“Life is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page” St. Augustine

My love for travel started when I was very young on my first international trip to Cuba, I was fascinated by the plane, the new place, and I treasure each of those memories. My passion only grew over the years, and I have been extremely fortunate to have parents and family who share this passion. In my 23 years on this planet, I have explored Europe, volunteered in Ecuador, and backpacked around Thailand and Nepal. These experiences have helped shape the person I am today and have also influenced my career goals. Therefore, the decision of studying abroad has always been in my mind, however, the decision to actually do it involved a lot more consideration then I thought.

To apply or not to apply

The first step in this journey is choosing to apply. For me the biggest fear I had was money. Not only were international fees more expensive but the exchange rate from Canadian dollars to the Pound is not the best, but when I sat down and looked at the finances I was pleasantly surprised. When I worked it out, a similar program in Canada was a minimum of 2 years, where over in the UK they were only 1 year because they went for a full 12 months. This meant that the tuition fees worked out to be the same amount, so definitely look at the comparisons between the programs you are considering! I also had a huge support system in my mom, and without her encouragement and help I would not be living my dream here in the UK today. As an all-knowing mother she is, she told me that if this is what I truly wanted we could make it happen. She told me to write down everything that was holding me back from making the decision, that way I could address them one by one. So, I started writing it all down, the first thing was a budget. I listed all the potential expenses I would have, from rent to cell phone bills to bus passes. Now that I had a fixed number on paper the idea of going seemed a lot more manageable, that number was something I could work towards and keep in mind when I wanted a $5 Starbucks drink.

After figuring out the finances it really came down to comparing programs, would the UK Masters teach the same things as a Canadian Masters? I was able to do some research and really looked critically at the course outlines to find the learning objectives and aims. By comparing the different programs, it was easy to see that all the choices were really very similar, and that even the UK options had more exciting aspects.

The last major hang ups I had was family. I am extremely close to the majority of my family and missing a year would mean missing a wedding, baby showers, and just them! It was hard to think about it like that, so instead I framed it as how much I would be able to experience over here and those memories I could then share with them when I go home. Also, in today’s day and age it hardly feels like I’m missing anything, what with Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facetime its basically like I’m there!

In the end, for me, it really came down to understanding all the pros and cons, and realizing that this was a once and a lifetime opportunity and I would truly be ridiculous if I turned it down! If you’re struggling with figuring out your options, please contact one of the Across the Pond advisors as they can help you find a way to realize your dream of studying in the UK!

Since high school, I wanted to move to Vancouver. That was my end-goal. I planned to finish my Bachelor’s degree in Toronto and then move across the country to B.C. for my Master’s. For years, I told everyone that I was moving to Vancouver after I graduated. I wanted to study at UBC or Simon Fraser, ski in the Rockies, hike, and visit hip vegetarian restaurants. My plan was set in stone, or so I thought.

My journey to the UK

Fast-forward to October 2015. The idea of studying abroad entered my radar when I developed an interest in the University of Toronto’s summer abroad program. I ended up studying in Oxford during August 2016 after my successful application to the program. Throughout the month, I spared no expense travelling to as many destinations as possible. Unsurprisingly, I fell in love with the UK. I arrived home with a new perspective on my future. Grad school applications began shortly after, in which I applied to Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and four universities across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Like many students, I struggled at the start of my application process. Where do I begin looking for suitable MA programs in the UK? Which universities will offer me the best education for my field? Which region do I want to live in? I did my own research, but I was in over my head. Across the Pond was enormously helpful in this regard. My advisor asked for information on my current program and matched me with a list of universities related to my academic interests. From there, I narrowed my search down to four options and began my applications. 

My acceptance letters led to a conflicted decision-making process. Do I abandon my Vancouver dream, or stick to the plan? Full disclosure: travelling was (and still is) one of my main motivators for studying a Master’s degree. I knew that I wanted to study away from home, whether I chose Vancouver or the UK. Vancouver always seemed like a far-off destination in comparison to my small hometown outside of Toronto. But studying in Oxford shrunk those borders. Despite the distance, Vancouver is still close to home. If I wanted to travel, I should do it properly. Right?

How to choose?

I find it helpful to measure my options when I have a big decision to make. I’m a visual learner, which means I like to see all the facts in front of me (I’m a huge nerd for lists). Whether you’re like me or not, you can’t go wrong with this tactic. Here’s an idea of what my pros and cons lists looked like while choosing between Simon Fraser and the University of Aberdeen (my top choice in the UK).

SFU

Aberdeen Uni

Remember to value quality over quantity in a pros and cons list. You may have a long list of cons, but their importance might be superficial in comparison to your pros – and vice versa. For instance, I have more pros than cons listed for SFU. But can I really compare the value of warm winters to fulfilling my desire to travel?

Moral of the story: plans change. You might believe that your future is set in stone, but nothing is definitive. Moving to the UK might not be something you always considered, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the right option for you. If you would like to learn more about studying in the UK, feel free to contact one of our advisors.

The UK is filled with history and incredible sights, making it a great place to live and travel. That being said, one of the big perks of living in the UK is its great position for affordable travel around Europe and elsewhere. There are so many fabulous destinations in a short flight radius, and with the rise of budget airlines, escaping for a short break between classes has never been more doable. So, what’s the best way to plan an escape from your homework?
 

Planes, trains, and busses... oh my!

The cheapest way to travel out of the UK is by plane and by bus. Trains can be much more expensive, but I generally find them to be the most comfortable mode of transport. The rule of the game in train tickets is to book early – usually you will find that tickets drastically increase in price as the date approaches.

Buses will generally take you longer, but if you’ve got a little spare time on your hands it can save you a lot of money. Bus routes connect most cities in Europe and are a great way to get around, especially in countries with less substantial train systems. Try reputable companies like Flixbus (which has a great app) and Student Agency.
 

With flights, be flexible about your destination and dates

The best way to nab a cheap flight is to be flexible with your trip. Over my November reading break I ended up in Sardinia, Italy, because that was the cheapest ticket I could find to a place with a beach (£50 round trip, isn’t that wild?). Websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights will helpfully provide you with travel inspiration that fits your window. If you already know the place you want to end up, search the site to find the best travel dates for that route.

Booking flights can be somewhat of a gamble – sometimes booking in advance is the best way to guarantee your cheap flight, but it’s usually possible to score last minute deals if you’re flexible.
 

How to make the trip work

Whether you’re the type to plan your entire trip in advance, or if you (like me) are more the last minute-type, you’re bound to have a fantastic experience. I generally book hostels when I’m travelling alone as they’re a great way to meet people and feel safe abroad. Airbnb is a great alternative if you’re traveling with a group of friends and would like some space to yourselves.

My friends and I were desperate to sneak away during reading break, but we’re also law students with a pile of homework. So, we booked an entire boat on Airbnb in Sardinia and sprawled our homework out for days on the table. We had our study breaks adventuring around the island and cooking pasta. It was the perfect way to mix studies and travels.

One of my favourite parts about living in London is the opportunity for further travel abroad. I haven’t decided on my next London-escape yet, but I have my eye on Copenhagen and Morocco. Travels like these really add depth to an already fantastic experience in London. If you need to write a paper, you may as well write it in an Italian café, right?

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

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:

1. You witness how different cultures communicate within themselves and with outsiders.
2. You incorporate new communicative styles into your behaviour that you can bring back to Canada.
3. 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. For further inquiries about studying in the UK, please contact one of our Across the Pond advisors.