Studying in the UK has been a good experience
Studying in the UK has been a good experience for me, and it has given me the opportunity to grow as an individual but also as a member of groups and societies. I decided to study in the UK, because I wanted to experience other cultures and learn more about international opportunities after graduation.
Why I chose University of Chester
I chose the University of Chester mainly because I am originally from a small town in Norway (Ålesund), and therefore I thought it would be a smooth change to Chester, in comparison to London or any other big cities. The campus is very open and there is a nice opportunity to meet other people and to socialize. I mainly used the library, sports hall, gym, dining hall and the SU Bar on campus.
Accommodation
My first year I had an accommodation trough the University, and that gave me an opportunity to gain more friends because I lived with other people. It also was my preference my first year because the university provides you with good information that you need in order to get sorted. The two next years I rented with Abbey Rentals, mainly because it is a smaller accommodation and it felt homier.
Student life in Chester compared to Norway
The student life is very different from my hometown, mainly because there are a lot of social events, and you have free taster sessions for all the sports and clubs. These two factors made it very easy for me to get friends and improve my social skills because there is a different culture.
Information about my course
I studied Business Management as a Bachelor, mainly because I could get a broad knowledge about all the different topics when it comes to business. In the second year you get to choose one module out of a selection (maybe two, I don’t remember), and I chose Finance because that it what I found the most interesting. My third year I could choose two modules, and they both were finance related. I like this course mainly because I got some knowledge into HR, marketing, entrepreneurship, strategic management and finance.
How is Chester
The town is apparently known for their shopping street, but it is a decent size. There is a lot of pubs, cafes and places to have a nice chat with friends. I love the city because it has a lot of history, there is old buildings and there are many buskers which I don’t see in Norway. It is only five minutes with a bus to Cheshire Oaks, which is a great place to buy discounted brands etc. Cheshire Oaks also have an activity park, cinema and arcade with bowling.
Spare time, socializing
I played volleyball for the university and therefore we had socials every Wednesday with different themes. I got most of my friends from the volleyball society, but also from my first year living in the shared accommodation provided by the university. The friends that I got in Chester was from all around the world such as Germany, Greece, UK, Norway, Spain and Poland.
Transition to studying in the UK
I found the transition quite nice, because English is my second language since it is something that has been learned from the age of 6. However, I experienced a culture shock mainly because they have a different way to speak to each other (banter), and a lot of slang.
Good to know before applying to university in the UK
I had a difficulty getting an English account because it was a process since I am an international person. Therefore, it could be smart to start looking into different banks beforehand. I chose to have an English account mainly because I could transfer to that account when the exchange rate was low, so I was able to make myself a monthly budget in pounds and I knew how much I had in pounds.
How was Across the Pond
I found the application process very pleasant. It was mainly because I got a lot of guidance from my contact in Across the Pond, and therefore it wasn’t that scary applying and figuring things out.
- Fride-Helen
Explore your dreams! Explore the world!
Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of living and studying abroad. I decided quite quickly that the UK was the place for me. Not only do they offer great Universities and beautiful scenery, but it's also not too far from home. My choice of University was uncertain for a long period of time, but luckily I stumbled upon Across the Pond at a study conference in high school which helped me discover everything the UK has to offer.
Subjects such as Sociology and Social Anthropology caught my attention in my final year of high school, and I knew immediately that I wanted to explore it further at University. Although I find Social Anthropology incredibly interesting, I wanted to explore Anthropology from a biological perspective. That's when I came across a bachelor's degree called Evolutionary Anthropology at The University of Liverpool. I read up on what the course contained and was immediately hooked. Learning about the evolution of humans, being introduced to several aspects of archaeology, such as osteoarchaeology and archaeothanatology, working on archaeological fieldwork and experiencing placement at a museum have all played a part of making my experience so fantastic. Everything I have learned is immensely relevant to all aspects of human history and culture.
This degree is only available in Liverpool in the UK, so it was very natural for me to place The University of Liverpool as my first choice. And for that I am so grateful! Liverpool has everything a student could wish for!
This city is full of people of all nationalities and offers everything from beautiful parks and nature to amazing nightlife. Moving to a new country can be very intimidating, so it helps when people are as open and helpful as they are in Liverpool.
The University is also incredibly helpful with any questions you may have as an international student, such as accommodation, moving of furniture, location of classes, how to apply to health services in England, etc. They offer several accommodation options for students that fit most budgets. If you don't want to pay the price for the University’s student accommodations, Liverpool offers a number of private student accommodations that are even more affordable! I ended up living in one of the halls of residence at the University and was placed with 6 English students. Although it may sound scary, we were asked to fill out a form with various questions about ourselves and were thereafter placed with people who best fit those descriptions. It doesn’t take long to get to know each other, and you might even meet some of your best friends that way. And if you don’t enjoy living with the people you were assigned to, the University is more than willing to help you move somewhere else. Living with so many new faces also promotes incredible self-development!
