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My First Days in the UK (Newcastle!)
I have been living in North East England for just over a month now and it has been nothing but excitement ever since. While my university had an airport service for international students, I decided to come a week early to start settling in before the semester began. I was lucky enough to travel with both my mom and grandma to make the transition a little more bearable and to have additional support with moving in and getting familiar with my new city.
I was nervous traveling and entering the country on a visa as I had never done anything like this before. I had the idea in my mind that it would be a long and complicated process to enter the country. Thanks to my advisor I was prepared for anything and had all my documents ready to speak with an immigration officer at the airport. Despite my concern, it was a rather smooth process. The whole thing only took a total of maybe 10 minutes. There were only 2 other people ahead of me, and once I got up to the officer all I was asked was for my passport and visa. I can’t speak for everyone but for me it was quick and painless arriving on a visa.
Since I arrived one week before my move in date, I stayed at a hotel for the time being. This gave me the opportunity to explore the city/ campus and to run some necessary errands before the stress of the semester began. I used this time to set up a SIM card for my phone, to open a UK student banking account, and to pick up my biometric residence permit. I also got to explore the Newcastle Castle, visit the Quayside Sunday Market and, I even got some traveling in during that first week.
Before classes begin, universities here have what is called Freshers’ week. This is about a 10 day stretch where students are able to go to various events on campus, in the city, and in the general area/ county. While I didn’t attend any of the actual Freshers’ events the university also held a variety of welcome events specifically for international students. One of the events they held was a pizza party for all the international postgraduate students in my faculty. This was an awesome opportunity to meet other international students who are also studying in courses similar to my own. At this event I even met a girl who was from the same province as I am! As well as the events going on all week, they also had a bunch of companies on campus giving out free coupons and food, and had fairs for joining clubs, or finding a job in the city centre. This whole week was a great way to feel welcome on campus and even having only attended one event, all of the energy and people on campus really made me feel like I had made the right decision coming here.
The best part of this experience so far has been simply the change of scenery. Every day I walk to class and pass churches and castles that are older than Canada itself. In the same amount of time it would take me to drive to the closest city at home I am able to travel to different countries.
If I was to recommend 5 things for students who will be coming to the UK next fall it would be to try and travel with a friend or family member, to fly through the night to try and avoid jetlag, attend at least one even during welcome/ Freshers’ week, take the opportunity to travel and explore your new country/ city.
- Kaley
Why I chose to study in the UK
I knew I wanted to study abroad since high school. After visiting a few historic universities while on a trip to Spain I knew I would one day move to somewhere in Europe to study. I have family who studied in the UK and while Spain was my inspiration to study abroad, the UK was always in the back of my mind. When I saw Across the Pond at my university’s postgraduate studies fair, I immediately knew I had to connect with an advisor to start my application process.
The UK is a great place to study and there are many reasons I ultimately decided to come here to complete my MSc.
QUALITY OF EDUCATION
- One major bonus with studying in the UK is that it will make you stand out when applying for jobs back in Canada. When applying for jobs you will be recognized above other applicants due to your education.
- Some of the world’s top universities reside in the UK. The university that I am studying at happens to be a Russell Group university, which is sort of like the UK's version of Ivy League. Some other Russell Group universities include Oxford and Cambridge!
SHORTER PROGRAM LENGTH
- This was another major bonus for me when looking into studying in the UK. At home my program would be 2+ years but here it’s only 1. I will be completing my masters before many of my friends back home even start theirs.
- Having a shorter program also means that in the long run I am may end up saving money. Rather than paying for 2 or more years’ worth of tuition I only have to pay for one year.
ACCESS TO TRAVEL
- From the city I live in I am able to travel very easily across the UK. After just 1.5 hours on the train I’m able to go to Edinburgh and just 3 hours on the train to London! I often have Friday and Monday off school so I can easily do a day trip or spend a weekend in either city.
- Beyond that, international travel is much more affordable and accessible here as everything is much closer than it is back in Canada. You can travel to most places by train as well, so there is no need to go through the often hectic process of air travel.
