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Finding my place in Belfast
Studying abroad can seem like a daunting decision. It is expensive, there's lots of paperwork and applications, and you may feel like giving up, but don’t! It is worth it. It is not an easy decision to decide to move away from everything you know to try something new. I am truly so happy I took the plunge and moved to Belfast.
People always describe Canadians as nice, but I would describe the people of Belfast as kind. You can strike up a conversation with anyone on the street for a chitchat or directions. Everyone is so welcoming, and there are so many amenities at Queen's University Belfast to ensure all students are supported and can be successful.
Belfast
Belfast is a wonderful city filled with things to do. There truly is never a dull moment in Belfast. This is truly a city steeped in art and history. There are countless things to do and see here, such as the Ulster Museum (free), exhibitions at community centres, art galleries, live music everywhere, and abundant street art. Late Night Art, where galleries are open late and exhibit for free; Hit The North, the yearly graffiti festival; and the monthly market at The Sunflower are just a few fun, budget-friendly events you can attend. Belfast is also central to many other cities if you want to go exploring; Derry, Portrush, and Newcastle are just some of the cities nearby.
People often complain about the dreary weather in Belfast, but I couldn’t disagree more! The summers are hot and sunny, the autumn wonderfully crisp, and winters mild! Spring can be quite rainy, but nothing that you can’t handle. As a Canadian used to -30°C, I find the weather in Belfast quite agreeable! Personally, as someone from southern Canada, I didn’t think it rained that much, and I would take rain over snow any day.
Studying and Amenities
Queen’s University Belfast offers many accommodations for international students, and many other UK universities do as well: guaranteed accommodation in year 1, different dorm options so there is something for everyone, support networks such as a weekly colour and chat with student tutors, Queen’s Student Union advice office that you can talk to about anything - housing, funding, etc, an abundance of clubs and societies to pick from, language lab to learn a new language, a wonderful careers department that constantly hold events to help you develop your CV, and more. Queen’s also made the visa application journey easy with online seminars you could attend for more information and support.
I would encourage all students, especially international students, to join a club and/or society. It is a good way to meet new people and make friends with others with similar interests and to branch out beyond your chosen major. Getting involved in your university’s community is a great way to further your own skills.
Life is beautiful, go live it
Belfast is truly a beautiful city, inside and out. The buildings are beautiful; Queen’s Lanyon, City Hall, and Belfast Castle are just a few buildings that are a sight for sore eyes!
The city of Belfast is full of culture. Whether it be a market, art walk, museum, or festival, there is always something to fill the time. Both Queen’s and Belfast are here to support their people, and that will include you.
There are many thriving communities in Belfast that are ready to welcome you with open arms!
– Memphis
Making Edinburgh Home: Tips From a Student Abroad
Accommodation- Finding your Home
One of the first things I started to think about before moving to Edinburgh is where I am going to live. There were a few different options I could choose from, so I would recommend doing your research early and figure out what works best for you.
- One is university-managed student accommodation. These are usually situated close to campus, which makes getting to classes really convenient, and you will be able to meet other students from your university.
- Another option is private student accommodations that is managed by a private provider. They tend to offer a variety of room styles and building amenities, and you’d be able to meet other international students living there. I noticed there are quite a few private student accommodation buildings throughout Edinburgh, so there are plenty of options to choose from. However, demand can be quite high at the start of the academic year, so I would recommend looking and applying early. With student accommodation, all bills and Wi-Fi costs will be included in the rent, which makes budgeting a little easier.
- The other option would be to rent a private flat, either on your own or with other students. With a shared flat, you’ll typically split the cost of rent and bills between everyone, although your bills will depend on your monthly usage. In terms of location, I would suggest living close to major bus stops and public transportation links. Edinburgh is a very walkable city, but having convenient transport nearby makes getting to university, work, or exploring the city much easier.
Public Transportation- Getting Around Edinburgh
One of the things I love about Edinburgh is how convenient the public transport system is. There are major bus routes that will take you to all school campuses. I suggest getting the student bus card (Ridacard), which you can use to tap on and off public transport. Trams are my favourite way to get around as they run quite frequently, coming every 7 minutes. If you want to explore beyond Edinburgh, the ScotRail train system is a great option for travelling around Scotland and further across Great Britain. You can purchase an annual railcard to receive a discount when booking fares online and in advance.
Working While Studying
If you plan on working during your school semesters— try to apply to jobs early! From my experience and what I’ve gathered from coworkers, it may take a while to hear back from employers, and popular student jobs such as café roles and retail positions can be quite competitive. Personally, I work 2-3 days per week, keeping in mind that I can only work maximum 20 hours as according to my student visa regulations. If you’re hoping to work during your studies, make sure you understand the conditions attached to your visa and plan your work schedule around your classes.
Banking- Managing your Finances
I would look into opening a UK bank account once you arrive. Especially if you plan on getting a job, as employers will generally need a UK account to pay your wages. It’s also worth looking into cards that offer low or no foreign transaction fees, particularly if you’ll still be using money from your home country. I would also recommend looking into Wise, which can make transferring and converting international money easier.
Phone plan- Staying Connected in the UK
Another thing to do when you land is to look into a phone plan. Personally, I went for a no-contract monthly e-sim that would give me a reasonable amount of mobile data. I would still be provided with a UK phone number, but I had the flexibility to change or pause my plan if I decided to travel home or move somewhere else. Having a UK phone number is also useful for everyday things like setting up a bank account, applying for jobs, and receiving messages or calls from the UK.
