I am a Sustainable Development Engineer, and I had the opportunity to study the MSc in Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability at Newcastle University, thanks to Across the Pond, who were with me throughout the entire initial process, and to the Chevening Scholarship from the British government.
 

WHY THE UNITED KINGDOM?

I chose the United Kingdom mainly for its commitment to climate action, which made it an ideal destination for the next stage of my career. It was the first country in the world to require large companies to report on climate risks, and it maintains a partnership with Mexico for sustainable and inclusive growth that has delivered successful results. It also ranks among the top three countries for environmental management, according to the Environmental Performance Index produced by Yale and Columbia universities, which demonstrates its expertise in this field.
 

WHAT WAS MY LIFE LIKE?

It was the first time I had studied abroad, and it has undoubtedly been one of the most invaluable decisions I have made.

Academically, it was a challenge. The programme had a much stronger research focus than I was used to, but I always felt supported by my lecturers. What I value most is that it was an interdisciplinary programme, which allowed me to exchange ideas with economists, historians, sociologists, political scientists and geographers to tackle problems arising from climate change together. I also had the opportunity to work closely with a European energy company, helping to design a business incubator for young people from low income backgrounds as part of its corporate social responsibility programme. This programme allowed me to combine my engineering background with my skills in entrepreneurship and sustainability consultancy, something that leaves me feeling very satisfied.

On a personal and cultural level, living in Newcastle was, without exaggeration, the best decision I made. I fell in love with Tyne and Wear, how close it was to the beach, the woods and nature, and its location as a midpoint between two of the United Kingdom's most important cities, London and Edinburgh (which I visited three times!). I made the most of the chance to travel and explore the nation, and one of my favourite activities became hosting friends who came from other parts of the UK to explore the city together, its museums, beaches and new corners that I myself kept discovering.

The locals, known as "Geordies", are famous for their warmth, and I did not know how lovely it would feel to feel at home because of it. In the end, something as simple as greeting someone with a smile, just like in Mexico, was what made me feel like I belonged there.
 

WHAT DID I LEARN?

One of the biggest lessons was becoming a more open minded person. Spending time with people from all over the world, sharing dishes and customs, taught me that laughter and respect are a universal language that breaks down any cultural barrier.

I am also taking away a lesson about climate action. The United Kingdom is a genuine example to follow, given its level of environmental awareness, which is reflected directly in its laws and policies. I had the chance to experience this closely by joining the Climate Ambassador Scheme as a volunteer, a programme funded by the Department for Education, supporting schools in developing their climate action and biodiversity plans. It is a model I am taking with me, and one I want to help promote in Mexico.

But perhaps the deepest lesson was about myself. I discovered that I am capable, that I am brave, and that I can start from scratch with just three suitcases (one of them a cabin bag) and build a home anywhere in the world. That confidence was not something I had before I left.

And I certainly learned never to take a good taco al pastor for granted, since you simply cannot find one over there! Becoming an ambassador for Mexico is something you discover only once you are far from Mexico.
 

WHAT DO I WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE ARRIVING?

I wish I had known that English in England has a thousand different accents depending on which county you are in, and that the further north you go, the stronger the local accent becomes. At first, the Geordie accent intimidated me, but people in Newcastle are so warm that it does not matter if you do not understand at first, they will always repeat it with a smile.

I also wish I had known how much I would miss certain flavours. My advice: bring your Valentina sauce, tortillas and Tajín. Do not hesitate to pack very specific ingredients from Mexican cuisine (or from your own country's cuisine); if you have space in your suitcase, take them, because cooking something from home on difficult days makes all the difference.

One logistical detail that would also have saved me time: the electrical sockets in the United Kingdom are different from those in Mexico, so it is worth bringing a universal adaptor beforehand.

If I could add anything else, it would be this: get ready for the weather to change several times in a single day, packing layers is far more useful than bringing one thick coat. And do not underestimate the university's "societies". Joining a club in the first few weeks is one of the quickest ways to make friends and feel part of a new place, even before you get the hang of the local accent.

- Julieta
 

Hello, I’m Diana, a 30-year-old Mexican woman who finished her master’s degree at the University of Sussex in England. When I decided to pursue a master’s degree, I had no idea where or what exactly I wanted to do; I just knew that I wanted to expand my academic and professional experience and seek something different that would give me perspective.

After talking to as many people as I could, I realised that in the end it was about doing something that would excite me, inspire me, and push me to feed my curiosity.

Doing a postgraduate degree abroad was a long journey that began long before I even applied. Finding at least an idea of which path to follow led me into a spiral of worry and anguish. What did I want to do? Where should I start? What are my real options? And finally, where am I going to get the money to do it?! The accompaniment of Across the Pond and the certainties I gained with FIDERH funding allowed me to see the idea of my life project as a real and achievable opportunity.

