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 given presentations. Yet, I still feel as if I only arrived last week.

I study an MSc in Professional Communication. The program combines linguistics and business, offering a practical approach to the science of communication. Prof. Comm. students learn to communicate effectively across disciplines – a feature that attracted me to the subject. Like any communications program, Prof. Comm. teaches skills that are invaluable and applicable to almost every field of study. 
 

WHY COMMUNICATIONS?

Jim Rohn said, “Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.”

Like many 22-year-olds, my career is still up in the air. I’ve toyed with the ideas of writing, editing, journalism, and public relations. Sadly, no degree combines all of these areas.

Communications is a perfect option for people like us – those who haven’t quite made up their minds yet. I don’t imply that you should use a communications degree to kill time. Rather, you should study communications to add depth to your career. The subject is universal and timeless. You can bring these skills to any job, now or in the future.

Without a doubt, writing is my vocation. Yet, the idea of a full-blown communications degree appealed to me. Even if you have a strong understanding of your professional interests, communication is an extremely practical tool to have on your resume. It complements every field – you can’t go wrong.
 

WHY THE UK?

Communication is always relevant, no matter the country. That being said, I believe you have more to gain from studying communications in a new country. Here’s why:

• You witness how different cultures communicate within themselves and with outsiders.
• You incorporate new communicative styles into your behaviour that you can bring back to Canada.
• Different countries teach different histories and methodologies. You learn about your subject from an alternative perspective.
   

COMMUNICATIONS IN THE UK VS. CANADA 

Studying in the UK expands your travel options tenfold. Cheap airlines, trains, and busses offer you the opportunity to explore Europe on a student budget. Spain for the weekend? Sure. Edinburgh for lunch? No problem.

Program length is also a major contender for studying in the UK. In Canada, Master’s programs usually last two to three years, full-time. But in the UK, your Master’s will only take one year to complete. Studying in the UK is a great way to accelerate your degree if you want to enter the workforce faster.
 

BACHELOR’S WORKLOAD VS. MASTER’S WORKLOAD

Undergraduate degrees require you to take several courses at once – typically, full-time students take 4 or 5 a semester. But in my program, I’m only required to study one course at a time. The classes run back-to-back: I have three classes each semester and my final dissertation over the summer.

Naturally, program structures shift from undergraduate to graduate levels. A full-time Bachelor’s student will take a variety of different electives, on top of their required program courses. In my opinion, Master’s degrees are more efficient; I’m only required to take program-specific classes. You might discover that graduate classes demand more effort. However, you end up with more spare time, so your schedule balances out in the long-run.

Time drags when you choose a program or university out of convenience. Don’t settle. Make decisions that will lead to your happiness. Make decisions that will make the months feel like minutes.

- Hailey
 

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 journey ahead. I recalled the long hours editing personal statements, corresponding with references, and gathering writing samples. At the time, I thought nothing was more arduous than my postgraduate applications. But in hindsight, pressing “submit” was the easiest part of the process. Cramming my life into two suitcases, on the other hand? Quite the challenge.
 

ARRIVAL

Nothing truly compares to the experience of entering a new city. The world feels fresh and uncharted. Despite my sudden dose of reality, I couldn’t wait to begin my adventure in the UK. The first item on my To-Do list? Visiting the University of Aberdeen, A.K.A. my home for the next year.

The King’s College campus greeted me with weathered brick buildings and climbing ivy as I walked through the gates for the first time. Founded in 1495, the University of Aberdeen is the third oldest university in Scotland and the fifth oldest university the UK. If you have no other motivation to study in the UK, the cozy old-world charm of the universities ought to be a strong starting point.
 

SETTLING IN

Since moving abroad comes with a long checklist, finding an affordable student flat should not be your top priority. To save myself the hassle of house-hunting, I opted for off-campus student accommodation. Fortunately, the University placed me in a complex with other postgraduate students, making it easy to meet people with likeminded interests.

I arrived in Scotland one week before my check-in date, which is something I highly recommend. With one week to spare, I had time to overcome my jetlag, shop for items that wouldn’t fit in my suitcase (i.e. raincoat, bedding, stationary), and travel around Scotland. By the time I moved into my flat, I had already adapted to the groove of Aberdeen. 
 

