I decided to move to the UK for my master’s degree as I wanted to visit the country for a long time due to my interest in exploring the culture and beautiful architecture. Knowing that the tuition cost would be very close to a Canadian University also helped my decision to move to the UK. Furthermore, the UK is known for having amazing world-class universities with professors from all around the world.
Oxford is a fantastic student city where you will always have something to see or do as there is something for everyone. You can take an amazing tour of the historic University of Oxford and visit locations where the Harry Potter movies were filmed. The city has many museums such as the Ashmolean but if that’s not your thing you can visit the botanical gardens or go punting in the Thames. Cowley Road contains many of the best restaurants that offer cuisine from around the world, and the nightlife is great for those nights out with friends. My favourite part of Oxford is the fact that the whole city is bike accessible, and anything is only a 5–10-minute bike ride away, giving it the name “Cycle City”.
Oxford Brookes is an excellent University with the most knowledgeable and compassionate instructors I have ever encountered. When it comes to facilities for those enrolled in a nursing or rehabilitation medicine program, the university has multiple state-of-the-art simulation suites with all the best technology and equipment you can imagine. Oxford is so diverse as the university attracts students from around the world, so becoming immersed in various cultures and finding new friendships is easy.
Since Oxford is a student city, there is plenty of student accommodation. Many options exist, from living in a house share with friends to a single-person studio flat. Living in University accommodation has been a great experience. Most rooms are ensuite, so you get your own washroom while sharing a living room and kitchen. The experience is relaxing after a long day of lectures and quiet at night due to building nighttime restrictions. The facilities are also close to grocery stores, restaurants and parks.
My experience using Across the Pond was amazing; my advisor was beneficial and resourceful. She assisted me with the application process, applying for a student visa and answered all my questions and inquiries as soon as possible. She even took time out of her schedule to revise my personal statement, as it is an important part of the application process. I highly recommend using Across the Pond when applying to a UK university.
- Ahmed
Didn't get into your dream study programme, or haven't had time to apply for studies yet? Maybe you got into something you're not sure you're interested in studying, or things in your life have changed since you applied for a programme? If you haven't decided what to do in the autumn, get in touch - we're happy to help you apply for a place in the UK if you're considering studying abroad!
My name is Madalyn. I am an American that completed my Master’s Degree in English and American Literature at the University of Kent in England. Currently, I am pursuing my PhD in English and American History at the University of Kent. My initial ambition for studying in the UK specifically was because of my interest and passion for history and this led me to choosing to study in Canterbury, one of the oldest cities in all of England and the county of Kent. Every single day I am surrounded by pubs that date back to the Victorian era, and churches and cathedrals that were created in the 1300s. Just a short twenty-minute drive or train ride away from my student house are Roman fortresses, Medieval Castles, and manor homes where writers like Jane Austen authored some of the most famous books of all time.
I specifically chose the University of Kent because it is ranked 1st in the United Kingdom for research quality in History. The university offers student accommodation on campus, which is situated about a 10-minute drive from the center of Canterbury, as well as student accommodation across the city. Canterbury has developed into a student city that is progressive, inclusive and lively. I personally do not live in student accommodation and rent a house with other university students, which has not caused me any issues as there are bus stops everywhere. The university of Kent has a ton of different sports teams to be a part of, nice gym facilities and multiple groups and social clubs. I have participated in volleyball and am the student contact point for the History departments Equality Diveristy and Inclusivity Committee.
As stated previously, I am currently completing my PhD in English and American history. My PhD is research based and my project focuses on how education was intentionally weaponized against African American children and Native American children from 1870-1920. The weaponizing of education interested me because in the United States each state has mandated curriculums that directly reflect that states views (Republican, Democrat). I also recognized that my history was limited due to systemic racism and colonialism embedded in my K-12 curriculum and wanted to learn more about the mistakes of my country to become more aware and to hopefully share my insight with others to break stereotypes, and prevent the same mistakes from happening. The University of Kent offers workshops, conferences and events to help students develop into better researchers which I have found to be incredibly helpful.
During my time at the University of Kent I have met people from all around the world including England, Belgium, Morroco, Italy, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Bermuda, Austria, The Phillipines, Nigeria, France, Canada, Greece and more. This has definitely developed my world knowledge and encouraged me to travel more. During my spare time I like to visit historic sites in Kent including Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, Goodnestone Park and Gardens, Chilham Castle, Leeds Castle, Rochester Castle, Upnor Castle. I also really enjoy hiking the White Cliffs of Dover for some of the most beautiful views.
