Study in the UK - Across the Pond Canada

Celebrating Bonfire Night in Glasgow

Written by Ashley - 12/11/2018

The Bonfire Night celebrations began on the heels of Halloween. The weekend had been ushered in with the sound of fireworks and the smell of wood smoke and BBQ. The celebrations started early and continued through the week. While I’m writing this, I can still hear the last of the fireworks being set off!

I had some previous knowledge of Bonfire Night from my family in Newfoundland. They usually call it Guy Fawkes night and celebrate with a big bonfire, local music, and burning the “Guy”: a Guy Fawkes effigy made of old clothes and stuffed with leaves, newspaper, or other flammable material. I was curious to see what Bonfire Night would be like in the UK especially in a big city like Glasgow.

The first thing I learned is that fireworks and sparklers are a big part of the night. Just before Halloween, our local grocery stores put up displays of fireworks as people began stocking up for the big night. I am currently student-teaching at a school, and in preparation for Bonfire Night, the children were working on paintings of fireworks displays and writing stories about holding sparklers with their families.

When Monday night finally rolled around, my flatmates and I planned to go to Glasgow Green for the fireworks show. As we were getting ready, we noticed crowds of people walking down the sidewalk under our living room window. We watched as large groups headed towards the Green, lit up by the flashing blue lights of the three firetrucks parked across the street from our residence.

We quickly bundled up, though it was a pretty mild and clear night for Glasgow. As we walked towards the Green we passed food trucks selling sweets and snacks, and as we got closer we heard the thumping bass of loud music. This Bonfire Night was a bit different than I was expecting: there were carnival rides and music being played before the big fireworks display. The crowd had really turned out and it was closely packed as everyone watched the fireworks and took pictures or videos on their phones. After the show, the fairgrounds remained open for another hour or so and offered carnival games, amusement rides for all ages, as well as fun houses and food.

My flatmates and I finally decided to brave the crowds and head back; luckily, we didn’t have far to travel as the crowd slowly dispersed through the city. I noticed my clothes smelled smoky, and there was a haze hanging in the air. The next day at school the children were very excited to share all their stories of Bonfire Night. It was certainly exciting to take in a UK-style Bonfire Night!

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Urquhart Castle near Inverness - Study in Scotland - Across the Pond Canada

Day Trips to Inverness

Written by Ambassador Lauren - 09/11/2018

Travelling To Inverness

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit family in Inverness for a few days while my course had a reading week. I took the train from Edinburgh to Inverness, which was about a three hour journey. The train itself is such a lovely experience; you pass so much beautiful scenery, the journey just flies by!

Things To Do In The City

The city itself is relatively small, but very easy to get around! There are so many things to see, and it is very beautiful. Within the city itself, there are all sorts of cafés and pubs to eat at, which are all delightful. There are also many things to experience.

The River Ness

The River Ness flows through the centre of the city, and farther down into Loch Ness. It is lovely and picturesque, and a wonderful place to walk down at any time of day.

Inverness Castle

Near the city centre, Inverness Castle is up on a hill and overlooks the entire city. You can walk up the hill and experience the view, as well as explore the castle and see views from the towers. It is a beautiful place, with beautiful views of the River Ness and beyond.

Eastgate Shopping Centre

If you’re a shopping fan, there is a great mall in the city centre. Pick up souvenirs for yourself and friends and family!

Eden Court Theatre

If you’re interested in seeing a movie or a play, check out Eden Court! They have all sorts of shows all year round, and a lovely café to eat at as well!

Things To See Outside of Inverness

There are several things to see just outside of the city as well that are absolutely beautiful. Check out these wonderful attractions that are just a quick trip on public transport away!

Loch Ness

If you’re in Inverness, you can’t miss your chance to try and find Nessie! Just outside Inverness, travel around the entire Loch and see some of the most beautiful scenes you can imagine. If you’re lucky, you may just see the Loch Ness Monster!

Urquhart Castle

If you’re travelling Loch Ness, stop and see Urquhart Castle! Along the edge of the Loch, it’s a beautiful historic building with a lovely view. Experience and learn more about history with a tour of the castle!

