I wanted to study in the best University of the UK

My name is Isela, a postgraduate student of MSc Advanced Sustainable Design at the University of Edinburgh. Today I want to share my experience about the beautiful journey of studying in the UK. 

First of all, studying abroad became one of my biggest goals since I had the opportunity to meet foreign students during high school, I realized that the quality of education in other countries especially in the UK is amazing, and the experience of knowing different cultures even more, so from that moment the idea of experiencing this first hand, living in another country, meeting people from different parts of the world got me so excited that I set it in my goals.

My goal was to study in the UK, but not only in there, what I wanted is to study in the best University of the UK. I always knew I wanted to focus my studies into sustainability, therefore the next step was to find the best programme to do it, I remember I listed all Universities of the UK according to QS ranking, then I wrote the programmes to find out which one has the best to suit to my objectives. Since that moment the University of Edinburgh became my gold dream.  

Despite diverse circumstances that impacted my life, this aim always remained in my mind, but I was not sure where to start. Fortunately, I found an advertise online about Across the Pond, they truly helped me to leave my fears behind and chasing my dreams, clearing my thoughts by showing me every step I needed to achieve this objective. They advised me on the options available to cover the expenses, from scholarships to student loans, of which I was not aware, and they were always willing to answer any questions that arose in the process. 

I applied to many universities until I finally got an acceptance letter from the university of my dreams. From that moment on my life changed and I am sure that it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, as a year after living in Edinburgh I am even more convinced that I could not have chosen a better university or a better country to study my postgraduate degree. The United Kingdom is amazing, but Scotland and the city of Edinburgh have so much charm that I fell in love with them from the first moment I arrived here. From its cobbled streets with a medieval atmosphere and the castle in the middle of the city, to Hollyrood Park, where Arthurs Seat mountain is located, it makes you feel like you are in the Highlands themselves in the middle of the city.

The passion for teaching and the preparation of the teachers, the quality of the programs and without forgetting the work spaces with cutting-edge technology, the physical and digital libraries, computers and laptops available to all students at any time, as well as the natural environment, make this a very pleasant experience. Being a non-native English speaking student, I was very nervous and worried at the beginning, but both the patience of the teachers as well as the help of my classmates were key to helping me develop my language skills in a better way.

In addition to studying, I was also part of some university societies, such as the rifle and swimming clubs. From the first time I visited the gym facilities, I was impressed by the high-quality equipment and the well-suited spaces for engaging in a wide range of activities. 

Student life in the city of Edinburgh is very fun and cheerful, the amount of activities on and off campus is immense, as well as the benefits that we as students have, such as discounts in most shops for food, clothing, events, transportation and even pharmacy and leisure. Student housing is out of this world, it has much more than just basic facilities but also spaces that allow you to have a healthy coexistence that encourages cultural exchange even more, such as play and meeting areas, gyms, cafeterias, laundry services and spaces with musical instruments.

Lastly, I had the great opportunity to meet and connect with amazing people from various parts of the world, such as India, Taiwan, China, Germany, Canada, Turkey, the USA, and South America. Getting to know their cultures, traditions, and perspectives on life has broadened my worldview. The personal and professional growth I have experienced over the past year has been unparalleled, thanks to this wonderful interaction.

I conclude this text by inviting students to take this big step, which they will undoubtedly never regret, and if they feel afraid or do not know what to do, do not hesitate to approach experts like Across the Pond, who will undoubtedly make this experience extremely light and pleasant.

- Isela