An experience unlike any other
I chose to study at Aberystwyth specifically because it is the origin of the field of International Relations and maintains this reputation as the leading department of its kind.
The department truly has some of the best scholars in their field, and it is an amazing experience working with them. I have had the opportunity to learn from and talk to academics I have admired for some time. Not only do we have the ability to learn within the classroom setting, but we are exposed to a wide variety of conferences and conventions that allow us to showcase our own work.
Aberystwyth as a university is very welcoming and easy to navigate. There are various programs and services available to fulfill the needs of its students, including fitness facilities, cafes, libraries, and study spaces.
Aberystwyth is a quaint and picturesque town. It is small and safe, and you always meet someone you know around town. The surrounding landscape is beautiful and allows for amazing leisure activities on days off. I would absolutely recommend studying at Aberystwyth to anyone as I have had an amazing year thus far. I have met amazing friends from all over the world and have gained an experience unlike any other.
Aberystwyth has far exceeded my expectations and it will be a sad day when I have to leave.
- Nicole
A great place to live and study
Settling into the university was pretty easy. I’d been to the UK a lot before I started school, and the country isn’t so different from home. My flatmates were great, too, so that helped. Aberystwyth is a small town and doesn’t take long to feel comfortable.
WHAT IS THE TOWN/CITY LIKE?
Aberystwyth is really a great place to live and study. Obviously, Britain’s weather has a well-earned reputation for being dark and rainy, and Aberystwyth is no exception. But aside from that, it only takes a 10-minute train ride to be in legitimate countryside here – Wales has some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. Aberystwyth itself is nestled between the hills right on the coastline. The beach is a lovely place to relax, barbecue, and hang out. It’s a quick walk to some picturesque viewpoints over the bay. The town is small and welcoming with the student body making it a rather diverse, interesting, fun place. Beware, though, if you plan to do traveling either within Britain or abroad, Aberystwyth is quite isolated indeed.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY?
The two main reasons I chose Aberystwyth were the reputation of the International Relations department and the beauty of the town/countryside.
WHAT IS THE COST OF LIVING LIKE COMPARED TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY?
Obviously, Britain itself is a bit more expensive because of the exchange rate, but this part of Wales is cheaper than most places in the UK. It’s really not any different than home.
DO YOU LIVE IN UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION OR PRIVATE HOUSING?
I’m in university accommodation, which is fine. There’s tons of private housing around, but I didn’t feel like looking when I was trying to get everything else sorted out.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
In my spare time, I read, go for walks in the hills, hang out at the beach, sample some of the locally-owned cafes, travel, try to keep up with things at home, and I also play on the basketball team and handball club.
HAVE YOU TRAVELED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE UK (OR OTHER COUNTRIES) DURING YOUR STUDIES?
Definitely – why would you study abroad and not do some extra traveling? I just got back from a spring break trip to Germany, Italy, Turkey, Japan, and South Korea. Last semester, I went to Poland for a bit. I’ve done a fair amount of hiking throughout Wales and England as well.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NEW STUDENT AT YOUR UNIVERSITY?
Do note how isolated Aberystwyth is - a three-hour train ride to get to any airport can be annoying sometimes. Aside from that and the occasional depression from the weather, just come. Aberystwyth is such a beautiful town, the people are great, and it’s cheaper than home.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ACROSS THE POND?
Across the Pond was great. I wouldn’t have been able to manage going to school in Britain without them. They take the guesswork out of applications, give great advice when it comes to picking which school(s) to apply to and eventually attend, and really care – they want you to study in the UK and do a lot of hard work for you so that it’s painless and you can enjoy yourself.
- Michael
Friends from all over the world
I chose City for the location and the academic reputation. City is located in the heart of London, which meant I would not only get to live in one of the most central areas in London but I would also get the opportunity to travel around Europe easily. City also has a tremendous history and very notable alumni, which was very appealing to me!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ASPECT OF YOUR COURSE?
My favourite aspect of the course is getting to choose elective modules for third year from a wide range of courses that are rarely offered elsewhere. It allowed me to explore different areas of law, such as aviation law, medical law, family and child law, Canadian corporate law and Canadian constitutional law.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TIME AT CITY SO FAR?
My highlight at City has been making friends from all over the world - City is home to students from over 160 countries. I have friends from the UK, Spain, Turkey, India, America, Canada and many other countries. I feel like I have learned so much about different cultures and countries by having friends that belong to these countries, and it also gives me a chance to be able to visit them one day.
HOW IS CITY HELPING YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR CHOSEN CAREER PATH?
As a Canadian student studying law, my goal is to go home and practice law in Canada. City has helped me by providing personal tutors as well as a Career Services department. City assigns personal tutors to students, allowing them to get the guidance they need in terms of their whole university career. My personal tutor has always been available to answer questions and guide me in the right direction. City’s Careers Service has helped me polish my CV, prepared me for interviews and assisted me in finding jobs and internships.
- Heena
Across the Pond was there to help me every step of the way!
Across the Pond was highly recommended to me by a friend, and it was an incredibly useful resource throughout my application process. Coming from an American high school, my college counselors didn't have a lot of experience with the UK applications system, so I mainly worked with Across the Pond on my personal statement and application. The information they provided me was critical, as it allowed me to complete my application with the confidence that I was doing it correctly. Additionally, they were vital when it came to applying for a student visa. The visa webinar was helpful, and I relied on those instructions throughout my visa application process. I honestly don't think I could've done it without their help. I'm now at Durham University studying Criminology!
I picked Durham because it's located in a beautiful, historic, small town, but is close enough to Newcastle that I can travel easily. I love walking along the river in Durham, especially when it's sunny, and I've taken up rowing so I can spend more time outdoors. Durham University also has a residential college system, which I absolutely love! It helped me make friends easily in my first year, and it creates a great sense of community that, especially as an international student, was very important to me. Deciding to go to Durham was obviously a big decision for me, but Across the Pond was there to help me every step of the way!
- Sara
Hard to say goodbye
When deciding to pursue a master's degree in the UK I was really excited for my year-long adventure, but very stressed about the path it would take to get there. Browsing the Internet, I stumbled upon Across the Pond and their services are definitely what helped me get to where I'm at now. The advisors that assisted me with my applications were very helpful with all the questions I had, and I could tell they were really interested in finding the university that best suited my wants and needs.
Through lots of research and a few YouTube videos, I decided that Durham University was the best fit for me and what I wanted out of a postgraduate university. Coming from the southern US, I was not used to the history and beautiful architecture that we have in Durham, so being exposed to the Durham Castle and Cathedral on a weekly basis has made me fall in love with the town.
My college is University (Castle) College, and it blows my mind to know that I can study and hang out with my friends in a thousand-year-old castle! My time in the UK has taught me how to use public transport, that sometimes a pint at 11 am is acceptable, that recycling is important, and that international friendships are the best. My journey at Durham is coming to an end which is making me reflect on all the things I need to cherish in the time I have left, but how good it is to have had something that makes saying goodbye so hard.
- Laura
