How My Master's Changed My Career
Why I chose the University of York
When I was researching Master's programmes, I wanted something that combined theory with practical clinical knowledge. The MSc in Development and Clinical Practice at the University of York stood out immediately because of its focus on child neurodevelopment, developmental conditions and evidence-based interventions.
During the admissions process, I also noticed something that became one of my favourite things about York: the people. Even before I accepted my offer, everyone I spoke to was approachable, supportive and genuinely interested in helping prospective students.
That support ever disappeared once I became a student.
Learning beyond the textbooks
One of the most fascinating aspects of my degree was comparing how developmental assessments and support services are delivered in the UK versus Mexico.
Learning about Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and the wider support system completely changed how I think about multidisciplinary care and long-term intervention for children and families.
The course constantly encouraged us to think critically, compare international approaches and consider how different healthcare systems can learn from one another.
The people who made the difference
My supervisor deserves a special mention: having someone who was knowledgeable, encouraging and always willing to discuss ideas made a huge difference to my confidence throughout the programme.
The wider university staff were equally supportive, and I always felt comfortable asking for help whenever I needed it.
Using my degree every single day
One of the best parts about this Master's is that I still use what I learned every day. I now work in the UK supporting students with autism and other mental health needs. The knowledge I gained at York helps me make appropriate adjustments, better understand individual needs and approach each case with greater confidence. In the future, I hope to return to Mexico and establish my own private practice supporting children and their families.
Knowing that the education I received in York will continue making a difference long after graduation is probably the greatest outcome I could have hoped for. For me, this Master's wasn't simply another qualification, it became the foundation for the career I want to build.
-Denisse
I Came for a Master's... and I’m still here
It all started with a dream (and probably too many films)
If I'm being completely honest, one of the reasons I always dreamed of studying in the UK was because of the films I grew up watching. The cobbled streets, historic buildings and cosy cafés looked nothing like where I grew up in Mexico, and I always wondered what it would be like to actually live there.
That dream became even stronger when one of my university lecturers told us about her Master's degree in Edinburgh. She described her experience so enthusiastically that I started thinking, what if that could be me one day?
At the time, studying abroad still felt impossible financially. Then I found Across the Pond.
The recommendation that changed everything
My advisor was the person who first suggested that I look at the University of York. I had honestly never heard of it before.
She took the time to understand what I wanted from a Master's degree, explained the funding options available, and encouraged me to apply for scholarships I didn't even know existed. Thanks to her advice, I received the Be Exceptional scholarship alongside funding through FIDERH, making something that once felt impossible suddenly feel achievable.
She supported me from the moment I started researching universities until I arrived in the UK, and I'm incredibly grateful for everything she did.
The moment York felt like home
I still remember stepping into York for the first time.
It's difficult to explain, but I instantly had this overwhelming feeling that I was meant to be here all along.
Four years later, I'm still living here.
York has this unique combination of history and warmth. Walking through the city often feels like being inside a Christmas film, but what has kept me here isn't just the beautiful streets—it's the people. I've found York to be one of the friendliest places I've ever lived.
Some of my favourite places are Museum Gardens, York Art Gallery and The Golden Ball, where I met members of the local Latin American community who helped make the city feel even more like home.
A Master's gave me much more than a degree
I originally came to York for one year.
Instead, I built a life here.
I've made lifelong friends, started my career in the UK, and grown both personally and professionally in ways I never expected. Looking back, studying abroad wasn't simply about getting a Master's degree, it was about finding a place where I truly belong.
-Denisse
What I Wish I Knew Before Moving from Mexico to the UK
Come with an open mind
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone moving to the UK, it would be this: don't just come for the degree.
Come for the experience.
Some of the most valuable things I've gained have happened outside the classroom—meeting people from different cultures, trying new foods, hearing different perspectives and learning that there isn't only one way of seeing the world.
Student accommodation is worth it
When I first arrived, I lived in university accommodation, and I genuinely think it was one of the best decisions I made. Yes, you'll probably have noisy neighbours at some point. Yes, you'll share a kitchen with people who have very different cleaning standards. But you'll also learn how to communicate, solve problems respectfully and live with people from completely different backgrounds.
More importantly, you'll meet people outside your course, which makes settling into university life much easier. If you don't know anyone in the UK yet, I'd recommend choosing student accommodation without hesitation.
Your English is probably better than you think
I wasn't worried about studying in English, it was understanding Yorkshire and Scottish accents that caught me by surprise! For the first few months, I occasionally found myself smiling politely while trying to work out what someone had just said. Thankfully, your ears adapt surprisingly quickly.
These days, my English accent is a funny mix of Mexican, American and Yorkshire, which always makes people smile.
The friends you'll make may surprise you
Some of my closest friends today are from Colombia, Venezuela, Jordan, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States. I met people through my course, but I also made many friends through my part-time job and my flatmates.
Those friendships became one of the most rewarding parts of studying abroad.
Don't underestimate the British winter!
Everyone talks about the weather, and now I understand why!
At first, winter feels exciting and cosy. After a while, you realise it's also very long! If you're coming from somewhere sunny like Mexico, I'd definitely recommend bringing vitamin D supplements and investing in a daylight lamp. They really do make a difference.
Moving abroad isn't always easy, but if you arrive with curiosity, flexibility and an open mind, you'll leave with experiences that go far beyond your degree.
-Denisse
From Mexico to Yorkshire: The Accent I Never Expected to Have
I thought English would be the hardest part
Before moving to the UK, one of the questions I got asked the most was: "Are you worried about studying in English?"
Surprisingly, the answer was no.
I had studied English for years, used it academically and felt comfortable communicating. What I didn't expect was that understanding different UK accents would become the real challenge. Coming from Mexico, I was familiar with American English through films, music and online content. I thought I knew what English sounded like.