Culloden Battle Field

If you’re a history fan, experience some of Scotland’s history! Culloden Battle Field is just north-west of Inverness, and its museum and memorial are amazing to see. As well, if you’re a fan of the TV show Outlander, this is a pivotal location of the series. It is humbling to see the location of such history, and something you must see if history interests you.

Glen Affric

A beautiful scenic location just outside of the city, Glen Affric is wonderful to see, especially in the fall. The changing leaves add so much more magic to the area, which is full of 10 000 year old trees. It is an absolutely stunning location, which I cannot recommend enough!

Dog Falls

Just a short distance from Glen Affric, Dog Falls is beautiful. A half hour hike along the river, it is great for anyone who loves the outdoors! There are three different trails depending on how long of a hike you want, but make sure you go early in the day! I was not able to hike the trails because we arrived to close to dark, but it was still nice to see the beginning of the trail and read about the area’s history!

If you want to see more of Scotland while studying abroad, definitely visit the capital of the Highlands. It is full of beautiful scenery and historic areas, and is a definite must if you’re studying in the UK

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Studying Education (Teacher's College) in the UK

Written by Ambassador Ashley - 02/11/2018

Nov 2, 2018 12:00:00 PM

A common question I get asked here is: why did you choose Scotland to study education? My answer is maybe a little more complicated than other international students, but it involves the coming together of a great programme and some family roots.

After completing my undergraduate diploma, I headed over to South Korea to teach English. I stayed there for a number of years until moving on to China where I worked for an international teaching consultancy firm in Shanghai. We analysed teachers’ resumes if they were interested in working internationally and helped them find schools that would be a good fit.

I became familiar with education qualifications from many countries and after two years in China, I felt that my real calling was teaching. I was ready to choose a programme to get certified.

While looking at post graduate qualifications around the world, I kept coming back to University of Strathclyde’s PGDE programme. It was appealing to me because it was offered at a masters level, and after completing the course I’d have half the credits necessary for an M.Ed

The course was also heavily focused on the placement learning and experiences. The PGDE stands for Professional Graduate Diploma in Education, and the focus is very much about training new teachers for the professional world of education.

Another thing that interested me was Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence. The program is relatively new and flexible with the adaptability to offer exciting opportunities for teachers. The programme offers vibrant discussions of educational policy in Scotland and invites new teachers to discuss, work in the field, then return and reflect to discuss again. The mixture of theory and practice is an excellent balance for new teachers.

Strathclyde has a sprawling campus which occupies a large chunk of Glasgow’s Merchant City. There are picturesque side streets lined with boutique shopping just a hop away from where students hurry along well-worn steps on their way to class. Lectures take place in old cathedrals, local theatres, and turn of the century buildings as well as the cutting-edge facilities of the downtown campus.

All these buildings are nestled in amongst the vibrant Glasgow restaurant scene, where you can grab a quick bite to eat or stay a while at a coffeeshop nearby. Strathclyde University also recently opened their new Sports Facility, which offers amazing facilities that are included in the accommodation for students living in the halls.

So with an exciting programme in mind, the thing that sealed the deal to come study in Scotland was the Ancestry Visa I applied for. Since my grandmother was born in the UK, and I was from a Commonwealth country (Canada) I could qualify for a 5 year UK Ancestry Visa.

This visa means I can study and work in the UK for the next 5 years so, after gaining my teacher qualification, I’m looking forward to completing my probationary year in Scotland. After studying and working in Scotland for a couple of years, I’ll have an internationally recognised education degree which I can take with me where ever I head to next.

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Founders Building Royal Holloway University of London - Study in the UK - Across the Pond Canada

Moving to London

Written by Ambassador Puneet - 26/10/2018

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!

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Celebrating Thanksgiving while in the UK

Written by Ambassador Lauren - 18/10/2018

Updated 18 July 2024 by Advisor Brittany.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in Canada is the first Monday in October, and one of my favourite holidays. I love being with my family and eating a wonderful meal, so when I decided to study abroad I knew I would be sad to miss it. On top of that, Thanksgiving is not celebrated in the UK, which I wasn’t expecting! Some other Canadian friends and I decided to throw our own Thanksgiving meal, since we couldn’t be with our own families at home. It was a wonderful experience, with a few hiccups along the way. Read on to find out more about celebrating holidays from home in the UK!

