A new experience which has been incredible so far
I arrived on January 11 in Aberdeen, Scotland, my new home for the next 14 months. I didn't know anyone, I didn't know how public transportation worked, I didn't know anything about the gastronomy of the country, all I knew was that I was ready to start my new life as a student at Robert Gordon University.
Going back to school was something I thought about for a long time; wanting to improve my professional career, in addition to having the opportunity to live abroad, was what motivated me to look for schools and master's degrees. Once I saw what RGU offered I decided to apply, I was accepted and my adventure began; I left my puppy with my parents, in addition to quitting my job and leaving my home to come to Scotland to live a new experience which has been incredible so far.
I have gotten lost in the bus, I have struggled to understand the Scottish accent and I have tried food that I did not like, but I have also met people who have become family, in addition to adapting to new habits and receiving a very good education, very different from Mexico.
Student life
The school here is very flexible, we have classes 3 or 4 days a week, 3hrs a day because they give us the opportunity to find part-time jobs. I was ready to spend all day studying for very difficult exams, but I was surprised when I started the semester and realized how different it is from the education system in Mexico, RGU specializes in practical teaching, we have theoretical classes, but we also have conferences and in the summer they give us the opportunity to do internships in local companies to gain experience and create professional links.
I lived in one of the school dormitories together with 6 other flatmates: Jochem from the Netherlands, Deji, Philip and Victor from Nigeria, Toni from France and Mahnoor from Pakistan. I was very nervous at first, since being people from different parts of the world you never know what customs they will have and if it will be possible for everyone to fit in, but we all managed to get along very well and we became a small family.
The first day of classes was something that went through my mind a lot: "How many classmates will I have? What will the teachers be like? What will the classrooms be like?" So when the day came I was surprised to learn that we were around 25 students, most of them from Nigeria and East Asia, I'm the only Latina in the class! The teachers have always been very friendly and are always available to help and guide you.
Aberdeen
The city of Aberdeen is in the north of the country, it is a coastal city and it is known as "The Oil City" or "Granite City" because of all the oil that was in the city and because all its architecture is gray and with the rays of the sun it shines like granite. It has a cold climate, in summer the temperature reaches 20°C and the sun sets until 10pm (something that still amazes me), and in winter it snows and it gets dark at 3pm. It doesn't rain as often as I thought, but we can have the 4 seasons of the year in just 1 day, plus it's windy and mostly cloudy; there is a saying that goes “summer in Aberdeen lasts 2 weeks” and I have witnessed it to be true hahah, in June we had 2 weeks of sun and the rain came again. We do have sunny days, but they are not very common. Also, right now in August the summer clothing sales have already started and the stores already have winter clothing.
The city is a student city and it is very diverse, many immigrants have arrived and it has a very safe environment, it is very nice to be able to go in the bus at night without feeling threatened or worried. People are very friendly and they talk to you at bus stops (especially the elderly), they are interested in knowing about you and offer you advice on what to visit.
Another thing about Scotland is how easy it is to move between cities or towns, you just have to buy a train or bus ticket and spend the day sightseeing, that's how I’ve been able to visit Stonehaven, Banchory, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
I'm living a big dream that I hope I don't wake up from soon. I walk a lot (your legs are one of the most used forms of transport here), I cook more, I enjoy nature and I have a part-time job doing digital marketing. All this has been possible thanks to the support I received from FIDERH and FUNED and Across the Pond that guided and helped me at all times.
I miss my family, friends and my little dog, but I know that it is a unique opportunity that I must make the most of it!
- Erika Leticia
A year of self-discovery and overcoming: My year of studies in the UK with Across the Pond
Just a year ago, my life took a 180-degree turn. I packed three suitcases and a backpack and left home to embrace the unknown and pursue my dream. Uncertainty and fear intertwined with deep excitement, as it was the first time I left my hometown to immerse myself in the unfamiliar. Finally, after several years of attempts, thanks to the invaluable assistance of Across the Pond, my dream was about to become a reality.
Today, I am about to complete my Masters in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland. One year here, and I can't help but feel deep gratitude to the Across the Pond team and the constant guidance they provided throughout this incredible journey.
Studying in the UK has exceeded all my expectations. One year ago, I faced doubts and fears in the face of the unknown: a new country, a different language, and an entirely new culture and climate for me. However, in retrospect, taking that risk has been the best decision of my life. From the first day my feet touched ground in this country, I felt embraced by its warmth and hospitality, making me feel at home.
Queen's University Belfast: My new alma mater
The university has become a melting pot of multicultural diversity. I have shared classrooms and moments with people from around the world, learning to value and respect different cultures. The friendships I have made here will be lifelong companions, treasures I will cherish forever.
