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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
I was amazed by the quality of education here
The process to study in England
My process to study in England started more than two years ago, but everything took a long time, and my motivation was getting lost with time. I had the opportunity to come and study English in England and I was amazed by the quality of education here, and how important it is for universities to look after the well-being of the student. Therefore, because of the quality of the education, the support I received in the application and my previous knowledge of the language, I decided to study at the University of Sheffield.
Studying at the University of Sheffield
At the moment I am in the city of Sheffield doing my Masters in Public Health and I am very happy to have made it this far. I did my medical degree in Colombia, the classes in the UK differ from Colombia, but it has only taken me a few days to adapt. In the beginning, it was a bit hard to communicate because of the accent from the north of England, but everything passes with the days when your ear learns to adapt to the new language and accent. It's all a matter of a little effort and keeping the goal in mind. As for the university, I have been pleasantly surprised with the friendliness of all the teachers and fellow students, the amount of sporting and social activities we have (there are almost 200 societies you can get involved in), and most importantly, the academic and personal support you receive from the university. All this has made my adaptation to my new country and city easier.
Activities in my free time
In my spare time, I've done archery with the university team, travelled to cities such as Cambridge, Liverpool, Manchester, York and the Peak District (a mountain range very close to Sheffield, where there are lots of walks to do), and been involved in various social activities such as yoga, Zumba and contemporary dance. There is always an activity available to do. I also joined the Latin American Society, where I was able to make my first friends and they continue to be an important part of my life as they feel so close to home.
Accommodation
As for accommodation, I decided on private accommodation very close to the university, it is a studio with a private kitchen and bathroom, which is perfect for someone who prefers privacy. It is student accommodation, so there are also social activities, study areas, games and TV areas where you can meet your neighbours or hang out with your friends.
- Maria
Studying in the UK is an enormous opportunity
After having a wondering experience during my master’s at University of Nottingham, I decided to pursue a PhD in Biological Sciences at the Department of Biosciences, Durham University.
I chose Durham because I really liked the project that was advertised at Professor Przyborski Laboratory. Furthermore, the group has an excellent reputation in the field of Tissue Engineering.
Durham is a small town located in the North East very close to Newcastle. The prettiest things from Durham are the city centre and the botanic gardens. Furthermore, you can find lots of shops, restaurants and coffee shops in the city centre. Living there is very quiet and peaceful. For a night out, the best option is going to Newcastle, which is located 10 minutes by train.
On the other hand, Durham University is well ranked not only in the UK but also in the World. Also, it has 17 colleges that are responsible for the domestic arrangements and welfare of the students. Moreover, there are lots of activities within the University thanks to the many societies in Durham.
Depending on what you are studying, your day might be different from mine. In my case, a regular day for me is going to the Department for 6-9 hours to do lab work. After that, I usually go to the gym, attend to salsa and bachata lessons, or just hang out with friends to the pub or for a coffee. Talking about accommodation, the first year of my PhD, I used to live in a student accommodation. The following years, I got different private accommodations with different housemates.
Finally, studying in the UK is an enormous opportunity and experience that will help you to grow in every aspect of your life. However, there are some challenges to take into account. For example, the british food which is not 100 % great (my recommendation is to bring some food from your hometown, so you won’t miss it). Another tough part is when it gets dark around 4pm during wintertime. Nevertheless, studying and living in the UK is a unique experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.
- Alejandro
