Studying abroad adds so much more value
My dream was always to study in the UK, and now I'm living that dream. The process was much easier with the help of Across the Pond, who made my life SO much easier by helping me with the paperwork and the necessary requirements. They have experts in different subjects, which is much more helpful, especially with the visa process and various paperwork that can be a bit stressful, but their assistance makes everything easier.
I chose the Master's in Marketing with Festival and Event Management because it combines the best of both worlds. I only found this program at Edinburgh Napier University here in Edinburgh, which is why I came here. The truth is, I never considered studying a Master's in Mexico, where I'm originally from, because studying abroad adds so much more value. Regardless of the academic aspects, the personal learning is on another level. It helps you realise that you are capable of many things, and that you can do many things "on your own," meaning far from family and friends, in an unfamiliar environment, and that makes you mature in many ways. If you're capable of this, you're capable of anything in life.
Napier is a good university with excellent teachers. Everyone always looks for ways to help you and make sure you're okay, especially with mental health issues, something they take into account, which I really liked.
To avoid the hassle of finding private accommodation, I stayed in one of the university buildings, and it was the best decision. They're really comfortable. I had my own space and bathroom. I only shared the kitchen with five other people, but lifelong friendships emerge from there. The building is secure; security personnel come around regularly to check on you. Everyone is very friendly. What I also liked is that there's a laundry room. Personally, I can't live without a washing machine nearby, but that's a matter of taste and personal preference. What I also liked is the central location, which was very close to my campus and the city centre. It's super well connected, with plenty of shops nearby, including the supermarket.
I'm not much of a partyer, but the truth is, the nightlife here isn't anything special. It's not a place for partying, but of course you can find clubs and places to go. I prefer sitting in a pub, having a beer and chatting.
The people here in Edinburgh are lovely; everyone is very friendly and cool. They don't hesitate to help you if they see you need help; they reach out. That really gives this city a huge plus. Speaking of which, I'm from Mexico City, a huge city with millions of people, and being here in Edinburgh, which is also a city, makes a big difference. It's a small city, with few inhabitants, and very quiet, and above all, safe.
Something I also like about this side of the world are the trains. They're very easy to take, and in just a few hours you're already in another city. They're very practical and you can get affordable prices. The bus routes are also super well-designed, and it's easy to get anywhere. The app is very easy and practical.
In my free time, I rested, hung out with friends, went sightseeing, and also started working, where I've met a lot of people. It's a job that doesn't feel like a job, and the good thing is that it allows me to earn an income during my time here.
I've already finished my master's degree, and my graduation is coming up soon, and I'm very excited. I actually plan to stay in the UK, as I'll be applying for a graduate visa, which will allow me to work here for two years.
If you're coming to study in the UK, I recommend you enjoy every step and every process. No matter how stressful it can be, it's all part of the experience. But much of this process is made easier, as I mentioned, thanks to the help of Across the Pond. Everyone is very friendly, they help you with any issue, even the smallest ones, and they respond very quickly. Thanks to them, everything was much easier. They answered all my questions, and it's thanks to them that I learned about this master's degree. I told my advisor, the areas I wanted to study. He sent me a list of all the options in the United Kingdom. I narrowed down a few until I was left with three, but my first choice was the one I studied because it has the two industries that interest me the most.
And well, here I am, writing about my adventure of more than a year, including the time Across the Pond accompanied me throughout the process. I'm sitting at my desk in my new room, having recently moved because my contract in university accommodation ended. I'm happy to have finished my master's degree and excited about graduating. I'm also excited about everything that's coming up in my personal and professional life. I'm ready to apply for the graduate visa and now I'll start looking for a job. I'm sure something great will come of it.
Trust that like thousands of people, including me, this life experience will go incredibly well for you, because it's something you'll be able to tell your children about. Enjoy university, your life away from your home country. Although the distance can sometimes be great, video calls bring us closer to our friends and family. Make new friends, as I'm sure they'll be lifelong. Enjoy the good times and the bad, because everything passes; the good stays in the heart, and the bad serves as a lesson and experience. Enjoy every moment and dare to do anything; life is one.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Jess, my friend who recommended Across the Pond to me, and my advisor for being an excellent advisor. Thank you for making the paperwork so much easier and more understandable.
