SOAS has been an absolutely fantastic university
My name is Maria, I’m 25 years old and currently writing my master’s thesis in London. I started at SOAS in September, and received great help from Across the Pond throughout the entire process, both with the master’s application itself and other practical matters like the visa application and housing tips.
SOAS has been an absolutely fantastic university. I’m pursuing an international legal degree called an LLM in Human Rights, Conflict and Justice, after completing four years of law school at the University of Oslo. SOAS places a strong focus on colonialism and how it shapes power structures in the world, which has significantly broadened my understanding of international law. The professors are amazing - engaging, supportive, and excellent educators, and I genuinely feel like new connections are forming in my brain after every lecture.
London itself is an incredible city. I’ve never been anywhere as international, and my classmates truly come from all over the world. I’ve had the chance to try endless types of food from every continent, attend countless music events and stand-up nights, and I have the impression that you never run out of things to do here. The only downside I’ve encountered is that the city is quite expensive. Rent is high and the Norwegian krone has been weak this past year. I’ve managed this by getting a part-time job, as a student visa in the UK allows you to work 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours outside of term time. I work as a nanny for two of the sweetest and kindest children in London, which has been a wonderful break from studying a few afternoons a week (and it doesn’t hurt to be paid in pounds).
I’m actually enjoying London so much that I’ve decided to stay indefinitely. I’m applying for jobs while finishing my thesis and hope to get an offer before submitting. Without Across the Pond’s help before I moved, everything related to work visas would likely have felt incomprehensible and difficult, but since I’ve already gone through the visa process once and navigated the UK’s public bureaucracy, it all feels much less overwhelming.
I would warmly recommend studying here in London to anyone, and especially SOAS to those interested in social justice, politics, and international law. I’d also recommend reaching out to Across the Pond if you’re considering it—they’ll hold your hand through the whole process!
- Maria
Adjustable. Exciting. Endless opportunities.
Hull offers top quality teaching for my desired course with various opportunities. Within the university there's also an abundant of choices for societies, sport teams and volunteering. It is also really affordable - both tuition fees and living costs - compared to other institutions I've looked at in other cities. It's also not too far to lots of major cities and towns when it comes to travelling. I'd say all of these factors are a win!
Why did you choose to study your chosen subject, and why at Hull?
My studies in Hull started with a Bachelors in Creative Writing and Film Studies and proceeded to a Masters in English focusing on Creative Writing. When finalising my decision on which institution to study at, I compared the outline of the course and realised Hull focuses on engagement between tutors and students. I believe this interaction is really important and a prime way of learning. The support I've received from my tutors are beyond excellent and I could not imagine building the relationships I have somewhere else.
Which accommodation do you live in? What are the best things about where you live?
I live at Ashcourt, a private off-campus accommodation. The location of Ashcourt is very convenient because it's in the middle of everywhere I need to go to regularly. The university is a 10 minutes walk straight down the same road. Lidl is also down the road on the other end about 7 minutes away. And right opposite is Newland Avenue - lots of shops and cafes to visit and hangout with friends. Ashcourt also offers security, parking, maintenance and all utility bills and Wi-Fi are included in the rent.
How have you changed as a person since coming to study in Hull?
I've become more independent and learned how to be more initiative. Through numerous networking opportunities I got to do through the university, it has helped me to develop skills that will be important to have in both life and the working field. Studying in Hull has really prepared me for what's to come next and I'm ready to see where these skills can take me.
What do you do in your spare time when you’re not studying? Are you part of any societies and would you recommend joining them?
Many people know how much I love to keep myself busy outside of my academics. In the Creative Writing department, we have a student organisation called HU Writes and I help to run the Magazine Team. HU Writes is a creative outlet for us to display our work. Apart from the Magazine, we also have a Showcase, Podcast and a Website. Dancing for nearly 20 years now, I've joined the Hull University Dance Squad (HUDS) and they're open to all levels (from Open to Advanced). They are the nicest and most supportive group of people I've met and I would highly recommend giving HUDS a try, regardless you have a background in dance or not.
