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If you're thinking about it, go for it
I find the creation and complexity of the human body very interesting. How it is so well made and how it adapts to its surroundings. I primarily knew that I wanted to work with people and help them optimise their health and life, and in that process of finding out what I wanted to study, chiropractic just felt right. With its thorough examination and its non-invasive approach helping the body heal itself. Optimising the function and the mobility to better cope with life and the challenges we might experience. I simply find it very fascinating.
Why did you choose to study at the AECC University College?
Before coming here, I studied one year of Spanish, and one year of multicultural communication and international work. Through that I got to live in different parts of Spain, and I also worked six months in Colombia. That was an amazing time and quite an adventure, but it was also quite far from home. When I was looking at chiropractic, I did consider going to New Zealand or Australia, but ended up at AECC because it's the oldest chiropractic College in Europe, I had heard a lot of positive things about the school and Bournemouth, and it meant that I could go home to visit family over the holidays. Another thing that drew me to the AECC University College was that about 50% of the students are international, meaning I could continue developing my interpersonal skills, and increase my communication skills to make me better equipped meeting with different people in future practice. I think that because of the diversity, studying at the AECC University College gives you an opportunity to learn, grow and develop strong social skills in addition to your studies.
How did you find leaving from Norway?
Leaving Norway to study in the UK didn’t feel like travelling far at all. After living in Colombia this felt like moving just across the country considering physical distance. Culturally however, I was surprised over the fact that it is quite different living here compared to back home. I had quite a reversed cultural shock still adapting to Norway after living in Colombia when I decided to cross the pond and move over here. So, I started my stay not feeling quite like I belonged anywhere to be honest. I wasn’t rooted in my own culture let alone in the English culture. I remember finding it difficult to get honest replies as to how people were doing, because the stereotypical English answer to “How are you” is either “I am fine thank you, what about you?” or “Not too bad, yourself?”. The equivalent to this in Norway would be a simple hello or a nod. I soon learned the lesson that the English communication is more about pleasantries and politeness compared to if you ask the same questions in Norway. I have many times made people feel rather uncomfortable by replying honestly to the polite questions, and my impression is that Norwegians come across quite rude when we don’t take the time for pleasantries. However, if we do ask “how are you doing” you can share almost anything, some examples are, how bad you have slept or how you are experiencing some mental health problems. Another challenge I experienced and continue to experience after moving is that my brain is fried by the end of the day from speaking English. After 9/10pm I am not as approachable, and my sentences starts falling apart.
What you do kind of like outside of your studies?
In Bournemouth there are lots of things that you can do! The University has a variety of sports and clubs that you can join. Personally, I love dancing, so I normally go dancing in town at least once a week. I’m currently dancing salsa, bachata, kizomba and zouk. The Latino dance community in Bournemouth is huge and we have so much fun being taught by amazing dancers from all over the world.
What do you most love about living in Bournemouth?
I think that Bournemouth is a beautiful place to live considering the beach, nature, variety of people and opportunities. There are so many communities that you can join, and the place is generally very social. The size of the city is perfect in my opinion, because there are enough people to feel anonymous, but you can still run into friends whilst grocery shopping. If you want to be alone you can, and if you want to be sociable you have a lot of different opportunities. So regardless I think you can find the places where you thrive the most. I love that you can do most things locally such as go clubbing, go to the cinema, go bowling, play minigolf, go to the aquarium, go hiking down the Jurassic Coast etc. The weekends fly by because there are so many things to see and new places to explore.
Finally, what are your ambitions for the future?
To use my education and skills to help other people achieve their goals and reach their best potential. I look forward to start working and explore a new chapter in life. I will probably go home and start working there, because I quite look forward to seeing my friends and family more often. The most difficult thing with that is to leave England and all my friends here. I have had a really good experience studying at the AECC University College, and I have met some amazing people that will always have a special place in my heart. I will look back at this time with joy and happiness.
What would you say to a school leaver who was thinking about studying abroad?
Go for it, you're not going to regret it. I will not lie to you, it will be difficult, it will be frustrating and challenging. But the reward, joy, enrichment, and character development you will experience will be an amazing journey.
