Staying connected to home while in the UK
Written by admin - 01/11/2016
One of the hardest parts of first arriving in the UK is missing family and friends. In today’s world, we can speak to anyone whenever we want! There are so many ways to stay connected with everyone back home. When our Across the Pond Advisors studied abroad, the majority found the easiest communication tool was Facebook, followed by an app called WhatsApp- both will be discussed in more detail below, but before that here is some information on getting your phone set up.
Getting a Phone
If you have an unlocked phone at home already, all you need to do is get a British SIM card. Some low-cost, no contract phone providers in the UK even offer their SIM cards for free. Plans range from £10-20 a month and include all the features you might need. Each month you can decide which ‘goodybag’ you want for your specific needs, and change it whenever you need to. If you don’t have an unlocked phone, you can buy one in the UK from a number of providers.
With a working phone with a data plan, you can use things like Facebook and Facebook Messenger to send a quick message to family and friends. It’s a great way to say hi or tell them something cool that happened that day, not to mention sharing all of your photos from your adventures!
Texting and WhatsApp
You also have the option of using WhatsApp. It is an app which essentially works like texting but is free (on WiFi or within your data allowance), so instead of opening your messages you can text from WhatsApp. If you have an iPhone and want to talk to another iPhone user, this is also an option without any fees. You can iMessage regularly without any international fees as long as you’re on data or wifi.
Calling and Skype
Sometimes messaging your loved ones is not enough, and you’ll want to hear their voices and see their faces whilst studying overseas in Britain. Pets’ faces, too! Video calling like FaceTime (via Apple devices) or Skype are both options that don’t cost anything!
There are many different ways to stay in touch with everyone at home. If one option doesn’t work for one person, there will always be another way! Speaking to everyone and staying up to date with each other helps to adjust to living in a different country without them. If it ever feels like it’s too difficult, or your homesickness is particularly strong one day, remind yourself that hey - at least you aren’t writing snail mail!
And remember, if you would like to find out more details about any aspect of studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors!
Samantha’s Fresher Experience as a Graduate Student
Written by admin - 17/10/2016
Oct 17, 2016 9:00:00 PM
Freshers Week in the UK occurs at the beginning of the first university semester; it can be best described as an introduction week before students’ lectures begin. It’s a great opportunity to join the university’s student clubs and societies and meet new people – even if it is in the most unexpected of ways… I moved to London two weeks earlier than the rest of the students. I wanted to explore the city and understand my whereabouts whilst I settled in. As other students moved into halls, I was beyond excited to meet them and ask where they were from. As a graduate student, I did not sign up for any fresher events, however, I did sign up for events for international graduate students. The first event was the International Student Boat Party. I met a few other fellow grad students at Enrolment Day who had encouraged me to buy a ticket to the event. I was exploring the city with a flatmate overran and I ended up rushing to the tube, underestimating the time it would take to get to the pier, Canary Wharf. As I exited the underground station, I began walking towards large boats and yachts where I assumed the Queen Mary boat would be. I ended up getting completely lost and the GPS on my phone was telling me unclear directions. As I began to run towards the pier after asking a stranger for directions, I saw the boat and some familiar faces aboard. Running in a semi-formal outfit was embarrassing in itself, but as I approached the boat, the woman told me it was too late to go aboard. I watched the boat depart from the dock and take off on the beautiful water of the River Thames. Less than minutes later, two other students were running in a panic towards the boat trying to make the party on time. All three of us were dressed up and so excited to attend a boat party with our fellow classmates. As we introduced ourselves and shared our sadness for not making it on time, we decided to create our own special night! We took the tube to King’s Cross and went to dinner at Pizza Express, a pizza restaurant chain that can be found in London, and across the UK. My saddened state of losing 20 quid from the cost of the ticket and missing out on a boat party was soon resolved after meeting two new friends. The students were studying law and both were from different regions of India. We joked about creating our own international party with pizza and chocolate – much better than an overly priced party! That night, I learned that things would not always go as planned during my UK study adventure. As an international student, I am continuously figuring things out as they happen; getting lost will likely happen again. Yes, I was disappointed I missed a party with my week-old friends, but more importantly, I unexpectedly made two new friends. I probably wouldn’t have met them if it weren’t for the situation. We ended up exchanging numbers and attended a Postgraduate Quiz night at Queen Mary’s Student Union together! The rest of my Freshers Week consisted of exploring London with flatmates, talkative dinners, and sharing funny stories from home. In one week I made amazing friends who I plan to go on many adventures with. I’ve learnt that learning to turn situations that didn’t go to plan into positive ones is a necessary perspective to have while abroad. In my mind, I did not miss a boat party but instead had a spontaneous dinner with two new friends from across the world. Bring on the rest of the year!
