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MOVING ABROAD CHANGED MY LIFE
Coming to the UK had been my dream since I was a teenager. When I was in high school this agency came and gave a talk about summer abroad programs. Ever since, the dream to come to the United Kingdom settled into my mind. The years passed and I kept on dreaming, until one day I decided I was ready to do it, or at least to try. During the pandemics, I submitted my application to University of Essex.
UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
When choosing university I valued the openness to international students. And University of Essex offered a very straightforward entry requirements for foreign students, in addition to their worldwide recognized research excellence. My unconditional offer came along with an International Excellence scholarship. All of this, plus the charm of a city like Colchester cemented my decision of accepting the offer.
THE PROCESS
I was doing it all on my own because I thought there was no harm in just trying, but when I got my offer, I realized I needed some guidance. While researching about visa requirements and scholarships I found myself submitting my information to “Across the Pond”. Their service felt like someone holding my hand during the process. My advisor was quick and helpful with answering my queries and they may or may not know they relieved my concerns and anxiety more than once, for which I am forever grateful. The advice is not limited to documentation requirements only but it also provides a lot of useful information about what to expect in your daily life in the UK. Needless to say, Across the Pond prepared me with all the tools I needed to embark on my dream.
COLCHESTER
I needed a place where I could host my parents when they decided to visit so I started looking through online platforms and enquiring on my own. Luckily I came across this two bedroom flat located equally close to university as to town centre.
Colchester is a very beautiful small city that combines the calmness of the country side and the broad spectrum of opportunities given its closeness to a big city like London.
After settling into my new home and exploring the city, the date finally arrived to start my studies. And so my life in the UK began, Colchester became my home and I can’t be happier about it. I love the easiness of walking to the castle park on a sunny afternoon or staying at home and cozying up to a film on a rainy day. On my free time I’ve had the opportunity to visit the local theatre which offers a wide variety of shows throughout the year, I’ve been to the golf club to practice a little just for fun, visited the cinema, some pubs and restaurants. In summary I’d say Colchester has everything you need and more.
STUDENT LIFE
My course was a conversion course, meaning it is designed to give you all the basic knowledge that a graduate of a Psychology degree should have, but in just one year. Many of my coursemates came from different educational backgrounds, and since I had a degree in Psychology, it gave me a slight advantage in being familiar with some concepts, theories and methods.
One of the main differences I can point out between the educational programs in Mexico and the United Kingdom is the number of coursework. I remember having one coursework per module, per week, to say the least, while studying my degree in Mexico, whereas in the UK we had barely one or two per module per term. I personally feel that there is more room for real critical thinking when students can focus on just producing a good essay instead of being constantly overloaded and overworked trying to meet deadlines for multiple tasks.
For my dissertation I went into a more cognitive field, carrying out a real experiment using equipment and a laboratory provided by the department with the help of my supervisor. I used an eye-tracking device and collected visual field data from all my subjects as they walked around campus to then code the recordings and measure how many times they looked at people's faces in order to study their relationship with anxiety.
SOCIAL LIFE
Thanks to university I had the opportunity to meet people from many different countries, England (of course), India, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Italy, France, Spain and many more. I also joined up with some fellow Mexican students and made some very good friends with whom I explored London and all it has to offer. In my free time I like to travel, going to concerts and festivals in different cities, which has also helped me meet more and more amazing people. I also love going to museums, the theatre, exploring themed parks and recently watching sports like horse racing and tennis. Like I mentioned, the UK has a lot to offer no matter what your interests are, you can always find something.
LANGUAGE BARRIER
There is no better way to test not only language proficiency, but also cognitive flexibility, resilience, and problem-solving than moving abroad. No matter how confident or accustomed you are to being bilingual, studying and living abroad is always a challenge and requires daily effort and I found studying and taking classes in English to be scary at first, but the more I was exposed to the language, the easier it became. At first I had to really focus on what the professors were saying to be able to make it make sense in my mind, but after a couple of days I felt like I was understanding everything as if they were speaking in Spanish.