I hope these tips are useful for settling into Edinburgh!
-Olivia
Edinburgh - My Home Away from Home
Walkability and convenience
When I first landed in Edinburgh to start my studies, I was in awe on how beautiful the city is, and I could hardly believe that this city will be my home for the next few years. Edinburgh has many historic buildings and architecture on almost every street. I often spend time exploring the city, taking photos, and going into the various little shops. The city itself is extremely walkable, as many attractions are located in or around city centre. Even when I’m doing my weekly food shop, I can simply walk to the nearest grocery store. I also find the transit system to be extremely convenient. There are many bus routes you can take to reach your destination, so if you miss one bus, you do not have to worry—you can often take another route that will get you there in a similar amount of time. I also enjoy taking the tram to my school, Edinburgh Napier University because it is quick and reliable, arriving every 7 minutes. I think Edinburgh’s walkability and public transport make it especially easy to adjust to living here. You can get around the city without needing a car, which makes everyday life much more convenient.
Student Life and Community
There is an active student community in Edinburgh. You will have many chances to meet students from different backgrounds, whether through your accommodation or school community. If you choose to stay in a student accommodation, which is what I decided to do, there will be plenty of opportunity to connect with other students in your building. Student accommodations will often host welcome events and activities for residents to get to know each other. I have met a wonderful group of students through the accommodation’s welcome party, and we have continued to meet up and go out for food during our free time. If you choose to rent a private flat, you may also have the opportunity to become roommates with other students who are looking for accommodation. Many of my classmates who rent privately have become close friends with their roommates.
My university, Edinburgh Napier, acknowledges the diverse community of international students, and aims to create a welcoming environment for students to feel more at home. There is a lot of support available for international students, whether it is regarding visa support, searching for suitable accommodation or adjusting to life in a new country. There was a lot of paperwork involved in the student visa process and getting registered as a new student, but the university’s support team as well as Across the Pond was able to help me sort things out. The Napier Students’ Association also organizes a wide range of sport clubs, student societies and social events, giving students the opportunity to meet people and make friends who share similar interests. I have decided to join the book club hosted by the Edinburgh Napier Book Club Society, and we would come together monthly to share our thoughts about the chosen book of the month, and this is something I would look forward to every month!
Exploring New Cities
There so much to explore in Scotland outside of Edinburgh. I have already taken daytrips to Glasgow and Stirling, and I hope to visit the Highlands during my time here. Scotland is very much accessible by train. I hopped on the Scotrail from the train station and was able to reach Glasgow in less than an hour. Studying in the UK is convenient if you plan on visiting other countries and cities in Europe. It is a relatively quick flight to neighbouring countries. For example, I took a weekend trip to Dublin, Ireland and it was only less than hour flight from Edinburgh. I definitely recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to explore beyond your university and city while you’re studying abroad! I was able to create memories, discover new places and meet new people that I will carry with me long after my studies are over.
-Olivia
5 Reasons to Study In Belfast: My Student Experience
Moving to Belfast has been possibly the best decision I've ever made. I found settling here really easy, because of the city's vibe, comfort, and ease! I found the whole process really simple, which I think made a huge difference in how I experienced Belfast. I want to share a little bit about my experience, how I settled, and how I spent my time.
Banking
Setting up my bank account was a lot easier than I expected. I thought it would involve a lot of paperwork and waiting. Turns out, it was a one day set up. I walked into HSBC and found out that I wasn't the only one trying to set up a bank account. The staff helped groups of students at a time, got us all set up within a 20 minute session, and had all my bank details emailed to me that very night. 100% recommend, this process could not be easier. I've heard from friends that other banks in Belfast work the same way, it's a really easy process of walking in, answering their questions, and getting sent an email that very day.
Groceries
Before I moved to Belfast, I wasn't sure how I would get groceries. The only things I saw online were the big UK brands: Tesco, Spar, Lidl, and others. When I got to Belfast, not only were these major brands really close to my accommodation, there were also a ton of other small shops that weren't as well known, offering a diverse selection of food that I could also enjoy. Your options are not limited to English food, there are plenty of grocery stores that sell food from different parts of the world. I've seen stores that sell cuisine ranging from Asian, to Indian, to Nigerian, to Turkish, and so much more, which helped me realise that I don't have to adjust my eating habits to fit the culture in Belfast.
Transportation
Belfast especially is set up in a way that makes transportation super simple, especially for university students. All the accommodation, university halls, grocery stores, activities, restaurants, and anything else you might need in the city are all in a straight line, just one big road. About every 10 minutes you can always find a bus going in either direction of that road, getting you from one side of the city to another in only 20 minutes. I've been able to go back and forth across the city multiple times throughout a single day, without having to wait for transportation.
Safety
When moving to the UK, one big thing I was concerned about was safety. I was pleased to find out, however, that among the biggest cities in the UK, Belfast is actually ranked as one of the safest. Not only are the streets well lit and people are friendly, the university also provides services that help us remain safe, including a university built app that allows students to track their path home and alert the police if there are any deviations from that path.
Events
Last but certainly not least, you have events. Belfast is a city of character, always energetic and vibrant, willing to put on a show. There is never a dull weekend, from the Christmas Market to St Patrick's Day, to horse races, to bike parades, and that's not even mentioning the university society events. The point is, I was never bored, there's always something to do, something to enjoy in the great city of Belfast!
Studying here is going to give me more than just a degree. It's going to give me a time that I can look back on knowing that I've used every moment of my university experience to the max!
– Marc