CHANGE AND ADVENTURE
- I have lived in the same province my whole life and by the time I had completed my undergraduate degree I was ready for a change. I knew I wanted to go to grad school right away, but I also wanted to be able to travel and experience other ways of life. Studying in the UK has let me have all of that. Not only do I get the change I desired and the adventures I wanted to have, but I can do it while also completing my masters.
HISTORY
- A reason I wanted to study in the UK is because of the history. This may be something that is more subjective, but I love old architecture, castles, and being able to feel the history of a place just by walking down the street. There is no shortage of that here, and every day I am amazed by how old and historic everything is here.
HOW EASY ACROSS THE POND MAKES THE PROCESS
- This was a major reason I ended up applying for school in the UK. Having an advisor to work with during the whole process made it much easier. It was even easier for me to apply in the UK than it would have been applying to school in Canada because of all the help I received.
- While you still have to pick universities, make a CV, write your personal statement, and collect reference letters your advisor really does the rest. They take away a lot of the stress and confusion that comes with applying to university in another country by putting an application together, helping with the visa process, and always being there to answer questions.
- Kaley
A year in the life
This time last year I was weeks away from moving to England for a yearlong master’s programme. One year later, I am weeks away from my completing my master’s. Despite everything that happened this year, my thoughts on living/ studying in the UK remain that it is an incredible experience and absolutely worth it for anyone that has a desire to study here.
SEPTEMBER: ARRIVAL
After months of applications and planning I finally arrived in Newcastle. I decided to come about 10 days early with family to travel and settle in before starting school. I think this is a great idea to anyone who is able do this, as it really helps to ease into life in the UK. The first month here consisted of travel, setting up my bank account, getting a UK phone number, registering with a GP, and attending international student events.
OCTOBER - JANUARY: FIRST SEMESTER
The first semester of my master’s consisted of required modules. This gave me the opportunity to learn about the foundations of clinical psychology, cultural and professional issues that may arise in my future career, and about developing interventions to encourage healthy behaviour change. First semester was also spent getting used to university in the UK, especially with how assignments are graded. Despite being busy with school I still found time to visit London, attend the Edinburgh Christmas Market, and with a month off school for Christmas I was even able to come back to Canada.
FEBRUARY- MAY: SECOND SEMESTER
Second semester was when dissertation work began and when I could take modules of my choosing. My course had a large class size so getting a supervisor was rather competitive, however this is by no means the case for all programmes. I also learned a lot more directly relevant information such as therapy, developmental disorders, and even had an apprenticeship where I worked in a research team. Second semester also has a month-long break.
MAY- AUGUST: FINAL SEMESTER
The summer semester has no lectures and is completely dedicated to writing your dissertation. Thanks to lockdown and not being able to collect additional data I was able to dedicate most of my time to writing my dissertation, and everyone was given an extension on our projects. While this was definitely not an ideal situation, everything has turned out completely fine! I am now two weeks away from submitting my dissertation, the UK is opening back up, and life is progressively going back to ‘normal’.
AUGUST: THE YEAR COMING TO AN END
With only two weeks left of school I have been thinking about how fast this time has gone and what a crazy year this ended up being. I am still finishing the year with a master’s that prepared me to get a job in my desired field and is the perfect next step to eventually completing a doctorate. Even after everything that has happened, moving to the UK was still an amazing experience and absolutely worth it; so much so that I have decided to take my adventures to Scotland to spend another year in the UK.
- Kaley
One of the most rewarding experiences of my life
My main inspiration for studying in the UK was my passion for learning English. I was captivated by the UK as a multicultural country that brings together people from all over the world. The education system here is excellent, and I genuinely enjoy the music, gigs, and festivals that are integral to its culture. The stunning architecture and picturesque countryside only add to its charm.
Initially, my academic life presented some challenges due to the stark differences in the education system. I had to adapt to extensive reading lists, which I enjoy, as well as writing numerous essays and my dissertation, a skill I needed to refine because I was not accustomed to it. Although it was tough at first, I eventually adjusted and was able to achieve merit and distinction.