FRESHER’S WEEK

The University kicked into gear with Fresher’s Week on the day I moved in. Many events and activities are targeted towards undergraduates; however, all students are welcome to enjoy the many offerings of free food, live music, and poster sales.

Fresher’s Week also included promotional fairs, such as the “Societies Fayre” and “Sports Fayre.” During these events, student societies and sports teams arranged booths on campus for students to browse around and sign up. I can’t speak for every UK university, but societies and teams are a major component of student life at the University of Aberdeen. They can be a great way to meet new friends, so I definitely recommend attending Fresher’s Week for these initial meet-and-greets.
 

STARTING CLASSES

On Orientation Day, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my program only consists of seven other people. Postgraduate programs in the UK are typically quite small, so you quickly become close with your classmates. The class structure, however, required more adjusting. For me, classes occur in blocks, with each class running back-to-back for three week intervals. This system has its pros and cons.

Con: Three weeks of intensive reading, lecturing, and studying.

Pro: No exams in December!

I won’t pretend that moving overseas is easy. I felt displaced for two weeks before I began to acclimatize and feel at home. But these initial feelings shrink in comparison to the people you’ll meet, the places you’ll visit, and the lifelong memories you’ll create.

- Hailey
 

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 Kingdom to study is your dream, with the right resources and support you can make it a reality!

Let me first introduce myself. I’m Josephine and I just started my Masters of International Health at the University of Leeds. I had always wanted to study abroad but I never really thought it could happen because of the cost and complexity. I won’t lie, the process was not without its challenges, but with the help of Across the Pond and my family I am now in Leeds and loving every second of it.
 

Getting here

If you are a non-UK student, you will require a student visa to study in the UK, and no that is not a type of credit card! If I could only give you one piece of advice, it would be to start the application as soon as possible because everything else depends on you receiving it, like booking your flight, confirming your accommodation, and really just planning your adventure! The application is not difficult, it’s just time-consuming because of all the documents you must collect. Your Across the Pond advisor will provide you with updated visa guidance in the late Spring to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
 

Arriving

I was so nervous when I stepped off the plane at Heathrow. What if I forgot something? What if customs asked for something that I didn’t bring, what if, what if, what if… It is completely normal to feel anxious, this is a huge move, but let me reassure you, customs is a breeze if you come prepared. I organized all my documents in an accordion folder allowing me easy and quick access to anything I might need, which really came in handy when you have a lot of documents to bring!
 

Thriving

I arrived in Leeds thinking that I wouldn’t start classes for two weeks because there was an international welcome week followed by freshers (aka frosh) week. However, unbeknownst to me, master’s programs start the very first day! I can’t speak for all programs, but as far as I can tell they do ease you into it, starting off with introductory classes that allowed us to get to know the course and teaching staff. They also made sure that we had enough time to acquaint ourselves with the campus and city, meaning I have been able to attend all sorts of "O-week" events such as open mic nights, barbeques, and art gallery tours. There is seriously something for everyone. I am really looking forward to the freshers’ fair, where over 300 of the school’s clubs and societies set up booths giving students a taste of what they can get involved with.

The highlight of my time so far has got to be my first night going out to the pub with new friends and knowing that this is the start of such an incredible adventure. If I can pass along just one more piece of advice, say yes to everything, especially in the first few weeks. Put yourself out there, challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone, and jump into this experience head first!

- Josephine

Arriving in Scotland

I flew into Glasgow, Scotland about three weeks ago, and since then everything has been a whirlwind, but in the best way! I took an overnight flight from Toronto with my family, so when I arrived I was quite tired. However, first I had to get through customs, which was relatively easy. The border officer asked me for my passport, my visa, my CAS, biometric residence letter, and where I would be staying. I had all of this in my carry on, so it was easy to access, and we were out of the airport in no time! I had decided to fly in two weeks before classes started, which allowed me time to travel with my family first, as well as adjust to the time change. I visited family in Inverness for the first week, adjusted to being five hours ahead, and then took the train down to Edinburgh, where I will be attending school for the next year. Inverness was absolutely beautiful, and I highly recommend making it one of the places on your bucket list to visit when you study in the UK!
 