Things to Remember When Applying to the UK
Written by admin - 12/08/2016
Aug 12, 2016 1:59:57 PM
Are you stuck on where to start in your UK university application? Fear not! We have listed some helpful tips for you to keep note of when applying to study in the UK. Choosing a University Your first decision will likely be one of the most difficult ones; which universities should you apply to? There are a lot of schools to consider, each with their own unique draws. It is important that you take the time to carefully research them all to figure out which will be the best fit for you. Some things you may want to consider, if you haven’t already: Filling out your application Once you’ve made your list of universities you wish to apply to, your personal Across The Pond Advisor will help you begin your online application. The documentation requirements within your application vary from program to program, but typically include a personal statement of why you want to study your chosen program in the UK, a letter or two of recommendation from a former teacher or professor, along with your academic transcripts. Some programs, like Creative Writing, Photography or Fine Art, may also require a portfolio of work for the admission teams to consider. Your Advisor will guide you through the process. Fees, Funding and Scholarships Studying in the UK is by no means a cheap option, but it doesn’t have to prohibitively expensive. There are provincial and federal funds that can help you pay for your education, the amount of which varies between each province and territory. Your Across The Pond Advisor can help identify which funds are available to you. The universities also offer scholarships to international students. You will be automatically considered for merit scholarships with your university application, but others require a separate application, usually involving a writing a short essay on why you should be considered. Scholarships tend to have early deadlines, so it is important to apply early to maximize your funding options! Getting help Applying to universities in the UK from Canada can be a difficult and confusing process, but Across The Pond has all this stuff figured out! We’ll walk you through every step of the process, and are free to answer any questions or issues you have! If are interested in studying in the UK, please contact one of our Advisors.
Top Canadian scholarship programs to know about for your Master’s studies
Written by admin - 28/12/2015
Dec 28, 2015 11:30:00 PM
While the vast majority of scholarships for universities are administered directly by specific departments within the universities themselves, external scholarships exist that can be applied for in order to assist your Master’s studies.
If you’re thinking of applying for a Canadian scholarship program, it is worth researching ones that will be available at the universities to which you’re applying, so that you can tailor your application. However, remember that you must first hold an offer from the university in order to apply for their internal scholarships.
Aside from university scholarships, others exist that you should keep in mind. Here are the top 4 Canadian scholarships to know about for your Master’s studies:
Santander Scholarship Scheme
Since 2007, the Santander Scholarship Scheme has helped many students achieve their educational goals, including studying abroad. The grants from Santander apply only to students who want to study at a university within the Santander Universities network. This scheme offers a small sum towards your tuition costs and is available through a number of our partner universities. More details can be found here.
Commonwealth Scholarship
This is an international program where member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other commonwealth countries to aid career development opportunities.
The Commonwealth Scholarship is mainly offered to students wishing to study a graduate degree at either the Master’s or Doctoral level. It is offered to undergraduate students, too. However, this is determined on a case by case basis.
Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is awarded to Canadian students who are described as ‘outstanding emerging leaders’ and seek to pursue a one-year Master’s degree at any university within the UK.
This scholarship not only offers financial support to the students chosen but also offers students the opportunity to become part of the influential Chevening Global Network, a highly regarded global network that increases a student’s exposure on the international stage.
While Canadian students can choose any course of study, the Chevening Scholarship looks favourably upon a particular number of fields: a list of these can be found here.
Canadian Federation of University Women
The Canadian Federation of University Women Award was designed to honour Dr. Marion Elder Grant’s lifelong commitment to the education of women. The CFUW will only be granted for women who choose to study specific programs, including Law, Medicine, Nurse Practitioner or a Master’s in Aboriginal studies.