Planning the Meal

We had a group of eight people to celebrate with; half of us were Canadian, and the other half either had connections to Canada or simply wanted to experience one of our holidays. We wanted to make sure that we had all of our favourite dishes. This included: turkey (of course), mashed potatoes, butternut squash soup, cranberries, cheesy potato casserole, and stuffing. We even included vegetarian options for some of our friends! For dessert, we made brownies, apple crisp, and pumpkin pie!

Road Blocks

Because the UK does not celebrate Thanksgiving, we had a few challenges while preparing our meal. First of all, Monday was not a holiday here, so we had to attend class and squeeze our dinner preparations in around it. Second of all, the foods we wanted were not all available. If you decide to do something like this while studying in the UK, I would suggest planning a few weeks in advance! Here in Edinburgh, turkeys aren’t on sale in grocery stores until close to Christmas time, because they do not have an earlier holiday that requires one. Because of that, we had to order our turkey online from a butcher, and we got two small roasts, instead of a small bird. This was fine, and the turkey was delicious! Second, pumpkin pie is not something that is eaten in the UK. Finding the ingredients in local grocery stores was almost impossible, and because the pie was my responsibility, I had a difficult time preparing it! In the end, I ordered the pumpkin puree (the only ingredient I couldn’t find) online. In the London, there is an American Food Store that ships to all of the UK, and they had exactly what I needed! This store will be linked down below, and is also useful if you’re craving any foods from home that you can’t find here!

The Event

We held our Thanksgiving on the Monday. I had baked my pie the day before in preparation, and I arrived at my friend’s flat early to help with preparations. We set out some cheese, crackers and meats for an appetizer, and opened a bottle of wine. Next, we had the main course, starting with some soup! Following that, we had the turkey and all of our other main dishes. We overate, so we decided to take a break before dessert. We played some games and chatted until we felt able to eat again. Dessert is always my favourite part of a meal, and it did not disappoint! Though I missed being at home with my family this year, I absolutely loved the make-shift Thanksgiving that my friends and I threw together!

Quick Tips

These can be applied to any holiday you’re missing at home while studying in the UK, not just Thanksgiving!

If you are missing your family on a holiday, video chat with them while they celebrate! This allows you to be a part of the festivities, even though you are far away.
If you’re planning a meal with North American foods (like pumpkin pie) or celebrating a holiday that is not celebrated in the UK (like Thanksgiving), plan early! You may need to order some things online.
Make friends with other people studying abroad, so you have people to spend time with when you’re missing home on these holidays!

Sources

https://www.usafoodstore.co.uk

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Goodbye Canada Hello United Kingdom

Written by Jasmine - 10/10/2018

This blog entry is going to give you the basic guidelines of what to bring and expect when immigrating to the United Kingdom for your studies! Most importantly, I'm going to tell you about my experience the first few weeks of being in the UK.

Arriving at the Airport in the UK and What to Bring

When arriving as an international student, ensure you have packed wisely to have easy-access to all your important paperwork and items when going through customs. From there, gather all your luggage and make your way into the great unknown (the doors into the area for arrivals). Once I went through the doors, I immediately saw a school representative at a podium who was kind enough to book a taxi for me free of charge and take me to my accommodation 10 minutes from campus. I highly recommend taking a taxi to your accommodation because carrying two-three suitcases isn’t an easy thing to do and it’s a great way to ask the driver questions.

Once I arrived to my new flat (British form of saying apartment), I immediately called all my family members and took them on a tour of my place. I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement being in a new place, I was also tired and thought to myself, what on earth am I doing here, should I just go home now? Ignore that voice, that is called jet-lag and you need to fight through it and grab yourself some food.

Settling in and Enjoying the Night Life as a Fresher...