Genuinely, I have no idea how people study abroad in the UK without working with Across the Pond. The process is very detailed and long, but Across the Pond is incredibly organized and timely. I received reminder emails as well as visa and scholarship guidance well in advance prior to my move so that I had time to get my financials in order.
- Madalyn
Applying to study in the UK was without a doubt the most stressful part of my experience as an international student. Not moving to another country and not earning the degree itself, but the application process. The entire process can feel quite overwhelming because there are so many steps and details to stay on top of. Also, I knew I wanted to study in London more than anything, which just added to the pressure I felt when applying. “What if I don’t get in? What if my visa application gets rejected?” All of these “what if’s” that kept running through my head and totally stressed me out beyond belief. But in the end, all of my stress proved to be completely unnecessary because everything worked out just fine!
While there are a lot of moving parts to keep track of when applying to universities abroad (the actual university application, the student visa application, the biometrics appointment, etc), if you stay organized and diligent, I promise everything will come together! Having the support and guidance of my Across the Pond advisor was also such a blessing - I’m not sure how I would have done it without them! They helped me navigate the entire process, answered any and all questions that I had (and I had a lot!), helped me to submit my applications, offered informative webinars on the visa process, and even proofread my personal statement for me!
I did a lot of research when deciding what schools to apply to in the UK. For such a small country, they sure do have a lot of schools! I started my research with a quick Google of what UK schools even offered the course that I was interested in. Since my desired course was fairly rare, this actually helped to narrow down my search quite a bit. From there, I scoured each university’s website to learn as much as I could about the school and the course itself.
In the end, I applied to five schools. Something that was really great is that there are no application fees for UK schools like there are in the US, so you can really apply for as many as you want! I was fortunate enough to get accepted to all five schools that I applied to, so then actually deciding which offer to accept was when the more intense research came into play.
My final decision was made based on three main factors:
1. Location. I knew I would never survive in the north of England since the winters up there
can be pretty brutal, so I definitely wanted to be somewhere more south. I also knew I wanted to be close to London. It’s a city that I’ve idolized since I was a teenager, and I had dreamt about living in or close to London for years.
2. Price. On average, universities in the UK are quite a bit cheaper than universities in the US. At the same time, as an international student, you typically have to pay significantly more than you would have to if you were a UK citizen. Because of the fact that I was entirely self-funding my studies and my move to the UK, I had to be extremely conscious of tuition prices. Something to keep in mind is that when applying for the visa, you may have to demonstrate “proof of funds” - essentially that you have enough money to support yourself while living and studying in the UK on top of paying your tuition fees. If you choose a university in London, you may also have to prove that you have more money available than if you chose a university outside of London since it is an expensive city to live in.
3. Course offerings. Something I was very conscious of is the fact that I didn’t want to come to the UK, get my degree, and then have to immediately move back to the US. While the UK did recently implement a “graduate visa” which allows people who graduate from a UK university to stay in the country for two additional years after graduating regardless of working status, I wanted to maximize my time in the UK as much as possible. One of the schools that I was accepted to offered a Professional Placement Year for my course. Essentially, this is a one year paid internship that gets you work experience in a field relevant to your degree. It gives you an additional year in the UK on your same student visa, except you are mostly just working and getting paid instead of attending classes.
With all of these factors in mind, I ended up choosing Kingston University London and I couldn’t be more happy with my decision!
I study MSc Occupational & Business Psychology at Kingston University. I took a fairly winding journey to arrive at this course, which was something that I had never even heard of just a few months before applying for it.
My undergrad degree is in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Management and a minor in Psychology. Psychology has always been my real passion, but I had always struggled to see how to make a career out of it. In my mind at the time, I was under the impression that if you studied psychology you had to become a therapist. So I ended up taking the “practical” route and studying business.
After graduating, I worked for four years in the marketing and communications field. During this time, I really struggled with the impersonal corporate environments. It always felt as if the employees, the actual people making the company run, were viewed as so much less important than money. Profits always took precedence over people, and that always bothered me.
