Quiz: Should you study your Master’s in Britain or Canada?
Written by admin - 02/11/2015
Nov 2, 2015 9:58:00 PM
Struggling to decide whether to study your Master's in Britain or Canada? Take this quiz to see whether temporarily moving to the UK will be the best move for your career...
Ten Best Places To Eat In London According To Canadian Students
Written by admin - 02/11/2015
Nov 2, 2015 5:30:00 PM
London has so many amazing eateries; it’s rather difficult to choose just ten places. However, students have listed the top picks they will surely be craving once they move back to Canada. This swanky Indian restaurant frequents many a top ten lists because of its reasonable prices and delicious curries. Expect there to be about a 45-minute wait to get in the door. It’s completely worth it for the deliciousness that is Dishoom. Whether you order the Dishoom Chicken Tikka, Paneer Tikka, or the Black Dal, there are truly no disappointments on the menu. Just make sure to get an extra order of garlic naan. A bright, nostalgic, and quirky restaurant space makes up the awesomeness that is The Breakfast Club, a favourite among students. Canadians can get their fill of North American breakfast with a little bit of 80s magic on the side. At the Spitalfields location, ask to “see the mayor” for entrance into a secret underground bar. Cheers! Located in Hammersmith right on the Thames, this is an original 18th century pub with a to-die-for Chicken Kiev and an amazing Sunday Roast. To unwind on stressful days, order a pint and watch the punters glide on the river. Feeling homesick? Canadian students all know the best place to go for a reminder of home -- The Maple Leaf. Here you can find poutine, the best Canadian beers, and, of course, fellow Canucks right in the heart of London. This little coffee roaster/café offers some of the best-made espresso drinks a coffee lover could ask for. While there are several locations, the café located in Borough Market is recommended for some cheap market eats to go along with your delicious drink. Ah, Brick Lane, a.k.a. the best place in London according to Canadian students to get very cheap, but very good Indian Food. After a night out in East London, take a stroll down the lane itself (not far from Shoreditch High Street Station) and decide for which curry you may be in the mood. Restaurants are open late and prices perfectly fit a student’s budget. Located (you guessed it) in East London, this restaurant serves up some of the best pizzas in LDN. Best to call ahead for a reservation as tables fill up quickly. After dinner, have a wander around Shoreditch, the neighbourhood in which Pizza East is located, also known as the hipster part of town. One of the best things about Pret is that these little gems are located everywhere and are always really good. Dedicated to fast and fresh takeaway food, Pret A Manger is popular with students and professionals alike, especially for their salads and sandwiches. Just look for that red star. A market brimming with culture, eclectic food, and life, Brixton is the cool kid in sea of markets in London. The market usually runs from Friday through Sunday, and offers more than just food. Expect to hear lots of good music from around the world, see the most colourful sites, and be immersed in the hippest part of South London. The Muffin Man offers the best tea and scones deal (called a Cream Tea) for students (it costs only a little over five pounds). Students can feel quite fancy sipping on tea and overdoing the clotted cream, all while sitting pretty in High Street Kensington. Has this blog made you hungry to study in London? Download our guide below and discover why going on this adventure will be the best decision that you've ever made.1. Dishoom
2. The Breakfast Club
3. The Dove
4. The Maple Leaf
5. Monmouth Coffee
6. Brick Lane
7. Pizza East
8. Pret A Manger
9. Brixton Market
10. The Muffin Man
Photo Credits: Villunderlondon, Tony Hall, Matt Brown, Adam Bruderer, Iain Farrell, eGuide Travel, Pizza East, Gordon Joly, Ewan Munro, Calgary Reviews
Canadian Student Experiences Of Studying In The UK
Written by admin - 26/10/2015
Oct 26, 2015 11:44:00 PM
Sometimes studying abroad can seem daunting. We know, we’ve all been there... It can help to hear some stories of studying in the UK from former students. So here are some firsthand accounts from students who went through the Across the Pond process and have completed or are in the midst of completing their degrees in the UK. “One thing I could have prepared for a little better when studying in the UK was the weather in Scotland. Don’t get me wrong, I did my research! Online averages told me that Glasgow rarely experienced temperatures below freezing, and it almost never snowed. ‘Perfect,’ I thought. As a Canadian, I’ll have no problem! I’m used to -30°C wind chills and piles of snow! I have never been so wrong in my life. Sure, it doesn’t snow, but it rains almost the entire winter season. And rain seeps into your jacket, your shoes, and just about everything else. Snow, you can brush off. But rain; rain takes over! It was a completely different type of cold, and it was one for which I was not prepared. Don’t worry people, there is a solution- and it’s called Glasgow rain gear. Go into any shop in Scotland, and