Studying at the University of York was a life-changing experience

Hi! My name is Angélica, I`m a Mexican that studied a Master of Science in Green Chemistry and Sustainable Industrial Technology at the University of York, mainly because the course would complement my career as an Environmental Engineer. When I applied, Across the Pond was a life-saver, they helped me throughout the whole process, solving doubts, providing information about dates and scholarships, as well as giving guidance on how to prepare documents.
 

Green Chemistry at the University of York

The Green Chemistry Department has cutting-edge facilities and pioneers in the field within the staff. The program I chose combined different types of lectures with practical sessions in the laboratory and included the development of a final research project.

The lectures would consist of 1 to 3-hour presentations or workshops where critical thinking was encouraged. In the UK, postgraduate students are expected to be very proactive and independent, especially when it comes to carrying out research projects. However, most of the lecturers are approachable and willing to clarify any doubts I had.

Moving from Environmental Engineering to Green Chemistry was a challenge for me but I had access to plenty of resources to study and successfully graduate. Such as the University and Department libraries, free access to scientific journals and software, and the insights of friends from different backgrounds.
 

Being a postgraduate student at the University of York

The University of York has a diverse community of students from all over the world, especially in postgraduate courses. So you may find yourself having lunch with classmates from several nationalities and learning about different cultures every day.

My University days would start between 8 and 10 am and finish around 4 pm having a break for lunch between 12 and 2 pm. Something I have to say is that the 15-minute tolerance we usually consider in Mexico is not applicable in the UK, punctuality is important in the academic context, and the sessions usually start on the dot.

I would work on my assignments in the afternoons from Monday to Friday with occasional visits to the pubs, especially on Thursdays for pub quizzes. On weekends, I would try visiting other cities. The University`s Student Union often offered one-day trips to different destinations such as Liverpool, Oxford, Cambridge, etc. I highly recommend joining these trips since they`re a great and affordable way to know different parts of the country while you`re a student.
 

Accommodation

Finding suitable accommodation for me wasn´t easy so I would suggest checking your options as soon as you can. Start assessing your budget and getting deadlines for student accommodations since they`re the first to get fully booked. In my case, the best option was to book temporary accommodation for the first weeks which gave me time to find a private room in a house close to the University. This is something you can do before arriving but usually is better to do it once you`re in town, mainly cause you can go and see the place properly.
 

York

York positively surprised me with its history and peaceful, yet vibrant, atmosphere. It is an old City with a big influence from the Viking era, in fact, there is a Viking festival held in the city every year around February.

York is a small city but full of things to do and explore. Most things are within walking distance, with the popular attractions being located in the city centre including museums, ancient buildings, cinemas, parks, cafes, restaurants, shops, and old pubs. Although you can find pubs anywhere in York, actually it is said that it has more pubs than the number of days in the year and I would say it is true.
 

In summary, a rewarding experience

Studying at the University of York was a life-changing experience, being an international student comes with its challenges but the experience also brings tonnes of satisfaction and learning. Personally, I gained confidence in speaking English, new knowledge, and long-lasting relationships. The situation also reinforced my independence and my resilience and it made me appreciate more my home country.

- Angelica