EASY COMMUTE TO LONDON
As far as cities in Canada are concerned, everything is huge and vastly spread out. There are tall buildings and massive six lane highways everywhere. So when I made the move from Canada to UK, it was a big change for me. Not only is the weather considerably more bearable here, everything is much smaller than what I am initially used to.
Guildford, for me, is a small town (there’s ONLY four Starbucks here, including the one on campus!). I love it. I love being able to walk almost anywhere without having to wear insane amounts of winter gear. Back home, driving is practically mandatory as the public transport does not cover the entire city and the weather conditions are too harsh to walk/cycle. This experience is completely new and I am wholeheartedly welcoming it. There are times when I do miss the snow, but then I see my friends back home in the -25°C weather and realise how lucky I am to be spending Christmas in Guildford this year.
One of the great things about being at the University of Surrey is its easy commute to London. The city is only 30 or so minutes away by train and it is one of my absolute favourite places to be. I first visited London when I was 10 years old, and ever since then, I have taken every chance I possibly can to return. Now its so close to me, and I love going there to sightsee. I don’t think I’ve seen a city with such beautiful architecture before. The old buildings that still stand, coupled with the modern additions really bring out a different sort of vibe.
My friends back home call London the “New York of England.” Being a giant Harry Potter fan, the first thing I did was rush to King’s Cross (fellow HP crazies will know) and find the 9 and 3/4 trolley and took about ten photos with it. It’s one thing crossed off my bucket list now!
GLASGOW IS A FABULOUS CITY
What was it like to settle in at Strathclyde University?
The process of setting into Scottish university life was fairly easy for me. I had just finished my undergraduate degree in June of 2014, so I was still in the mindset of a student. Strathclyde had a number of events planned for new students, as well as events geared toward international students, so I made sure to go to some of those events to meet people. Strathclyde also had a number of excellent facilities (fitness centre, library) that made settling into university life very simple.
What was Glasgow like?
Glasgow is a fabulous city. It has a more industrial vibe than most European cities, and yet it still has a number of beautiful historical sites. Coming from a large city (like Toronto), it was great to be able to walk just about anywhere. In cases where something was a little too far to walk, the single subway loop made it easy to get somewhere without getting lost… you eventually end up right back where you started! There are a number of bars and clubs in Glasgow, and many music and performing artists will make stops there on international tours, so you have the chance to attend those if you so choose. Glasgow also has its own international airport with a bus that goes direct from the city centre to the terminal, so travelling is quite simple.
Weather-wise, Glasgow fits the stereotype of the UK – rainy most days. It doesn’t get too cold (I think it hit negative temperatures less than 5 times all winter), but the rain can drench you pretty quickly if you’re not properly covered. However, when the sun does come out, it’s absolutely beautiful. Almost every restaurant will have some sort of outdoor seating so you can really appreciate the nice weather.
There are a number of shops and malls in the city centre as well, so if you’re looking for designer clothing (or a good bargain), you’ll be able to find it in Glasgow. You don’t have to go very far to find something you absolutely love in this city.
Why did you choose Strathclyde University?
Strathclyde was pretty much a no-brainer for me. In pursuing a Master's in Science (in Forensic Science specifically), there were a few universities in the UK that offered a world-class program. After narrowing down to two choices (King’s College in London and Strathclyde University in Glasgow), I ultimately chose Strathclyde for a few reasons. First, Strathclyde appealed to me slightly more due to the difference in price – as King’s is right in London, everything would have been exponentially more expensive. Second, the style of the program. Strathclyde presented the program as a hands-on learning environment with a number of scenario-based assignments, which really peaked my interest. Being a hands-on learner, I much prefer performing my own experiments than reading about someone else’s. Finally, I spoke with a number of people in the Forensic community, who all assured me that a Strathclyde degree is highly recognized in scientific circles. Knowing that the content I would be studying appealed to me, as well as knowing that the degree would be recognized in a positive light, I chose Strathclyde.
What did you Study?
Master's of Science, Forensic Science (Specialization: Chemistry). Graduated with Distinction
What is the cost of living like compared to your home country?