- Maria Fernanda
One must live it to truly appreciate it
My dream was always to live in the UK, and I can say I've achieved it!!! I'm living my dream of living here while studying for a master's degree. It's something I never imagined would happen, but dreams do exist, and here I am, writing these lines from my room in Edinburgh.
Studying a master's degree here is an inexplicable experience; one must live it to truly appreciate it. My words aren't enough to express everything I've experienced. Time flew by; you experience so many things that time is lost. My academic life was incredible. I really enjoyed going to classes, meeting people from all over the world, people with specific dreams and goals, all of whom met in the same classroom. I met a Spanish girl who's been living here for 10 years, an Englishman who came with his girlfriend and both studied for a master's degree, a girl from India, a girl from Turkey who just moved to Edinburgh from Manchester, and a girl who's half Greek and half Scottish. In short, we all came from different countries with different backgrounds and stories, and we found ourselves on this path. Life brought us together, and wow, I can't believe we're about to graduate!
Regardless of your academic achievements, you learn a lot as a person. You discover parts of yourself you didn't know existed. You learn to be strong, capable, and brave. But above all, you mature in a way that wouldn't happen if you stayed in your own country. It's a way of seeing life differently, of opening your mind and heart.
Sometimes the distance can feel overwhelming, but in truth, thanks to technology, this distance is greatly shortened. You'll miss the hugs and cuddles of family and friends, but a video call resets everything.
What I like about traveling and this experience is that you learn about other cultures, a different mentality, and a completely different pace of life. Everything is different, but after a while, it becomes familiar. You're no longer a stranger, you're part of the place. You no longer feel like a visitor, you're moving around like a resident.
Obviously, I'll take with me all the academic lessons, but the life lessons will stay with me forever. Every time I experienced something extraordinary, I thought, "I'm going to tell my children about this," and that excited me even more. I'm living experiences that I'll tell my children as bedtime stories.
What would I have liked to have known before arriving? Oddly enough, nothing. I love the adventure of the unknown and learning about what I didn't know and now know.
- Maria Fernanda
A Rewarding Experience
Even though Humanities are not a valued field in general, I always had the impression that in the UK they were appreciated more than in my country. From the number of museums, activities and, of course, university degrees. I studied English Literature and, in my case, degrees in Chile, including masters, are very limited (even Hispanic Literature ones). I was looking for an opportunity to learn a bigger variety of subjects and to have more freedom of choice in my career and, thus, study for a postgraduate degree. I found it at the University of Southampton.
While the academic load was not exaggerated, I spent most of the time preparing for classes, which turned out to be extremely rewarding. I think I learned a lot about different topics, some of which I didn’t know or hadn’t studied in depth. Most of the classes involved discussing the material, which made me not only learn new ideas, but also polish and expand my own. I had the opportunity to audit undergraduate classes and university talks, so I think I made the most of the university to deepen my knowledge. Actually, practically everything I learnt broadened my horizons in one way or another.
I managed to make friends in my degree, with whom I enjoyed classes and gave me more confidence to participate, but, overall, had a good time and stopped worrying about university so much. They were pillars in my experience outside the country because I had someone that was also getting used to studying for a masters, with whom to walk around and feel that I belonged to the place. University of Southampton receives many international students, so I had the opportunity to know other cultures and expand my knowledge outside academia. In my degree, English Literary Studies, I studied literature of different countries and times, and a lot of importance was given to the context of what read; therefore, I also learned about other cultures because of my modules.
Aside from what I learned in my classes, I am taking with me the importance of balancing my academic and personal life. Having space for myself and spending time with others was very important to enjoy my studies and residence in another country.