Welcome week for Freshers is an exciting way to meet new people in your program and explore the city night life. There are tons of nights and events dedicated to pub quizzes, clubs and postings of great societies to apply for and join. My advice is to force yourself to stay awake and get out to all these events. I met my first friend in Glasgow the second night I was here by walking outside straight into a pub called The Howlin’ Wolf with live music. What better way to learn about a new place, then to meet and ask the people who have lived in the UK their entire life. Do not stress about meeting friends, your circle of friends will enter your life in the UK when and how you least expect it.

An Apple a Day DOES Keep the Doctor Away...

This is my most important advice in the entire blog, as I am currently sick while writing it. A key thing we tend to forget when moving to a new country, is that our bodies need to adjust to the weather and time difference. I would recommend investing in a kettle, cold medicine and melatonin right when you get here. A kettle to make yourself a nice cup of tea, cold medicine because you will get sick from the weather and melatonin to fix your sleep schedule instead of being a night owl for the first three weeks of classes.

Harry Potter and Tim Hortons...

My favourite part about moving to the UK thus far is being able to travel to Edinburgh which is an hour train ride away and costs only 8.56 pounds for a round trip! I was able to experience the Harry Potter Tour which I imagine is a big piece of a lot of people's childhoods. You get to see The Elephant House where J.K. Rowling wrote the first novel of the series. You get to walk a few minutes and see the tombstones that are believed to have given her inspiration for the characters names especially the famous Tom Riddell. If you are a big Harry Potter fan, I would highly recommend this and taking a stroll down Victoria street which was the inspiration for Diagon Alley.

Also, “It’s Time for Tims,” is an understatement for anyone from Canada. They opened the first two Tim Jasmine UK6 Hortons in Glasgow a few months ago, and I was extremely over joyed to get a nice hot chocolate and toasted bagel before my tutorial. It is nice to find a familiar coffee and donut chain anywhere you travel. Grab yourself a planner to write your class and tutorial schedule out and sit down with a nice cup of coffee from Tims.

Home is Where Your Story Begins

Ultimately, do not be afraid to make the UK your home for the next few years, be scared, be excited, be open and ready for change because it is coming! Walk around every chance you get and explore the museums, parks, schools, restaurants and culture that makes your new home. If you have any questions about what to bring or expect in the UK, do not hesitate to contact one of our advisors, we would be more than happy to answer any questions. Jasmine UK7

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First days in Edinburgh

Written by admin - 01/10/2018

Oct 1, 2018 12:00:00 PM

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!

Loch Ness, Inverness, Lauren Cameron

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

View from Edinburgh Castle, Lauren Cameron

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, View from Edinburgh Castle, Lauren Cameron
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!

Victoria Street, Lauren Cameron

My arrival in the UK so far has been full of ups and downs, but I do love it here and I am so happy I challenged myself to do this. Edinburgh is beautiful, my course is fantastic, and overall I am happy. If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our advisors.

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Study in Scotland - Across the Pond Canada - University of Strathclyde

First Days At Strathclyde

Written by Ambassador Ashly - 27/09/2018

What was it like to arrive in the UK? Was the visa easy or more complicated?

I arrived at Glasgow International Airport early in the morning on a cloudy day in August. Passengers from my flight seemed to be the only ones in queue for immigration. I had gathered up all my documents, but was still feeling uneasy about customs.

The application process for my visa had been a little different. I had a grandmother who was born in Scotland, and I was from a commonwealth country so I was able to apply for a UK Ancestry visa, which would allow me to study, work, and live in the UK for up to 5 years. My plan is to study my PGDE with Strathclyde in Scotland, then remain in the UK to practise teaching.

Gathering up the documentation for that visa had been a long process. I needed to collect birth certificates, marriage licenses, proof of funds, and book an appointment at a visa center in Ottawa (the nearest centre to me) to send off for my visa. I have a real appreciation for what a service like Across the Pond can offer for students going through the visa process.

I was a little nervous about the immigration check for my visa; I was unsure if it would be as complicated. Luckily the agent working the desk at the time was very kind and patient. My Across the Pond Student Advisor had already let me know what to expect, so I had my documentation ready. He asked me a couple questions about my plans for Scotland, and then I was on my way!

