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My UK MBA year and what I wish I’d known
Twelve years ago, I had my first taste of the UK and loved its academic quality and cultural mix. Coming back for a full-time MBA at Cranfield felt like the natural next step. I wanted a truly international network, a one-year intensive experience, and a global perspective that would expand how I see business and leadership. This year delivered all of that and more.
Why the UK, why Cranfield University
My decision was driven by three key factors: international networking, the focus of a one-year full-time programme, and the confidence gained from having lived in the UK before and being familiar with its academic standards. Receiving the Women in Business Scholarship, which covers 50% of the tuition, became a turning point. It was support and a vote of confidence that shaped how I showed up, the roles I took, and the leader I am becoming.
The programme structure, careers guidance and the ESCP international month are powerful levers, including the chance to specialise abroad and connect with a broad alumni network. Cranfield also promotes funding options for Latin American candidates.
The support before I even arrived
Before moving, Across the Pond guided me step by step. I felt supported because every practical doubt had a human answer. That preparation gave me calm, clarity and momentum. By the time I landed in the UK, I felt ready to start. The rest is history. I want to take this opportunity to thank my advisor for her constant support and willingness, and the entire team as well.
Academic life that changed me
The modules that transformed me most were Negotiation, Strategic Management and Strategic Marketing. Negotiation taught me that there is no perfect formula, only preparation, adaptability and empathy. Strategy sharpened my ability to structure complex problems and make evidence-based decisions under pressure. Marketing helped me connect analysis with customer value and execution.
I leaned into leadership beyond the classroom. I was elected Course Representative for my cohort, which meant turning classmates’ concerns into constructive conversations with programme leadership. I served as Outreach Lead for the Women in Business Club and as a Student Ambassador. These roles stretched my stakeholder skills, helped me embrace healthy conflict and gave me a front-row seat to community building.
A special highlight was specialising in Luxury Management through Cranfield’s partnership with ESCP in Italy. Studying in another country for one month, during the MBA deepened my understanding of global markets and showed me how brand, strategy and client experience align in high-touch industries.
Personal and cultural life in the English countryside
Moving from Bogotá to the countryside surprised me in the best way. Living close to campus meant short commutes, deeper focus and a rhythm that helped me thrive. What the village lacked in city buzz, it offered in community. Shared dinners, study groups and friendships became my anchor. I learned as much from cultural exchanges with classmates as from case studies. Sharing a bit of Colombia through food, music and stories invited others to share their worlds too.
What I learned
• Resilience and adaptability: Changing countries and routines while managing an intense workload forces you to stretch, then stretch again.
• Balancing empathy with results: I care deeply about people, and this year I learned to pair that with critical analysis and firm decisions.
• Comfort with differences: Disagreement is not a threat. When handled with respect and curiosity, it becomes the raw material for better solutions.
• Unlearning and relearning: I let go of habits that no longer served me and built new ones. Ask better questions, test assumptions, iterate fast.
What I wish I’d known before arriving
The academic load is rigorous. If you prepare mentally, seek support early and plan your time with discipline, pressure becomes growth. Stress comes in waves. It passes, and each wave leaves you stronger and clearer about your why. The countryside is a feature, not a bug. Fewer distractions mean more focus and connection. Bring parts of home. A familiar recipe, weekend calls, your favourite playlist. Small anchors make a big difference.
A note for Latin American candidates
Planning from LATAM takes extra logistics, so start early. Look for scholarships, connect with alumni and current students, and ask detailed questions about visas, timelines and finances. In my case, a supportive community and the right information made all the difference. A personalised approach and global outlook can be a strong fit for professionals from our region who want a high-impact one-year MBA.
If my story helps you make your decision or arrive better prepared, it will have been worth sharing.
- Isabella
Student Accommodation in the UK
Where do you live when studying abroad? Do universities in the UK offer student housing? How much does student accommodation cost? Did you know that as an international student, you are guaranteed on-campus accommodation for the first or all your years studying at most of our UK universities? You will need to apply by the housing application deadline, and of course the best student accommodation in the UK goes first - so that is a good reason to apply early! There are several different student accommodations, price levels and facilities to choose from!