Queen’s University Belfast has demonstrated a genuine commitment to its students. The available facilities and amenities have contributed to making my stay in the UK unforgettable and rewarding. Additionally, the city of Belfast has captivated me completely. The people here are welcoming and always willing to help. The serene atmosphere blends with unforgettable festivities and picturesque green landscapes.
Facing fear head-on.
However, it has not all been easy. My biggest challenge on this journey was overcoming the language barrier. My English proficiency upon arrival was not exceptional, which left me feeling somewhat insecure. However, over time, I discovered that one does not need to be an expert to survive. People are patient with foreigners, and gradual exposure to the language improved my skills. Today, while not at an expert level, I have progressed significantly in my English proficiency. Each day, I incorporate new phrases and expressions into my repertoire, filling me with satisfaction and pride.
Feeling fear and uncertainty when confronting the unknown is normal. Even though I am here, fear still remains a part of me. However, I have learned to manage it differently. The secret is to pack that fear into the smallest suitcase or the least obstructive spot. Fear is like adrenaline: healthy and necessary. It helps us face challenging situations and, paradoxically, allows us to value each moment and achievement even more.
My advice for you.
Studying in the UK has been an exciting journey, full of learning and self-discovery. Before arriving here, I never imagined the obstacles I would overcome, the international friendships I would form, and the confidence I would gain from confronting the unknown. The university's multicultural environment has enriched my perspective in a unique way. Interacting with people from different parts of the world has opened my mind and taught me to respect and appreciate diverse cultures.
Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Across the Pond team, especially to my student advisor, who guided me through the university application process and took care of sending and reviewing my documents. To my scholarship advisor, who guided me in scholarship searching, I owe an equally significant thank you. Thanks to their support, I won two scholarships that have made my stay in this country more comfortable and enriching.
To wrap up, I want to give you this final piece of advice: if you share this same dream, take the leap. Dare to explore the unknown and immerse yourself in an experience that can change your life in just a year. Who knows what adventures await you by Across the Pond. Farewell for now, and may your journey be incredible!
- Gisseth
Chasing Dreams Across Borders: The Decision to Study Abroad
I embarked on my study abroad journey with a burning desire for international experiences, cultural immersion, and English language mastery. My aim was not only to broaden my horizons but also to specialize in project management, a field that had captured my heart.
Essex's Allure: Choosing the University of Essex
The University of Essex emerged as my beacon of opportunity. With a stellar program and glowing recommendations from my university community, it was an easy choice. The enchanting Colchester campus and Business School Building stole my heart.
The Perfect Nest: Choosing Private Accommodation
My best friend and I decided to live together in private accommodation, a choice that rewarded us with privacy, great neighbors, and a comfortable home.
Bonds Beyond Borders: Student Life Abroad
Student life in a foreign land brought a delightful twist. With no family around, I found solace and companionship among my fellow students. We became each other's family, especially during the heartwarming Christmas holidays.
Global Project Management Unveiled: My Academic Odyssey
My academic pursuit, the MSc Global Project Management program, was a revelation. It provided the theoretical foundation I craved for managing diverse global projects. Additional courses in international business and marketing bolstered my expertise for the international business arena.
Southend's Charms: My Campus Haven
Studying at the Southend Campus was a blissful experience. The city offered serenity by day and vibrant nightlife by night. Exploring the city, the Adventure Island park, and meditating by the seaside pier became cherished pastimes.
Balancing Act: Work, Adventure, and Ambassadors
To fund my travel dreams, I juggled a part-time job at a restaurant, which not only enriched my English but also led to lasting friendships with people from around the world. Additionally, I proudly served as a student ambassador, offering campus tours and enhancing my overall student experience.
Wanderlust Unleashed: Exploring the UK and Beyond
I didn't miss a beat when it came to traveling. My part-time job opened doors to explore the UK and other dream destinations. Frequent trips to London and countless visits to the Southend pier filled my adventurous soul.
The Power of Guidance: Across the Pond
My application to the University of Essex was a breeze, thanks to the invaluable support of Across the Pond. Their guidance in selecting the right course, finding accommodation, tackling visa applications, and securing funding and scholarships was truly a game-changer. I can't recommend them enough.
My study abroad journey has been a whirlwind of excitement, personal growth, and unforgettable memories. It's a testament to the incredible experiences that await those who dare to dream and explore beyond their comfort zones.
- Melissa
Deciding to pick-up and move across the ocean
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to study abroad. At the age of 16 when I began my first job and received my first paycheck, I put it in the bank immediately, saving for the day I had an opportunity to travel and live abroad. In high school, I traveled to the Amazon Rainforest on a trip with my Ecology Class. Throughout childhood, I traveled with my family to France, Iceland and across the United States. Then, after saving for four years, I got on a plane and moved to Aix-En-Provence in the south of France for a semester abroad. The experience was all I hoped for. Having gotten a taste of what life in Europe was like, I decided to apply to graduate school in the United Kingdom.
