When I moved from Norway to the UK to study, I chose to live in student accommodation. At 20 years old, I was slightly older than many of the first-year students, and I wasn’t sure how it would feel to live with people who were mostly 18 or 19. But very quickly, I realized that age doesn’t matter as much as I thought—especially when you're all in the same situation, trying to find your place in a new environment.
 

Age and Cultural Differences – A Surprising Benefit

Coming from Norway, where many people take a gap year or two before university, I felt slightly out of sync at first. But to my surprise, the cultural differences actually helped me connect more easily. Most British students were open, welcoming, and curious about where I came from. And while I was technically older than many of them, that difference quickly faded away in daily life.

In fact, I found it easier than expected to bond with younger students, simply because we were all figuring things out together. Living in the same building, sharing new experiences, and navigating challenges like homesickness or student budgeting made us feel equal, no matter our age.
 

A Built-In Social Life

One of the biggest advantages of student accommodation is how you’re almost “forced” to be social—in the best possible way. It might sound intimidating at first, especially when you're in a new country, but it actually makes it much easier to form friendships. Everyone is new, everyone wants to connect, and the shared spaces naturally bring people together.

This atmosphere helped me quickly build a safe and supportive network of friends, and gave me a sense of belonging from the very beginning. Knowing that the people I trusted were just a few steps away gave me a kind of comfort that I really needed in that first year.
 

How I Met My Boyfriend… Thanks to a Laundry Machine

One of the most unexpected and special moments happened during my very first week at university. I was struggling to figure out how the communal laundry machine worked (as many students do), and so was a fellow student standing next to me. We started talking, trying to help each other out, and ended up laughing about how unprepared we were for something as simple as washing clothes.

That moment turned into a conversation, which turned into a friendship—and now, two years later, he’s my boyfriend. We met purely by chance, in the most ordinary setting, but it’s a perfect example of how student accommodation creates opportunities for connection in everyday situations.
 

Community and Closeness

What makes student accommodation so unique is how everyone lives so close together. Whether it’s your flatmates or people just down the hall, it’s easy to plan spontaneous dinners, movie nights, or study sessions. You don’t have to arrange big plans or travel far—your social life is just a few doors away.

Because of this setup, social activities become more frequent and more natural. Some of my favorite memories were made in the shared kitchen, sitting around chatting late into the night about everything and nothing.
 

Flatmates Who Became Lifelong Friends

One of the most meaningful parts of living in student accommodation has been the relationships I built with my flatmates. At first, we were just a group of strangers figuring out how to live together. But soon, we became like a small family—celebrating birthdays, helping each other through homesickness and exams, and sharing some truly unforgettable moments.

Some of these flatmates have become lifelong friends—people I know I’ll stay in touch with long after university. Living together created a bond that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
 

Final Thoughts

Moving to the UK and living in student accommodation was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It helped me settle into a new country, meet people I wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise, and build lasting relationships—including my boyfriend.

The experience gave me confidence, independence, and a sense of community. So if you’re a student moving abroad and wondering whether student accommodation is right for you, I can honestly say: yes, it is. You never know who you might meet—or where a broken laundry machine might lead you.

- Thea
 

My first encounter with Europe was a very special discovery: everything that had once been a story or an image was right in front of me. Since childhood, I had heard about castles, kings, ancient monuments, and magical places, but seeing them in person was something else entirely; it was like stepping into a fairy tale. Europe struck me as a place full of living history and tangible culture, where what had once only belonged to a book or a movie now unfolded before my eyes.

When it came time to choose a destination for my master’s degree, it was the United Kingdom that completely captured my attention and my heart. My decision was a mix of reason and emotion. I had always been fascinated by the British accent for its elegance and subtlety, and I was deeply drawn to the palaces, gardens, historic universities, and that architecture that seems to come from a parallel world. Discovering that many of the Harry Potter filming locations really existed was like proving that magic, in a way, is real.

The weather was also a point in its favor. I like cold days, but I also enjoy when the sun appears and paints the sky a deep blue, with fluffy clouds drifting at different speeds. In Mexico City, we have sun almost all year round, but those clear skies are rarely seen because of environmental and visual pollution. In Oxford, on the other hand, sunny days are spectacular, and starry nights offer a peace that’s hard to describe; looking up and connecting with the immensity of the universe through the sky became an unexpected gift. And of course, I was always fascinated by the way the British value education, culture, and history in every corner of their daily lives.