I also work part-time on campus at SPAR, a convenience store at the HUSU building. The flexibility of the shifts caters well with my busy schedule. They're also understandable that academics is students' priority. Finally, I always love going to the theatre when the opportunity rises. Hull has three fantastic theatres and tickets are at affordable prices compared to bigger cities. With theatre being the heart of England I would definitely recommend giving it a try, especially if you've never experience it before!
How do you feel about the city of Hull?
As I've said to many people, Hull is a nice balance between a city and countryside, making it a suitable place for students to study at. There's always something lively happening in the city of Hull, but it's also calm enough for a nice or chill wind down and never overwhelming. The balance of social life and lack of distraction could not be more perfect.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of studying at Hull/studying your subject at Hull?
Always plan ahead and be three steps ahead. Stick to it while you can but if you don't, make sure you have a backup plan. Get a planner or record your schedule on your digital calendar. Planning is a huge help when it comes to time management, a factor that many students forget how important it is.
Can you summarise your experience of Hull in a few words?
Adjustable. Exciting. Endless opportunities :)
- Kelly
A solid foundation for a future career
I still remember starting my final year of high school with no clear idea or thoughts about what would come next. Counsellors and teachers had talked about study choices and the application process, but studying abroad was never a topic that came up. Studying abroad appealed to me, but I needed to figure out how to make it happen. The thought of being far away from friends and family was daunting and overwhelming. I also knew studying abroad was expensive compared to Norway, which caused some concern. After a year as a law student at the Royal Holloway University of London, I wish to go back in time and tell myself that there is nothing to worry about and everything will be okay.
The main reason I chose to study abroad was that I envisioned a career in international human rights law, and I believed that a law degree in England, compared to Norway, could open more doors for this path, even though it meant I probably wouldn’t end up practising law in Norway. When I got in touch with Across the Pond, I explained my career aspirations and my advisor presented various programs that could appeal to schools across the UK. That’s when I discovered LLB Law with International Relations at RHUL. I got a bachelor’s degree in law, which you need to qualify as a solicitor or barrister in England, and another degree in International Relations, which discusses war, economy, politics, and how the global society is structured from different perspectives.
Royal Holloway University of London
Royal Holloway University of London is an idyllic university in a small town southwest of London called Egham. The famous old building called Founders was established in 1879 by the Victorian philanthropist Thomas Holloway, and the school was officially opened in 1886 by Queen Victoria as an all-woman’s college to give women the opportunity for higher education. Today, you can see statues of Queen Victoria, Thomas Holloway, and his wife on campus. Founders has also been used to film several movies and series, such as Avengers, YOU, and Downtown Abbey. I enjoyed living on campus during my first year of studies and understood what this school offers. Everything from parties and nightclubs to two school libraries, restaurants/cafés, a grocery store, and a fitness centre. All of this has made life at RHUL much easier and more attractive. Not to mention RHUL gardens, the school is surrounded by beautiful nature and parks that give you a natural feel of the English countryside. Egham is a small town with enough to offer, but London is just 40 minutes away by train if you want more excitement. I appreciate living in the countryside; I prefer a peaceful and beautiful environment alongside my studies, and I’ve travelled to London several times when the mood struck. The school offers many clubs, volunteer programs, and sports, which are great ways to fill the week when you’re not studying. A friend and I became leaders of an environmental volunteer program; we organised various activities so our fellow students could sign up and support causes they care about. Extracurricular work can be gratifying to have on your CV!
Life as a Student Across the Pond
Student life as an international student has its pros and cons. I have found an excellent social circle at school with friends from all over the world. As an international student, I gravitate towards other international students since we’re in the same boat. We relate to what it’s like to move to another country and adjust to the customs and culture of that country. Now, Norway isn’t very different from England. I didn’t experience a big culture shock compared to others I met from Singapore or Argentina, where the cultural differences are more significant. I felt that my first weeks in England went by quickly because there was so much new to adjust to; I noticed that I didn’t have time to get homesick, and it took a long time before I thought about Norway. I feel fortunate that I adapted to the English lifestyle quite quickly and noticed that apart from family, what I missed from Norway was nature, the language, and milk chocolate since the one in England is not worth mentioning. However, these were just minor issues, and as time passed, I became more comfortable and happy living in England.
