Is studying abroad in Singapore right for you?

By Daria Slaby

With the study abroad application period being in full swing, many students are weighing up their options. Just last year I was in the same position, as a student of BA East Asian Studies I had many countries and universities to consider before making my final choice. Initially I was looking into New Zealand, Canada and South Korea, immediately overlooking the option for Singapore. Perhaps this came from unfamiliarity with the country or maybe it didn’t seem appealing enough at first thought. As the application period closing time began approaching, I decided to investigate the ‘less popular’ options too, I immediately fell in love with what Singapore has to offer and I confidently assigned NUS (National University of Singapore) as the first choice of my application. I am now nearing the end of my first semester at NUS and I haven’t once regretted my decision. I hope that my (hopefully as objective as possible) list of pros and cons will encourage you to consider, is studying abroad in Singapore right for you?

(Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: Changi Airport Jewel)

Pros:

Exciting activities, all close by

Whilst Singapore is a small city state, there are many activities available to keep busy with. Soon I will be dedicating a post to the fun districts, neighbourhoods and activities I recommend checking out in Singapore so I will only briefly list a few examples here. During my 3 months here so far, I have enjoyed the jewel at Changi Airport, visited China Town, Little India, The Arab Quarter. I have been to the bay area many times where I saw the Merlion fountain statue, the helix bridge, beautiful night-time view of the MBS hotel as well as the spectacular light and water show at the boardwalk. Through meeting other exchangers, I got to go to museums, art exhibits, fashion shows, the aquarium, many parks and in particular the beautiful national botanical park, and the list continues. I truly believe Singapore has so much to offer and I’m not sure I will get the chance to see and experience everything else before I leave.

(Merlion)

Proximity to other countries and travel opportunities

Singapore’s advantageous location within Southeast Asia provides a wonderful opportunity to travel for any budget. So far, I have been incredibly lucky to get to visit Taiwan during my first reading week and just last week I came back from the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. There are many more countries I intend to visit during my stay here and the opportunity to do so at a much cheaper price than if I was travelling from the UK is amazing. My friends have travelled to so many wonderful places including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, The Philippines, Hong Kong and more. Anyone wishing to come to Singapore will be spoilt for choice for travel. 

(Batu Caves- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Taipei 101- Taipei, Taiwan)

Greenery and beautiful environment

One of my favourite things about Singapore is the beautiful greenery. Nature here is truly unmatched and the joy of seeing wild palm trees across the city warms my little English-midlands heart. After getting in my taxi from the airport when I first landed, I was so excited by the view from the window. I wonder what the driver was thinking when he saw me filming ordinary trees (maybe he thought I had escaped some barren land or desert). The Botanical Garden is a very beautiful showcase of the Singaporean habitat and I truly believe that living in such proximity with nature is healing to the soul.

(Shaw Amphitheatre Botanic Gardens)

Safety

As a female travelling so far from home all by myself, my family worried for my safety. Singapore has truly blessed me with the freedom to explore by myself, also at night, with no concerns. People generally keep to themselves, and it is normal to leave personal belongings such as laptops or phones on tables in public unattended. Whilst I must stress that everyone should practice common sense and still pay attention to their surroundings, the general atmosphere in Singapore is very different. One culture shock I experienced was the shock of my Singaporean friends when I would say “get home safe”. One exchange friend asked me what I meant and looked visibly concerned as if I had threatened her. I quickly learned that in situations where ordinarily my guy friends would walk me home, here I have the freedom to walk myself.

(Super Tree Grove)

Cons:

Climate

Singapore lies very closely to the equator which means temperatures throughout the year are high and consistent. I have been here since August and have never seen temperatures drop below 27® including at nighttime. Having lived in the UK for most of my life, this climate has and continues to be an adjustment. Most buildings, modes of public transport and MRT (subway) stations are air conditioned, however, the difference in temperature between a chilly air-conditioned lecture theatre and the hot outdoors can be harsh and difficult to get used to. I moved into campus accommodation that does not include an AC unit which made living in the room almost unbearable for me (given the temperatures I am accustomed to). I resolved this by buying a portable AC unit and attending lectures or other areas where I know air conditioning will be aggressively cold with a jacket. These have made a huge difference to my standard of living, and I am now entirely comfortable and love staying at my accommodation. The climate is not something to be put off by but certainly something that must be taken note of prior to arriving.

(Arab Quarter)

Price

I have received some questions about price of living in Singapore via the TAP (The Ambassador Platform) app. I invite anyone who would like to get to know more to reach out to us through this app, we would love to answer your questions 😊. Regarding price, prior to coming to Singapore I was incredibly concerned. I heard many mixed signals and was unsure of how to prepare for the cost of living here.