If you're thinking about it, go for it as you might end up regretting not going. It will also go by very fast, and it will leave you with many wonderful memories to look back at. If you are worried about leaving friends and family, my experience is that by living far away from home I value my time with them even more. It is also easier to keep up with the good vibes only, because they understand why you cannot make it to every event, birthday etc. We are lucky to have social media, so you can keep in touch, it is not like you are disappearing out of their lives.
Finally, how did Across the Pond help you with your application?
Across the Pond really helped me with the whole process. They told me everything I needed to know before, during, and after sending my university application. They helped me keep up with deadlines, and they gave me a checklist before writing my personal statement as well as reading it and giving me feedback. In Norway we don’t do personal statements, and we don’t know how to navigate UCAS, so I honestly don’t think I could have done it without them. The support and follow-up from their team were crucial for my very good experience with applying to go to University the UK.
- Elena
The experience of your life, go abroad!
Hey, what’s up! My name is Julio from Mexico. I did my MA in Finance and Investment at the University of Aberdeen. Choosing among prices, quality, times, challenges, levels, etc. was really a challenge but in the end, I live a wonderful time been a student in the UK.
Since the beginning at looking for advice, getting ready all my international documentation, looking for funds to pay, planning where I should gonna live, and how would I gonna deal with the language if it would be that hard to live alone or if could I be enough to meet new people was all an adventure with so many hard but such a great times that taught me how to be a better person in so many personal and professional profile.
The main point of this adventure was learning from a whole different culture which lids a huge part of the world. Since I started with the English language, I could see how step by step it flowed out, enhancing my knowledge with a different perspective of how I learned Finance in Mexico. Developing my skill of communications help me a lot to get my targets and go above what I was looking for as just learning. Now I get more contacts, experiences, and a more international point of view on how to trade different situations.
I remember how a daily day at the University started with classes with lectures already red and with questions done to enhance our professional profile and talk deeply about the topics and their issues. On the other hand, my personal life gave me the chance to go to so many places by scheduling, budgeting, and enjoying such easy but great moments with others around me.
Developing yourself is a must that brings this opportunity to go further as a person and as a professional. And it is always good to hear from others, so you can do your own criteria to do the best decisions among topics and link them to do them better.
Finally, each decision makes who you so give to yourself a chance to go far and accomplish your goals; catch your dreams, and carry people around you to do an impact on what you wish to do.
- Julio
Living an academic dream
My name is Diana, I am 31 years old, and professionally I am a dietitian and diabetes educator from Mexico.
I wanted to accomplish my dream of studying for my master’s degree at one high-ranked university. Moreover, I wanted it to be a challenging experience that, at the same time, would help me broaden my global knowledge.
As a student of the MSc Clinical Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, I feel very proud of this decision to study abroad. So far, studying in the UK has nurtured me greatly, from academic learning to cultural experiences.
Great programme & and experienced professors
I chose my course at the University of Nottingham (UoN) because it fulfilled my expectations about complementing my career. I investigated the modules, the optional courses, the professors’ work experiences and the facilities and opportunities for international students. I found everything I was looking for, so I engaged and applied for an unconditional offer. During this process regarding the communication with the university, my advisor from Across the pond helped me the most.
Scholarship: British Council for Women in STEM
At the same time, I also applied for the “British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM”, which I was fortunate to be awarded. It provides me with total funding for my postgraduate taught studies and a monthly stipend to live well and healthily in the UK. This scholarship, among other help, funded my visa application and my national health service (NHS), which I am glad I have as it is helping me achieve proper management of my Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune health condition for which I need constant medical supplies and treatment for glucose management.
Before applying for this scholarship, I made sure I understood all the conditions. Then I started working on the essay questionnaire, for which I asked for feedback from several experienced people that have gone through similar situations and were fluent in English so they could provide me with their critics and advice. Across the pond helped amazingly in this process and with essential feedback for a robust essay.
Accommodation: House
As my husband is accompanying me in this studies adventure and given that the university accommodation could not provide a place for two people, we had to look out for ourselves and finally found a suitable house to rent. It was not easy or fast, but after some busy weeks of house visiting, we found a good and pleasant place to live, which is very accessible to the city centre by transportation and close to the main Campus: University Park Campus, where I can take the Hopper bus which will take me to my faculty in Sutton Bonington Campus every time. Here, in Nottingham, I live in an area called Lenton, which is safe and calm; we like living here very much.
Student life: Uni life and social life
There are many opportunities to get together with other students from different campuses and backgrounds in the university; activities never stop, from clubs to sports or excursions; there is always something to do so the students feel at home and accompany.