I had never studied abroad, nor had I even visited England at that time. During my applications, I realised EVERYTHING I needed to cover, budget, scholarships, accommodation. That’s how I came to Across the Pond. With the help of my advisor, I was able to find a clear guide to cover all the requirements I needed. She gave me the calm I needed by answering all the questions I had about the processes I had to face.

From Across the Pond, I knew and understood more about FIDERH, because although I was familiar with the fund, considering financing intimidated me. With the information my advisor provided, I understood how friendly this fund designed for students is, especially in its payment processes (because, of course, I thought, 'How am I going to pay for this?').

This year has been a challenging experience, yet one that has filled me with a sense of satisfaction. It allowed me to recognise myself and everything I add to the spaces in which I develop. Imposter syndrome has never been more real, but today I can look at my experience with admiration, which was more than just an academic goal. Having the support of FIDERH allowed me to achieve a level of self-validation and satisfaction that I had not previously felt, as I realised I had managed to bring myself to this point. I satisfied my desire to develop in a completely different environment. Sharing and learning from people with experience in various fields and professions gave me the perspective I was looking for.

I would definitely do it again.

- Diana
 

Taking the Chance

One question I have been asked many times is: Why did you choose to study abroad in the UK?

If you had asked me a few years ago, I would never have imagined that I would be living and studying in Edinburgh, Scotland. At the time, my decision seemed fairly straightforward. There are only a limited number of universities in Canada that offer my programme, and unfortunately, the competition was extremely high. I could have spent several more years upgrading my academic profile and applying multiple rounds, hoping to eventually secure a place in my dream programme. However, looking back now, I realize that my decision to study abroad was about much more than simply finding a university that offered my programme. It was about taking a chance and fulfilling my aspirations for the future.

I have always wanted to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone. Moving thousands of kilometres away from my family and starting a new life in another country was the definition of that. Someone once told me to seek discomfort, and I have come to appreciate that the experiences that scare us the most are the ones that help us grow the most.

I often thought to myself that if I wanted to study abroad, now would be the time to do it. I knew that if I let this opportunity pass, I might look back years later and wonder, what if I had taken the chance?

For a few years after finishing my undergraduate degree, I felt like I was standing at a crossroads. I could stay in Canada, where I was comfortable, surrounded by my family and friends, and choose another programme that I knew I might not be completely satisfied with. Or, I could take a risk and pursue the career I had always dreamed of, which was becoming an occupational therapist.

I also used to compare my journey with the people around me and felt like I was starting later than everyone else. In fact, I now believe that studying abroad at this point in my life was the perfect decision. If I had done it a few years earlier, I don't think I would have had the same confidence, independence, or sense of direction that I have today.
 

Why Occupational Therapy?

I am currently studying a Masters in Occupational Therapy at Edinburgh Napier University, and I am incredibly proud to be pursuing a career that I am genuinely passionate about. My interest in occupational therapy began during a practicum placement in Canada, where I had hands-on experience working with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. That experience showed me how occupational therapy can make a meaningful difference in people's lives by supporting them to achieve their goals and participate in the activities that matter most to them. I am excited to continue developing those skills through placement and one day use them to support people in my own community.
 

Growing Independence

Living abroad has allowed me to become more independent and resilient. Balancing university, work, and full-time placement has pushed me to become much better at managing my time, staying organised, and taking responsibility for myself. There were so many things I took for granted when I lived at home in Canada that I now realize require a lot of effort when you're living alone. From cooking and cleaning to managing finances, keeping track of deadlines, and making sure I am looking after myself, there is always something to do. At first, it could feel overwhelming. But eventually, you develop a routine, and things that once seemed difficult become second nature.
 

Making the Move

Once I decided that I wanted to study abroad, I began researching and applying to various master’s programmes across the UK. The application process initially felt overwhelming, which is why I found Across the Pond particularly helpful. They helped me narrow down which universities I should consider, provided guidance on application processes and deadlines, and helped me weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different universities and cities.

Eventually, I decided on Edinburgh Napier University. One of the things that attracted me was the large international student community in Edinburgh and knowing I can meet alike people who are in the same boat as me. Edinburgh is also known for its breathtaking architecture, rich history and culture, and unique atmosphere which was somewhere I could truly see myself living in.

