Coming to the UK has been one of the best decisions I have made. I love it here and will find it hard to go back home. When I first arrived it was daunting, and a little scary, but it quickly became a second home. My first day in York I ended up going out with my housemates to a freshers event and since that day we have become such a close knit group of friends (from several different countries) that I feel so secure in whatever problems might come my way. I would say the only downside of living in the UK is that the cost of living is higher than back home and a little more than I expected. However, if you keep your eye open and find out different options, it’s not too hard to live decently on a decent amount of money.

University of York has a beautiful campus and being in archaeology I get to have classes in a building once used in Tudor times. The history of the York is so amazing, from the Roman walls to the Minster and the Georgian housing, I'm amazed every time I walk through town. Hence a great place to study archaeology. My classes are much more specific than they would be back home, but I think that allows you to focus on what is especially interesting to you. The professors are so welcoming and you can tell that they are invested in your work as well and are always willing to help and just provide even further avenues of knowledge. It was weird at first calling professors by their first names, but it does help to establish a closer connection that facilitates a greater understanding.

I want to thank Across the Pond for making it a lot easier to make all of this possible. My advisor was extremely helpful in the application process and it was great to have guidelines and advice to prepare me for life in the UK. I even asked for assistance with an issue months after arrival and it was helpfully answered. I would definitely recommend Across the Pond to anyone wishing to travel to the UK for school.

Ever since I could remember I have always wanted to travel to England so I thought I would take the opportunity to study here. I chose Worcester because I wanted the traditional English vibe from the city. Being an international student here is an unbelievable experience. The university provided an international week allowing you to get to know other students, settle in and explore the city. I have even joined one of their societies, the Christian Union. It is a good opportunity to meet lots of new people.

Living here has also made me very independent, having to buy groceries, do my own laundry and work out my financial budget. The accommodation is very spacious, modern, safe and gave me just a 5 minute walk to class.

I really enjoy the modules I am studying on my exchange. Every module is very hands on and will help me towards my next step in my career. The class sizes are small which means you get to know your fellow students but also your tutors know you by names and sincerely care about how you are doing. Studying these modules has given me the chance to gain some great connections of people that work in the industry who are happy for me to contact them even when I return home if I have any questions.

There are great facilities too, as I was part of the journalism and creative digital media courses I was allowed access to their radio studio, television studio and Apple Mac suite. I have enjoyed Worcester so much and would advise anyone to take the opportunity to study here if they have the chance.

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!

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!

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.