Takes you to a world full of possibilities
Studying in England has been one of the best experiences of my life, not only because of the knowledge I gained from studying at such an important university but because of all the people I met, the experiences I lived and the personal and academic growth that this adventure left me with. When I arrived I didn't know what to expect from my new life, but I was surprised by how different it is from Mexico, from the way of teaching and evaluation, to the food, architecture, climate, and customs!
My reasons
I chose Birmingham because of the prestige of the University (it is ranked 80th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings), because of the course they offer and because the language, culture and accent seem incredible to me. Besides, having a master's degree in my second language is a way to show myself what I am capable of while expanding my possibilities when entering the job market.
Student life
The campus is beautiful, it looks like a museum. It is huge and has the best technology and infrastructure. I was amazed by everything the university has, from one of the largest libraries to bars and cafes on campus! The library is open 24 hours during assessment period and there are even blankets in case you get cold! Aside from academic activities, there are events all the time, for example, a carousel at Christmas or ice cream vans with free ice cream in the summer.
The way of teaching and grading is different from that in Mexico because the guidelines are different. For example, grades go from 0 to 100 but 70 and above is outstanding, something that personally surprised me. I liked that there are students from so many cultures that each class is made up of different points of view and cultural backgrounds.
There are student societies, which are clubs where you can do activities from academic to religious and social. For example, there is the pasta society, Latinos, Christians, darts, volunteering, comics, pole dancing, karate, rugby, Harry Potter, insulin appreciation, etc. There are more than 300 to choose from!
Social life
Birmingham being one of the largest cities in England has thousands of things to do. Living in this city not only helped me experience English culture but opened the door to different cultures. I made friends from India, China, Korea, Japan, Ecuador, and Turkey and even from countries I had never heard of like Tonga. So I could say that studying in England opened the doors to the world for me.
Work life
When I arrived I found a job where I was also able to meet many people who became a key part of my life in this country. Since I could only work 20 hours, I had a good balance between student, work and social life.
In this job I learned a lot about how English labour laws and rules work and it motivated me to try to find a full-time job once I graduated.
Convenient Accommodation
The accommodation was one of the things I liked the most. I lived in Jarratt Hall, a student residence. The online process was very easy to do. What I found very convenient is that when I booked the place, I answered a personality and interests questionnaire and they placed me with like-minded people. Thanks to that, I was able to make friends and enjoy my stay with a very low risk of having conflicts with my roommates. As for security, I found it perfect because there is a 24/7 reception, also if something breaks down and stops working, the repair is very fast once it is reported to maintenance.
The location was very convenient because the campus was a 6-minute walk away and the shops, bus stops, gyms, restaurants and parks were very close.
Finances
In order to finance my studies, I took out a student loan through FIDERH, a support from the Mexican government. The best thing is that they have an agreement with the University of Birmingham with which they discounted 20% of my tuition fee. Thanks to my part-time job, I was able to pay my rent, food, and extra expenses like social activities and gym membership.
In conclusion, if you are thinking of coming to England to study, rest assured that it will be an unforgettable experience that will help you grow not only academically but also personally because leaving your comfort zone takes you to a world full of possibilities. Studying abroad is not just about learning from books but about discovering new perspectives, growing in ways you never imagined, and making your future and possibilities reach a global scale.
- Izta