Travelling the Edinburgh

Arriving in Edinburgh was nerve wracking; I was really hoping I would love the city, because it was where I had chosen to live for the next year of my life. I shouldn’t have worried! The city itself is absolutely beautiful, and surprisingly easy to navigate once you get used to it. I participated in several tours and got to know my way around in the days before classes started. However, I was already homesick, especially when my family flew home, and I hadn’t even been away from home for long. I knew this would be a problem for me, but talking to my family and talking to my flatmates really helped.
 

Welcome to the University

My program had a Welcome Day, where they introduce you to the course and exciting activities to come over the next year. My program, MSc Publishing, is very small, and only a year long. It gave me the opportunity to meet people in the program, talk to the professors about my concerns, and learn about what was to come. I definitely recommend participating in your school’s welcome week!
 

Starting Class and Settling In

After classes officially started, I realized I loved my program. I’m happy I decided to do this, and the university has been so supportive of me as I took time to adjust. The professors and counsellors are all here to help, and happy to do so. Exploring the city, learning my way around, and attending classes have all helped me to adjust, and with views like this, how could I not love the city?
 

My Favourite Parts of the City

My favourite part so far has definitely been exploring the city with my family. We toured all around Old Town, and visited several tourist attractions, such as Edinburgh Castle. This was wonderful, and it allowed me to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time. Victoria Street is an especially pretty area to see!
 

Recommendations

To those who are considering studying in the UK next fall, I do have a few suggestions. Familiarize yourself with the city as soon as possible, as this will make you more comfortable in your new home. Definitely go to Welcome Week, and any additional sessions put on by your program. They are great places to meet people and adjust to being a new student in the UK!

- Lauren

Dreaming about this one stage in my life for the past few years and having it come to fruition as I arrived in London, this was a new beginning and chapter of my life. I know, it sounds pretty climatic and it was (I’d like to think so). While saying goodbyes to my family and friends was difficult, the biggest challenge in moving countries was surprisingly not obtaining the visa or the first few days at university – it was about my outlook on this new move. Personally, moving to London was more than just an educational decision, I wanted to study abroad for the memories and new experiences that it would entail. As such, I learned that you have to be genuinely excited and open for this new change! 

As a Canadian, obtaining my visa was a fairly simple process. From applying through the government website and paying the fees (less than 30 minutes) to attending my interview appointment (appointment lasted around 30-40 minutes), the last thing left to do was to wait for the notification that my passport was being mailed back to me. As I received a late acceptance, I had to apply for my visa later than I had originally planned. The extended timeline in applying for my visa led to me having to pay an additional fee for faster processing time of the visa itself. I highly recommend that students (unlike me) apply for their visa the moment they are able (ask your advisor!). 

Upon arrival, the commute from the airport to the hotel was seamless since I had booked a taxi to secure a method of transportation – I had two large suitcases and two carry-on luggage. Given the amount of luggage I had and the fact that my flight was delayed twice, taking a bus or train would not have been an option.

At last, I made it to Hogwarts to study in a 3 year LLB program! Jokes aside, Royal Holloway has been known to be to one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK and there is no contesting that. The first few days consisted of setting up my bank account and going back and forth to potential private accommodations around the university campus area. Once I secured a room, I gave myself a few days to do touristy things (eat lots of food at local markets) and buy the essentials for my bedroom and the kitchen. I do recommend that students arriving the next Autumn to frequently check Spare Room and or Rightmove to have an idea of what rent would look like and whether or not it would make more sense to live in the school provided accommodations.

Although this is the beginning to my experience in the UK, I am grateful for the continuing support that I received from my advisors at Across The Pond. As a result of their guidance and resources, I did not once feel worried, nervous, or anxious about the application process. The entire process was as seamless as it could have been. My parting message of this blog to future students –  no matter how many checklists you may create, you will not 100% prepared for moving to another country but that is OK! 

- Puneet