With that blend of dreams, hopes, and expectations, I arrived in Oxford, and what I found exceeded everything I had imagined. My university experience was profoundly transformative. From the beginning, I was surrounded by classmates from different parts of the world, which not only enriched classroom discussions but also broadened my worldview. I learned that diversity is not just a concept, but a daily experience that teaches you to listen, respect, and value realities different from your own.

Academically, the challenge was constant. The resources provided by the university were key to how much I felt I advanced and learned during this time: from private virtual platforms where we consulted real-world statistics, reports, and analyses, to simulators designed to apply our business knowledge in practice. One of the most enriching experiences was access to a one-week international business simulation. The class was divided into teams, and each group had to create a smartphone company. We organized ourselves to make decisions on logistics, finance, marketing, business strategy, design, and brand identity. The dynamic was to compete for the highest profit possible using the platform’s resources, while maintaining presence in various countries, each with its own challenges. It was an intense and very complete experience, where each decision forced us to think about the realities of the market, and it confirmed how much I enjoy applying theory to practical scenarios.

In addition, the university also offered collaborations with Google, which gave us access to thousands of courses related to artificial intelligence and Google Cloud tools. Exploring this fast-growing field was another major privilege of my education, as I was able to complement my academic learning with cutting-edge technological knowledge, gaining a better understanding of how digital innovation integrates into global business.

Another exercise I remember with special fondness was building a Lego tower with limited time and resources. Although my instinct was to assume leadership immediately, I consciously decided to let go of control and allow the team dynamic to flow. That moment taught me humility, collaboration, and, above all, self-awareness.

On a personal level, I always felt supported. The professors and academic staff were open to answering questions and supporting our learning in a close and empathetic way. I also discovered the importance of emotional well-being in university life: there were spaces designed for comfortable studying, student societies organized by Brookes Union that fostered a sense of community, and a holistic view of learning that allowed me to feel the university not just as a place of study, but as a true home.

Outside the classroom, I also found experiences that left a mark on my life. One of them was volunteering for children with terminal illnesses, where we wrote personalized letters for each child according to their interests. That activity reminded me of the power of empathy and how a small gesture can transform someone’s day. At the same time, my time in the UK strengthened my environmental awareness: I understood that caring for the planet is not a luxury or a trend, but an urgent necessity and a responsibility we all share.

Throughout the whole process, attending and having access to the recordings of all the webinars organized by Across the Pond was key for me, as they gave me a great deal of confidence and clarity. Some things I hadn’t anticipated, but they were minor. For example, I never thought of packing a blanket, and upon arriving late at night in Oxford, I had to improvise with a couple of sweaters. I also found out too late about the wide variety of sports and physical activities the university offered; had I known earlier, I would have taken greater advantage of that opportunity to stay active and meet people with similar interests.

In the end, it’s important to know that not everything can be planned, and that part of the magic lies in the unexpected. The key is to be open to making the most of every moment, even those you hadn’t considered. Studying in the United Kingdom was much more than an academic stage: it was a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and deep learning. I leave with memories, tools, and values that I know will always accompany me, and with the certainty that, beyond titles and books, this experience gave me a personal and ethical compass that will guide my path.

- Selene
 

It’s the cliché of all cliches, leaving your small town and watching the horizon broaden. Writers way above my paygrade have relished in watching your life disappear in the rearview and waiting for your bones to grow old enough that you want to come back. Regardless, it was indeed my lived experience. University was always the dream, and I was around eight years old when I realized that I wanted to go to the United Kingdom. I was young, had unsupervised internet access, and used it to browse the QS world rankings. This lead me to the conclusion that I belonged in a big, bustling city of academics, and once my youth was on the cusp of expiration, a quaint town consisting of nothing but perhaps a Tesco and bridges between castles. The Boris Brexit Escapade was none of my concern because I was to study the stars. Freshly nineteen, I did indeed make it to the University of Manchester to complete an integrated master’s in physics. Disheveled I stumbled off my Ryanair flight, overwhelmed and my pockets deep in debt. I arrived, like many students, to the Fallowfield campus where my journey began.

