It is a whole experience!
I decided to study in the United Kingdom because I wanted to have a worldwide perspective on the topics I was interested in. For years, I was looking for interdisciplinary master programs with experienced professors in peacebuilding topics. I visited dozens of university websites, university exhibits, and I talked with many counsellors. Finally, I found Across the Pond, and my advisor helped me to choose the University of Essex, where I could feel comfortable and find what I was looking for.
The greatest challenge: living in English
I decided to apply, learn academic english, and find the sponsors to travel. Initially I thought that it would be easy because I have lived alone, I was a good student, and I knew what I wanted. However, the experience is much more than only studying.
Living in a new place with a different language, it’s a new way to live. You understand that you are capable of everything out of your limits. For me, the experience was enriching; from ordering a coffee in the store to making a public presentation in class, it challenged my confidence in myself. However, I learnt to not doubt about myself.
Meet friends for life!
Living in an accommodation sharing common areas was a challenge, but thanks to that experience, I met the people who became my best friends until now.
With my friends, we visited London, Brighton, Belfast, Cambridge, and many places in the UK and Europe. It was a marvellous opportunity to discover fascinating cultures, histories, and people abroad that helped us to build a new consciousness about the world.
The most exciting thing about my daily routine was that I discovered different sports and skills that I did not know, and I were not capable to explore before. On weekends, we used to hang out with my flatmates in the kitchen, playing music, sharing food, watching movies, talking for hours, or just enjoying the nightlife of the city. Maybe sometimes I did not do anything so different from what I used to do in my hometown, but sharing with people with different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs made it a unique experience.
Would I recommend studying in the UK?
Absolutely! Without doubt, I would recommend living in a new country, visiting new places, and challenging yourself to go out of your comfort zone. It can be challenging, but you will discover a new version of yourself.
- Laura Natalia