Eventually, I ended up getting laid off from my corporate marketing job, which forced me to really reevaluate my career choices. I decided I wanted to do something that I was actually passionate about and something that I felt would make a real positive impact on the world. At the same time, I wanted to do something that would allow me to get back to my interest in psychology, which is how I came to Occupational & Business Psychology.
This is a fairly new industry, and every single time I tell someone what I study, I have to explain what it means. At the most basic level, it is about how we can make work better for the workers. How we can improve the relationship between employees and the companies they work for. This includes a wide range of topics, from employee wellbeing and recruitment to learning and development and consultancy.
I feel like I’ve really found the sweet spot that balances my professional skills with my personal passions, and am so glad that I took the leap to go back to school and pursue a career change!
As you would expect, there are a lot of differences between student life in the UK versus in the US. To start, the grading system is completely different. In the US, of course it is very straightforward, with 59% and below failing, 60-69% a D, 70-79% a C, 80-89% a B, and 90-100% an A. In the UK, on the other hand, you can pass with any grade that is 50% and above and it is extremely rare to get anything over an 80%. In the US, I would have been so upset to get a grade that was anywhere in the 60’s, but in the UK, getting a grade in the 60’s means that you actually did well! If you get above a 70% you did extremely well, and if you get anything above an 80% you might as well be a genius. This took a while for me to get used to!
Also, in the UK you do not need to register for classes each semester like you do in the US! You are automatically enrolled into the modules that you need to take and given a predetermined schedule. I really appreciated not having to go through the stress of registering each semester and worrying if my classes would fill up!
Another key difference is that it is totally normal to call your professors by their first names in the UK. It is not at all expected that you should call them Professor whatever their last name is. This also took me a while to adjust to and to convince myself that I wasn’t being disrespectful by calling my professor by their first name!
There are definitely a lot more differences between UK and US student life than just these three, but I will leave it at that for now. Honestly, a lot of the fun of it is finding out what the differences are and learning to adjust!
London is one of the most amazing cities in the world as far as I’m concerned, and I could not be happier living here. I feel like you could live in London for an entire decade and still not experience everything that there is to do here! The amount of incredible restaurants, pubs, parks, shows, and entertainment is mind blowing. I have tried so many new foods at amazing restaurants, seen so many concerts at such incredible venues, seen so many impressive plays and musicals, had picnics in so many gorgeous parks, and so much more. I feel like I can live such a rich and cultured life here.
One of my favorite parts of London is also how easy it is to travel from here. In the US, taking a trip to Europe would take hours, if not days, of travel and easily several thousand dollars. Now, living in London, I have actually taken weekend trips to Spain and Italy for only a few hundred pounds, which still is just completely mind blowing to me!
Living in London definitely comes with its challenges. It can be extremely expensive and crowded, for example. But overall, I can’t think of a better place to live. I have seen and experienced more living here for the last year than I have in probably twenty years living in my hometown in the US.
Moving abroad and studying internationally is without a doubt the best decision I have ever made. I have grown so much as a person and have experienced so many new things and met so many wonderful people. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. But, that is not to say that it hasn’t been without challenges.
For me, the toughest part of living in the UK is the sheer distance from all of my loved ones back home. Not only am I 5,000 miles and an expensive 11 hour flight away from all of my family and friends, but there is also an 8-hour time difference between London and home. It is difficult not being able to see them in person, but the time difference even makes it hard to talk on the phone or FaceTime at times. I am an extremely independent person, so most of the time this distance is totally manageable, with technology making it even easier to communicate, but when I’ve found it to be the most challenging is when there were family issues back home. Within my first few months in London, there were several things that happened with my family back home that it was extremely difficult to be so far away for, and not be able to afford to come back for.
Also, most of the time living abroad I have found the cultural differences to be exciting and interesting to discover and navigate. Like the first time taking public transport or the first time shopping for groceries with foreign brands, for example. However, sometimes when I have been stressed or in a hurry, not having a firm grasp of how to get around in this foreign country could get extremely frustrating. A few times, after a hard day, I remember wanting to just get in my car, stop at a drive thru for some fast food, and go straight home. But instead I had to navigate public transport, search for food at some restaurant I hadn’t heard of, and do a lot of things that were quite challenging when in the moment I just wanted something easy and familiar. Going to a grocery store and not recognizing any of the brands, not having any clue which bus will get you home, or not knowing what store you can go to to buy something basic after you have had a long and stressful day is not ideal! Of course, this did subside after a few months when I became more familiar with everything, but I do remember feeling quite overwhelmed a few times after first moving here.