Some things were more expensive, some things were cheaper. It all depends on the strength of the Canadian dollar, but for the most part, I’d say the cost of living overall is about 15% more expensive than living in Canada (Toronto). My rent was approximately $900/month (this included all amenities and internet), which was more expensive than anything I ever had during my undergraduate degree in Canada. The cost of groceries was approximately equal to (or slightly less depending on what I would buy) what I would pay per month in Canada. One thing I noticed that was significantly more expensive was going out to restaurants – the price was almost double. A burger would be about $25 at a sit-down restaurant, which is almost double what you would pay for a burger at Jack Astor’s, for example.
Did you live in University accommodation or private housing?
I chose to live in private housing, however the housing I chose was only open to students (you had to be a student to rent, but it was not exclusive to one university or college). As such, it felt kind of like a university dorm, except I had way more space. I had a double bed and an ensuite washroom, and I shared a fully-equipped kitchen with 4 other people. My apartment was less than a 10 minute walk from the farthest point of the campus, so it was incredibly convenient. There was also a grocery store right across the street, so I never had to go far for anything I needed.
What do you do in your spare time?
The main things I did with my spare time while living in Glasgow were exploring the city, attending fitness classes, and travel. Whenever I had a long break from my studies, I would go and explore somewhere new (both within the UK and beyond). I also did a lot of exploring around the city, attending farmer’s markets and events in the city centre. I also stayed active by going to the gym (a great stress reliever when you’re homesick, I should add).
Have you done any travelling during your studies?
In short, yes. Lots. I travelled all over. I travelled to a number of places in Scotland (Edinburgh, Loch Ness, and The Isle of Skye, to name a few). I also spent a long weekend down in London in September, and the weather was beautiful. I also travelled to many countries in Mainland Europe, including Italy, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, and Denmark. If you want to travel, you can definitely find the time.
What advice would you give to a new student at your university?
I would have to say, get involved. There are so many clubs and committees, as well as an amazing athletic facility! Chances are, there is something that interests you offered by Strathclyde. You’ll get to meet like-minded people from all over the world. It can be a little daunting at first, being in a new country, but if you push yourself out of your comfort zone a little bit, I guarantee you’ll become a better person for it.
What was your experience like with Across The Pond?
My experience with Across The Pond was nothing but positive. In fact, I would call my assigned advisor an invaluable asset in my pursuit of post-graduate education in the UK. He provided me with personalized feedback on my statement of intent and made sure I had all the necessary documentation to apply. Once I had accepted an offer, he kept me up to date with scholarship information and walked me through the visa application process. I really don’t think I could have done all of it on my own, and I’m so glad Across The Pond was there to help me through it!
SOUTHAMPTON IS A SMALL TOWN BUT IT HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU COULD ASK FOR
What made you choose Southampton?
I chose Southampton for two main reasons. Firstly, because it was one of the recommended schools for the JD pathway by Across The Pond. Secondly, my friend who attended this university a couple of years before I started talked to me about the great approach taken by the professors here in helping students to succeed in what can be an extremely challenging degree.
What have been your Southampton ‘highlights’ whilst studying here?
After a long week of lectures and tutorials, I look forward to grabbing a beer and listening to the Karaoke with my fellow Canadian students at the Student Pub. Southampton also has a small airport, which is the perfect the location to fly all over Europe. I was able to take advantage of the holiday breaks to fly to and explore several cities in Europe.
What opportunities have you taken up (within your degree programme and extra-curricular)? In what ways have they helped your personal development?
In my first year, I had the exciting opportunity to present arguments as senior appellant in a moot, which was great fun as well as invaluable experience. This year I was able to attend a CETA talk in London. I had the opportunity to talk to the senior commissioner for Canada and a solicitor who participated in drafting the agreement. Having an EU module in my second year at Southampton meant that I was able to engage and ask relevant questions about the functioning of the new agreement at the talk. The CETA is very important for all Canadians and Canadian lawyers because it will be affecting many federal, provincial and municipal laws. It is therefore crucial to understand how the EU works in order to recognise the effect that CETA has on Canadian companies.
What do you enjoy most about your course?
I really enjoy Land law and Equity & Trusts. They are exciting to learn about because of the way that they have been developed over time. The Land and Trust laws are complex and messy, but amazingly they work.