There are as well excellent options to visit in the city. However, what I like the most is the city centre, the exquisite little restaurants, the beautiful and colourful streets and architecture, and the nightlife in pubs, with good music or live bands playing. Nottingham is active and alive, has great day and nightlife, and is secure and safe.
From all in Spanish to all in English
Before starting my master, I had done all my studies in Spanish in Mexico, so the transition was a little complicated, mainly in the speaking part. But I realised I’ve been progressively improving at communicating with others. I must mention that from the beginning, the teachers have always been respectful and encouraged the international students to participate and give their opinions; we are all comfortable sharing our thoughts and ideas in the classroom.
Finally, I am delighted with my decision to study abroad, being the UK, a place that has welcomed us since the very first day. I will encourage everyone with this dream to apply for the different opportunities the universities give to international students to facilitate our immersion into their academic programmes.
- Diana
I have been able to find more room for personal achievement
Hello everyone! My Name is Jorge, I am from Mexico and also a student not once, but twice in the UK. The first time I came to the UK was when I started my MSc in Microbiology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
On the other hand, here at the University of Nottingham located in the East Midlands of England, is very similar to my previous Scottish experience in many aspects, but in some others I have been able to find more room for personal achievement, learning and time management, as well as developing finesse in my research skills. I am under the guidance of two supervisors, matter that seems scary, but it is deeply enriching, and both of them are helpful and keen to teach, something makes me feel truly fortunate to be able to keep studying under such a caring and professional guidance. Moreover, Nottingham is a student city in all matters, hence there are many places where to go, visit, chill, study, travel, shop for every age.
Finally, some tips that can be truly helpful, small details but they do create a big difference is not to bring so much clothing over here, UK weather is so unpredictable but fortunately UK people have shops for any kind of day, thus, come lightweight and enjoy shopping here. Also change your standard credit/debit for a contactless, and finally avoid much currency exchange, save money, and go contactless for (almost) everything.
- Jorge
Finding this enriching for my professional and personal development
Hello everyone! My Name is Jorge, I am from Mexico and also a student not once, but twice in the UK. The first time I came to the UK was when I started my MSc in Microbiology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. I had the privilege of studying in the University that was considered that very same year as the “ Scottish University of the Year”.
The reason I chose Aberdeen to study my postgrad was due to the history itself of the University as well as the program I was aiming to study and the quality of research that is performed there. Moreover, As time passed and I learned so many things that I was interested in and some others that really opened my eyes into new subjects, I was making friends from every single nationality, language, parts of the world, and I mean this, every continent was represented by various students of diverse countries, finding this enriching for my professional and personal development as well as communication skills! The Scottish accent is something I find fascinating regardless of what many people including the very same British may say about it; nevertheless, at the beginning it was somehow hard to understand when in lectures. It is something no one prepares you for, but definitely enjoy living and learning. Furthermore, finding out that the lecturers that were included in our program or the facilities where we were able to perform our project were in many cases renowned professionals for their skills or state of the art facilities was inspiring, and somehow scary but fun!
Studying at University of Aberdeen was also for me living there, since I stayed at the University´s student accommodation, at Trinity Court, place where I shared many laughs, gatherings and study sessions with my lads but also with my housemates, another excellent place where to meet people from all around the globe and from where I personally made what I consider my best friend so far. Both, Uni and student accommodation are located in a very central part of the Granite city, thus access to supermarkets, leisure places, pubs and sports facilities are very handy.
About my Masters program, it was a course that just as it was full of new experiences also was it full of big challenges, some of them making me develop in record time certain skills needed in order to pass to the next step; that was the research project, a step that once results were obtained and understood what they meant, the sensation of satisfaction was completely worth it with that kind of previous pressure. As a matter of fact, I fell in love with research in such a way that I am currently now doing my second postgrad, here in the UK, my PhD in Microbiology as well, but now at the University of Nottingham.
Finally, some tips that can be truly helpful, small details but they do create a big difference is not to bring so much clothing over here, UK weather is so unpredictable but fortunately UK people have shops for any kind of day, thus, come lightweight and enjoy shopping here. Also change your standard credit/debit for a contactless, and finally avoid much currency exchange, save money, and go contactless for (almost) everything.
- Jorge
