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How the UK Helped Me Reinvent Myself
Why I chose to study a master's in the UK
Twelve months ago I had no idea whether this would ever happen. I kept opening emails about scholarship rejections, incomplete applications and new requirements, one after another. For months, studying in the UK looked like a plan on some days and like a daydream on others.
Looking back, I'm so glad I didn't go through that process alone. My advisor, at Across the Pond, was there for every single one of those emails, guiding me with instructions that were always crystal clear at a point when there was still nothing to celebrate. Her name is in the acknowledgements of my dissertation today because, without her thoughtful guidance, that dissertation would simply never have existed.
So, why the UK? One practical reason and one deeply personal one.
The practical one: a British master's takes just one year. By the time I applied, I'd already spent more than a decade working in educational innovation in Mexico, and being able to specialise without putting my career on hold for two years was one of the deciding factors. Plus, a British degree travels: it's recognised well beyond the UK, and it opens doors in Mexico and in Europe alike.
The personal one: I've always been drawn to the way British universities understand learning. I came looking for a place where asking good questions mattered as much as finding answers. That's exactly what I found.
Why Essex turned out to be an excellent decision
Before I arrived, I assumed studying outside London would be a disadvantage. It became one of the best decisions I made.
Colchester has the right pace for studying. The campus is green, you can walk almost everywhere, and you quickly stop feeling like "an international student" and start feeling like part of a community.
The best part is that London never really goes away. It's less than an hour by train. More than once I went in just to walk through a museum, catch a concert, have dinner with friends or wander around the city, and came back to campus the same night. The journey became part of the plan.
I also loved being able to spend a day in Cambridge, visit Norwich or explore the Essex coastline without having to organise a complicated trip. Essex gave me something I hadn't expected: the calm of a campus university without giving up anything a city like London has to offer.
The campus advice
I lived in The Meadows for the whole master's, and I'd choose university accommodation again for a first year.
Yes, there are probably cheaper options off campus. But living there made meeting people effortless. Nothing had to be arranged; you simply ran into the same faces every day.
And there's another piece of advice people rarely give.
Find your place.
Not your room.
Your place.
Mine was the foyer of the Computer Science and Electronic Engineering building (CSEE). That's where I put presentations together, wrote a good part of my dissertation, despaired over Python, celebrated when something finally worked, and shared countless coffees with classmates.
It sounds like a small thing, but having somewhere you genuinely feel you belong changes your whole university experience.
Find a community
If I could give you a single piece of advice, this would be it: when I arrived at Essex, the Latin American community and the Catholic community on campus became an enormous source of support. One gave me the language, the food and the jokes that don't need explaining. The other gave me a fixed point in the week where somebody genuinely asked how I was doing.
Don't wait until you feel lonely to go looking for your community. Academic life will absorb you from the very first week; everything else has to be built on purpose.
Can you study artificial intelligence without an engineering background?
This was by far my biggest worry before applying.
My background wasn't Computer Science.
I'm a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist.
The first few weeks were intimidating. I had classmates nearly ten years younger who programmed with an ease I simply didn't have. While they seemed to have been speaking the language of code for years, I was learning Python in a matter of weeks and returning to calculus after a very long time.
But eventually I understood something that completely changed how I saw the programme.
The university didn't expect us all to think alike.
It expected each of us to bring something different.
My background in psychology allowed me to ask questions about behaviour, emotion and decision-making that connected naturally with artificial intelligence.
By the end of the year, I was researching emotion and personality prediction from EEG signals and collaborating on a wearable emotion recognition project.
That's when the biggest lesson of the master's finally clicked.
This programme never asked me to abandon my previous training.
It asked me to translate it into a new language.
If you come from another discipline and you're wondering whether you belong in an AI programme, my answer is simple: you do. Your previous experience may turn out to be exactly what lets you see problems other people miss.
Much more than learning to code
By the end of the master's I could build models in Python, work in R, use statistical software, apply machine learning and information retrieval techniques, and contribute to AI research projects.
Honestly, though, that wasn't the most important part.
A model isn't valuable simply because it works; it's valuable because you can explain why it works.
Good methodology matters just as much as good results.
And, more often than not, good research starts with a better question.
I also learned to live in English, and I enjoyed it far more than I expected. If that's your worry, let me split it in two: conversational English stops being a problem within weeks. What's genuinely hard is the technical vocabulary of a field that's new to you as well, and writing academically against the clock. That can be learned, and the university offers dedicated support for it.
And while I was at it, I ended up studying artificial intelligence and picking up some German out of pure curiosity, thanks to the language courses the university offers. Never underestimate everything a university gives you outside your own programme.
Life outside the classroom teaches you too
There are lessons that never appear on a syllabus.
Like discovering that when a British person asks, "You alright?", they're usually not worried about your mental health; they're simply saying hello.