Most students choose to live on campus in their first year. This is social and a fantastic way to get to know students from all over the world! After that, most students choose to move into privately rented accommodation with their new friends. We recommend everyone to live in university accommodation in their first year, as it is a great way to get to know other students (and not just those on your degree).
Learn more about the different options, on-campus accommodation, how to arrange private accommodation and everything you need before applying for student accommodation in the UK via this webinar!
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Visa for European Students who want to study in the UK
Do you want to study in the UK and are wondering if you need a visa? Maybe you have applied to British universities already, or are considering applying to university in London or elsewhere in the UK, but would like to know more about the UK student visa for European students? This webinar recording is about the UK Student Visa for students who will be starting their studies at a British university and are from European countries. We cover everything regarding the CAS, the application process, cost and other practicalities worth thinking about when applying for a student visa.
Did you know that all non-UK students need a visa to study in the UK? How much does a student visa cost? Is it difficult to get a student visa if you want to study in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? For most European students in the UK, a student visa is now a fact.
After the UK left the EU, student visas have now become a reality for the vast majority of international students. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with this process as early as possible, so that you are well prepared when the time comes to submit an application for a student visa. In this webinar recording, we will go through useful information about student visas, when to apply, what you need for the application, costs, and other tips and tricks that can make the process easier. This webinar is suitable for those who have already applied, those who have accepted an offer, but also those who are considering studies in the UK and want to know more about the visa process.
We have the information and tools most people need to be able to go through the visa process without the need for individual follow-up/advice beyond the general information and guide from us. Remember that Across the Pond cannot provide individual advice on your visa application, only certified immigration staff can. In this webinar recording, you will learn about a number of important points that are good to be aware of when you familiarise yourself with the visa process.
My Cranfield experience
My Cranfield journey has been one of the most enriching and valuable experiences I have lived so far. Something that one day seemed unreachable and beyond my expectations, became true.
Everything started with the idea of becoming a more prepared professional, throughout the tools, resources and experience that a master’s degree offers, specially in another country, that allowed me to make an impact in my community and be a positive influence for others.
During my research, at the beginning of the process, I realized that UK was among the countries with better rankings for financial masters, offering a wide variety of programmes and resources that fitted with what I was looking for to continue my personal and professional development.
I have to admit, that the process was not easy at all, but what I can assure, is that it totally worth it. During each of the steps that I was required to complete, and for all the information and queries that arise throughout the whole process, scholarships, documents, interviews, etc. Across the Pond offered me their support, which made everything much easier, compared with what would have been without their aid.
Once I arrived to UK, a whole new world was disclosed for me, discovering new customs, cultures, lifestyle, food, weather, etc. Furthermore, >80% of my classmates were from other parts of the world, outside UK, which made the master more insightful, since it helps you to develop a broader vision, mindsets and learning to work with multicultural teams.
There are countless of memories that I most remember and appreciate, including all the friendships, trips, hangouts, social activities both inside and outside the University, football games, professors, classes, teamwork projects, exams, seminars, thesis, etc. It was like living again old times in a very short period of time, trying to take the fullest advantage of each day.
Something that I found really interesting during that time, was having a closer understanding of the different cultures around the world. Some actions that for one person can be natural and part of their daily life, for other cultures might not be interpreted the same. Among all the activities the University organize, I remember one called “the international week”, where different students from their respective countries coordinate for showing others some of their most traditional dishes, customs, clothes, and anything else that represents them. In my case, we prepared some “tacos of cochinita pibil” (or at least we made our greatest effort for that), being a wonderful experience not only showing others part of your own culture, but also learning from others part of them, beyond of what we can learn from any books or videos.
Finally, what I learnt during that time, was that a master’s degree is not the end of the road, there’s a whole world outside, always something new to learn, and that anything that challenge your comfort zone, will always worth the effort.
- Miguel
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Digital meeting with a Student Advisor
Book an online session with an advisor with Across the Pond to learn more about studying in the UK!
- Make sure you book the meeting at least 2 days ahead of time
- If you want to talk over for instance Teams, just type that into the "Teams-ID" field and we'll arrange to send you a meeting link via Teams (you do not need a Microsoft Teams user)