Something else I have struggled with at times is the weather. I come from the west coast of the United States where the weather is typically dry and sunny, so moving to the UK where it is usually very wet and cold was quite an adjustment! I had to completely redo my entire wardrobe (I didn’t even own a real coat before coming here!) and get used to bringing an umbrella wherever I went. But I do have to say that it doesn’t rain here nearly as much as I expected it to (although it does still rain a lot). It also makes you really appreciate the sun when it does come out. Summers in London are absolutely amazing.
Moving abroad can bring about a lot of different emotions - excitement, nervousness, uncertainty, maybe even doubt. Above all, my top tip is to embrace every emotion and really let yourself be vulnerable. You will be forced out of your comfort zone more times than you can count, and it will turn you into such a better person for it with a much wider perspective of the world. Try everything and talk to everyone. Don’t be afraid of not knowing what you’re doing all the time. I have met some of my closest friends by starting a conversation with strangers on my first day of classes. I have explored some of the most amazing places by wandering around London without a plan. Let yourself be vulnerable and try every new thing you can! Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience. You want to make sure you make the most of it!
- Morgan
I studied abroad in my undergrad and have always loved Europe. I love how easy and cheap it is to travel. I really just wanted to travel and move abroad. I decided to apply to universities all over the world. I loved that the UK had a 2-year post-grad work visa, so after my master's I was able to get a job and stay. I was studying International Management and what better way to prove that I can live and work internationally.
Loughborough University is a very well know school and one of the top 5 in the UK. I loved that they had a campus in London with the backing of a big university in the Midlands. I also was attracted to the University only being for masters and Ph.D. students which meant everyone was serious and it was a great way to network.
I lived in Stratford Unite and it was a great way to meet people from my university and others as it was a student accommodation. I would not recommend someone living there. Most people were 18-20 and extremely immature. The staff was pretty horrible as well. I would say finding your own flat near your university is the best way to live. I ended up getting out of my lease early and moving in with a friend I met on campus.
Grades are harder. No one gets an A, but I do feel that the education was more realistic with a lot of working with different /real-life companies. It was definitely rigorous.
I studied International Management and made great friends and connections. I loved the Collaborative Project and Collaborative Dissertation where we got to work with real companies on real-life issues. I got to work with an international company from the UK market called Snack Media and additionally got to work with a large US company in IBM.
London is the best! I absolutely love it and still live here. I love the amazing food, diversity of culture, how easy it is to travel with 5 different airports, and the work opportunity.
I joined a run club, I worked part-time throughout my masters at Stint, and I got involved on my university campus as well. There is something for everyone here.
Across the Pond was extremely helpful throughout the application process. They helped guide me through the visa application and essays to apply to each school. Helping us understand what programs schools had, what steps were needed, and where to apply. They helped me know what these schools would be looking for in my essay and resume to be a strong candidate.
- Mycayla
I chose to study my Master’s in Public History at Queen’s University Belfast. I’d studied Belfast previously and was always interested in its modern history of conflict, reconciliation, and public commemoration. So, that led me to consider studying there and I just went for it! Across the Pond streamlined everything and walked me through every step. There are some small differences in applications and their help was appreciated. I got accepted to every school I applied to.
I adjusted to Belfast quite smoothly quite honestly. It’s a great city with friendly people and just big enough to have all the good parts of a city, but small enough that it’s easily navigable and easy to settle in. My accommodation was centre city, just a couple blocks from Belfast City Hall. I walked everywhere, which allowed me to hit the pub with friends and still live a reasonably healthy lifestyle.
I met some excellent people in my program, several of which were Americans, so while I’d encourage applicants to meet people from all over, you will never be alone as an American abroad. We are truly everywhere! I developed some close friendships and some ended up staying after our program ended. I enjoyed further developing my understanding of Belfast’s difficult past. Sectarianism remains relevant as murals and walls divide communities, but while sometimes the news and politics can be jarring, Belfast is very safe and I never felt threatened or uncomfortable. It’s a fantastic learning experience for those who didn’t grow up there to have.
