What did you do before joining Across the Pond?

I was lucky enough to start working for Across the Pond right after I graduated from my MA in England! I started part-time in 2014 attending recruitment events as well as helping with applications. Then I started advising students full time in summer 2015! I also started events coordinating around 2017/2018 to go along with student advising.
 

Why did you decide to study in the UK?

I took a year off after my BA to figure out what I really wanted to do for my MA. After a few months looking into different options, I learned about options for studying in the UK at a Study Abroad Fair! Since the applications were free, I figured why not apply and see what happens. In the end it seemed like the best (and most cost-effective) choice for me! I had a wonderful time at Kent and it then led me to working with Canada Law from Abroad when I graduated!
 

Why do you like working for Across the Pond?

The best thing about working for Across the Pond is talking about my time abroad to everyone! I love to travel and had such an amazing time studying abroad, I love to share those stories. It’s great to help students do the same thing, and to get to hear their stories and experiences as well!
 

Why do you think people from Canada should study in the UK? 

Studying in the UK is not as expensive as you might think! My friend and I compared our Master’s program costs after we graduated – we did similar programs but hers was in Canada – and it turned out that mine was actually less expensive than hers. I also finished my program a year earlier than her, which meant starting to work earlier!
 

List all of your favourite things about the UK! 

A few of my favourite UK things:
1. The museums! There are tons and they are free to visit.
2. The beaches in Scotland. I’m from Vancouver Island and we have some amazing beaches, the ones that I’ve been to on the Isle of Skye were absolutely stunning in comparison!
3. High tea – scones and clotted cream in particular.
4. Walking tours, especially the scary ones (the haunted walking tours in Edinburgh are lots of fun!)
5. Shopping – Primark and Poundland are amazing for students especially!

What did you do before joining Across the Pond?

I’ve previously worked in an advisory role several times throughout my career. My first experience was as a residence assistant at Wilfrid Laurier, which provided me with experience counselling students through all manner of issues or helping them with any questions they may have! I also have experience as an Academic Tutor and French teacher, which fostered my interest in sharing my knowledge with others. I worked in these positions prior to my Master’s degree, but they were invaluable experiences which helped pave the way to my work here at Across the Pond!

Why did you decide to study in the UK?

As a Medieval Studies major, the UK was a natural choice for my next steps. With a rich heritage and complex history, the idea of living and learning in the UK and having the opportunity to visit the very sites I was learning about was too compelling to resist. I’ve now graduated from my MA and have been living in the UK on and off for six years and am so glad I took the leap and applied abroad!
 

Why do you like working for Across the Pond?

I like working with Across the Pond because I’m happy to share my knowledge and first-hand experience to help students with the next steps of their academic journeys. Studying abroad can be the experience of a lifetime, and it's very rewarding providing students with the information to help them live out their dreams.  
 

Why do you think people from Canada should study in the UK? 

I think people from North America should study in the UK, because it is an opportunity to engage with another culture and grow from experiences outside the norm. The UK specifically is a great choice for international students as you can get a world-class education and enjoy close travel-links to Europe.
 

List all of your favourite things about the UK! 

The history – I love the old buildings!
The pubs 
Walking in the countryside
Visiting with my friends
Being able to travel so easily!

Getting Around York

York is super walkable, which I love, but buses are handy too. As a student you can ride free on the U1 and U2 buses within campus. The U1 is free until Green Dykes Lane and the U2 is free  until The Retreat. If you live off campus or plan to go into the city center frequently I would definitely suggest buying a term or annual bus pass on the First Bus app. Many students buy bikes, and Ubers are always available.
 

Travel Beyond York

The trains here are great. From York you can get to Manchester and Edinburgh in about 2.5 hours, and London in 3.5 hours. Definitely get a Railcard for discounts and try to book tickets in advance. I’ve used nearby airports like Manchester and Leeds Bradford for my Europe trips, it makes weekend travel really easy.
 

Accommodation

There are a few different types of housing for students in York. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

• On-campus accommodation is usually cheaper but you don’t get much choice about what type of room you get and may end up sharing spaces. This is a great way to make friends, but of course some people value more private living spaces.
• Off-campus student residences are pricier but often nicer and full of international students, which makes it easy to meet likeminded people.
• Private rentals are the most affordable long-term, but landlords usually want you to view properties in person, so it’s a better option for after completing first-year. If you’re looking for housing after your first year, this usually starts around November/December. 

And if you’re leaving for the summer, don’t forget about storage (spaces book up quickly)!
 

Banking & Finances

I set up a local bank account, but getting a Wise card has also been really helpful for quickly and easily converting money into any currency I needed when travelling.

Hope this helps!