Firstly accommodation, this is possibly the most expensive aspect of living in Singapore. Surprisingly, NUS campus accommodation is significantly cheaper than that in the UK. However, if a student is unsuccessful in being assigned campus accommodation, they must seek private options which are significantly more expensive. Prices on campus range depending on whether there is AC, a meal plan, where the room is, whether there is another person living in the same room and so on. In my case, I was extremely lucky to secure a room at the PGPR student village where I enjoy a room to myself with no built in AC and no meal plan. Rates for this sort of room can range between £3,000- £3,800 per year (not including the charge for holiday stay during winter break). However, if staying in a private apartment, £3,000 could be the charge per month. This is a huge difference and so prospective students must understand the realities of living off campus and the existing risk of not being assigned student housing. Most of the people I know were successful in securing campus housing, however, I have also met a few people who were not so lucky.

Secondly, price of transport. Singapore has a very efficient and effective public transportation system which comprises of buses and the MRT system (subway train). In my opinion, both options are very reasonably priced and most single fares fall between S$1-2 (60p-£1.20). It is very easy to get around Singapore and the entire island can be seen for cheap. I consider the public transport to be cheaper than in the UK. Additionally, taxis are not too expensive. For example, after landing I took the taxi from the airport on the east side to my accommodation on the Southwestern side of the island and I paid around £18-20 for this.

Finally, food. Eating at campus canteens (there are MANY) is cheap. I generally pay between S$4-7 (£2.40- £4.20) for a filling hot meal. Many Singaporeans also dine in hawker centres or food courts where food is of a similar price. A dinner at a lower standard restaurant generally starts at S$20+ (£12+) and eating out at nicer places can get pricier. Over the last three months I have mainly dined at food courts and university canteens, and I am relatively happy with both the quality and price of food. However, buying groceries is extremely expensive. Food in stores is far more expensive compared to the UK and choosing to only cook at home would be a very pricey ordeal. For example, 3 carrots recently cost me around £4.50. Vegetables are expensive and so are meat, sweets and other staples. I once saw a frozen cheese pizza for around £15. It is possible to live entirely from the canteens, however, it is a little unrealistic to avoid grocery stores altogether. So, anyone interested in coming to Singapore should be prepared to overspend for necessities like bread and cheese (also very expensive).

Overall, I would say that since the campus accommodation is so much cheaper than what I would be paying in the UK, expenses such as food shopping are less impactful. A student successful in securing on campus accommodation should be prepared to spend a little more than what they would otherwise spend in the UK, but I wouldn’t say that cost should be a deterrent to anyone considering studying abroad in Singapore.

I hope that this brief overview will spark interest in studying abroad in Singapore and I encourage anyone interested to look into it. Should you have any questions, I would love to hear from you on the TAP app.

Good luck everyone!

Travel, Learn, and Grow with Reckitt: A Unique Global Opportunity for Students with Scientific or Engineering Degrees

By Tori Barlow

Hello! My name is Tori, I study Bioengineering, and on 8 November 2022 I applied for my current placement with Reckitt in Germany! I am currently working as a Lab Research Scientist and I focusing on the material care of dishes that are washed in a dishwasher.

In this blog post I discuss the industry, company & brand that I am working for. I also talk about the location in Germany, how the placement is applicable to several degree courses, and why I am proud to work for a great organisation (which may or may not include a *brief* summary of the key company benefits).

Reckitt have only been running this placement in Heidelberg for approximately the last 3 years and so I would like to spread awareness of the opportunities here to the students at the University of Sheffield. Our university already has ties to the Reckitt facilities in Hull, so why should this not also include Heidelberg?

If you like the sound of an international placement, or if you are wondering about placements in general, keep reading to see if this opportunity is as good for you as it is for me!

Placement Introduction:

Industry: FMCG stands for fast-moving consumer goods. FMCGs are purchased frequently, consumed rapidly, priced on an attractive level, and sold in large quantities with a high shelf-turnover. Examples of FMCGs include packaged foods, beverages, toiletries, candies, cosmetics, over-the-counter drugs, dry goods, and other consumables. The FMCG industry is one of the largest sectors in the global economy and has a significant impact on consumer behaviour and society.

Company: Reckitt is a global company within this industry that specialises in sustainable consumer health, hygiene, and nutrition products to develop effective and everyday solutions that improve the lives of people around the world. Reckitt’s mission is to protect, heal, and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world. Some of Reckitt’s well-known brands include Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Finish, Gaviscon,  Lysol, Nurofen, Sagrotan, Vanish, and Veet. (Find the Reckitt website here).

Brand: Finish is one of Reckitt’s brands that offers ultimate dishwasher solutions through a range of products that help consumers achieve clean and shiny dishes with every cycle. Finish products include dishwasher detergents, rinse aids, dishwasher cleaners, dishwasher salt, material protectors, and dishwasher fresheners. Finish is the most recommended brand by leading dishwasher manufacturers worldwide.