Forming a new social life can be very difficult. For me, it was challenging getting to know people at the start as I was quite unfamiliar with the British slang and humour. If you want to study in England, I recommend reading about local slang so it becomes easier to understand what people are talking about. But fear not! You will learn the social and local language incredibly quickly, leading to a sense of freedom when communicating with local and international people.
I also strongly recommend becoming a member of the societies that interest you at the University, and join all the social events you’re able to! That's how I met some of the best friends I have today!
Studying abroad is truly a memorable experience unlike any other. I wouldn’t have developed and learned as much as I have if I hadn’t chosen to study in the UK. Not only is the academic content engrossing, but you also learn important social skills that you’ll utilise for the rest of your life.
In conclusion, don’t let fear control your life. Explore your dreams! Explore the world!
- Celine
Get a master’s degree in 1 year
I had no experience of living alone and in another country. I never thought of studying in English and abroad until I found out that my friend was doing it and that it is possible to 1) study masters in psychology without the requirement of a bachelor in psychology, as required in Norway, 2) get a master’s degree in 1 year where usually 2 years is normal for masters.
I currently have a bachelor in social work, but I always wanted to study psychology. Through Across the Pond, I had a chance to study Psychology, get a master’s degree within 1 year and the experience of living alone and in another country. This caught my interest and after talking with friends and family I thought «why not try it» and
get the experience of living on my own in another country, and I contacted Across the Pond.
Brunel University London
I have always been interested in human behaviour, why we are how we are and do what we do. I found the MSc Culture and Evolution Psychology very interesting and the modules in the course caught my attention. I didn’t really expect anything special from Brunel University from their course structure and lecturers as I don’t have any experience with studying abroad and never had an interest until recently. For me the decision to study abroad was very last minute and not something I had always planned or envisioned for myself.
I was very stressed in the beginning with all the new modules, the language and how the education in British universities work. I thought it was going to be very formal, and that I had to work a lot on my own to be able to catch up, but I have found the lecturers in my course to be available and helpful. They make time for you and help you out until you understand. I have also met wonderful people from my class and from other psychology classes who are in the same situation and we help each other.
Accommodation - living on campus
I chose to live on campus after I concluded that that will be more practical and also more social. I did try to look off-campus first but I just found it more convenient with campus. Also, I wasn’t able to visit and actually see the room, I did have video calls with some of the landlords but again you don’t really know how it is.
I have an ensuite with a bedroom and my own bathroom, but I share kitchen with 8 other flatmates. There is housekeeping that comes once a week to clean the kitchen and vacuum the hallway and we have maintenance as well in case something doesn’t work or needs fixing. The campus is also very green and surrounded with parks and benches, it is a nice way to escape and take a break.
My flatmates are amazing and I could never have settled in like I did without them, they gave me practical support which I needed as I came late to UK due to some complications with my visa. I learned that you are never alone and talking with others and socialize can make everything easier and better no matter what the circumstances are, you will always find comfort in the people around you. Of course, you will experience some stuff that you will not like, it could be the flatmates habits or attitudes kitchen being messy etc. Eventually you learn how to regulate around that. In my case, I am glad that I chose to live on campus and my experience with my flatmates were good, they will forever be close friends to me.
What to do on campus
There are a lot of opportunities and stuff to do apart from studying. I go to the campus gym to exercise and play badminton as well. I joined Brunel Volunteers which has been a nice experience, where you meet different people and local people as well. Every week they send upcoming volunteer events where you decide what event you are interested to volunteer for. There are a range of societies you can join, everything from book reading, dance to art. They also have job shops and can assist you in finding a part time job. Apart from campus, I have been exploring new places such as parks, markets, having afternoon teas and trying varieties of food. There is a lot to see and do from local pubs and malls to going out.
Still not sure?
If you are one of those who might be interested in studying abroad but are unsure if this is worth it, you find it hard to move out of your comfort zone and see no crucial need to study abroad. I felt the same. What I realized is that it is a good thing that you have it good where you are now but that is a reason in itself by challenging yourself to move out from that comfort zone and to be able to grow and experience new skills and sides of you that you might not have been able to do in your comfortable home.
Also, the study you have chosen will give you new ways of understanding and give you new skills that you could show on your CV and make you stand out in the job market. Your social network will expand and you will meet international people that also could be an advantage for future reference. And you will get to know yourself a lot more and be able to choose to do or try things you always wanted to try but haven’t
had the chance to regardless what the reasons are. This is a valuable experience both for your personal journey, but also for your practical experience that can open up doors for you in the job market.
Experience with Across the Pond
My supervisor from Across the Pond helped me throughout the process and told me what to do in each step. For one who doesn’t know where to begin and what to do in order to study abroad, this is an amazing way to get help to do it and it is completely free!
