I find the creation and complexity of the human body very interesting. How it is so well made and how it adapts to its surroundings. I primarily knew that I wanted to work with people and help them optimise their health and life, and in that process of finding out what I wanted to study, chiropractic just felt right. With its thorough examination and its non-invasive approach helping the body heal itself. Optimising the function and the mobility to better cope with life and the challenges we might experience. I simply find it very fascinating.
Before coming here, I studied one year of Spanish, and one year of multicultural communication and international work. Through that I got to live in different parts of Spain, and I also worked six months in Colombia. That was an amazing time and quite an adventure, but it was also quite far from home. When I was looking at chiropractic, I did consider going to New Zealand or Australia, but ended up at AECC because it's the oldest chiropractic College in Europe, I had heard a lot of positive things about the school and Bournemouth, and it meant that I could go home to visit family over the holidays. Another thing that drew me to the AECC University College was that about 50% of the students are international, meaning I could continue developing my interpersonal skills, and increase my communication skills to make me better equipped meeting with different people in future practice. I think that because of the diversity, studying at the AECC University College gives you an opportunity to learn, grow and develop strong social skills in addition to your studies.
Leaving Norway to study in the UK didn’t feel like travelling far at all. After living in Colombia this felt like moving just across the country considering physical distance. Culturally however, I was surprised over the fact that it is quite different living here compared to back home. I had quite a reversed cultural shock still adapting to Norway after living in Colombia when I decided to cross the pond and move over here. So, I started my stay not feeling quite like I belonged anywhere to be honest. I wasn’t rooted in my own culture let alone in the English culture. I remember finding it difficult to get honest replies as to how people were doing, because the stereotypical English answer to “How are you” is either “I am fine thank you, what about you?” or “Not too bad, yourself?”. The equivalent to this in Norway would be a simple hello or a nod. I soon learned the lesson that the English communication is more about pleasantries and politeness compared to if you ask the same questions in Norway. I have many times made people feel rather uncomfortable by replying honestly to the polite questions, and my impression is that Norwegians come across quite rude when we don’t take the time for pleasantries. However, if we do ask “how are you doing” you can share almost anything, some examples are, how bad you have slept or how you are experiencing some mental health problems. Another challenge I experienced and continue to experience after moving is that my brain is fried by the end of the day from speaking English. After 9/10pm I am not as approachable, and my sentences starts falling apart.
In Bournemouth there are lots of things that you can do! The University has a variety of sports and clubs that you can join. Personally, I love dancing, so I normally go dancing in town at least once a week. I’m currently dancing salsa, bachata, kizomba and zouk. The Latino dance community in Bournemouth is huge and we have so much fun being taught by amazing dancers from all over the world.
I think that Bournemouth is a beautiful place to live considering the beach, nature, variety of people and opportunities. There are so many communities that you can join, and the place is generally very social. The size of the city is perfect in my opinion, because there are enough people to feel anonymous, but you can still run into friends whilst grocery shopping. If you want to be alone you can, and if you want to be sociable you have a lot of different opportunities. So regardless I think you can find the places where you thrive the most. I love that you can do most things locally such as go clubbing, go to the cinema, go bowling, play minigolf, go to the aquarium, go hiking down the Jurassic Coast etc. The weekends fly by because there are so many things to see and new places to explore.
To use my education and skills to help other people achieve their goals and reach their best potential. I look forward to start working and explore a new chapter in life. I will probably go home and start working there, because I quite look forward to seeing my friends and family more often. The most difficult thing with that is to leave England and all my friends here. I have had a really good experience studying at the AECC University College, and I have met some amazing people that will always have a special place in my heart. I will look back at this time with joy and happiness.
Go for it, you're not going to regret it. I will not lie to you, it will be difficult, it will be frustrating and challenging. But the reward, joy, enrichment, and character development you will experience will be an amazing journey.
If you're thinking about it, go for it as you might end up regretting not going. It will also go by very fast, and it will leave you with many wonderful memories to look back at. If you are worried about leaving friends and family, my experience is that by living far away from home I value my time with them even more. It is also easier to keep up with the good vibes only, because they understand why you cannot make it to every event, birthday etc. We are lucky to have social media, so you can keep in touch, it is not like you are disappearing out of their lives.
Across the Pond really helped me with the whole process. They told me everything I needed to know before, during, and after sending my university application. They helped me keep up with deadlines, and they gave me a checklist before writing my personal statement as well as reading it and giving me feedback. In Norway we don’t do personal statements, and we don’t know how to navigate UCAS, so I honestly don’t think I could have done it without them. The support and follow-up from their team were crucial for my very good experience with applying to go to University the UK.
- Elena
I really enjoyed my time at the AECC University College. I write this at the end of my 4 years and time has flown by! I feel like have really had a great education here and made some friends for life. It’s going to be really sad to leave as it feels a lot like home now but at the same time I have learnt so much I feel prepared to go into the real world and become an actual chiropractor!
- Brodie
I’m on the Chiropractic MSc course year 5, so I’ve been here for five years, doing two years in clinic placement.