Finances and Life on Campus
One practical advantage of living in England is that groceries are cheaper than in Norway. Even though the Norwegian krone is weak, I get much more for my money than I would in Norway. The school offers all textbooks digitally, so I don’t buy books; I read on an iPad and use a computer to write texts, etc. My most significant expenses are tuition fees and accommodation, covered by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Lånekassen). I lived on campus during my first year, where there were three payments throughout the school year. I had my room and bathroom and shared a kitchen with seven others. If you are interested in studying at RHUL, in that case, I recommend staying in Tuke, Williamson, Butler, Gower Wedderburn, or George Elliot, as these accommodations are the newest and give you the most value for your money. Many new students choose to live in Founders, and although it’s very picturesque since it looks like something out of Harry Potter, you have to share a bathroom. It’s also catered, so you don’t have the resources to cook your food, and the meals offered must be paid for in addition to the accommodation fee.
I loved living on campus; it’s much cheaper than living in the surrounding area, and all school facilities are within a short walking distance, but unfortunately, you’re only guaranteed a place on campus in your first year. I’ve been lucky enough to get a job in a school service department that helps new students with everything related to living on campus and well-being. Through this job, I still live on campus with my colleagues and students at the school. This job opportunity is open to all students every year; the school also offers many other jobs, which are a great way to earn extra money alongside your studies without travelling far for work. This can include working in the school’s help departments, in cafés, bars, restaurants, grocery stores, or fitness centres.
As a law student, I have lectures 5-6 times a week and seminars four times a week. Seminars are mandatory, while lectures are optional, but I recommend attending. Since you get a bigger picture of the content, and if you feel that the reading material has been complex, attending the lectures can bring clarity. I am delighted with my education; studying law is interesting, although some reading material can dry. Therefore, I appreciate my International Relations degree, which gives me a little break from the law and opens up the possibility for more creative and analytical thinking
The Application Process
The most complicated part of moving to England is the visa and application process, but here, I got excellent help from my advisor at Across the Pond. Looking back, I wish I knew how long the application process could take when you want to study law in England. I didn’t realise until December of my last year of high school that I wanted to study abroad. So, there were many schools I was interested in applying to that I didn’t get the opportunity to apply to because they had deadlines in October. Many schools also require that you take various knowledge tests related to law in good time and then send the result as part of the application process. Had I done research in a reasonable time before, I would have had the opportunity to explore other schools and options. Compared to Norway, the schools don’t just look at your grades at the end of high school, but you also have to write an essay explaining why you want to get into this program. This is an advantage if you don’t have sufficiently high grades since a gym grade shouldn’t ruin your chances of studying, for example, medicine. I also got good guidance from Across the Pond; my advisor gave me tips on improving the essay and what I might consider dropping or including.
England has become my second home. I miss Norway and often relate to the saying, ‘There’s no place like home’, but I can honestly say that after long periods at home, I miss the life I’ve built in England. And after a year, I feel the saying can go both ways. Across the Pond was an essential resource during the application process, and I wouldn’t have been able to fulfil my dream of studying abroad without them. After I explained what I wanted, they found programs and schools that might suit me and sent my applications. They contacted the schools for me when needed and made the entire application process less complicated than it first seemed. So, if you're going to study in England, I would use Across the Pond!
I hope my experiences will be helpful to those of you considering studying Across the Pond. My first year as a student in England has been both challenging and rewarding. Despite concerns about being far from family, costs, and culture shock, I’ve found that many of these fears were unfounded. I feel that I have grown both academically and personally, made friends from all over the world, and now have a broader understanding of law and International Relations. Studying at the Royal Holloway University of London has given me a solid foundation for a future career while also providing unforgettable experiences. Without the help from Across the Pond, I might not have been able to take the step. If you’re considering studying abroad, my advice is to go for it—the challenges you face will be outweighed by the many opportunities and experiences you’ll gain.
- Serena
I chose this university because of its prestige
Studying abroad was always my “one day” dream and being able to do it, is something I will always keep in my heart.