I guarantee they will have the warmest, most waterproof clothing items out there. Not to mention, they are all reasonably priced! Once I was equipped with the proper rain gear, and not the flimsy stuff I had brought with me, I took on Scottish weather just like the locals. I even enjoyed the winter, taking a trip up to the Isle of Skye in February to take in the Scottish Highlands. What should you take home from this? Well, first- don’t believe the weather online! And second- embrace the rain, because it’s not that bad once you’re prepared.” "When I arrived in London, I knew there was a lot I wanted to see and do. I had 12 months to study here, but I knew how time flies once you get busy! Before school got too intense, I made sure to start exploring the city. I was on my own, although I did begin to make friends with my peers very quickly. I enjoy walking through museums and galleries by myself, so that’s what I did! I have done so much in London, while other students I know have said that they just never got around to their ‘to-do lists’. I’ve now been to most museums, galleries, districts and attractions because I made the effort to explore and adventure in the city, while balancing school at the same time. I found that the course loads were not too heavy during the term and allowed me time to have fun as well as work part-time. My advice is, if you have a big list of things you want to do when studying in the UK, start doing them! Don’t waste time, and even if it is something you normally don’t do, try going out on your own. You can learn a lot not only about your city, but also about yourself.” “If I had to give one piece of advice to any student studying in the UK, it would be to know your priorities before you get here. Studying abroad in the UK affords one a consistent proximity to the entirety of Europe that people from North America don't normally get. For me, travel has always been one of my main goals in life, so studying abroad in England was an ideal way to essentially get close to all the countries I had always wanted to visit. In my situation, through student loans and personal funds I brought with me when I first moved, I was fortunate enough to have the ability to afford to travel when I wasn’t too busy with schoolwork. Because I had planned my finances out in advance of my arrival, I was able to not only spend a year living in England, but also to travel to Dublin, Amsterdam, and Paris, as well. Studying abroad is a great way to get an education, but the best way to learn more about the world is to see more of it, and planning your finances out and knowing your travel priorities is a great way to ensure you get the most out of your study abroad experience.”
Emily Rolko
Emily Rolko, MSc Forensic Science, The University of Strathclyde
Mackenzie Glachan
Mackenzie Glachan, MA in Nineteenth-Century Studies at King’s College London
Stephen Ray
Stephen Ray, MA in English Literature, University of Nottingham
5 Things You May Forget About When Budgeting For Studying In The UK
Written by admin - 12/10/2015
Oct 12, 2015 10:49:00 PM
As you begin to think about your studies in the UK, you should start to make a budget for your time abroad. Factoring in tuition and living costs may seem like a no brainer, but don’t forget about these unexpected fees when budgeting for studying in the UK.
1. Pre-departure Costs
While it is your tuition and living costs might be at the forefront of you mind when deciding ton studying in the UK for your Master's degree, you’ll also want to factor in other costs you might incur before you even leave the country.
These may not be considered hidden fees, but you may not think about them unitl it’s time to actually buy your ticket. It’s always a good idea to prepare early. When developing your budget, you should try to factor in funds to cover your visa application fee, your NHS surcharge, your flight overseas and any additional travel needs, as well as potential university or accommodation deposits.
Not all universities will require a deposit on tuition or accommodation but if you have your heart set on a specific university, it is recommended that you visit their funding page for international students. This allows you to scope out the average cost for the university’s courses and you can start to plan whether you need to set aside money to pay a small deposit in order to accept your offer on a course.
2. Tuition Inflation
Most UK universities list their tuition in the standard British Pound (GBP), instead of the Canadian dollar. When budgeting your tuition, make sure to convert the total cost from pounds to dollars so that you have an accurate sense of how much you owe. You can use a conversion site such as Oanda in order to produce an accurate dollar amount.
Remember that exchange rates fluctuate, so you will want to ensure you’ve saved enough to cover the cost, plus a little wiggle room in case the value of the dollar drops or pound goes up.
3. Unexpected Living Costs
Depending on your living situation, you will probably not be living in a catered dorm. This means that you will be responsible for buying and preparing your own meals. Be prepared to not only factor in the cost of food, but also utensils, pots, and pans, as your living space may not provide these kitchen essentials.