I didn’t know what to expect, and I certainly didn’t know to expect Fallowfield. A cultural embroidery with south-Asian silk, and so undeniably run by and for students; I’d never seen anything like it, nevermind lived it. The campus itself stuck out like a sore thumb with the backdrop of Rusholme, and small-town life had grossly underprepared me in terms of scale. Everything felt few and far between, even though I’d never been surrounded by more options and diversity in my life. As I came back from my first official day of university and said my teary goodbyes to the family that had helped me move, it dawned on me that for the first time, I didn’t have any friends. Yet, anyway. A massive yet; I’ve found that being alone in Manchester attracts experiences, friends, and opportunities pretty immediately. My wide eyes and annoyingly American accent was a flame that few welcoming northern moths could resist. I signed up for lacrosse, a sport where the extent of my knowledge was that it was Regina George’s true calling in Mean Girls, I started volunteering and I cemented my love for astrophysics with a membership at “astrosoc” and a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, third biggest radio telescope in the world, international headquarters in an interferometry project; the Jodrell Bank. This is where I met one of my best friends, a lovely five-foot scouse girl that has carved a home into my heart forever. She and I have been inseparable since; she introduced me to British (northern, rather) drinking culture, small-talk, and showed me grace when I repeatedly exclaimed “I don’t do if buts and maybes, I do absolutes”, sounding more Irish if anything. It was like my heart settled into every nook and cranny of Manchester, but my anxiety still ran wild regarding the actual degree aspect of it all. 

I had absolutely no idea what it meant to “have A-levels” and I was absolutely sick to my stomach to learn that people sat three papers per subject. I also realized that a difference in syllabus, regardless of how slight, could really impact your enjoyment of a module, and unfortunately your view on a lecturer. I’m actually quite glad to say that first semester was a humbling experience. It was hard to adjust to exams and the way they were conducted; I suppose anyone pursuing a university degree can relate to that, but studying in the UK means you also have to accept that everyone else has actually sat exams of this time crunch before. I was used to the Nordic five hours; snacks decorating the desk, computers and textbooks front and center, but restricted internet access. The most valuable thing I learned in Manchester in January was that it was okay to be a little more lost than you thought you were. I learned that regardless, I couldn’t lose my spark. I stayed a student rep, and even joined the EDIA (equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility) committee. If there is ever a moment of darkness, the best support will be immersing yourself in what you love and what you know. I adapted my study methods to improve how much information I retained and reduce how much content needed proper revision once the spring exam time arrived. I swear by the Cornell method and even though the sound of stylus hitting iPad screens is becoming evermore deafening in the Engineering building, you can pry my paper notebooks from my cold, dead hands. With even more challenging material, I found myself improving in second semester and being excited to see what second year has in store.

Unfortunately, I can’t claim that this is transferable to anyone else. I can’t guarantee that you develop a strange fondness for the Sainsbury in Fallowfield but a preference for Morrisons, or that your local Costa coffee will be where your pre-uni de-briefs take place. All I know is that studying at a world leading university, at such an accredited and famous department, in a city so vibrant, is going to change your life. I’m forever grateful for the massive suitcases my family and I dragged across the sea, the lecturers I’ve met so far, and for the nights I’ve spent in both libraries and club lines. Fear, uncertainty and imposter syndrome can turn into something so truly exciting and beautiful. I am so glad I had the chance to refresh my email on the beach, and to see that UCAS confetti in the backseat of our family car- it altered the course of my life, and it can yours too.

- Ajla
 

I have always been drawn to England and its culture, but I had never considered studying there until I took a trip to Oxford. The peaceful quads of the colleges, the studious atmosphere of the libraries, and the streets full of beautiful buildings and cosmopolitan life completely captivated me; I did not hesitate. I applied to five English universities, but Oxford Brookes University was my first choice, and I was delighted when I got in.
 

Why studying Art History at Oxford Brookes University?

Their art history course is sensational. Not only did I study painting, sculpture, architecture, and other art forms in detail with knowledgeable and friendly lecturers, but the opportunities offered by Brookes are a dream come true for any student wishing to work in the art world. I had the opportunity to attend classes inside the Ashmolean Museum, one of the most prestigious museums in the world, with direct access to the collections, discussions with curators, and hands-on experience with the works. I was able to attend architecture classes inside historic buildings, giving me first-hand knowledge of what I was learning. The course also included frequent visits to museums and heritage sites in London and in other English towns, as well as an exciting field trip to Paris. And the icing on the cake? I was very lucky to curate my own exhibition using the university's collection and archives, and displaying it to the public; I cannot tell you how much this experience has been valuable and enriching.
 

Studying here is a unique experience

The teaching style in England and at Oxford Brookes University is very different from that in my country, where there are only lectures and the teachers are very distant. Here, we learn in small groups, with regular, direct, and very warm contact with the lecturers, which has allowed me to manage my workload as a non-English speaker, to find what suited me best among the many options offered, and forge very strong bonds with my classmates and tutors. We would even get together sometimes to chat about art over drinks and snacks, with students from other years and museum professionals invited to talk to us in a casual setting. Sometimes we would even go to old historic pubs, or play games!
 