Location:

Finish Research & Development is located in Heidelberg. Heidelberg is a beautiful multicultural city in the southwest of Germany, located on the banks of the river Neckar. Heidelberg is famous for its historic old town, its majestic castle, and its prestigious university. It is full of students! Heidelberg is also a cultural and artistic hub, hosting many festivals, events, and attractions throughout the year. You can find more information here.

*Fun Fact* – The Hauptstrasse is not only the longest pedestrian street in Europe, but also the site of a world record. In 2008, more than 13,000 people participated in a giant pillow fight on the Hauptstrasse, breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest pillow fight ever. The event was organised by a local radio station and a hotel chain to celebrate the International Pillow Fight Day. The participants used more than 40,000 pillows, which were later donated to charity.

Just 20 minutes west and you will reach another city called Mannheim. I usually travel here for a larger variety of shops, but Mannheim is also known for its history as the “city of inventions” because it is the birthplace of many innovations, such as the automobile, the bicycle, and the tractor.

You can also travel to other great places quite easily from the Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof. For example, I took one direct 3hr train to Zürich for approximately €30 each way! Strasbourg (the home of Christmas and the Notre-Dame) is the closest city in France you can visit, and Luxembourg is also pretty close by (although I am still yet to visit here!). Within Germany, Frankfurt (the New York of Germany) is about an hour away, Stuttgart is 2hrs away, Cologne is 3hrs away, and Munich is perhaps 5hrs away – not too far for some Oktoberfest celebrations!

Degree Course Eligibility:

*DISCLAIMER – speaking from personal experience only*, Reckitt’s Finish R&D Heidelberg student program accept between 2-5 students each summer for their industrial placement program. Here is a list of degrees I believe would qualify a student for the role:

• Chemistry
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Biochemistry
  • Biochemical Engineering
  • Bioengineering
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • General Engineering

(For context: I am a bioengineering student, and the other students in this year’s cohort study pure chemistry, and chemical engineering.)

But I’m not interested in dishwashing…

If you are undecided about your future career, or even about whether to go on placement, a placement working in the automatic dishwashing industry will provide a range of skills that are applicable to other industries and product developments. Here are some of the skills and knowledge you would gain and the reasons why they are valuable for future employers:

• Research and development: You will learn how to design, test, and improve new and existing products that meet the needs and expectations of consumers across different global markets. You will also learn how to use scientific methods, data analysis, and innovation tools to solve problems and create solutions. These skills are essential for any industry that involves product development, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biotechnology, or nanotechnology.
• Quality and safety: You will learn how to ensure that the products you develop are safe, effective, and compliant with the relevant regulations and standards. You will also learn how to monitor and control the quality of the raw materials, processes, and finished products. These skills are important for any industry that involves manufacturing, processing, or delivering goods or services, such as food, healthcare, engineering, or logistics.
• Language skills: You will learn or improve your proficiency in a German by immersing yourself in the culture and communicating with native speakers. Language skills enhance your communication, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. They can also open new opportunities for you in the global market. Working in a diverse environment will also improve your interpersonal, teamwork, and leadership skills that will enable you to adapt to changing situations and cope better with challenges.

• Professional development: You will acquire so much more from this type of opportunity that you would ever believe. It will not only increase your competence, confidence, and performance in future roles, but it will also help you advance your career and expand your international network.

Why Reckitt?

Besides the company’s reputation and the opportunity to enhance your degree with a great international placement, Reckitt also have a very welcoming and inclusive culture that is jam packed with extracurricular events. I have only been working here for less than 3 months and here is what I have participated in or discovered:

• Give Time Kindergarten Volunteering – In August a group of us volunteered to help rebuild and redecorate a local kindergarten. The company ran this for one week, and during my two days of volunteering I was building wooden banana leaf sculptures, reflooring the rabbits’ enclosure, and creating mesh fencing panels to protect the vegetable patches from the chickens! It really was the iForge but in Germany! I also got to practise my German speaking and get to know other colleagues I do not directly work with.

• Purpose Day – In October our site hosts an annual day that is filled with online and in person events. This year we participated in one internal and one external workshop, followed by an activity of our choice. It was a great opportunity to network with the marketing department outside of R&D.

• Waste Collection days – every so often there is a chance to take an hour out of the working day so to clean up our local environment from litter and surrounding waste. There is even a competition to see who can collect the most waste!

• Sports Teams – as far as I am aware, Reckitt have a football club and a rowing club here in Heidelberg, with a badminton and table tennis club underway.

• Social Events – of course we have a Christmas party, but I was surprised to discover there is also an annual Reckitt ski trip!