Why did I choose London out of all the amazing cities in the United Kingdom? There are many reasons as to why London was where I decided to make my home while I was studying my Master’s. Firstly, I chose London because I had visited it. Even though I was only here for a week, I absolutely fell in love with the city (especially a nice afternoon tea!). As I was looking at universities to pursue my Master’s, I had to consider where I felt as though I could make a life for myself while I was at university. As I had already visited London and felt a strong connection with the city, I knew studying at a university in London would be the right choice.
Another reason I chose London is because there are six major airports in London. As you can tell from what I’ve said about traveling to the Amazon Rainforest, Iceland, and France, I’ve got the travel bug. As London has six major airports, it makes it easy for me to continue to travel and explore the world, something that is very important to me. Finally, I chose London because of everything London has to offer. Whether you are someone who likes a cozy day at a museum, someone who loves theater, or someone who likes to dance the night away, there are options for you. For example, I am someone who loves museums and there are more than 170 different museums for me to explore here (and most of them are free!). Having options for a fun day or night out that did not involve just going out for drinks or going out clubbing were important to me, and I found that London was the perfect place for that.
Why University of Roehampton and why MSc Forensic Psychology?
There were many factors which went into my decision for choosing the University of Roehampton (UoR). UoR is nestled in Southwest London makes it relatively easy to get to the heart of the city while still being able to enjoy the nature and quiet of the suburbs.
Growing up in the suburbs of Massachusetts, I grew up surrounded by nature and quiet neighborhoods. My undergraduate degree, which I completed at Fairfield University in Fairfield Connecticut, was very similar location wise to the area I had grown up in. In other words, for the first twenty two years of my life, the only experience I had in a city was short weekend trips to New York City or a day trip into Boston. The weekends I spent in New York City or days in Boston I always enjoyed, but at the end of the day I was always happy to go back to my sleepy little town or the quiet of my dorm room. All of this being said, I enjoy what cities have to offer. From aquariums and museums to clubs and fantastic restaurants. This is why I decided to make Southwest London my home because it would allow me to live the best of both worlds. Not only, could I enjoy the quiet streets of Roehampton and afternoon strolls in Richmond Park, but I could also escape into Central London to experience the city.
As previously mentioned, I come from a suburb in the United States which means I’m not used to a concrete jungle like Central London. One of my favorite things about UoR is the green space around campus. Unlike many other universities in London, UoR has lawns, ponds, and even an old orchard. On the main campus, walking between Frobel and Digby Stuart, you can walk by Frobel Lake and past the old orchard. On Whitelands, you can gaze out on the large lawn and see students picnic between classes or play football to pass the time. Not only does it remind me of home, sitting outside on the beautiful green lawn between classes gives me a chance to breathe in some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors.
So why specifically did I choose to study Forensic Psychology at UoR? Aside from all the reasons I fell in love with UoR such as the proximity to London and the green space, I chose UoR because of the strength of the program. UoR is ranked 5th in London for Psychology, demonstrating how strong the psychology department truly is. Additionally, the MSc Forensic Psychology program at UoR only takes a year to complete if you are full time. As part of the program, you are taught how to design and run your own research in an area of your interest. This is a great opportunity to build your resume and to grow professionally as well. You have the opportunity to learn different programs such as Qualtrics or SPSS, programs which are widely used in the research world. You also work alongside a professor who is a specialist in their field and potentially the topic you’re interested in exploring, giving you a chance to learn from an expert.
Off-Campus Living with the Benefit of Support from the University
Finding a place to live is one of the most important things to do as where you live helps you settle in and make anyplace new your home. Having completed my undergraduate degree in the USA and living on-campus in dorms throughout that time, I decided that I wanted to live off-campus for my Master’s degree. As I had lived with my parents for the first eighteen years of my life and in university dorms for another four years, I had absolutely no clue how to go about renting my first place. Thankfully, I discovered University of Roehampton had an Off-campus Accommodation Officer. Additionally, they had a page on their website which displayed listings of different flats in the nearby area whose landlords had the Roehampton stamp of approval. This made the whole process of finding a place to live in another country significantly less stressful as I knew I had someone I could go to with any questions regarding housing laws or any issues with my landlord.
The flat I rented was located just five minutes from campus and was a lovely little four bedroom, two bathroom, one kitchen/living room house share. As I had found a landlord through the university, everyone I was living with were students of UoR or recent graduates or UoR. This was great because it gave us the ability to bond over a collective experience and an identity as UoR students.
