Welcome to the Across the Pond Blog!

I have always envied the people who can enter new situations and immediately become best friends with someone else. Although I like to think of myself as friendly, it always takes me a bit of time and multiple interactions to form a close and… Read more

Moving to the UK is scary - there’s no sugar coating it, but it also gives you the opportunity to broaden your horizons and meet new people from all across the globe. 

When I first moved here to London I knew no one at all, which is… Read more

Christmas is largely celebrated in Canada. When November hits, we settle into the familiar pattern of holiday music, decorations, and classic Christmas movies that seem to play on every channel. If you’re worried about a shortage of festivity in… Read more

First of all, let me say Merry Christmas to all! December can be a busy time for everyone, but I know this is especially true for students! With classes… Read more

While many students may automatically think about London and England when they consider studying in the UK, there is a lot more to explore! Northern Ireland is a great place to study… Read more

One of the biggest most potentially embarrassing differences in Canadian versus British English is the use of the term “pants”. In fact, you may want to start practicing now just to… Read more

With so many university choices all around the UK, deciding where to study can be very overwhelming. Many students think of London when they think of the UK- but More than 94% of international students believe Scotland is a “good place to be”.… Read more

“Life is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page” St. Augustine

My love for travel started when I was very young on my first international… Read more

Since high school, I wanted to move to Vancouver. That was my end-goal. I planned to finish my Bachelor’s degree in Toronto and then move across the country to B… Read more

The UK is filled with history and incredible sights, making it a great place to live and travel. That being said, one of the big perks of living in the UK is its great position for affordable travel around Europe and elsewhere. There are so many… Read more

Time passes quickly in Aberdeen.  The leaves drop without warning and the sun sets earlier every day. It’s hard to believe that two months have passed since the beginning of the semester. I’ve submitted essays, worked on group projects, and… Read more

The decision to move to the UK was a big step and I took a long time to determine whether it was the right move for me. I started looking into the process part way through my undergraduate degree; I was studying abroad in… Read more

My move to Scotland didn’t feel real until I stepped into Aberdeen Airport, fresh from a 9.5-hour flight from Toronto. I staggered off the plane and walked towards baggage claim. Alone. I felt tired, thirsty, and completely unprepared for my… Read more

Choosing to move to a different country is not a simple decision; with the cost, the distance, and the process of getting a visa, there are many steps that can make it intimidating. Let me assure you, however, that if coming to the United… Read more

Updated 23 July 2024 by Advisor Brittany. 

Now that you’ve sorted your accommodation and successfully applied for your student visa, the hardest parts of preparing for your studies overseas are behind you, right? Maybe… Read more

I know, I know, university takes priority. Before the move overseas, time is dedicated to packing, visa applying, and if you’re studying in Scotland like me, buying more coats. But after settling in at university, I still felt out of balance. In… Read more

One of the most common concerns Canadian students have about studying in the UK is the grading scheme, which varies considerably from the Canadian system. Indeed, navigating university grading in the UK can be challenging. But don't despair! Once… Read more

When first arriving in England, you might be expecting your new friend group to be filled with posh accents and tea-sipping, but in reality that’s not the case. In fact, after I moved across the pond, about 80% of my friends were other… Read more

No matter how much of a seasoned traveller you may be, at some point everyone feels homesick.  It can be nothing or paralyzing.  I’ve lived abroad more than once, and studied abroad three times already.  So, here’s my four top… Read more

Updated 23 July 2024 by Advisor Brittany.  

One of the hardest parts of first arriving in the UK is missing family and friends. Luckily, technology is constantly evolving to bring new ways to stay connected anywhere in the world… Read more