CFUW has been working to improve the status of women and ensure that all girls and women have equal opportunities and equal access to education. Further details on how to apply for this scholarship can be found here.
Want to study in the UK?
Please note that while scholarships can be an option for funding your study abroad experience, they are extremely competitive. Even if you are accepted for one, they tend to only cover a portion of your fees. The standard range that you could receive from being accepted onto a scheme is between £1,000 and £3,000, although in some cases it can be more.
There is no question that obtaining your graduate degree in a different country will set you apart from other graduates, but studying in the UK is a huge decision to make and isn’t something that you have to do alone.
From applying to scholarships, or seeking different funding options, Across The Pond can be there for you every step of the way. Speak to one of our Advisors, Or, if you’d like more information on funding your Master’s studies, why not download our eBook, the Graduate’s Guide to Funding your UK Master’s Degree.
Photo credit: Mike Mozart
5 Christmas experiences every Canadian student should have while studying in London
Written by admin - 21/12/2015
Dec 21, 2015 11:30:00 PM
While the weather is getting colder, Christmas season in London is just warming up, and it has been said that there is nothing more festive than London at Christmas. So, as a Canadian student studying in London, you’ll be right in the centre of all the Christmas action. But what is worth seeing?
In this blog, we explore the five Christmas experiences every Canadian student should have:
Ice skate in Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf, the business district, provides an extravagant backdrop for an ice rink that is like no other. But who would expect just a normal ice rink in Canary Wharf?
This one has an iced path that allows skaters to dash away from the main rink and glide and slide under trees filled with fairy lights: you couldn’t get more magical (or romantic). If you’re a beginner and are feeling a little nervous, there are seal-shaped skate aids that are available to keep you on your feet and off the floor!
To make this experience even better, there’s a pop-up bar and restaurant that serves everything from sandwiches to hot cheese fondue. Yummy!
Oxford Street Christmas Lights
The Oxford Street Christmas Lights are spectacular, year after year.
This year, heading down to Oxford Street for the Christmas light switch-on, you will see an incredible 1778 snowball decorations and their 750,000 LED light bulbs light up, which is mind blowing and the perfect opportunity for a great Instagram picture. Don’t forget to #LoveLDNstudy!
If you choose to wander down to Oxford Street for the Christmas lights (which you should, by the way), you will also see live musical performances. No word yet on who the stars will be this year, but previous years have seen appearances from Jessie J and the Spice Girls!
A Christmas Pantomime
Pantomimes are a Christmas tradition in the UK and, despite what you might have heard, they’re not just for kids (although they will make you feel a little childish, in a good way).
London is full of theatrical types and drama groups, which mean there are many pantomimes from which to choose. Most pantomimes are the classics like Cinderella, Snow White or Peter Pan, which will really take you back to your childhood.
While pantomimes can be a little bit pricey, don’t let it put you off. You definitely won’t regret seeing the show. Don’t be afraid to get involved, either!
Winter Wonderland
Here you really will be walking in a winter wonderland…
Described as getting the ‘fastest fix of the Christmas spirt in London,’ Winter Wonderland allows to indulge in everything from traditional winter markets, festive fairground rides, and the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink with a Victorian bandstand that plays music while you skate around magical grottos.
This amazing place must be expensive right? Wrong. The entry to Winter Wonderland is FREE – although tickets for attractions such as ice skating, the ice kingdom (which will increase in size again this year with more ice sculptures and a frozen forest) and the ice bar need to be paid for. It’s also advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
A Christmas Market
Looking for gift inspiration or just want to get into the Christmas spirit? Head down to a Christmas market near you! And we say near you because they will be all over London!
From affordable arts and crafts to vintage jewellery or cheesy Christmas jumpers – you’ll find everything Christmas at one of the markets. There are so many to choose from that it’s really difficult to recommend the BEST. But, if you’re heading over to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, make sure you check out the market! Other festive markets to visit are listed here.
Interested in studying in London? Why not get in touch with one of our advisors today! Or, download our eBook below, for all of the need to know information about being a Canadian student in London.
Photo credit: Timeout