After making my decision, the next stage was probably the most stressful: getting everything organised before moving abroad. There was a lot of paperwork to complete, including the visa application, finding and securing accommodation, arranging student funding, and registering as a new student at the university. Again, Across the Pond was incredibly helpful in guiding me through what needed to be completed. If you're considering studying abroad, my biggest piece of advice is start early. Don't leave everything until the weeks before you fly. Some processes involve waiting for documents and approvals, so giving yourself plenty of time can make the entire process less stressful.

If you feel overwhelmed before you leave, remember that that's completely normal. I definitely felt nervous before moving to the UK but there was also excitement into knowing that I will be an occupational therapist in two years. I can assure you that once you settle into your new home, begin your programme, and start meeting new people, you will start to feel that this new city will slowly become your second home. So, if studying abroad is something you've been thinking about, don't be afraid to ask yourself: “What if I actually took the chance?” You might just realize that the decision that scares you today becomes one of the things you are most proud of tomorrow.

- Olivia
 

There are not many university degrees where hitting someone over the head with a breakaway bottle can technically count as studying. Mine is one of them. I study Acting and Fight Performance at East 15 Acting School, combining professional actor training with stage combat and physical performance. For me, it was almost suspiciously perfect. I came from martial arts and dance, but acting was what I ultimately wanted to pursue. When I discovered a course where I could train seriously as an actor without giving up the physical side of performance, I knew I had found something special.
 

Drama school is a full-time job

Before East 15, I had already experienced a more traditional university education. Drama school is very different. Most days start around 9am and do not officially finish until nearly 6pm, with rehearsals often stretching well into the evening. There are scenes to prepare, fights to practise, songs to learn, accents to train and texts to analyse. It is also physically demanding. Depending on the term, a significant part of the week can involve combat, movement and other physical work. It can be exhausting, but I love the intensity. I did not come here because I wanted acting to be something I occasionally studied between lectures. I wanted to train.
 

It is much more than fighting

The first thing people usually ask about my course is the combat. And yes, there is plenty of it. We train in armed and unarmed stage combat and explore everything from smaller moments of physical conflict to full choreographed fight scenes. But the important part is that the fighting never replaces the acting. Alongside combat, I train in voice, movement, singing, accents, scene study and classical text. I have worked on Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, devised original performances and explored areas of theatre I knew very little about before starting. That balance is what makes the course special to me. A fight should never only look impressive. It still has to tell the story.
 

Learning by watching each other

One thing I particularly enjoy about East 15 is being able to see so much of the work happening around me. Practical assessments can often be watched by other students, and later productions are performed publicly. That means you are not always performing only for an examiner. You have an audience that reacts. I also watch work from courses completely different from mine. Physical theatre, puppetry, devised performance and other forms of storytelling all exist alongside actor training. It makes you realise how broad the performance industry actually is.
 

Discovering where acting can take you

Before drama school, I had a much narrower idea of what an acting career might look like. During my training, I have been exposed to areas such as immersive theatre, motion capture, devised performance and professional fight work. We also work with tutors, directors and practitioners who are active in the industry. One particularly memorable experience was seeing one of my own Shakespeare tutors performing professionally at Shakespeare's Globe. There is something motivating about watching someone onstage and then returning to class knowing they are the person teaching you. Drama school cannot teach you everything you will ever need. But it can show you how many directions there are to explore.
 

Finding my kind of people

Perhaps the thing I underestimated most was how good it would feel to be surrounded by people who care about the same strange things I do. People who voluntarily spend their evenings rehearsing a sword fight. People who get excited about Shakespeare. People who will happily discuss why a movement worked, why a line did not or how to make fictional violence look truthful without actually hurting anyone. It is wonderfully nerdy. And I love it. You also become close quickly because actor training requires trust. You see each other exhausted, nervous and frustrated. You watch each other fail, improve and try again. Being one of the few international students in my class has added another dimension to that experience. English is not my first language, so sometimes I need to ask about an expression, a cultural reference or an accent. My classmates have been incredibly supportive, and those moments often become part of the fun.
 

Starting later worked for me

I came to East 15 in my mid-twenties, after already completing a different degree and taking a less direct route into acting. Rather than feeling like I had arrived late, I found that I was bringing something useful with me: a clearer sense of what I wanted, more confidence in my own choices and a stronger appreciation of the opportunity to train. There is no one ideal route into drama school. Some people arrive straight from school, others take a few detours first. For me, those detours turned out to be part of the journey rather than time lost.
 

This is why I chose it

I spent my first two years studying in Southend-on-Sea and will complete my final year in Colchester, but I realised quite early that the location itself was never what mattered most to me. What mattered was finally getting the chance to train in something I had wanted to pursue for a very long time. There are exhausting days at drama school. There are days when a fight refuses to work, an accent disappears the moment a teacher starts listening or a line you knew perfectly suddenly vanishes from your head. But then a scene clicks. A fight finally works. Or you are standing backstage with people who have become your friends, about to perform something you created together. That is when I remember why I chose this path. I wanted a place where acting, movement and the physical side of storytelling could belong together. At East 15, they do.