• Charity Lunches – this October we are raising funds for the situation in Israel and Palestine through hosting a charity buffet. This is where colleagues bring a range of sweet and savoury food for a buffet in the canteen, where all donations are given and doubled by Reckitt to the British Red Cross. Inspired by the Great British Bake Off, I will be attempting to make some pumpkin-spiced Viennese whirls. Wish me luck!

• Christmas Gift Aid – our office take part in the Kinder Christmas Convoy, where each year colleagues donate a shoebox filled with small Christmas gifts that are sent to children in neighbouring countries. I am really excited to take part in this! You can find more information about the cause here

Company Benefits:

• RELOCATION PACKAGE – Reckitt employ an external company to help their employees relocate to Heidelberg and surrounding areas. This was CRUCIAL to aiding my VISA process along with other registration-type appointments I needed to move to Germany such as getting a social security number, opening a bank account, and enrolling with a health insurance provider. I am very grateful to have been supported throughout the relocation, especially considering many companies DO NOT offer this help. (That being said, the search for accommodation was not included in the package). If you are considering an internship/placement abroad, I would highly recommend asking if this type of support is provided by the company before you sign any contract! You can definitely move countries without a relocation agency, but it would be useful to know if you would have support, to make the right informed decision.

• Gym subsidy – Reckitt will pay for part of your gym membership. For myself, this means I only pay €13,78 per month to access to all Venice Beach gyms in the city and surrounding areas. (So much cheaper than in England!!)

• Job ticket – Reckitt will pay for part of a Deutschland Ticket; this means I only pay €34,30 per month for all my regional public transport. A Deutschland-Ticket is a new ticket system for public transport in Germany that came into being on May 1, 2023 and has funding approved until 2025. It is a digital, nationwide, and monthly subscription ticket that usually costs 49 euros per month. With this ticket, you can use any public transport in Germany, such as trains, buses, subways, or trams, regardless of the state, transport association, or tariff zone. You can buy the ticket online, in the app, or in the DB travel centers. You can also cancel the ticket monthly by the 10th of each month. However, you cannot use the ticket for long-distance (usually faster) trains, such as ICE, IC, or EC, and there are also some shorter distance exceptions. You may also need to show your ID card or passport when using the ticket. You can find more information about the Deutschland-Ticket here: Deutschlandticket: Fragen und Antworten | Bundesregierung. It’s also a great bargain for just travelling around Germany in general. [Insert Girl Math] You could make your money back in one weekend…

(Sidenote: for websites that are in German, you can usually right click and automatically translate the content to your preferred language!)

• Bridging days – A bridging day is a working day that falls between a public holiday and a weekend in Germany. It is called a Brückentag, which literally means “bridge day”. Many Germans use this day to take a vacation and extend their weekend. For example, if a public holiday is on a Thursday, then the Friday would be a bridging day. Some Germans would take this day off and have a four-day weekend. At Reckitt, we are gifted almost a week’s worth of bridging days, in exchange for a few extra minutes added to our daily working time. You can find more information about public holidays in Germany here.

• Future amount days – a term that is not commonly used in Germany but is used at Reckitt. They are a special feature of the collective agreement for the chemical industry, and they refer to paid vacation days that an employee can use in the future. These can accumulate for long-term absence for personal reasons or until the start of retirement. Employees can also choose to take the days off or get paid out (under reserve) at staff changes. This is an additional benefit that Reckitt offer, which is not related to the statutory vacation days in Germany.

• Corporate Benefits website – like many other companies, we have a website where you can access Reckitt-specific discount codes for a whole range of things. I have used this to buy half-price tickets to the theatre, but you can also use them for clothes, household machinery, cars, theme parks, and much more.

For more information, the full list of company benefits for R&D Heidelberg can be found here.

If you are interested in applying for this unique international opportunity, visit the Careers Website and fill out the online application form. Don’t miss this chance to travel, learn, and grow with Reckitt!

*DISCLAIMER* – this is not an official Reckitt advertisement, so information and application dates may vary!

UK vs US: 3 Differences You Might Expect (And 3 You Won’t)

By Jude Spivey Green

Embarking on any year abroad is a daunting process. However you’re coming to America, it can’t be that different can it? They speak our language, lap up our media (and vice versa), and have named half of their cities after places in Britain. It’s called the ‘special relationship’ for a reason you know. Sure you’re expecting differences, but you’ve done your research so surely you’re prepared for whatever you’ll face, right? WRONG! Despite the perceived similarities we believe we share with our transatlantic cousins, you’re sure to be caught off guard by many aspects of American culture…