Then I arrived in Yorkshire.
When your textbook English meets real life
I still remember some of my first conversations in York. I would understand the general idea of what someone was saying, but certain words or expressions completely caught me off guard. The Yorkshire accent was beautiful, but it definitely took some getting used to!
The same happened when I travelled around the UK and heard Scottish accents for the first time. I quickly learned that studying English and understanding every regional accent are two completely different skills. The good news? Your brain adapts.
After a few months, things that initially sounded unfamiliar started becoming natural. I even found myself picking up some Yorkshire pronunciation and slang without realising it.
Creating my own version of English
One of the funniest things about living abroad is realising that your language becomes part of your identity. My English accent today is a mixture of everything I've experienced: a little bit of Mexican, a little bit of American, and now a little bit of Yorkshire too.
Sometimes people can hear that I am not originally from the UK, but they can also hear that I've spent years building a life here. I actually love that. My accent is a reminder of my journey; the places I've lived, the people I've met and the experiences that have shaped me.
More than learning a language
Moving to the UK taught me that communication is about much more than speaking perfectly. It's about being willing to ask someone to repeat themselves, laughing at misunderstandings, learning new expressions and being brave enough to join conversations even when things feel unfamiliar.
Studying abroad has helped me become more confident, not only in English, but in myself. And if you're worried about your English before moving to the UK, my advice is simple: don't let that stop you.
Your English will improve.
Your accent might change.
And one day, you might even surprise yourself by sounding a little bit Yorkshire.
- Denisse
Studying in the UK? How about Studying and Traveling?
When you are about to embark on your trip to the UK, you think that you are only going to bury yourself in your studies, because it is normal to want to focus 100% on studying since you aren't spending a small amount of money or time. You want to dedicate 100% of your energy to it, and I understand that at the beginning you are nervous, so maybe the first month you say "Ok, I will use the first month to adapt, get to know the surroundings a little bit, and get used to my routine," but you will have another 11 months to do other things. This is where the idea of "I want to travel, I want to explore, I'm already here, I want to go to Scotland" comes in, because that was exactly what I thought. I said, "if I already know York", in my case I went to the University of York, which is a wonderful school, it is one of the best and you can feel it in every class you attend, and the professors are very good, but even they tell you, "You know what? Relax, stop thinking about school stuff and travel, explore, you are already here."
And the truth is, you wouldn't be wasting it, nor do you have to sacrifice a lot of school time to be able to explore. I think it is one of the things you absolutely have to do, aside from studying, because the system gives you the time to disconnect from school. There is even a week they call rest week, intended for your brain to rest from the things you are doing for school, and you can use it to travel.
Recommendations? Scotland... London!
Honestly, I recommend going to Scotland. I think that if you go to the UK, specifically England, you have to go visit Scotland. It is very close; it takes about three hours by train, more or less, and you can easily pick a city, tour its most important spots in one day, and return that same night. Will you end up exhausted? Yes. Is it an experience I would recommend? Also, yes. Another recommendation: if you are in York, which is sort of a midpoint on the island of Great Britain, going to London isn't very far either. It is a very large city, though, so keep in mind that you won't be able to cover it in a single day, but it is also a must-visit. In fact, visiting other cities will also help you reconnect a little bit with your home country, because often when you are there, the food doesn't taste the same, and that is the first thing you miss from your country. In bigger cities like London or Edinburgh, finding restaurants that make good food from your country is easier.
There are many other places I visited, for example, Manchester, Liverpool, and the coastal town of Scarborough. While they aren't huge cities, if you are used to living at the speed of a big city like Mexico City, which is where I come from, visiting those cities will give you a little bit of vigour in life. There are very good restaurants in those cities too. I would recommend one in Manchester; I honestly don't remember what it's called, but look for it as a restaurant that gives you "machetitos", it's excellent with steaks.
Do not miss the opportunity to try other food, I mean, food from other countries, because since the UK is such a cosmopolitan country, it is very easy to find food from other places that you perhaps wouldn't find in your own country.
Zero fears of tourism
The truth is that the people there are very warm. You might think otherwise, but traveling, talking, and getting to know other places is something you just have to do. You are already there, take advantage of it; don't just bury yourself in studying. Yes, that is what you are going for, but it's not that difficult either, and you will realize that. It seems that when someone tells you about it, they are just paying lip service, and you think "it's very easy to say but doing it is complicated," but take it from me, I already went and lived that experience, and it is not as difficult as it seems. Make time to explore, and whether you go with a scholarship or your own funds, make room for it, it is truly worth it. If you had to choose just one destination out of all the ones over there, I would recommend, and I repeat, Scotland.
There are many good seasons to go to Scotland, specifically Edinburgh. I went during the December season, which is when the Christmas markets are there, and honestly, it is totally recommended. Don't miss it, the Christmas markets are very beautiful, there is a lot of food, try everything. Something else I can recommend to you is a map. There are many places that sell little maps, buy one. I think it is something that when you look at it, you will say "I toured that city," and you will remember the spots you went to. For example, I vividly remember going to the castle; by the way, if you go to the castle at 1:00 PM, there is an impressive cannon shot, you must go. Getting back to the map, it makes a great souvenir.
I hope this is useful to you because I want to emphasize that not everything is studying. The professors say it, and I think it is also healthy to disconnect a little bit. At least in Latin American countries, we have a culture where we always have to be doing something, we always have to be productive, we always have to do things; you can't disconnect, maybe you can't even take a 5-minute breather. But you will realize that the culture is very different over there. All that's left is for me to wish you good luck on the next trip you take to clear your mind from your studies, because I know you will go and you will make it happen.
-Diego