- Octavia
 

When I started applying to drama schools in the UK, I thought the difficult part would be the audition. I quickly discovered that the application process itself can feel like a full-time project – especially when you are applying internationally. I applied to a wide range of schools and courses before eventually accepting a place at East 15 Acting School. Looking back, there are quite a few things I wish I had known before I started.
 

Start earlier than you think

My first piece of advice is simple: give yourself time. Some of my applications went through UCAS, which I found incredibly useful, but not every drama school uses the same system. I had to keep track of different portals, deadlines and requirements, as well as references, monologues, self-tapes and interviews. For East 15, I also submitted physical performance material because I was applying for Acting and Fight Performance, showing some of my background in martial arts, dance and weapon work. If I were applying again, I would organise every deadline and requirement before recording anything – and I definitely would not leave one of my favourite applications until last, which is exactly what I did with East 15.
 

Apply wider than you think

I applied for Acting, Musical Theatre, Foundation courses and more specialised programmes. Foundation training was something I had not really encountered in the same way in Germany, but many students I have met in the UK completed one before starting their degree. Applying broadly also helped me work out what I actually wanted. For me, that was Acting and Fight Performance. I came from martial arts and dance and wanted to combine physical performance with acting without giving up traditional actor training such as voice, movement, singing, accents and Shakespeare. East 15 offered exactly that combination.
 

Check the visa first

International applicants also need to ask one very practical question early: Can this school and course support the visa you need? I discovered that not every programme I was interested in would work for me because of its visa arrangements. You also need to budget beyond tuition. Applications, auditions, travel, language testing, visas and moving abroad can all add to the cost. It is not a reason not to do it – just a reason to plan ahead.
 

Self-tapes are a skill too

This is something I would prepare for differently now. At the time, I focused almost entirely on the acting. After studying alongside British actors and seeing how some of my classmates approached their applications, I realised I could have researched UK self-tape conventions much more carefully. Always follow the school's instructions, but also look at available guidance and ask someone you trust to watch your tape before submitting it. Eventually, you have watched yourself perform the same monologue so many times that a second opinion becomes very useful.
 

Audition in person if you can

My East 15 application was completed through self-tapes and an online interview, so travelling to the UK is certainly not essential. However, some of my favourite audition experiences happened in person. Compared with my previous experiences at German drama schools,I personally found many UK auditions surprisingly relaxed and welcoming. At one school, a later round involved almost a full day of workshops, monologues and working with tutors.

It taught me also that an audition is not only the school deciding whether they want you. It is also your chance to decide whether you want them.
 

Get comfortable with hearing “no”

Drama-school applications involve rejection. I did not progress at every school, and several years earlier I had already applied to acting schools in Germany without being accepted. For a while, I thought acting simply was not going to be my path. I completed another degree, lived some life and eventually realised the desire to act had never actually disappeared. Looking back, I am grateful for that time. Acting is about telling stories about people. Meeting more people and having more experiences did not make me late for drama school. It gave me more to bring with me when I tried again.
 

You do not have to be eighteen

I was in my mid-twenties when I started drama school and initially worried that I might be too old. I was not. Some students arrive immediately after school; others study, work or do something completely different first. For me, starting later meant knowing myself better and being much more certain about why I was there. So, if acting is something you still want to pursue, I would not let age be the thing that stops you.
 

Speaking English is not acting in English

English is not my first language, and studying acting in English brought challenges I had not completely anticipated. Speaking English confidently is one thing. Analysing Shakespeare, learning accents and discussing specific voice and movement techniques in another language is something else. I have a vocabulary notebook. I ask questions. Sometimes I have to ask people to repeat an expression everyone else understood immediately. But that challenge is also part of why I chose the UK. I wanted the possibility of working internationally, and training in English felt like an important step towards that.
 

One last thing

Applying to drama school can be exciting, expensive, tiring and, at times, disheartening. There are no guarantees, and almost everyone will hear “no” somewhere along the way. But if this is what you really want to do, do not let one rejection convince you to stop. My own East 15 application was the one I submitted last – and it ended up being the course I wanted most. So, if you are currently preparing your monologues, recording yet another self-tape or nervously waiting for an audition result: good luck. And if you have already received an offer – congratulations. You have done the hard part of getting through the door. Now the real adventure begins and have a lot of fun! You’ve got this!

- Octavia