Or realising you'll develop completely irrational preferences. In my case, no student needed to shop at Waitrose... but every so often I did because, for reasons I still can't fully explain, it made me feel just a little bit more British.
I also found something I hadn't expected: how accessible culture is here. Concerts in churches, free museums, ballet, orchestras and exhibitions all became part of perfectly ordinary weekends.
One of the things I loved most was that these experiences didn't feel like special occasions. They gradually became part of everyday student life.
What I wish I'd known before arriving
You don't need to arrive knowing everything.
There will always be someone with a stronger background. And trust me on this one… you belong!
I'd also have appreciated a few very practical things:
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Register with a GP in your first few weeks, even if you feel perfectly fine.
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Hard water really is hard.
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Coming from Mexico, I underestimated how much the changing daylight would shape my routine. I loved having sunlight until almost 10 p.m. in the summer, but I was much less prepared for winter, when the short days affected my energy levels far more than I expected. It's completely manageable, but it's something I wish I'd known before arriving.
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Say yes to day trips, museums, concerts and last-minute invitations. Many of my best memories were never in my calendar.
Would I do it again?
Without a second thought.
A year ago I was dreaming about studying in the UK.
Today I'm leaving with research experience, friends from all over the world and, above all, the certainty that changing disciplines halfway through your career doesn't mean starting from scratch.
I came to the UK hoping to understand artificial intelligence.
I'm leaving knowing how to ask better questions.
If studying in the UK still feels like a dream today...
Turn it into a plan.
-Maria Jose
More than a Master’s Degree
Choosing to pursue a master’s degree in the United Kingdom was an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, continue developing academically and experience life in another country. I was particularly attracted by the quality of British universities, the possibility of completing a master’s degree in one year and the independent approach of their programmes. I also wanted to encounter new perspectives, improve my English and meet people from different parts of the world.
My MSc in Mathematics was academically demanding, but also extremely rewarding. One of the main differences I noticed was the emphasis on independent learning. Lectures provided the foundations, but students were expected to spend a considerable amount of time studying independently, consulting different sources and organising their own work. I had the opportunity to study subjects from several areas, including number theory, cryptography, group theory, stochastic processes, graph theory and numerical methods. At the end of the programme, I also completed a dissertation on mathematical models of epidemic spreading on networks, which allowed me to combine mathematical theory, programming and simulations.
On a personal level, studying abroad helped me become much more independent and adaptable. At first, adjusting to a different academic system, communicating in English every day and managing the practical aspects of life in another country was challenging. Over time, however, I became much more confident. Meeting students from many different countries was also one of the most valuable parts of the experience. I learned not only about British culture, but also about many other cultures, perspectives and approaches to education.
Some of the most important skills I gained were the ability to work independently, manage long-term projects and ask for support when needed. I also learned that adapting to a new country does not happen overnight. It is completely normal to feel uncertain or overwhelmed at the beginning, but gradually you develop a routine and start to enjoy the experience much more.
Before arriving, I wish I had known just how quickly the academic year would pass. For that reason, I would recommend beginning the accommodation search, document preparation and financial planning as early as possible. It is also important to take advantage of university support services, student activities and opportunities to meet new people from the beginning. You do not need to have everything figured out on your first day.
The support I received from Across the Pond was very helpful throughout the application process. It allowed me to understand each step more clearly and made me feel that I was not going through the process alone. Studying in the United Kingdom involved both academic and personal challenges, but it also helped me grow, meet incredible people and discover new possibilities for my future. It is an experience I would definitely recommend to anyone considering taking the same step.
- Fabián
Five Reasons to Study at the University of Essex
Hello! My name is Eduardo Flores Olayo, originally from Tlaxcala, Mexico, and I am an English teacher at the secondary school level. The purpose of this text is to invite you to study at the University of Essex, located in Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom. Here are five reasons why I encourage you to study at this incredible university:
1. Support from Day One
From the moment I began the application process, the University of Essex’s Latin America recruitment officer invited me to a meeting to explain the benefits of studying at the university, as well as the available scholarships. They also connected me with the University of Essex Mexican Society, which invited me to a talk to learn about the facilities, societies, programs, and other aspects related to studying at the university.
This process stood out to me because it makes you feel part of the university from the very first meeting, something I had rarely seen before. The opportunity to connect with former students who support you during the process is truly invaluable.
2. Societies
The university offers a wide variety of societies and cultural groups that you can join based on your interests. In my case, I participated in the chess, film, Catholic, travel, Spanish, Latin, and astronomy societies. However, there are many other groups you can join, which is incredibly helpful, especially if you’re introverted. These societies allow you to meet people with similar interests, helping you build friendships and connections with individuals of different ages, religions, and nationalities.
