Moving abroad was never part of my original plan. However, what started as a back-up plan soon became my reality. When I first considered studying abroad, I felt anxious—mostly because I was stressed about navigating a new country I had never visited, and about being away from my family and friends.

I moved from Canada to the UK, and in the beginning, it was quite difficult being apart from loved ones and trying to organise everything before my studies began. But those challenges quickly subsided, and I started to truly experience all that London has to offer. I found myself slowly falling in love with the city and becoming more open to new experiences I never imagined myself having.

When I travel, I usually feel like I’ve seen most of what a destination has to offer within a few days. However, after a year in London, I still feel as though I’ve only scratched the surface. Of course, being a student comes with typical stressors like assignments and exams. But living in such an incredible city has made studying significantly more enjoyable—even simple things like studying in cafés or commuting through the city to get to university have been a joy. That’s why I often say that studying in London has felt like an extended vacation.

While studying is my main priority, as it’s the reason I’m here, it would be a missed opportunity not to fully immerse myself in everything this city has to offer. With some organisation, it’s absolutely possible to enjoy the city—even during the semester. London has truly become a second home for me, and I know I’ll continue to create many great memories here.

That said, the memories I’ve made aren’t limited to the UK. Being based in Europe has made travel both easy and affordable. I’ve had the chance to visit several countries during my time here. The idea of flying to a whole new country for just £30 was completely foreign to me before moving here. It would be a wasted experience not to take advantage of being so close to so many incredible destinations—especially considering how expensive it would be to travel from Canada.

If you’re on the fence about studying abroad, I wholeheartedly encourage it. It has changed my life in ways I never expected, and I’ll always cherish these years. Across the Pond made this opportunity possible by offering invaluable support throughout the application process. They made everything clear and straightforward, and there wasn’t a single question they couldn’t answer.

I hope this encourages you to take a leap of faith and consider studying abroad!