Don’t be afraid of asking "what does that mean?” Or "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?”. The only way to learn is by practicing.
WHAT ELSE TO KNOW?
I don't think I will ever find enough words to fully describe how amazing this whole experience was. All I can say is that the memories I’ve made are invaluable. On the other side, I guess I never thought much about the challenges I could face like being ill with no one to care for me, spending my birthdays by myself or watching how my loved ones go on with their lives and having to watch from a distance. It has its ups and downs but I still think that coming to study and live in the UK was the best decision I’ve ever made.
Across the Pond gave a seminar regarding travel preparations and things to know and I would like to share some useful tips I have gathered from both these seminars and own experience.
Don’t overpack. I have seen so many people struggling to travel from the airport to their accommodation because they have a lot of luggage with them, so my advise would be to prioritize the things you will definitely not be able to find immediately after your arrival to the UK. Pack only the essentials and figure out the rest later.
Take the time to study the customs. Life in the UK tends to be fast-paced and calm at the same time. Don’t stand in the middle of the way, try to always keep to the right on escalators, respect the queues and remember everything is closed by 4 pm on Sundays.
Getting home from the airport If you plan to take a train from the airport, I would recommend getting a railcard in advance. It can be done online and it saves you 1/3 of the total fare of your journey. Always keep an eye out for the disruption/strike updates, you can do it by visit national rail’s website. You don’t want to be jet lagged and stuck in the airport. Alternatively, national express coaches from the airport and they have connections to everywhere in the UK.
Banking. If you wish to open a bank account, most of the regular banks require you to be living in the UK for 3 years before being able to open one. Alternatively, virtual banks like Monzo and Revolut are more accessible and equally reliable.
SIM card. Your foreign data plan may or may not charge your extra when using it in the UK. I recommend investigating this with your provider before coming and once here, you can get a UK SIM card. Nothing wrong in wanting to keep your home country’s phone number but having a UK one can facilitate many things.
Be wary of your surroundings. I have found the UK to be a very safe country, however, remember to always be aware of your surroundings, you can never be too careful.
- Astrid
An unforgettable experience
I had always wanted to study abroad in order to broaden my academic and personal horizons. When I decided to actually do it, I considered my great interest in the United Kingdom, which led me to seek an authentically British experience. I finally chose York, which has a rich history and culture, as well as excellent connections to other cities and a good balance of quality of life and fun.
I applied for the MA Film and Television Production with Cinematography because of the content of its program and because it has the Screen Skills certification, essential for the professional audiovisual sector in the United Kingdom. In addition, the University of York is recognized worldwide and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, which was a decisive factor in choosing York over other universities.
The university's facilities are first class, with state-of-the-art equipment that allowed me to develop projects with professional standards. In addition, thanks to agreements such as Fiderh and scholarships from the same university, I was able to access a quality education at a very affordable cost.
From the beginning of the program, I moved to the city centre with my partner, which has been a great decision because despite not living on campus, he enjoyed what the city itself has to offer.
Without a doubt, studying a master's degree at York University has given me the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve my professional goals in the film industry. In addition, studying at such a prestigious university in a country with such a rich culture, and in a city with so much history, has been an unforgettable experience.
- Edgardo
Driven by the country's exceptional reputation for higher education
Choosing to study in the UK was driven by the country's exceptional reputation for higher education. UK universities are internationally recognized for their academic excellence, with many holding high prestige across various disciplines. At the master’s level, the breadth of cutting-edge programs and the significant research output were particularly appealing to me. The opportunity to learn from leading scholars and engage with the innovative knowledge they produce was a major draw.
Another compelling reason to study in the UK is its vibrant international student community. The UK offers a truly global perspective, not just by immersing students in British culture but by providing an environment where you can interact with peers from around the world. In my master’s program, I had the invaluable opportunity to explore the realities of my field from diverse perspectives, including those from Latin America, Africa, Asia, the United States, and Europe. This diversity of thought has enriched my understanding and significantly broadened my academic and cultural horizons.