One of my favorite things about being in the UK was the ability to travel with ease and generally at low cost. Certainly, your studies come first, but for those in a Master’s program, it is likely you will have a fair amount of free time, or at least time you are not in class. I visited cities like Dublin, Amsterdam, Geneva, Brussels, Berlin, Lisbon, Paris, and cities all over Britain like London, Liverpool, and Edinburgh! I just took advantage and was often working at my laptop in a café somewhere other than Belfast. Though I’m sure I’ve had coffee at just about every coffee shop in the Belfast city centre.
Admittedly, I did not join any clubs as a graduate student, but there is plenty to do in Belfast. After making friends we would bake together, get lunch, coffee, take walks, attend rugby or football (soccer) games, and so much more. We also liked to take short day trips up the Irish coast or visit local museums.
The cultural differences are subtle and you will surely settle in with little difficulty, but be sure to stock up on those American treats like sauces (ranch is extremely uncommon!), good peanut butter, mac & cheese, and taco seasonings! Other than some of your favorite goodies from home, grocery shopping is largely the same. Those who enjoy just black brewed coffee may find it hard to adjust to espresso drinks. I did! A beer ordered out is generally a pint. A proper pint. Which is about 20oz.
All in all, I had a positive experience. I had hoped to stay after as well, but other things got in my way. I’ve already visited friends in Belfast since graduating and plan to go back many times. Thankful to Across the Pond for their help and happy to say I now have two degrees!
- Steven
I found my entire time studying abroad to be life-changing. London, England is a whole new world in itself; with a much different culture, architecture, and atmosphere than my hometown of Austin, Texas. I choose to study at the University of Roehampton in London because it is a partner university that my home institution had worked with previously and I knew our education standards were similar; so the transition would be made slightly easier. Upon arriving at the University of Roehampton I was greeted by study abroad staff who lived in London for many years, they were kind and helpful when introducing us to our new home. As a political science major, I knew I wanted to indulge myself in the British world of politics, and at the time of my arrival, I was thrown into the political arena! At the time of my arrival, the Queen had just passed and the country was going through Prime Minister changes. These events encouraged me to stay focused on my mission of attaining as much knowledge on the politics of the country. I had the privilege to visit the Houses of Parliament at Westminster and attended a debate as well as joined political activists in a March against greenhouse emissions. Being in London was surreal to me, as the city is the epicenter of world culture, architecture, history and so much more! I knew I wanted to be involved within the city and travel to the surrounding areas to gain a better insight into England and the UK as a whole.
Throughout my time, I made many local friends who were more than happy to take me around London and to their hometowns to give me a taste of what their lives were like before moving to “London Town.” I had the chance to visit the quaint city of Bicester by train. Coming from the US, this was a new experience for me as I'm so used to driving everywhere. I must admit, I had an emotional moment on the way; I was able to sit and view the countryside. Taking this all in made me appreciate the opportunity I had been given as many people back home would and will not have the pleasure to view England's countryside, though it's something that we talked about in school and viewed on television. Another opportunity I am greatly thankful for was the opportunity to stay in the picture-perfect town of Lewes, England. When I received an extremely joyful invitation from my friend and her parents to stay with them over the break. I knew this was a special moment I would remember for the rest of my life. My entire time at their welcoming home was full of cultural exchanges, more than I had ever experienced in my life. I was introduced to marmalade, meat pies, Yorkshire puddings and so much more! We also discussed the politics of our countries and found we all share similar values and goals for the world that include inclusivity and equality. I stay in contact with my friend and her family to this day! I will forever cherish the memories and exchanges we shared, I could not have asked for a better family to invite me into their home.
I realized how much, not just the town of Lewes but the whole of the country felt like a home to me. Even in my accommodation, which was located on the ground floor of a 3 story building in a small complex on campus, I felt that I could be comfortable just as I would in my home back in the States. Though I shared a space with 3 other roommates, I befriended them and we got along so well that we had scheduled dinner nights every week. We'd cook tacos in our shared kitchen and recalled stories of our hometowns, this was made special by the fact that we were each from different countries! The exposure to different cultures like this was something I hadn't experienced before as I came from South Texas, which is predominantly Hispanic. I enjoyed our late-night talks and going to the local pub and discussed our stress levels for upcoming assignments and papers.