Expected Difference 1: Weather

I should preface this by acknowledging that America is similarly sized to Europe, and naturally has a hugely diverse range of weather and climates. The mountains of Colorado share few similarities with the beaches of Southern Florida. However, from my own experience in Oklahoma, this was an immediate departure from the endlessly drizzly Sheffield. Summer months in the Sooner State bring scorching temperatures of at least 35 celsius with a maddening lack of respite, especially troublesome for those such as myself with a complexion as a result of their hair colour which renders them somewhat vulnerable to such heat. In addition, humidity consistently averages around 80%, and it is important to note that even after the sun sets, the oppressive heat continues. Air conditioning no longer seems quite so decadent. In contrast to this, winter lows fell to roughly -18 celsius. Furthermore, should you be lucky enough to end up at Oklahoma, you will have to deal with the ever-present threat of a tornado striking campus. Sure it sounds like something out of a Western, but it’s actually pretty dangerous and is certainly a departure from what South Yorkshire brings. Also less rain. So much less rain.

Unexpected Difference 1: Nightlife

Again, this will very much depend on which university you find yourself at, but I find it unlikely that any traditional American ‘college town’ will vary dramatically from my experiences at Oklahoma. As you’re undoubtedly aware, and perhaps are someone who enjoys such frivolities, every night of the week in Sheffield has bustling nightlife, with many establishments open on weekdays so you can dance your night away before cutting a rather dishevelled figure at your 9am lecture the following morning. A typical week for you may consist of Corp, Code, Roar, West Street, Leadmill and Pop Tarts, (although I hope for your academic sake it doesn’t), however in America typically such experiences are confined to Friday and Saturday nights, at least if you’re expecting a large, jovial crowd of your fellow students. It’s also worth noting that if you’re under the age of 21 you will most likely be unable to enter many venues. Not to worry though, house parties are much more common on American college campuses and offer an alternative fun opportunity to let your hair down!

Expected Difference 2: Going Out For A Meal

American portion sizes are of course infamous for their staggering size, but this is just one aspect of experiencing the local cuisine. Free refills on fizzy drinks and coffee, and complementary bread before your meal offer a pleasant change from what you’d expect in Europe, obligatory tipping less so. As much as it’s irritating, don’t be that guy who doesn’t tip because it’s not what you do back home. Waiters and servers can legally be paid less than minimum wage as a result of tipping culture. It’s unfair but it’s the reality of it. To what extent it is genuine or not is questionable, but your waiter will typically be very amicable and eager to cater for any service you may require. Just tip them. 

Unexpected Difference 2: Distance to Basic Amenities

Yes I’m aware it’s hardly a secret that America is built to cater for the car, but even for those living outside of American suburbia, you’ll find a lot out of reach if you’re not willing to walk significant distances. American zoning laws forbid the construction of commercial buildings within residential areas, and as a result basic necessities are often a car ride away. The nearest supermarket to me is located a half an hour walk away (no joke in 35 degree heat). No more Sainsbury’s or Aldi or even a little corner shop just down the road that you can quickly pop to if you’ve realised you forgot to buy any milk. You’ll have similar experiences with going to the doctor, pharmacy or if you’re particularly unlucky, university. I would strongly suggest buying a car or becoming good friends with someone who drives. There is an active market for cars amongst exchange students at Oklahoma and I would assume a similar situation can be found at most other American universities.

Expected Difference 3: College Sport

At Sheffield, the attendance at your BUCS fixtures is probably just the girlfriends of your teammates, who look like they’d rather be anywhere else as they stand shivering in gale force winds at Norton while their boyfriend sits on the bench for the Rugby 4th XV. America, however, goes all out on college sports. Oklahoma is one of the most historic and storied American football programmes in the nation, with countless players going directly from college into professional leagues, and as such attracts crowds of around 85,000 spectators per game. For reference, the only venue capable of holding that many in England is Wembley Stadium. While I was certainly aware of this before I arrived, for several weeks it was still genuinely mindblowing for a stadium larger than Twickenham to be located right in the middle of campus, yet everyone just acted like this was a normal thing (which needless to say in Oklahoma, it is). Rather difficult to envision Goodwin with a gargantuan spectator venue built in I must say.

Unexpected Difference 3: Cost of Tea

$6.36 for a pack of 36 tea bags at my local Walmart. Outraged is an understatement…

Why You Should Arrive Early When Studying Abroad

By Emily Bagshaw

Being about a month into Fall term at Oregon State University, I think I am fully appreciating how helpful having a week’s ‘holiday’ in the surrounding area was before starting the term. Arriving to your destination early (even for just a few days) can help you adapt and settle into your new environment quicker, as well as give you a head start with exploring the area and getting the ‘holiday feels’ out of the way. It’s also a great way to kickstart your curiosity in terms of where you can explore during the term and holidays!