Since I applied with Across the Pond and my advisor, who gave me useful information about this experience, I found myself considerably prepared for what life in the United Kingdom would be like. More than formalities, I would have liked to have made more opportunities to explore other cities and countries. Obviously, the possibility is not always there due to economic matters, or the university itself, but I think that, if I had created more opportunities to get out of town, my experience would have been even more rewarding.
- Samantha
Excellent academic resources
Hi, I’m Juan Carlos from Chile, and a year ago I decided to take a big step. I put my life on hold in Chile, my job, my family and my friends, to pursue a dream and study in the United Kingdom. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I wanted to deepen my knowledge of finance in one of the most renowned countries for it, immerse myself in a completely different culture, adapt to new challenges and discover new ways of seeing the world. That’s how I arrived at the University of Birmingham to study the MSc Financial Management, and I can say with absolute certainty that it has been one of the best decisions of my life.
Preparing my application was a huge challenge. I was working full time and had to balance my responsibilities with the application process. There were moments of uncertainty, but thanks to the support of Across the Pond everything became much easier. Their guidance at every stage gave me the confidence I needed to take this big step. Today, I can say the effort was worth it. I have learned so much, made friends from all over the world and lived experiences I will never forget.
The University of Birmingham impressed me with its vibrant campus, excellent academic resources and the quality of its professors. But the most enriching part has been the diversity, meeting people from different cultures, sharing experiences and learning from unique perspectives. This journey has opened my mind and prepared me for a globalized world.
Before arriving, I was worried about finding accommodation, but there were plenty of options at reasonable prices, which gave me peace of mind from day one. And when it comes to Birmingham, it is a city full of life. As a Latin American, the nightlife is something you cannot miss, there are parties every week and always something new to discover.
If you are thinking about studying in the UK, go for it. There will be fears, but the experiences, friendships and opportunities you will gain will far outweigh any uncertainty. Come with an open mind, enjoy every moment and if you can, rely on Across the Pond, they will make your journey so much easier.
- Juan Carlos
Studying in the United Kingdom had always been one of my biggest goals
For years I had been drawn to its history, culture, and of course, the music that has come out of this island. Living in London was an experience I didn’t want to miss in my lifetime. Beyond that, though, my greatest motivation was to challenge myself, to study a programme in English, a language that is not my mother tongue, and to do so at one of the world’s most prestigious universities, King’s College London.
My life in London was a year of major lessons and challenges.
Living in such a big and multicultural city isn’t easy, but it was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life, which I was fortunate enough to share with my partner, who was also pursuing a master’s degree there. I learned to study in a different language and under a different academic system, made friends from all over the world, and enjoyed unforgettable moments, museums, concerts, pubs, football matches, excursions, and countless experiences I may never live again. All of this helped me grow both academically and personally.
It was a year full of learning.
On the one hand, the knowledge from the master’s programme, which will undoubtedly give me valuable tools for my professional development and which I hope to apply when I return to my country. On the other hand, life lessons, improving my ability to communicate in another language, appreciating cultural diversity, and understanding that in life, risks are worth taking. Studying abroad demands sacrifices and effort, financial and personal, but it’s important to realise that experiences like this are unique. That’s why I encourage others to take the leap. It is, however, essential to have good guidance, like the support I received from Across the Pond, to understand what’s required for applications and what funding options exist. Being well organised also matters, knowing deadlines, the length of programmes, and the real costs of embarking on such an adventure. With all that in place, the experience becomes far more rewarding.
If there’s one thing I wish I had known before arriving, it would be how to manage the cost of living in London.
I knew it was expensive, but once there, I realised it could be even more challenging. There are plenty of tools and discounts that can help save money on transport, food, and cultural activities, and knowing about them from the start would have made things easier. I also wish I’d been more prepared for the winter schedules, especially for what it means when it’s already dark by 4 p.m.
Looking back now, I can say that studying in the United Kingdom was one of the best decisions of my life. Not only did I fulfil a dream, but I also came back with lessons, memories, and friendships that will stay with me forever.
- Diego
