit (yet…)
I didn’t think it was that difficult to speak only English when I moved to the UK. What I found annoying, however, was my accent because I don’t sound British at all so I stood out a bit. People knew I wasn’t from here. I got over that thought pretty quickly though because there are lots of other international students here. I’ve also got my non-English days as I like to call them, which I think every bilingual person has. During those days every word that comes out of my mouth sounds like gibberish and the sentences make no sense. Other than that, I think it went pretty well.
A Roof Over My Head
I began studying at RHUL in the autumn and moved into one of the student accommodations on campus. I got my own room and bathroom and I shared the kitchen with five others. All first-year students are guaranteed student accommodation on campus if they apply for it. It gets a little more difficult after that because then you have to find your own place to live since it’s not guaranteed that you can stay on campus. It’s very common to rent a house in the local area together with friends you’ve met. This autumn, I’ll move into a shared flat with some of my flatmates from last year.
As stated, I’m thrilled with my choice. I thrive (literally) and I enjoy it a lot even if it is a little expensive, just a little though. Future me shall deal with the debt, that’s a future me problem.
- Helena