While at the University of Roehampton, the most noticeable difference in my education was that I only had class twice a week. This gave me a large chunk of free time during the week to complete assignments and travel. Most assignments were writing papers, which I love, and in-class discussions, in which I excel. My favorite course was my Political Philosophy class which focused on philosophers and their thoughts on politics, religion, and mankind. My professor, from Paris, was passionate about teaching and ensuring we understood the class discourse as well as our research paper, so he scheduled mandatory one-on-one meetings to ensure our readiness. We met through Zoom while I was visiting Paris and we discussed my research paper as well as places to visit in Paris. He understood the needs I had, as a study abroad student: getting accustomed to the grading system, academic practices, and of course indulging in my host country.
Though my time in London was limited, the memories are forever engrained and have become a part of who I am. The friends I made will always have a special place in my heart and I will continue to have contact with them, hoping to one day see them again; either in their home countries or in mine! I am thankful for the opportunity to study abroad and am entirely grateful to my home institution, St. Edward's University for encouraging me to explore. I couldn't have chosen a better host institution, the University of Roehampton, with its smaller campus size allowing me to meet and mingle with individuals from across the world with varying and insightful perspectives.
- Vince
During my gap year, one of my friends from England recommended that I apply to schools in the UK. I decided that studying abroad would be a great opportunity to see more of the world while furthering my education. I researched many universities and towns and found five I really liked. I also found “Across the Pond” which was a massive help when it came to applying to the universities and using UCAS. My advisor was always able to give me answers to questions I had, and she still continues to do so even after I have been studying in England for two years! If I didn’t use Across the Pond I would have struggled a lot with the application and visa process as it was quite complicated on my own. I am so glad it is a free and easy to use service!
The university I chose to go to was University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. Out of all the universities I applied to, this one was the cheapest, had the best location as it’s only an hour train ride from London, and had a great program for Film Production which I was studying. Now that I’m nearly done with year two, I have had the chance to adjust properly to uni life. I love that it is a fairly small university because you get the chance to meet more people. I have found that every time I go out into town I see at least one person I know which is a very comforting feeling especially since I live so far away from home. Since it is a smaller university it is easier to get one on one help from the staff. I have never had a problem connecting with the staff, they all genuinely want you to succeed and you can feel that with how they try to help you. Overall, the University for the Creative Arts is a really wonderful university that I am proud to study at!
Life in England vs America seemed like it would be a bigger leap than it actually was. It definitely is very scary leaving family and friends for the first time to come to England but after a little bit you get used to it. I hadn’t visited England before coming to study here and once I got here everything seemed so new. After only living in America my whole life it was hard not to notice the little things that were different but it got easier as most things do with time. The hardest part was getting groceries and taking them back to my accommodation but once I found a friend who offered to drive to get groceries it was way better! It was very interesting being able to buy alcohol without needing to be 21 and that was a strange adjustment. Living without your family gives you a whole new sense of independence which is a cool feeling! Being able to travel anywhere I wanted to was great! On days off from university I would go on the train to a different city and just explore. The public transportation here is amazing and something I wish we saw more of in America. Overall, life in England is fairly easy to transition to from America as there are some differences but for the most part it’s the same just with cooler accents!
I feel like I came fairly prepared and aware of differences in England but there were still some things I wish I was aware of or that I would have done differently. Here are some of them:
- Justine
In UK universities you are given more responsibility from day one. In an undergraduate setting a class will be broken into two sections, you will have a lecture lead by a more senior academic that will have 50 people in it. Then you will be broken into a tutorial that will be much smaller and lead by an adjunct professor. Often classes are only once a week and will not have any assignments during a term. Your grade will be assessed by only a large essay due at the end. This puts a level of responsibility onto you to make sure you are keeping up with lessons and the readings. I often found that your professors are extremely supportive. If you are interested in a topic they will give you directions on where to go to find out more. I found this very helpful when writing my master's dissertation as there was a constant line of communication during the whole writing process. Overall, UK universities rely more on you to motivate yourself as an individual.
Accommodations are very different to the US, and for the better. Firstly, say goodbye to cinder block walls, tile floors, roommates, and shared bathrooms with 20 other students. In the UK you’ll have carpet, your own room and often your own bathroom. It will be similar to a suite setup in many American colleges. However, you will often have a fully functioning kitchen. There are no dining halls so you will be responsible for cooking your own food. You will share the kitchen and common area with 6-8 other students which I found to be rather nice. It is a great place to chat and hang out. In some cases your accommodation may be a little farther from campus then you are used to but often it isn’t that far of a walk and depending on the city there is normally a bus nearby that can take you there. In the accommodation you and your housemates are left to be in charge of keeping the place clean and tidy. I found that living in accommodation like this felt more like being in a home and it helped make the transition to a new country very helpful.