3. Colchester Campus
The Colchester campus is unique, not only for its modern facilities but also because it is surrounded by Wivenhoe Park, a beautiful park filled with trees and greenery that creates a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. The campus provides ideal landscapes for studying or taking photos for social media.
The libraries and other areas are equipped with computers, making it easy to work on assignments, essays, or research, ensuring you can complete your tasks successfully.
4. Genuine Friendships
Most international students share the experience of being far from home and their culture, but what makes this university special is the opportunity to form unique friendships and connections with students from around the world. Personally, I made friends from countries such as Indonesia, Portugal, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Poland, England, Pakistan, Syria, and more. This diversity helps you learn to be tolerant and respectful of different cultures and beliefs.
After completing your studies, you have the chance to visit your friends in their home countries, and they can visit you, allowing you to share Mexican culture with others.
5. Highly Qualified Professors
In the master’s program, I am studying (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), the professors are exceptional, not only for their teaching methods but also because they have published numerous articles, books, and research papers. This inspires you to learn more and dive deeper into the subject matter of the program.
Additionally, you are assigned an academic tutor who will support you throughout your time at the university, ensuring you have guidance whenever you need it.
- Eduardo
I loved the variety of cultures
1. What motivated you to study in the UK?
There were several reasons that motivated me to study in the UK. One of them was the chance to expand and deepen my knowledge in science, as well as to get to know a new culture, improve my English, and live new experiences.
2. How was your academic, personal, and cultural life?
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Academic: It was challenging at the beginning because I had graduated two years earlier, so it was a bit of an adjustment to go back to classes, study, follow a schedule, and take exams. However, the professors were excellent and very well-prepared. I learned so much, and the academic level was demanding. The university also had many facilities; it was huge and felt like a small city, with restaurants, a bar, a nightclub, places to socialize, study… a bit of everything.
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Personal: At first, I struggled to adapt, especially because I didn’t live in student residences and I had never lived away from home before. But I loved learning to do everything on my own: getting around by bus and metro, cooking, solving things by myself… It really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I did things I never thought I would. It was also easy to make friends because we were all in the same situation. I met a lot of people, although it was much easier for me to connect with other Latinos.
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Cultural: I loved the variety of cultures and being able to learn a little from each one. I was always curious about the different traditions and all the cultural exchange we experienced. My classmates were from all over the world.
3. What lessons are you taking with you?
I learned to appreciate things that I used to take for granted, like the sun. I’m from northern Mexico, where it’s almost always sunny and very hot, but here I realized that the sun is something that truly lifts people’s spirits and brings them outside. I was also surprised to discover that I could build a home and even a kind of family on the other side of the world.
4. What do you wish you had known before arriving?
I underestimated it when people told me to take vitamin D, but in winter it sometimes gets dark as early as 4 p.m., and you really do need vitamins because having so few hours of daylight takes a toll. Another thing is how unpredictable the weather is: one minute it’s sunny and the next it’s raining.
- Claudia
The professors are experts
For years, I have felt fascinated about British culture, this was the reason why I decided to study for a bachelor’s degree in English Language Teaching at university. Later on, I had the opportunity to work as a Spanish language assistant in the United Kingdom. This experience motivated me to pursue a postgraduate degree in the UK because, by being closer to British culture, I became fascinated by the environment, customs, and after learning more about the country’s education system, I decided to start saving money and preparing myself to study a master’s degree in the UK.
After five years of working, saving, and preparing, I decided to apply for a master’s degree in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). However, since I was unfamiliar with the application process, I reached out to the agency “Across the Pond”, as it is well known among students who wish to study abroad (especially in the UK). I sent a message and throughout the entire process, they were very clear and provided timely support, both in terms of university options and funding opportunities. They were truly helpful—they never left me on my own and showed me financing options that I hadn’t known about until then, such as FIDERH and FUNED.
To help with funding, they held a webinar on how to apply and the steps to follow. All the information was very clear, and despite the fear I had about applying, the support from my family, the clear explanations, and the detailed payment plan were key in helping me apply for the FIDERH and FUNED loans. These loans are an investment in the future, as holding a postgraduate degree from abroad provides the opportunity to access better job positions, stay up to date in specialized areas of my professional field, and build a strong professional network that will lead to valuable cooperation in the future—not just between individuals but between countries as well.
My experience at the University of Essex has been very positive. I have learned a lot about English language teaching; the professors are experts in this field. In addition, my classmates come from different parts of the world, such as China, Taiwan, Vietnam, England, Iran, and Bangladesh. This university offers many extracurricular activities for students to make friends, and thanks to that, I’ve been able to connect with people from various countries. I also ran for President of Education at the university. Although I didn’t win because I didn’t get most votes, finishing in second place was a significant achievement. This experience greatly helped me strengthen friendships and expand my social circle.
- Eduardo