My bedroom was a small single bed (meaning a twin bed) by the front door of the flat and under the stairs which I loving referred to as my “Harry Potter Room.” Upon first arriving to the flat, I remember experiencing absolute culture shock as accommodation outside the USA is very different from what many of us were used to. The room was smaller than I had originally realized, under the stairs, and had the radiator still in it for the entire flat. Across the hall, there was a bathroom the size of a closet with a toilet and a shower. It took a bit of time to get used to it all, but soon enough I found myself loving how cozy and comforting my “Harry Potter Room” was and enjoyed being the only one brave enough to use the compact shower across the hall from my room. Despite the fact the flat as a whole was much smaller than what a typical American apartment would be for four people, it did the trick. Furthermore, I would say the size of it made our flat even closer and kept it cozy in the cold winter months.
Culture Shock 101
Moving to another country and experiencing culture shock when it comes to social norms or the language in which people use can be a lot, so it’s good to know what to expect when it comes to studying in a different country to avoid academic culture shock.
Firstly, the language which is used when it comes to your academics is different. is a list of common USA academic phrases and their United Kingdom equivalent:
- Major = Course
- Class = Module
- Grade= Mark
- Head of Department/Course = Programme Convenor
- Professor = Lecturer
- Senior Project = Dissertation
Secondly, how you receive your final grade/mark is determined differently. From my experience in high school and undergraduate university in the USA, your grades are determined by a large amount of coursework over the entity of that class. For example, in my Social Psychology course during my undergraduate degree, I had a total of four different tests and weekly homework assignments which made up my entire grade. In the United Kingdom, you have less homework which is checked and graded, therefore, a majority of your grade hinges on big projects and tests.
Finally, not only are grades determined differently, the grade scale is different as well. In the USA, if you receive a 77% that is the equivalent of a C or C+. However, in the United Kingdom that same 77% is actually a fantastic grade and is closer to an A or higher. This can be challenging to comprehend at first as getting a 60% in the USA is often disappointing but getting a 60% in the United Kingdom is great. Understanding this can save you a lot of stress
“Studying” Abroad
What I truly love about London is that I can always find something to do. Personally, I am more of a museum type of person, meaning I have taken great advantage of the free museums (Natural History, Victoria and Albert, Science Museum, Wallace Collection, National Gallery, etc.). Did you know there are more than 170 different museums in London? That means there’s always a lot to learn and see! Each museum also does some amazing late night events which bring together the best of both worlds. The Science Museum, for instance, stays open late one Thursday a month and it adults only! They offer lecturers, free roaming the exhibits, drinks, and more. Similarly, the Natural History Museum hosts different events outside of normal museum hours such as a silent disco under the famous blue whale skeleton
If my friends and I are not at a museum, you can often find us at the theater. London is the perfect place for those who love theater and musicals. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre located in Central London performs Shakespeare’s works sometimes with a twist and is my favorite place to go see a performance. The best part is, tickets are cheap and student friendly! Groundling tickets (meaning you’re standing throughout the show) are only £5 and offer a fun and sometimes interactive experience. What I truly love about seeing a Shakespeare performance in the standing room only area is that you are watching it as Shakespeare intended! It’s amazing to be transported back in time and dive into stories that have been told over and over again.
If I’m not studying, exploring London, or traveling elsewhere, then you can find me working. There are plenty of part time jobs and internships available in a city like London. During my Master’s program, I worked part-time at a local café as well as a Student Ambassador at UoR. The great thing about both these jobs is that they were flexible and allowed me to make some money so that I could go and enjoy London. Additionally, both jobs were ones where I was surrounded by locals, and therefore, it helped me adapt and assimilate into life here in London.
Why Should You Study Outside the USA?
Personally, I believe studying outside of the country you grew up in is an amazing opportunity. Taking a step to move across the ocean and start a new life is a big one and it certainly puts you outside of your comfort zone. However, outside of your comfort zone is where you have the most room to grow. Plus, when else in your life are you going to be able to pick up everything and move across the world to explore another culture?
- Rebecca
Choose what challenges and inspires you
I chose to study Infection and Immunity at the University of Chester because it combines my love of the progressive natures of infectious diseases, microbiology and their subsequent roles in our history and evolution, without being limited to studying only one.
Through Infection and Immunity-specific courses, I gained a greater understanding of the interplay between host and pathogen and how the arms race between diseases, immunity and the community continues to progress this field. Through the general course modules, I received perspective into the roles of medical, academic, and scientific professions, while learning to appreciate the connectivity and flexibility within each module. With ample support from the lecturers, campus resources and other students, I became more creative and adaptable when completing each assessment. Both the Medical School and MSc Infection and Immunity remind us that a necessary part of being a scientist, medical professional or academic is remaining teachable, adaptable, and personable.
- Bianca