I just always want to be a health professional, trying to help people I always considered medicine, that sort of field and physiotherapy. I want to be like primary healthcare professional, being able to diagnose and then help people and maybe even refer if there is nothing I can do. I also find chiropractic interesting as well, like the adjustment side of things.
Well, firstly there isn’t a course in Norway so I had to look like abroad. The closest is Denmark for us. I think the entry requirements there is the same as medicine there as they do this for the first two or three years. But for me if I if I’m going abroad, let me just go somewhere that’s totally different not Scandinavian. Also, as you search Chiropractic and ask around chiropractors in Norway, everyone just seems to have studied at AECC UC as this is the one of the best courses, one of the most known.
Not now, I was in the football team, in years 1, 2, 3 and half way through year 4. I liked playing football with the team, but not anymore, because with being in clinic, typically sports fixtures are on Wednesday and I would have to take your time off from my clinic placement time, so I have to consider what I need to prioritise, so I ended up deciding I’m not going to be involved during this busy year. Instead, I play football and sports with my friends and as I a member of the uni gym, go there as well.
The sea, especially being here during the summer. I think it’s the best thing is actually like when it’s warm you actually feel like it’s summer here. It’s not like it is in Norway like snowing and rainy. You don’t have that. It’s beautiful right here in Bournemouth. I think that’s the biggest benefit. That, and the community as everyone knows each other, especially in the university because it’s quite small, like you get to know people quite quickly and quite well as the years goes by.
And then of course London is quite close if you really want to visit a big town. I like that because I’m from Oslo originally, so it’s nice that I can get away from like the big city. During my time I’ve also visited the New Forest, it’s good for nature here as well. You see the horses running around, it’s beautiful.
My main goal is just to finish up the courses and then just take it from there, hopefully if I can pass all the exams and become a chiropractor. The initial plan is to go to Norway because obviously growing up there my family is there and it’s been a long time, such a wonderful time as well. But the goal is to go back to Norway once I’ve finished the course here, I think we have to do an internship initially, there in Norway once I get back, I’ll work there, then the next step buying a house, building a clinic and owning my own clinic.
My biggest ambition is just keep helping people and patients, that’s the biggest goal. So that’s the goal for now, that’s my ambition right now and then from that point on I just wait and see what happens.
Go for it. It’s just like, it’s really good to have that independence. I think how my first couple of years were like, it was okay, getting into the routine, need to find my own daily routine, what to do and it’s good, you get to know yourself better. You see that it’s a challenge as you cannot be depending on someone else, you just complete on your own.
It’s like a completely new beginning. A new page in your life and I think that’s a good challenge. You get to know new people as well and I think that’s like the biggest thing. I think you have a big question which is will I make any friends as I don’t know anyone but you certainly you will and you’ll make close friends. You quickly realise that everyone is on the same boat. I was a bit nervous the first couple of days when I started Uni, but you know you get settled and you get to know people and you think to yourself, that was good and you congratulate yourself, giving a pat on the back that you made it happen.
- Ebu
MChiro year 4 – the final year of study.
Growing up, I was an active football player who suffered various injuries, and therefore, I was often found being treated by a chiropractor.
My passion for this profession grew significantly when I saw and felt the benefits of the treatment I received. So, I was drawn to this type of work; it felt like it chose me.
I have always wanted to study abroad, and as there are no chiropractic universities in Norway, AECC was the perfect setting for me. I would have loved to study in Australia or US, but the trip from Norway is far too long.
I was only 19 when I moved to the UK, so it was a big transition in my life. I found it very exciting and maturing, but of course, scary. That decision to study abroad is probably the best decision, as it allowed me to grow as much as a person.
I joined the football Uni-team when I started at AECC and played with them until year 3. During this last year of study, I have decided not to participate as I have a troubled right knee. But it must be said that playing for the football team has created some of my best moments at AECC UC. Societies at AECC UC allows you to meet new people with fellow interest and make memories together. Therefore, I highly recommend every student to join one.
The culture. I have always loved visiting the UK, so finally, living here has given me much more insight into the UK environment. Living here by myself pushed me to meet new people from different cultures, which has resulted in great friendships I would never have experienced if I had chosen to study in Norway.
I am very passionate about sports, so my ambition is to take my chiropractic education into a sports field, so I can help athletes avoid injuries and perform at their best.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It is easy and comfortable to join local universities with your friends but studying abroad in a new place with new people will open opportunities you would never have experienced if you had just decided to stay home.
Life is too short to stay in one place. Experience the world while you can!
Across the Pond was extremely helpful in my process of applying for AECC University College. When I first reached out to them, I was clueless as my school could not provide any information for me. Luckily my Across the Pond student advisor explained how they would support my AECC University College application. He provided everything I needed to prepare my application and what my letter should include to stand out from the crowd. He always answered questions I had and constantly gave me updates on where we were in the application process and what deadlines we aimed for.
I am grateful for reaching out to Across the Pond, as I felt calm and confident throughout the application process.
- Hans Martin
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