My Personal ‘Holiday’ Week

OSU is in Corvallis, Oregon – a small (by American standards) town right in the middle of Oregon with little around it in terms of airports, so I chose to fly into Seattle, Washington and make a small trip of the drive down! (Top tip: use Student Universe for flights as I got mine discounted by £200)

Starting off in Seattle, I got around 2 days to explore the city which was awesome! The first day I headed down to Pike Place Market to check out the original Starbucks (and bought a mug of course), browse some of the indie stores and pig out on my first American burger! This is also where the famous ‘gum wall’ attraction is, which is objectively disgusting, but in some dystopian future where they’re making clones of us, at least I’ve got some spare DNA here.

On my second day in Seattle I went shopping for the first time at Target (oh my god how can a store be that big!?) for some flat essentials, and then took the monorail into the centre to see the Space Needle! Coincidentally, there was also a food fair on in the centre which was a very nice surprise.

Day 3 I started my drive down to Corvallis via Portland. I had a specific bookstore earmarked in Portland called ‘Powell’s City of Books’, which is so big they give you a map when you first enter! This drive down through Portland and into Oregon was the first time it hit me that I’m actually IN THE USA!? I’m still seeing little things every day that are just so quintessentially American it gives me a little laugh, but sometimes this cultural shock can be a bit harder to deal with.

Finally once I reached Corvallis on the 3^rd/4^th day I made sure to explore the town as thoroughly as possible while I still had a car. Doing this, I found so many cute little murals sprinkled around the town, as well as some amazing food spots that I have now frequented multiple times. Additionally, I was able to have conversations with local shop owners, one in particular who told me about a ‘Fall Festival’ art fair going on in the central park which was so vibrant and fun! Some of the places I found in these two days were new even to my American flatmates, and now they love going with me, so I really suggest having at least one day like this.

Benefits of This Experience

1. Cultural Exploration: Arriving early allows you to ease into your new surroundings in a more exiting way than immediately working/studying. You’re going to have way more energy at the start of the year to explore your city, so use it well!
2. Logistics and Orientation: Exploring the area helps you grasp the public transport system, local shopping, markets, and essential services. This means you won’t be scrambling to find things once classes begin.
3. Language Familiarity: Although not a problem in the USA, I think arriving early would give you a good chance to acclimate to the local language at your chosen destination, which would be invaluable once your classes begin, and you start socialising!
4. Reduced Stress: By arriving early, you can enjoy a more leisurely introduction to your new environment and get all the holiday feels out of your system early. For me, this really helped with being able to commit to my studies from the get-go instead of having FOMO about exploring.

Overall, I hope if you decide to take the leap and go abroad, you utilise all the time available to you! Arriving early gave me the opportunity to explore not just my college town, but further afield too, and gave me a positive kick off to the year 🙂

My experience obtaining a Spanish Study Visa in Manchester

Izzy Stevenson

**Please note that this is Izzy’s personal experience applying for a visa and is NOT visa advice nor the official visa application process**

This process is not easy so please make sure you allow yourself enough time to complete it before you go (I applied in May/June time and the whole process took around 3 months).

Good news for those of you with European passports: you don’t need a visa!

• Manchester: cog.manchester.citasvis@maec.es 
• London: cog.londres.viscp@maec.es
• Edinburgh: cog.edimburgo@maec.es

First of all, you need to get an appointment at the Spanish embassy closest to you (there are 3 in the UK: London, Manchester and Edinburgh):

• I went to the Manchester one as it was closest to me
• To get an appointment there, send an email them at one of the email addresses above depending on which is closest for you (correct as of June 2023)
• Email them with your full name and passport number and the type of visa you are applying for
• They will reply and allocate you an appointment (you can’t choose – they give you one) and attach in the email everything you need to bring with you

The things they asked us to bring to the appointment are as follows (this can differ depending on the consulate you attend): 