Also, if you choose to live in off campus/non university housing, you will be paying for utilities such as power, gas, and the Internet. Don’t let these costs sneak up on you as you are thinking about rent and other living costs.
If you intend on having access to television, whether it be through an actual television or streaming online, you will need to buy a UK TV license while abroad. It is a requirement in the UK that anyone watching live TV must hold a TV license as a form of tax collected by the BBC. The license is an annual fee, so if you intend on having access to live TV, make sure to budget money for a TV license!
4. Fun money
Don’t forget to budget in a little extra money for some fun. Day trips and outings will get you out of your dorm and help to break up the monotony of studying all day. Make sure to factor in costs such as train or bus fair, as well as the cost of whatever attractions you plan to see. Also, if you plan on buying souvenirs, you will need to put aside however much you plan to spend.
If you are planning a bigger trip, you want to remember to count the cost of travel, accommodations, meals, attractions, etc. A bigger trip means a bigger budget; so keep this in mind as you are creating your plans.
5. Credit Card
This one may not be an unexpected cost that you should plan to budget, but it still warrants early attention and preparation. It’s always a good idea to travel with a credit card for any incidental costs that may come up, such as a used textbook that you may find for cheap online, or for reserving tickets to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tours.
One thing to keep in mind when preparing for your studies is how widely your credit card will be accepted in the UK and/or Europe. A Visa card is always a good bet and seems to be accepted in most places. MasterCard and American Express, on the other hand, seem to be a bit more limited in where they can be used.
When deciding on a credit card its also a great idea to look into what your options are for a Travel rewards program. If you’re going to on flights, trains and bus rides, why not rack up some points and earn yourself a free trip to Spain while you’re there!
Remember, once you’ve got your credit card all sorted and your bags are already packed, it’s always a good idea to call your credit card provider and let them know your plans for travelling overseas. Otherwise they might take notice the first time you use your card in the UK and may report fraud usuage.
Photo Credit: Herry Lawford
The Diary Of A Canadian Student Studying In The UK
Written by admin - 05/10/2015
Oct 5, 2015 11:16:00 PM
Here's the diary of Heather Riddoch, a Canadian student studying in the UK as she discusses her first months studying in the UK at Oxford Brookes University...
“I think I’ve finally reached my comfort zone and feel at home following my exciting move abroad.
It’s not that I’m over the thrill of being here, so to speak, but more so that I have gotten over the jet-lag and have unpacked all my bags so my residence room feels like “my” room. I’ve grown accustomed to waking up in England and can confidently find my way around campus. I’ve finished the enrolment process and classes have officially begun. I’ve even gotten accustomed to the time change and have figured out the best times to talk to friends and family back home.
It is nice to feel more settled and I know I will thrive once I can set up a routine schedule for myself. I’ve gotten much more comfortable maneuvering about the city without feeling like a constant tourist. I love seeing that excitement in tourists’ eyes as they take in the exterior of All Souls’ College, or push to be first in line for a tour around the Ashmolean Museum.
It’s a truly unique feeling sidestepping around a walking tours so that I can swipe my reader’s card and enter the renowned Bodleian library.
But if my lecture material and reading assignments so far are any indication, this year won’t just be about exploring the UK. A Master’s degree is no walk in the park, but I can’t imagine a better venue for studying a history degree. I’ve already started a tradition of packing up a few articles or reading assignments and venturing into the city to try out a new pub for lunch.
Oxford is teeming with old pubs, each with their own unique histories. It’s a great way to get my homework done without feeling like I’ve spent all my time cooped up in the library or in my room. I’ve also found a few parks and rivers that I think will make for great study/picnic spots during the spring and summer.
I did experience a bit of homesickness yesterday quickly forgot about it when I ventured out to sightsee the best way I know how. Looking up a vague map of bike-paths and foot-trails, I left campus and took off at a run. I was not disappointed!
I can’t begin to describe the comfort I find, knowing that there are fields of cattle and horses not even a mile from campus. For a Canadian, it’s hard for me to imagine how a population that is double that of Canada’s can fit on this small island. But even more than that, how they can all fit and still have so much farmland and green space everywhere. Not that I’m complaining.
My country girl heart thrives knowing that all I need to do to escape the city is to cut through Christ Church Meadow and cross over the Thames, I had the most fun I’ve had since I landed while exploring the Oxford University Parks and the rest of the University of Oxford campus on foot.
By getting out and exploring my new city I was able to truly remind myself why I love England and how lucky I am to be a Canadian student studying in the UK and to able to call Oxford home for the next year.”