Did You Receive Any Funding or Scholarships to Study at York?
My opportunity to study abroad was made possible by the prestigious Chevening Scholarship for emerging leaders, offered by the UK government. This highly competitive scholarship draws over 72,000 applicants worldwide each year. The Chevening Scholarship covered my tuition fees, air travel, and provided a monthly stipend, making my master’s studies in the UK financially feasible.
Applications for Chevening Scholarship open annually, typically between August and November. These options make it possible for students to pursue a one-year master’s degree at any UK university, which I found to be a fantastic opportunity.
Do You Have Any Tips on Managing the Cost of Living?
One aspect of living in the UK that pleasantly surprised me was the ease with which students can maintain a sustainable and budget-friendly lifestyle. There are numerous student discounts available in shops, charity stores, and second-hand outlets, where you can find high-quality items at a fraction of the cost. I was able to purchase excellent winter clothing at minimal prices, and many universities, including York, offer donation points at the beginning of the academic year where students can pick up essential items like kitchen utensils and clothing for free.
What Do You Love About York?
Initially, I wondered if I should have chosen London to experience life in the capital city. However, after a few weeks in York, I realized how much I appreciate the quality of life here. York offers a level of tranquility and safety that is rare in many cities, not only in Colombia but in other parts of the world as well. The friendly locals, coupled with the city’s charming medieval atmosphere, create a welcoming environment where I feel safe walking through the streets at any time.
One of the things I love most about York is exploring its historic streets and discovering its many pubs—there are 365 in total, one for each day of the year! The city’s unique character and vibrant community have made my time here truly special, and I’m grateful for the experience.
- Claireth
The cultural and life exchange was amazing
It was all born from the experience of visiting my brother during his master studies in Sussex, that vacation trip convinced me of the panorama and university life outside the country, the cultural and life exchange was amazing.
It took me about two and a half years to consolidate my own trip, this time to York at York University. During the application process at the university as well as scholarships and funding, my advisor from Across the Pond was always supporting me with the paperwork and forms to expedite the process. She was always very cordial and attentive to all my questions and guidance throughout the process. It was a real adventure to arrive because the airline I was traveling with went bankrupt the same day the flight was leaving, fortunately the British government sponsored the trip for all those stock in Cancun. The arrival to York was wonderful, via Manchester by train admiring the architecture, some landscapes and a new life. York had begun.
Accommodation
The university offers accommodation of various sizes and prices. Before leaving it is important to have this defined as it can be a bit stressful to some extent the first few days. The positive thing is that there are always people and new friends who support you in this aspect until you find a place. The truth is that both options either at the university or outside are quite good. In my case I chose to be outside the university allowing me to be in two different locations whose advantages are having a larger space and being able to interact more closely with people who already lived there, two English people to be precise that nowadays are my friends, learning more about the culture and way of life in England.
The campus
The second day l arrived, a very good friend of mine took me on a 25 minute walk through downtown to arrive at the campus, such an impression of the city, green and walled, pedestrian and bicycle paths were visible. After passing a small hill we arrived at the reception, simple, located in an orange-brown building with the name of the university in silver, l feeling of joy and successfulness to be finally on campus.
It consists of the West campus and East campus, which during the year of my stay was being expanded and remodelled. Both campuses offer endless activities and spaces for socializing, studying and even resting.
For example, there are the music rooms, whereby joining the York Music Society you can access to these rooms where every room has a piano, or drums, and you can practice any other instrument. Another example is the Buddha that connects the surrounding buildings, a sort of small altar where you can be quiet, meditating or chatting with someone while having a drink and/or a snack.
Continuing with the societies, there are a variety of them, such as swing, art, drama and every sport you can imagine, from handball to jiujitsu. In addition, there are often student events where you can dance and socialize in a lot of activities organized in conjunction with the university.
On campus there are several cafeterias and bars, what I mean is that each department or faculty has a bar and cafeteria service in its building, as well as meeting points where you can chat and have a drink either at night or during the day.