The Campus life at Oxford Brookes University

Life on the Headington campus at Oxford Brookes University is a real pleasure. I was just a few minutes by bus from the busy city centre, but at the same time, the campus is very relaxing, which allowed me to take breaks from my studies and avoid stress. I could walk from my student accommodation, which had a cute view on a pond with ducks, to my classrooms along a charming tree-lined path. The buildings of the Headington campus are incredible, with great contemporary architecture, and lots of comfortable places to study, meet up with friends, and eat and drink. The many dining options are a treat, which offered me so many great meals, not to mention the very convenient grocery store, just at the entrance. There are always events to enjoy and discover other cultures or activities, and lots of options for sports. Honestly, I feel at home on this campus.
 

Just because Oxford!

The dreamy spires of Oxford are not a myth. Whether you are a Harry Potter fan or drawn to the dark academia aesthetic, let me warn you: Oxford will exceed your expectations. In any case, I love living in this city. For someone who loves culture, it is THE city to study in, because there are so many options for seeing masterpieces and breathtaking things. I have taken thousands of photos! What is more, Oxford Brookes has allowed me to visit lots of places that are normally off-limits to tourists, such as the Bodleian Library and secretive colleges. Oxford is magical in every season. If the weather is nice, I would go punting or walking in a park. If it rains, the streets are spectacular, and there are plenty of cafés, shops, and very original places to spend time. And I had the privilege of seeing the city under the snow: straight out of Narnia! If you want to study at Oxford Brookes University, there are three things you must do in the city: read under the dome of the Radcliffe Camera (stunning), visit the Pitt Rivers Museum (a unique place), and go to one of the pubs in the trendy Jericho neighbourhood (the food, contrary to popular belief, is delicious).
 

The best for social life and travels

As a student at Oxford Brookes, my social life was very exciting, and I met people from all over the world (my best friends are from Singapore, Iran, and Germany), with whom I shared memorable moments, such as birthdays, game nights, and tons of pizza! There are also many connections with Oxford University, and I was able to attend exclusive talks at the colleges and events such as the Oxford Medieval Mystery Plays. Oxford Brookes also makes it easy to explore the United Kingdom with great day trips by bus. I was able to go to the beach many times, discover Shakespeare's town, see the palace of Windsor, and spend days in London, which is really close by. From Oxford, it is easy to travel around the country, and I have taken lots of short trips with friends or on my own to discover places, each one more charming than the last, and which really improved my knowledge.

Thanks to my Art History course at Oxford Brookes University, I have forged strong friendships, created wonderful memories, and gained experience that will serve me well both in my career and in my relationship with the world around me. Best thing I have ever done, and if you love art, I would genuinely recommend it.

- Jennifer
 

1.    What motivated you to study in the UK?

There were several reasons that motivated me to study in the UK. One of them was the chance to expand and deepen my knowledge in science, as well as to get to know a new culture, improve my English, and live new experiences.
 

2.    How was your academic, personal, and cultural life?

• Academic: It was challenging at the beginning because I had graduated two years earlier, so it was a bit of an adjustment to go back to classes, study, follow a schedule, and take exams. However, the professors were excellent and very well-prepared. I learned so much, and the academic level was demanding. The university also had many facilities; it was huge and felt like a small city, with restaurants, a bar, a nightclub, places to socialize, study… a bit of everything.

• Personal: At first, I struggled to adapt, especially because I didn’t live in student residences and I had never lived away from home before. But I loved learning to do everything on my own: getting around by bus and metro, cooking, solving things by myself… It really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I did things I never thought I would. It was also easy to make friends because we were all in the same situation. I met a lot of people, although it was much easier for me to connect with other Latinos.

• Cultural: I loved the variety of cultures and being able to learn a little from each one. I was always curious about the different traditions and all the cultural exchange we experienced. My classmates were from all over the world.
   

3.    What lessons are you taking with you?

I learned to appreciate things that I used to take for granted, like the sun. I’m from northern Mexico, where it’s almost always sunny and very hot, but here I realized that the sun is something that truly lifts people’s spirits and brings them outside. I was also surprised to discover that I could build a home and even a kind of family on the other side of the world.
 

4.    What do you wish you had known before arriving?

I underestimated it when people told me to take vitamin D, but in winter it sometimes gets dark as early as 4 p.m., and you really do need vitamins because having so few hours of daylight takes a toll. Another thing is how unpredictable the weather is: one minute it’s sunny and the next it’s raining.

- Claudia