I chose to study in the UK because I have always been fascinated by its history and culture. Also, the official language of the UK is English, and I wanted to have the opportunity to challenge myself to study in another language.
After applying to several universities, I decided to study at Queen's University of Belfast, the MSc Leadership for Sustainable Development programme. I chose this university because of its prestige, as it has a good ranking and is part of the Russell Group. I also liked that the university is committed to being net zero emissions and is part of the United Nations agreement where they recognize its key role in education to achieve the sustainable development goals. On the other hand, my programme includes 3 placements, which are an excellent way to gain international work experience.
The city of Belfast is located in Northern Ireland, and although it is very small, it is full of students and young people, which gives a lot of life to the city, as well as entertainment options of all kinds; nightlife, cafes, restaurants, artistic activities, etc. The people are very friendly and warm.
I had the opportunity to live in the university residences in the city centre, and I highly recommend it, since my building is full of international students who, like me, wanted to make friends, share their culture and have a great experience. You will always find friendly people around you to make friends with.
What I value the most from this experience is everything I learned and grew this year, both academically and personally. Academically, I learned a lot and developed many technical skills in my area of interest, especially with the placements I did. Personally, it's incredible to realize how much I've grown this year.
Sometimes, daring to go to another country to study, especially one so far from home and that doesn't speak your language, can be very intimidating, but the most challenging situations also teach us everything we are capable of achieving. I am very grateful to Across the Pond for guiding me throughout the application process, from the beginning when I was totally lost on what to do, until the moment when I was accepted by the university and managed to get funding for my master's degree.
- Sandra
Something academically that I couldn't find in other countries
The United Kingdom offers something academically that I couldn't find in other countries: a wide range of master's programs in interdisciplinary studies. For a long time, I was interested in Environmental Humanities (the intersection between Humanities and Environmental Studies), specifically in ecocriticism (the study of nature in literature), but in Mexico, where I’m from, there isn't a university that specializes in this field. Additionally, I wanted a master’s program that would provide practical tools for the job market, not just theory. I found these specific requirements in the MSc in Environment, Culture, and Society at the University of Edinburgh, a comprehensive program with courses in art and environment, political ecology, and environmental philosophy. We also had field trips and meetings with artists that beautifully complemented the theoretical classes.
What I appreciated most about studying there is that the programs generally have a multidimensional perspective. Environmental problems and solutions, for example, aren’t just technical issues, but also human and social ones.
Although I knew that similar programs existed in the United States, I chose the United Kingdom for the lifestyle, and that's what I want to talk about.
A City of Short Distances
During my university years in Mexico, I spent three hours a day in traffic getting to and from school. In Edinburgh, on the other hand, it took me just 25 minutes to walk from my house to campus, and 15 minutes by bike. This small but significant change in my life allowed me to do so much more: join student associations, have a better social life, have more time to eat well and exercise, and I even managed to keep a part-time job!
I was also lucky that my house and the library were very close to one of Edinburgh's large parks, so if I felt stressed, sometimes just a 15-minute walk would help me reset before getting back to studying.
The transportation system here is very efficient and offers many options, which made it easy to make plans with friends because I knew I could get anywhere easily. Also, being close to the train station meant that if I wanted to visit a small town like Stirling or Perth on the weekend, or take a short hike in Linlithgow, I could get there with ease.
My Study Days in a Beautiful City
If there was one thing the various University of Edinburgh campuses had in abundance, it was study spaces. Whether on couches, tables, in libraries, study buildings, or cafes, you could find a spot to study before, after, or between classes. In my school, we also had something called the Hub, where you could access with your student ID. Inside, besides computers and study spaces, there was a small kitchen where students could store and heat their food, prepare tea or coffee, and then wash their dishes. There was something similar in a building dedicated to study spaces, which also had a microwave, hot water, and tables for eating. This made my life easier because on days when I didn't have classes, I would bring my lunch and spend the whole day studying, writing essays, and taking breaks to eat and make myself coffee before heading home.
