Turning Hope into Reality
Since I was young, the UK has always made me very curious. For years, I had the hope of one day visiting and having an experience here, although for a long time it seemed very far away. Over time, that desire became a goal, and I finally had the opportunity to make it a reality.
My experience with Across the Pond was fundamental in helping me get here. The process of studying in the UK involves many steps and, especially as an international student, it can feel overwhelming. I did not know anything about these processes, and I did not have anyone I could trust to guide me. Having their support helped me understand my options, make decisions with more confidence and feel that this was truly possible. I never felt alone or afraid to ask any kind of question.
Studying my Master's at the University of York has been a real rollercoaster, both academically and personally. Academically, everything was new to me: studying in another language, adapting to a different education system and facing new ways of learning and participating in class. At the same time, the university's facilities and atmosphere often made me think, “all of this was worth it.”
I had the opportunity to learn from highly knowledgeable professors and to share the classroom with people from different countries and cultures. My previous professional experience in the private sector in Mexico allowed me to connect many of the concepts I learned with real-life situations and think about how I could apply that knowledge back in my country.
On a personal and cultural level, meeting people from different nationalities was one of the most enriching parts of the experience. I learned about different traditions, listened to perspectives that were very different from my own and, above all, learned to look at many topics from a broader perspective. The beginning was definitely a challenging period of adaptation, but I was lucky to find a great support network at the university and make friendships that meant I never felt alone.
If I had to summarise one of my biggest lessons in one phrase, it would be: “think globally.” I am taking home much more than a degree: international knowledge, new perspectives and a much deeper understanding of sustainability and what companies are doing in the UK and other countries. I am also taking home friendships, memories and the confidence to know that I can adapt to an environment completely different from the one I was used to.
If I could give one piece of advice to someone thinking about studying in the UK, I would tell them to be prepared for the first few days to feel chaotic, but to remember that everything is temporary and that it is also part of the process. So: “enjoy the process.” I would have liked to receive more practical advice for international students, such as how transportation works or how to deal with the small everyday things that can seem overwhelming at first.
But most importantly, I would tell them not to let fear or the number of steps involved make them think that it is not possible. I imagined it for years before making it happen. And today, I can say that the hope I had for so many years finally became a reality. It has been one of the most beautiful and transformative experiences of my life.
- Luisa