On the personal side, my experience was wonderful. I studied in Newcastle, a lovely town in the northeast known for its kind and welcoming residents. The locals were always willing to help, and I met incredible people from all corners of the globe. Through these interactions, I had many enriching experiences, joined various clubs, and formed lasting friendships. It was truly amazing to hear different perspectives and share those experiences. Even when language barriers arose, our friendships flourished through gestures, smiles, and cultural exchanges.
Studying abroad has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I not only learned about diverse cultures but also gained a broader understanding of the world. I will always treasure my time there and would gladly relive it without any reservations.
Throughout this journey, I discovered much about myself. I came to understand where my morals lie, the distinction between cultural and personal values, and the importance of effective communication. I learned to be open-minded and respectful of different viewpoints, cultures, and issues. I also developed independence, adaptability, and the ability to set boundaries, while recognizing how easily I could accommodate others. A highlight of my time was my wonderful swing dance club in Newcastle, which brought me immense joy. They provided a space for me to express myself freely, whether I wanted to be loud or quiet, and they always made an effort to understand me despite the challenges of accents. I'm so grateful for the friends I made from all over the world.
Transitioning from a big city to a small town was a delightful change. In Newcastle, people paid more attention to one another; I never felt a sense of insecurity, and there was always someone willing to lend a hand. Whenever I walked around town, I frequently encountered familiar faces and would greet them with a smile. This slower-paced lifestyle allowed me to form deeper connections with those around me, making it an enriching experience overall. I owe a heartfelt thank you to dear Monica for everything she did to support me.
Looking back, I also learned how brave, strong, intelligent, and adaptable I can be. Navigating a foreign country is undoubtedly challenging, but if you find luck like I did, you may discover another home. 💛🌟
Reflecting on my experience, I wish I had known more about the employment process in the UK, how to apply for part-time jobs, and how to craft a compelling CV. Additionally, I would have benefited from knowing which websites or resources are available for hiring students, and it would have been helpful to create a more detailed budget.
- Miriam
The professors were excellent
Studying in the United Kingdom was an unparalleled experience. I am an industrial engineer dedicated to supply chain management; mitigating the environmental impact has become my greatest passion. I chose to study in the UK because, in addition to being a leader in sustainable progress, it also represented an immense benchmarking opportunity: to learn first-hand and bring new ideas back to my country, the Dominican Republic, with the hope of paving the way toward a greener future.
Academically, I cannot deny that adapting was a challenge. The professors were excellent, the university’s resources exceeded my expectations, but the grading system was confusing at first. What truly made a difference was the group of friends I built in class. With them, I shared notes, kept track of deadlines, worked on projects, and studied together for exams. That academic community was key in making the year more manageable.
One of my personal goals was to maintain hobbies familiar to my life back home. In the Dominican Republic, I practiced rope climbing, danced Cuban salsa, played guitar, sang, and went to the gym. Upon arriving, I sought to recreate that lifestyle through university clubs, which not only helped ease the initial homesickness but also made it easier to connect with people who shared my interests. On the cultural side, I decided from the very beginning to explore as much as possible. I had the chance to visit London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Nottingham, York, and of course, my home for the year: Newcastle. If I had to recommend one trip, without a doubt it would be Edinburgh, a magical city that completely stole my heart.
Among the many lessons I take with me, I want to highlight two. The first is understanding the importance of community for both emotional and physical well-being, especially during the colder seasons. For those of us who come from warm climates, winter can be tough, and the temptation to stay indoors is strong. However, my circle of friends encouraged me to go out, make the most of my time, and stay active, something I deeply appreciated. The second lesson is that, beyond academics, the UK has so much to offer: from natural landmarks and sporting events (especially football and tennis) to concerts, themed parties, and a gastronomy as diverse as its people. All of these experiences not only broadened my cultural perspective but also allowed me to feel the spirit of unity that characterizes the country.
Before arriving, I wish I had known just how changeable and intense the British weather can be. It’s not only that it rains, it can rain several times in a single day, often accompanied by winds strong enough to change the direction of your walk. My survival hack was always carrying a hoodie in my bag, ready for anything.
In conclusion, studying in the United Kingdom not only strengthened my academic and professional formation, but also transformed me on a personal level.
- Giselle