Every now and then, I would change my study spot to explore other campuses or simply to take different routes through the city. For example, sometimes I would go to the Architecture, Art, and Design library because I liked passing through the Old Town. Sometimes, before or after studying, I’d take a walk there and enjoy the views.
An Inclusive and Supportive University
The University of Edinburgh has a Disability & Learning Support Service that you can turn to if you have learning difficulties. There are special booths in the library, and there are also wellbeing services if you're struggling. This allowed me, for example, when I had mental and physical health issues, to ask for help and receive support in my studies. Without a doubt, this enabled me to have better academic and personal development.
My Temporary Home
I was fortunate to "inherit" the apartment of a girl who had the same scholarship as me (Chevening). So I recommend contacting scholarship holders or students to ask if they know of any accommodation. Maybe they’re about to leave theirs!
I preferred to stay in a private apartment for reasons of privacy, cleanliness, and having the opportunity to host friends or family. Also, since I decided to stay for more than a year, it was quite convenient. Friends who stayed in student accommodation had to move out once their contract year ended, but I was able to extend mine.
Whether you stay in student accommodation or a private apartment, I recommend choosing one close to your campus. Make sure to check where your classes will be.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Scottish Accent
At first, I was very nervous about speaking because my pronunciation isn’t the best, and neither is my level of English, but in Scotland, people are very patient. Try to listen carefully and ask if you don't understand a phrase or word. The Scots will certainly try to make themselves understood. Also, since Edinburgh is such a multicultural city, you’re sure to find people from all over the world, even some who speak your language.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Weather Either
In Edinburgh, they say that if you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes. That’s how changeable it is. It can start sunny, then rain, then have strong winds, and then end with a beautiful sunset all in one day. So never take anything for granted and always carry your raincoat. I don’t recommend buying an umbrella because they break in the wind, but a good raincoat and maybe some boots will make your life much easier. Always check the wind conditions because it can be sunny and at a nice temperature, but if it’s windy, you’ll feel cold. In the summer, make the most of the sunny days by organizing picnics in The Meadows or Holyrood Park or hikes with your classmates or friends.
Also, prepare for winter because it gets dark at 3:30 pm, and the sun doesn’t rise until 9 am. It may seem terrible, but I learned to enjoy it by lighting scented candles (not recommended if you’re in student accommodation because the fire alarm will go off), burning incense, and drinking lots of hot chocolate with marshmallows and mulled wine. That said, try to keep going out and making plans with your friends, even if it’s raining and windy. That will help you maintain a balanced mental state. On the other hand, in the summer, the roles are reversed, so you’ll have very long days and can watch sunsets at 11 pm.
Some Tips I Wish I Had Known
- Look for the cheapest supermarkets, even if you must take the bus. Sometimes it’s better to invest in transportation than go to nearby but expensive places.
- Don’t be afraid to visit Charity Shops. There’s a lot of good quality and very cheap clothing. Go as soon as possible because that’s when outgoing students leave their stuff, so you’ll find everything: plates, baskets, organizers, jackets, raincoats, etc.
- Look for and use all the student discounts. You can’t imagine how much you can save—on streaming platforms, pharmacies, delivery services, cell phone services, and a long list of others.
- Before buying something new, look for second hand groups in Facebook.
- Meal deals will save your life. Keep this in mind.
- Finally, sooner or later, you’ll miss home, so pack those spices, cans, flours, sauces, and other products that will be hard to find here. It’s better to bring a lot of things that you can use up here so that you can go back to your country with things you won’t find there.
- One more thing: don’t accumulate too much stuff. Remember that sooner or later, you’ll return to your home country, so only acquire what you need to live here, and sell, donate, or give away what you no longer need before you leave.
Thank You, Across the Pond!
It seemed impossible to receive personalized advice and constant help without being charged for it, and I’ve seen that many people worry that the help offered by Across the Pond isn’t real, but I can assure you that everything is legitimate.
My advisor helped me from start to finish while I was also applying for the scholarship. Their extensive experience made many processes easier, gave me very valuable tips before, during, and after the application, and even helped me make better decisions.
Thank you so much for your invaluable help and for answering all my questions!
- Karla