- Amanda
I am so glad that I decided to make the move
I arrived at the Etihad stadium as a very nervous and excited guy. Now with only a couple of months left I am so glad that I decided to make the move to move abroad to a different country, with a different culture and far away from home. However, without ANSA and the huge help I personally received from my advisor with Across the Pond I 100% would not have decided to move. Looking back on all the emails me and him had, I am now seeing how much extra work he had to do due to unnecessary questions from me..
The UK is a very interesting country and even though I did not like the weather most of the time, I have had a very good time during my university time. A lot of new friends (and the Norwegian friendship group in Manchester is very good and close), a lot of new experiences, and due to these friends, experiences and my university degree I have received a job offer that would have not been possible with the degree. My degree, as written above, would have not been possible with the help from ANSA and Across the Pond! So very excited to finish my university time strong and going straight into work ?
- Torje
I’ve fallen in love with the city
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home” -James Michener.
Hi there! My name is Amelia and I’m writing to share my student experience after using Across the Pond to help connect me to my graduate school in the UK. I study International Business and Intercultural Communication at Oxford Brookes University.
Why I Studied Abroad
I always knew that I wanted to study abroad. In my undergrad, I participated in a few study abroad programs and interned abroad. Going abroad allowed me to experience a new culture, learn from different perspectives, and challenge myself in ways that I could not do at home. I got a global management minor as part of my bachelor’s and learned about culture theory, Hofstede, The Culture Map, etc. When I discovered Across the Pond, I knew that this was the perfect opportunity for me to continue my education abroad, but at a higher level.
Across the Pond was Incredibly Helpful, in Every Step of the Process
I couldn’t believe it when I realized that Across the Pond was a completely free service! My advisor helped me in every stage of the process, from finding the universities with my program of interest, to refining my resume and submitting applications. I ended up applying to several universities and my advisor made sure I stayed on top of all the communications and deadlines from each of them. Furthermore, once I was accepted and accepted my placement, Across the Pond was able to connect me with other students who had recently studied in the UK, as well as students from the US heading to my university, so I could hear their experiences.
Choosing Oxford Brookes University
When I was considering which university to attend, Oxford Brookes stood out to me because of the program’s personal touches. Their program director reached out to me individually to discuss the program and my options. When I arrived, I was impressed by the campus and the facilities, including the library, computer labs, and sports facilities. I also appreciated the supportive and welcoming environment that the university provided. The staff and professors were always available to help and answer my questions, which made me feel comfortable and confident in my studies. We had a small cohort in my program, so I got a lot of personal attention from the professors with my projects.
Accommodation and Student Life
One of the things I loved about student life in the UK was the variety of social activities. From week one I was involved in a variety of activities with the International Student community at Brookes. From sports clubs to cultural events, there was always something to do and explore. Through these activities, I made friends from all over the world and learned so much about different cultures and perspectives. For instance, we had an international student's traditional English Christmas dinner and got to learn about how they celebrate Christmas with specific foods and traditions like Christmas Poppers!
Balancing studies and sights is no easy act, but Oxford Brookes recognizes the value of experiences outside the classroom. From my first (jetlagged) day strolling through the streets of Oxford to the ISAT trips I’ve taken, my experience here would not be nearly as valuable without the opportunities I’ve had to see what makes the UK, the UK. I’ve been surprised by how much I love tea, and how much I dislike fish and chips. I’ve learned to navigate the politeness of British culture, and I’ve met people whom I hope to have lifelong friendships with.
I had never been to Oxford before studying at Oxford Brookes University, but in just the last two months I’ve fallen in love with the city. Oxford has more depth than I ever could’ve imagined. To walk through the streets of Oxford is to walk where Kings, Queens, and some of the most brilliant minds have walked for the last thousand years. I hope to one day be considered one of those brilliant minds, but for now, I’ll soak up as much of Oxford as I can.
The MA International Business and Intercultural Communication Program
The International Business and Intercultural Communication program was everything I hoped for. The courses were challenging but engaging, and the professors were knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. I appreciated the variety of topics we covered, such as EU laws and regulations, business skills, and intercultural communication. One of the highlights of the program was the opportunity to complete an internship with a local company, which gave me practical experience and helped me to understand the local business environment.
Career Goals and Post-Graduation
My long-term goal was to find a job locally, and I'm pleased to say that I was able to achieve this. Thanks to the skills and knowledge I gained from the program, I was able to secure a full-time job in London. The education I received was comparable to what I could have received in the U.S., but the people I met and the experiences I had were irreplaceable. Furthermore, as a communications professional, understanding different cultures and how to work with them has been key to my career.
Conclusion
Studying in the UK was a life-changing experience for me. Through Across the Pond and Oxford Brookes University, I was able to gain new skills, make lifelong friends, and achieve my career goals. I highly recommend this opportunity to anyone who is considering studying abroad and I always recommend to those looking to study in the UK to utilize Across the Pond and your advisor. Their help is invaluable! Thank you, Across the Pond, for helping me to make this dream a reality.
- Amelia