• X2 National Visa Application Forms (completed):access by this link (both will be stamped – they keep one and return the other to you): https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/EmbajadasConsulados/Documents/Consular/20210611-Formulario%20nacional%20espa%c3%b1ol-ingl%c3%a9s.pdf
• Passport Pictures (I took 6 with me): they will retain this for your application
• Your Passport (along with x2 photocopies of it in colour – including the front of passport and the picture page)
• Proof of Acceptance for Study at your Foreign University in both English and Spanish: I took a print out version of my acceptance letter from Granada (IMPORTANT: must include start and end dates of the mobility period – without these, they won’t accept your application which will delay your visa process). Email your host university to send you the acceptance letter in English if necessary. 
• Proof of Financial Means: original copy of x3 monthly bank statements and then x3 copies of the originals, along with a typed and hand-signed letter from a parent/carer/guardian detailing that they intend to provide financial support to you for your period abroad – they kept all of these documents 
• Parent/Carer/Guardian’s Valid Passport: Original and x1 colour photocopy (front and picture page) – to support financial statement/letter 
• Health Insurance: GHIC/EHIC (in date for your whole period abroad) card and x1 colour photocopy of it – fairly easy to get – must allow at least 2 weeks to receive your card after your application has been approved (make sure to consider this when emailing the embassy for an appointment) 
• ACRO Police Certificate: Original and x1 colour copy – criminal record check – IMPORTANT: must be legalised and translated by a **SWORN translator (not a certified translator)
• Medical Certificate/Letter: Original and x1 colour copy – IMPORTANT: must be legalised and translated by a *SWORN translator (not a certified translator) – the certificate must have the doctors GMC number, surgery address, surgery stamp and signature on it – IMPORTANT: you need to check your doctor has their signature registered with the FCDO otherwise the document WILL NOT be legalised – if the doctor is not registered, YOU will need to contact the surgery and ask them to contact FCO directly to get their signature registered with them – I went to my home GP and paid £20 to have the certificate signed by them but the University Health Service in Sheffield does them too) 
• Proof of Residency in the UK: Original and x1 colour photocopy of driving licence and an original document and x1 photocopy with your full address on (e.g. NHS letters/Student Loan letters)
• Proof of Residency in Spain: a document to show proof of residency in the country (e.g. typed up letter from your landlord along with their signature to say you’ll be renting from them) – original and x1 colour photocopy 
• Payment of the Study Visa: £174 (final fee does not include all of the documents you have to pay for for the appointment – the overall cost was around £500 for me- make sure to keep your receipt for your records!)

Process for contacting FCDO:

• Ask the doctors to email legalisationverify@FCDO.gov.uk and provide a sample signature and their GMC number and confirm they’re happy for the FCDO to keep it on record

If the doctors are not happy to have their signature on record, the FCDO will email your doctors to ask for the following: 

• The full name of the person whose signature it is 
• This is their genuine signature 
• This is their personal signature and not a company signature 
• This is their seal/stamp (if applicable) 
• The capacity in which they have signed (e.g. solicitor/notary/doctor etc.) 
• Their GMC/SRA registration number

They will keep their signature on record for comparison purposes for your application only

**For Legalisation: 

• You can choose to do this privately (quicker, more expensive) or through the Foreign Office (slower, cheaper) 
• I went through both the Foreign Office and private companies: Foreign Office was £30 + £9 delivery and took 3 weeks, Privately was £85 and took 3 days) 
• Foreign Office: https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised 
• Privately: CDN Consular Services, I went through George Chappell, 01784221738, georgec@cdn-consular.co.uk – very quick and helpful but others are available
• Email and detail what you need, they will then send you an invoice, once paid, send them the document via email and they will legalise it 

**For translation:

• I went through Dévora Díaz Rodríguez (sworn translator) to translate my ACRO and Medical Certificate (you could maybe get this work done cheaper but I was on a time limit and needed it done ASAP – search around if you have the time!) 
• IMPORTANT: before sending to be translated, your documents must already be legalised – the translator will NOT translate a document that is not legalised 
• Charged £25-£35 to translate one standard page of a document and took 3 days to complete 
• She did not need the physical document – PDF sent by email was enough and she will send it to you via post – use the app CamScanner or your Notes app on your phone to send PDFs by email 
• Her number: +447854361475 
• Email: devora@hotmail.co.uk

Overall, the process is long and took around 3 months for me as I kept going back and forth for different appointments and to drop off various different documents but it can all be done on the day if you are organised enough!

I cannot stress this enough: 

PLEASE try to have as much as you can and be as organised as possible when attending your appointment – any missing documents or information will just delay your application and cause unnecessary journeys and stress! 

I bought a folder to keep my documents organised – I would recommend this!

An Honest Review of my Year in Spain!

Izzy Stevenson 

The last 9 months of my life have been spent in Granada as part of my Law with Spanish degree. It has been filled with many ups and downs and it is certainly an experience I will never forget! Granada is located in the south of Spain in the region of Andalucía. It is famous for being the birthplace of flamenco, having a large Arabic influence in the Albaicín quarter and its cheap cost of living which attracts millions of tourists each year. Granada is probably best known for the spectacular Alhambra Palace and its free tapas with every drink (something we certainly took advantage of quite a lot whilst being here!). Its rich, traditional culture is one of the main things I noticed immediately when I arrived, with family being an incredibly important thing to the people here – I managed to befriend a few Spanish people and even dined with them and their families a few times! 

The nightlife is also incredibly different to the UK. For instance, people don’t leave to go to the clubs until 1am at the earliest! This is really something that took a while to get used to as in the UK, most clubs shut their doors or even close at 2am so leaving at 1am would be virtually pointless. Things are done later here too, including breakfast, lunch and dinner happening at least 3-4 hours after the time we would consider normal in the UK (typically, they don’t eat dinner until 10pm!).  