What networking, employment and work experience opportunities have you undertaken and have they enhanced your Southampton experience?
I am currently the Canadian ambassador for the University of Southampton. This role has allowed me to meet with and greet many Canadian students studying in Southampton. This has helped me to network with fellow students and lawyers. I am also part of the Canadian law society, and a member of the university law society. It is important to be part of these societies because they have organized so many events during which I was able to meet new and interesting people from all around the world. I was able to visit the Jones Day firm in London and experience how big corporate firms operate. It also opened my eyes to the many opportunities of working for international firms that have offices in many continents. I have also had the opportunity to attend several employability skills workshops at Southampton. The most exciting workshop was about the cross-examination of witnesses and learning the technique to effectively do so.
What is Southampton like as a place to study?
Southampton is a small town but it has everything that you could ask for. It has a great nightlife, a big mall that is great for shopping, a beautiful waterfront and the opportunity to fly anywhere in Europe.
What advice would you give to a student starting their degree at Southampton?
For the first couple of weeks it will be hard being away from home, but trust me, it gets better. As an ambassador and a fellow Canadian student you can always contact me for any guidance or enquiry.
AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
Describe a typical day on your course
It depends on the time of the year and the various deadlines we have to meet. We could spend our days in one of the nine studios, recording music and mixing it either in the MacLab or workstation, rehearsing, preparing and writing songs with our respective bands in preparation for gigs. We also attend production, performance, music theory and business classes. You are constantly learning from your course mates and have spare time to just hang out or jam with them. Sometimes we would spend the whole day at uni, but it is fun and you are constantly doing something.
What has surprised you about the course?
The available technologies and facilities!!! You get everything you need for recording sessions, band rehearsals, production work, and not only for uni work and assignments but for your own projects as well.
What has been your Solent highlight so far?
I got an unbelievable chance to go to Abbey Road Studios, one of the best studios in the world. I spent the whole day in studio 2 recording backing vocals for a song composed by third-year students. It was an unforgettable experience.
How is Solent helping you prepare for a career?
We get multiple opportunities to perform at local venues and the chance to connect with people from other courses.
THE MOST FUN AND EXCITING TIMES OF MY LIFE
Describing my university experience in the United Kingdom is a difficult task, as it has honestly been one of the most fun and exciting times of my life. I heartily recommend this experience to anyone who is thinking about a Master's, as living and studying in a new country allows you to not only explore new cultures, but also appreciate home more. At the beginning of my experience, settling into the university was a lot easier than expected. I live in university accommodation so everyone I met was in a similar situation of being in a new city (or country) and of knowing no one, we all became fast friends. The university offered services and a welcome package to help me every step of the way; it was an exciting time and while it was a little scary coming to a university in a new country I was able to settle in and become comfortable here in no time.
As a student of medieval archaeology, I chose University of Sheffield because of its amazing archaeology department and the comprehensive courses offered. The quality and direction of the education I was going to be receiving was the most important factor in my decision to choose Sheffield University, and it has since proven to be a good choice.
Sheffield is an interesting city. It was originally very industrial and has since transitioned into a very hip and welcoming place to live. There is always something to do, either in the city centre or in the peak district, and it is small enough that I feel very comfortable moving about and yet large enough to host any number of events and festivals. That being said, the cost of living is much greater in the United Kingdom simply because the pound is stronger than the Canadian dollar. This has impacted my lifestyle in certain ways; I eat out much less and I don’t spend as much on things I want. I tend to put any extra I have into travelling the county, something I do quite often! At the beginning of the year, when I had less coursework, I would visit one city in the surrounding area every weekend, exploring the country and having small adventures. The British transit system is amazingly easy to navigate and there are few places you cannot get to. Cities like Manchester and York have become regular destinations, and from Sheffield I have been able to travel to London, Edinburgh, and even Paris at very little expense. I would definitely recommend a rail pass!
Without Across The Pond, I don’t think I would have had the courage to apply for my Master's in the United Kingdom. It was such a daunting task, and having someone who understood the process and who was there to support me in my academic endeavours was an invaluable resource, making my experience applying for my Master's much less stressful and intimidating than it otherwise would have been.
