My Best Decision: Fulfilling My Dream After Turning Thirty
Hello, my name is José, I am from the city of Santiago, Chile, and this is my experience studying in the United Kingdom.
The Decision That Changed Everything
The truth is that I had always dreamed of studying abroad, living new experiences, and learning about other cultures. The United Kingdom had always been my goal. However, the years went by, and I never dared to do it; then the pandemic came, and everything became even more complicated.
Despite this, after a holiday trip I took to Edinburgh and London in 2023, that flame of studying abroad was reignited, and I embarked on the adventure, enrolling in the LLM in General Legal Studies at the University of Bristol in 2025, with quite a few more years behind me, but with the same energy and enthusiasm I had ten years earlier.
How to Survive in England
As for my academic and personal life, it was very difficult at the beginning, as I travelled alone, without my partner, and I had to adapt to an academic environment that was very different from the one I was used to in Chile.
However, I took this as a personal challenge and was fortunate enough to build a very good support network with other Chileans who were also studying at the university. Today, there are at least 15 Chileans among us, ranging from undergraduate students to PhD students.
Learning to Live with Bristol’s Diversity and English Culture
Another important aspect was the culture. Fortunately, Bristol is a very diverse city and welcoming to foreign people, so I never had any problems adapting to English culture.
Bristol is, without a doubt, a city of many contrasts: it is a small city, but with the soul of a big city. It has everything you need and, best of all, it is a very friendly city for anyone who wants to explore it on foot, except perhaps for the endless hills on the way up to the university. In addition, it has incredible places and views for anyone willing to explore it. Although I admit that what I have enjoyed the most has been being able to go to different cities to enjoy football at different levels and to talk with people from different places.
Although I still have several months left in the United Kingdom, I take away a great lesson: living abroad literally means starting from scratch and learning to understand how different things work in a different city.
For example, something as simple as crossing the street could often become a difficult task, but not an impossible one. Therefore, without a doubt, the most important lesson has been the resilience and perseverance that one develops, as well as the opportunity to broaden one’s horizons, which undoubtedly helps you grow as a person.
What I Would Have Liked to Know Beforehand
Now then, what would I have liked to know beforehand? Probably how to understand the English transport system and the different opportunities that exist to manage your budget better.
The United Kingdom, and England in particular, is a very expensive country, so planning your budget is essential, as is getting your Railcard in time and always carrying your university ID card with you in order to make the most of the available discounts.
What I've learnt from This Adventure
To conclude what my experience in the United Kingdom has been, I am left with the certainty that it has been, without a doubt, the best decision I have made in my life. I do not regret it for a second, and I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to live it.
I hope that those who are still in doubt decide to do it. Even if you think the time has already passed, it is never too late to learn and fulfil your dreams.
- José