What was Welcome Week/Orientation like? Did you find it helpful? What was the most enjoyable?

My programme started earlier than most to accommodate the student teacher placement schedule. I arrived at the mostly quiet student halls, but had great assistance getting set up. The regular orientation activities wouldn’t be ready for another week or two so I met up with my flatmates and other members of the residence to talk about the course and make new friends.

Once orientation week started, there were loads of events going on around the city. Some of these fairs on campus had lots of good info about events in the city (and lots of discounts!) as well as info that was helpful for international students: like opening a student bank account and getting a cell phone plan.

There were lots of events for on-campus residences as well, like free breakfast and pizza meet ups and getting to know your residence team and meet fellow students.

It was so easy to meet others while living in student halls, and we quickly made plans for events and trips.

I’ve had some opportunities now to make little excursions on the weekend to places outside Glasgow. So far I’ve made it to Edinburgh (sadly just after the Fringe Festival), and spent some time hiking and exploring the city. I’m looking forward to more kinds of excursions like this, and seeing more of Scotland.

Do you have any recommendations for students arriving next Autumn?

I initially thought because I had experience living abroad and adjusting to a new country that the move over to the UK wouldn’t be too much of a culture shock, but I found that going through the visa process and arriving in a new country still was a pretty new and exciting experience for me, even if I spoke the language here! I really appreciated the assistance preparing for my arrival, so I would recommend new students to seek out any advice from their Across the Pond Student Advisors.

The other side of that is: I found I was very supported by my university once I arrived here. The student halls have been great and the Welcome Week events made me feel pretty comfortable navigating the city, and travelling beyond.

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A Year in the Life of a UK Master’s Student

Written by admin - 10/09/2018

Sep 10, 2018 9:00:00 AM

Studying in the UK can take a lot of planning and patience throughout the application process. But once the seemingly endless waiting game to depart for the UK is over, a new and exciting year long adventure is waiting for Master’s students! After all the anticipation, here is what you can expect as a Master’s student in the UK:

ATP Travel

Arriving:

If you haven’t had the chance to visit the university or city you will be visiting everything will be new and unfamiliar when you arrive. Depending on the size of your university you may spend the first month or so navigating around. The first few weeks are a great time to get to meet other students as there are usually a lot of welcome events on campus to make you feel at home and services to offer the advice and support that you need!

Getting into the Swing of things:

A Master’s program in the UK is definitely an exciting adventure but it’s a lot of hard work as well! You will be expected to do your own readings as well as course work and attending lectures/ seminars. Staying on top of things can cause you to spend a lot of time in the library, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with the study zones so you know the best places to work.

iStock_000080121625_Medium christmas

Christmas Break:

By Christmas time you will probably be an expert on the local area and laugh that you didn’t know anything only a few weeks before. Universities usually give you a few weeks break over Christmas so this is a good time to squeeze in some travelling around the UK or the rest of Europe!

Spring Semester:

By this time students are usually starting to think of their dissertations as well as staying on top of coursework so this time tends to fly by! The days start getting lighter and it even gets a bit warmer! Students can also try to sneak away on Easter break vacation (if they don’t have too much uni work!)

iStock_000084580805_Large easter

Summer:

This is it! The final stretch. This is where the sleepless nights and pulling all-nighters in the library is really common. Working on the final project, the dissertation! Although dissertations in the UK must be completed in a much shorter time frame than back home in Canada, with proper planning and time management skills it is definitely manageable! You may even be able to have a few exciting weekend getaways if you plan it just right!

shutterstock_159999140_studying

The End:

The end of August/ beginning of September rolls around and it’s time to go home! You won’t believe how fast the year has gone so make sure to make every day count and to immerse yourself in as many new experiences as possible. Work hard but also have some fun! A year goes by so quickly so make the most of every experience and get involved as much as you can. Saying goodbye is bittersweet but you can be proud that you are leaving with a Master’s degree and highly valuable international experience.

If you would like to find out more about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors

ATP Graduation

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