Making the Most of My Study Experience to Explore the United Kingdom
When I decided to study in the United Kingdom, I knew that this opportunity meant not only a quality education, but also the unique possibility of exploring one of the countries with the greatest historical and cultural richness in Europe. During my stay in the United Kingdom, I have managed to organize my time to visit fascinating cities that have deeply enriched my personal and academic experience.
The Best Times to Travel
My experience has taught me that timing is fundamental to making the most of travels throughout the United Kingdom. The summer months, especially from June to August, became my favorites for traveling, as during these dates, the days are considerably longer, and the weather is warmer. However, I also discovered the special charm of traveling during university vacation periods in spring and autumn. In April and May, the gardens are in full bloom, and August-September offers pleasant temperatures with fewer tourist crowds.
My Best Travel Investment
One of the smartest decisions I made was acquiring a Railcard at the beginning of my stay. This card, which costs £30 annually, provided me with discounts on all my train journeys. Considering that a trip from Aberdeen to London can easily cost £85, the card paid for itself after just three long trips.
The flexibility it gave me was invaluable. I could make spontaneous travel decisions during weekends, knowing that transportation costs would be significantly lower.
Strategic Planning: Following Geography
One of the most costly mistakes I almost made was planning trips without considering the country's geography. Initially, I thought of visiting London, then Edinburgh, then Bath, and finally Liverpool. This route would have meant constantly going back and forth across the map, doubling my transportation costs and travel time.
Instead, I developed a "linear routes" strategy that saved me considerable money and time. For example, one of my most successful routes was: London → Oxford → Bath → Birmingham → York → Edinburgh. This sequence allowed me to explore systematically, visiting each city along the way without backtracking, and also allowed me to gradually observe the cultural and landscape changes of the country, from the cosmopolitan cities of the south to the dramatic Scottish landscapes.
Maximizing Weekends and Holidays
My travel strategy was completely adapted to my academic calendar. Long weekends became perfect opportunities to explore nearby cities. From my base in Aberdeen, I could take full-day trips to Dunnottar Castle or Glasgow in the same day.
For more distant destinations like England, I reserved the longer university holidays. This planning allowed me to completely immerse myself in each region without the pressure of returning quickly to my studies.
Final Reflections
Studying in the United Kingdom gave me much more than an academic education; it offered me an incomparable window to explore centuries of history, from the Roman walls of York to the medieval castles of Dunnottar. Each trip complemented my formal education, providing me with experiences I will always remember.
The key to success was treating these trips not as a distraction from my studies, but as an integral extension of my educational experience. Each city visited added a new dimension to my understanding of British culture, its history, and its regional diversity. At the end of my program, I will not only obtain an academic degree, but also a deep appreciation for the cultural richness of this extraordinary country and memories that I will treasure for life.
- Paola