Why I Chose to Study in NI
Written by ATPAmbassador - 07/12/2019
by Bleen Sharma
Almost 3 months into living and studying
abroad, I still get asked the question, “why here?” For the locals of Belfast,
it comes as quite a shock as to why someone from Canada would move to the
United Kingdom, specifically Northern Ireland; however once I say I am a
student at Queen’s University, they understand my decision.
Not only is Queen’s University recognized
as a top institution in Belfast, but it is also one of the twenty-four members
of the Russell Group. This exclusive group includes the leading universities in
the UK, which produce world-class research at an international level.
The fact that Queen’s is a member of the
Russell Group was definitely a factor in why I chose to study in the UK, but my
primary reason was the length of my program in the UK, as compared to in
Canada. The LLB law program in Canada is the duration of 3 years in total but
in the UK, there is the option for a 2-year LLB law program if you have an
undergraduate degree. Since I had completed my undergraduate degree, I was able
to apply to the 2-year LLB program as a senior status student, and am now a
happy yet stressed law student.
A second reason that I chose to study in
the UK is because of my interest in international law and my dream of working
for the United Nations in some capacity. I believe the UK serves as a central
location for international law, and specialises in areas such as human rights
in a way that differs from Canada. I expect this to be the case, due to the
physical location of the UK and the complex nature of UK’s history, which is
reflected in the day-to-day culture. A culture that is welcoming and friendly
to all, which I have been fortunate to experience first hand.
From the atmosphere in the Irish bars, to
the breeze of the coastlines, the culture of Belfast has been one that I will
never forget. Almost every significant cultural aspect has a story that is
deeply rooted in the UK’s history. The bars, and even some roads all date back
to a time of horse drawn carriages and royal families. I found myself learning
not only while in school, but also in my daily life, which has been quite enjoyable
for myself.
In addition to the reasons mentioned above,
a benefit of living in the UK is the ease of travel to other places in Europe.
Flights are relatively cheap while travelling amongst the UK and short in
length, making it the perfect time to tour Europe at my own pace. So far I have
been to Dublin and Edinburgh, each just for the weekend, but definitely
worthwhile.
I am grateful for my Across the Pond
advisor in providing me with the support I needed to achieve these goals. I was
able to freely discuss the length of programs, my future career goals, the
cultural experience, and the ease of travel with my advisor, allowing me to
make a well-informed decision. If I had any concern, I asked my advisor and she
addressed it right away to the best of her ability. I highly recommend choosing
Across the Pond, because they are able to provide information and insight that
may be lacking elsewhere. Don’t just take my word for it, contact an advisor
today and start planning the next step of your life in the UK.
Interested in studying in the UK? You can find out more by contacting one of our advisors!
References