It has its own cinema, so if the seventh art is your passion you can join and have a membership that will give you access to all the movies on the billboard, it is the same experience as in a movie theatre and patience rewards both time and economy.
University life
The campus is divided into various departments, equivalent to faculties in Mexico. Chemistry, Music and Education are some of them. It doesn't really matter which department you study in, since class sessions are usually attended in multiple classrooms throughout the university, so you have the opportunity to get to know them all. Find your way around and also get lost along the way, small adventures that are well worth the experience. It is not less important to highlight that the university is surrounded and constituted by beautiful green areas where birds, especially ducks and geese inhabit it, it is very beautiful and relaxing, even the university has a lake that surrounds an auditorium and connects various buildings, I reiterate the use of bicycles since it is the most efficient way to get around.
In the academic field, the university always supports you with courses or workshops to improve your communication in English both in writing and in conversation as well as in different software oriented to the program and department you are studying, as well as other more general ones from Word to Excel and programs for data analysis, for example.
In the specific case of the master's degree that I studied, each subject is attended once a week, so well organized time can be used to study another language, in my case I studied French giving me the opportunity to improve my level and meet other students and friends from both master's degrees and bachelors’. During my stay I made great friends from all over the world, China, UK, Colombia, Turkey, Spain to name a few, we met to play soccer, organize parties and birthday celebrations, we made a wonderful community to get to know each other and socialize, in other words having a lot of fun, dancing, listening to music and playing games. To welcome twice the new year with such energy and happiness, having dinner and later toast in the Minster’s bells ranging out and sparkling wine were something to remember for a lifetime.
You can really enjoy and live the university life in a total immersion throughout the university itself; classmates and friends generate an identity and association that greatly enrich the experience of studying.
Applied linguistics for Language Teaching
The program offers the study and analysis of the most relevant linguistic research related to the learning and teaching of English. In addition, there are optional modules or classes that each student can choose on a personal basis given the particular interest to study specific areas of the master's program, for example Inter culturalization or the advances of software that provides support and help to students and teachers to improve the performance of students in a specific language.
The city
From the beginning, a beautiful city, influenced by the Vikings and the Roman Empire, it offers an incredible number of cultural spaces, all of which can be visited by bicycle and in my opinion the most recommendable means of transportation. Not to be missed are the Clifford Tower, the city walls and the York Art Gallery which hosts an automaton clock whose mechanism is operated by the museum staff twice a week, it is a beautiful spectacle, every figure and detail wonders who observes it. York also has several pubs and local breweries where you can appreciate beers for all tastes and have an excellent meal. The city of York also has its own chocolate factory shop where they offer guided tours around the factory with chocolate tasting.
The Shambles, inspiration for Harry Potter lovers, a number of clubs and pubs make the nightlife of York something unique, a few streets away you can go from one to another in minutes and eat some Kebab in a food truck after party time.
Both day and night York is a very safe city, you can move day or night without any problem, the nocturnal wildlife also manifests itself especially on the bicycle paths, wooded and out of a thriller movie host owls and even foxes, it is wonderful to see these animals on a night walk or back home after a movie with friends.
- Sergio Alfredo
Student Accommodation in the UK
Where do you live when studying abroad? Do universities in the UK offer student housing? How much does student accommodation cost? Did you know that as an international student, you are guaranteed on-campus accommodation for the first or all your years studying at most of our UK universities? You will need to apply by the housing application deadline, and of course the best student accommodation in the UK goes first - so that is a good reason to apply early! There are several different student accommodations, price levels and facilities to choose from!
Most students choose to live on campus in their first year. This is social and a fantastic way to get to know students from all over the world! After that, most students choose to move into privately rented accommodation with their new friends. We recommend everyone to live in university accommodation in their first year, as it is a great way to get to know other students (and not just those on your degree).
Learn more about the different options, on-campus accommodation, how to arrange private accommodation and everything you need before applying for student accommodation in the UK via this webinar!