London is a massive place that always has something new going on. As a student it is full of opportunities to do something new every weekend. There are always tons of student discounts available to a wide range of things. London is also home to many universities so you will meet people who attend universities all around London. One thing I absolutely loved about studying in London was how much the city was used as an extension of the classroom. In one class every week we were in a new area of London learning about how and why it developed. In a different class we explored the many museums of London. It is also an international city, you can see that it influences everything from the food to the street names. It was wonderful to interact with so many people from different background, who have all be brought together by a city. London is also well connected to any part of the UK and you can get a train or flight to almost anywhere in Europe if you ever get bored of this amazing city.
- Ben
Studying in Southampton can offer a rich and fulfilling academic experience. Southampton is a vibrant city located on the south coast of England, known for its prestigious universities and diverse cultural scene. There are several reasons why one might want to study abroad in Southampton or any other location, and here is some of the reasons I chose to follow that path.
When I was in Junior High School in Norway, I had set some expectations of what I wanted from my student experience. I appreciate the possibility to merge with different cultures broadening your horizon, as well as learning English in a way you will not be taught in your home-country. For my degree in Maritime Business, Southampton became the obvious choice, it is a well renowned university with a broad reach within the industry.
The UK is renowned for its high-quality education system, and Southampton is no exception. The city is home to the University of Southampton and Solent University, the former being a prestigious institution consistently ranked among the top universities globally, and the latter being well-renowned, especially within the maritime industry, with many professionals holding degrees from this university. Studying in Southampton provides access to world-class faculties, cutting-edge simulators, and a robust academic environment that fosters intellectual growth and a network.
Studying abroad offers a unique opportunity to gain a global perspective and broaden one's horizons. Southampton, being a multicultural city with a diverse student population, provides an ideal environment for intercultural exchange and learning. Engaging with students from different backgrounds and cultures can enhance your understanding of the world, promote tolerance, and develop important cross-cultural skills that are highly valued in today's interconnected world.
Studying abroad challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and become more independent and self-reliant. Living in a different country, away from familiar surroundings, allows you to develop resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. It also offers a chance to explore new interests, discover new passions, and gain a sense of personal accomplishment through overcoming challenges. These experiences can have a profound impact on your personal growth and development.
Studying abroad can significantly enhance your career prospects. The UK is known for its excellent education system, and degrees from British universities carry a strong reputation worldwide. Studying in Southampton can provide you with access to a range of internship and employment opportunities in diverse fields, thanks to the city's strong links with industry. The international experience and cultural competence gained while studying abroad can make you stand out to potential employers in today's global job market.
Living in the south of England offers a variety of perks and advantages that make it an appealing place to reside. Here are some of the notable perks of living in the southern part of England:
The southern region of England enjoys a milder climate compared to the rest of the country. Summers are generally warmer, and winters are relatively mild, with less rainfall compared to other parts of the UK. This pleasant climate allows for a greater range of outdoor activities and a generally more enjoyable year-round experience.
The south of England is renowned for its stunning landscapes and natural beauty. From the picturesque countryside to the breath-taking coastline, there are plenty of opportunities to explore and appreciate the great outdoors. The South Downs National Park, the New Forest, and the Jurassic Coast are just a few examples of the natural wonders that await residents in this region.
The southern part of England is rich in history and boasts numerous historical sites and landmarks. Cities like London, Bath, Oxford, and Winchester are known for their iconic architecture, museums, and cultural institutions. Living in the south provides easy access to these historical gems, allowing residents to immerse themselves in centuries of heritage.
The south of England is home to several vibrant and dynamic cities, each with its own unique character and attractions. London, the capital city which is only a short 2-hour train journey, offers a world-class cultural scene, diverse neighbourhoods, renowned museums, and a plethora of career opportunities. Other cities such, Brighton, Bristol, and Bath are also a mere 1-hour journey, while the closest Cities such as Bournemouth and Portsmouth are just 30 minutes away. If you want to explore Europe while studying, the flight connections to Europe are endless at London Gatwick. Weekend getaways to Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, or other European cities are just a short flight or train ride away, making it an ideal location for those who enjoy exploring different cultures and destinations.
- Mikkel
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