Despite the cultural differences though, Granada has been a rewarding experience and it has given me a taste of what it is like to fully immerse yourself in another country’s culture. The most rewarding memories for me are the times spent at miradors (viewpoints), overlooking the entire city and the Alhambra Palace, listening to music and drinking tinto de verano with my friends (tinto is the best drink in Spain and I will not argue otherwise :)). The cost of living is low here too so going for dinner became something my friends and I did at least once a week, trying out all the food places the city had to offer and becoming particularly fond of a Thai restaurant called ‘Noodle Rest’ in the centre, with Thai food being particularly rare to find here and my favourite 🙂 

However, of course, not everything was smooth sailing. Before I even arrived here, being a British citizen, I had to apply for a student visa. This in itself overcomes all the challenges I have encountered since getting here and it is not something to be taken lightly. It is a long and extremely frustrating process that needs to be better highlighted by universities and embassies in the UK! The admin here is atrocious too so I would recommend anything that you can organise in the UK before getting to Spain (e.g. health and travel insurance as well as your visa) should be your main priority (I have written a whole other step by step guide on how to obtain your Spanish Study Visa on another post).

As well as the struggles with the visa and admin here, the people haven’t been particularly welcoming either. For my first semester, I had three classes and for two of them, I was the only Erasmus student in them which made communicating to the professors incredibly difficult and daunting. I found myself writing countless emails in Spanish to them because I was too nervous to speak to them in class and in front of the other regional Spanish people in case I made a mistake (which was likely). Also, I feel like it needs to be said that, in my experience anyway, the professors here are not very accommodating to Erasmus students and I feel as though Granada is not well equipped to receive internationals. For example, they rarely respond to their emails and if they do, it was never helpful but more vague information that I could find on the website (which I, of course, had already consulted). The exam situation here is also unusual with a lot of the assessments being multiple choice exams with negative marking which is something I have never experienced and I didn’t respond well to. It is important to ask for support wherever it is to ensure you have options when choosing your modules before you start the semester as there are a few classes that have different assignment techniques which may be better suited to you. 

As well as this, the first semester for me was an absolute nightmare because I was travelling back and forth to the UK a lot due to family issues, but also because Granada were unwilling to accommodate me with this. They informed me after a month of emailing that they did not have an extenuating circumstances procedure in place for when students had personal circumstances. For me, this is atrocious. All universities, whether in the UK or not, should have provisions in place to support their students when they are going through difficulties, in order to allow them the best chance of succeeding. Granada did not do this for me at all and it resulted in me confiding in Sheffield a lot more who, of course, did absolutely all they could, although limited, given the fact they were not in Spain. Despite all this, I did feel incredibly supported by Sheffield and in particular Colby from the Law Exchanges Office who was an absolute angel who helped me a lot when I was really going through it. It goes without saying but if you are ever feeling down or lonely or even if you just want to talk to someone familiar whilst abroad, the Law Exchanges Office are there to help you in whatever way possible as well as your personal academic tutors who you can set up virtual meetings with to discuss any issues or just to have a chat.  

Unfortunately, people from Granada have a stereotypical response of being rude towards tourists which is well known around Spain and this is certainly something I have experienced. They also pronounce their words differently to the way we are taught to speak Spanish in school and at university in the UK (for example, on words like ‘leyes’ they would drop the ’s’ so the word sounded singular and the only way to decipher what they mean is purely from context). This is typical to Andalucía, not just to Granada and was incredibly hard to get used to! But, at the end of the day, I had to remind myself that I was not there to please everyone but to experience the culture and the day-to-day living in Spain and that this was just something I had to deal with. Once I accepted this, things became a lot easier for me and I actually made a few Spanish friends who showed me the ‘non-touristy’ but equally beautiful parts of Granada. 

Whilst being in Spain, my friends and I found it most important to take advantage of the country we were living in by going travelling. I had around a month off after my exams in January and decided to use this time to my advantage. The majority of my friends in Sheffield do the same course as me (Law with Spanish Law) which meant they were also in their years abroad and meant they were all dotted around Spain in different beautiful cities. I visited my friends in Seville, Salamanca and Madrid for a few days which was fantastic as well as a 5 day trip to Valencia in March for the famous festival of ‘Las Fallas’ which was amazing. We went to Cádiz for the carnaval in February and also many trips in and around Málaga, visiting Nerja’s beautiful beaches in particular. Granada does have its own airport but it is seasonal and rarely flies to the UK (and only to London which was not helpful for me) so I found Málaga to be more accessible, with the airport there being the one that flew back home to Liverpool most often. I would recommend a few places in particular such as Mijas and its cute donkeys and beautiful markets selling everything under the sun, Benalmádena and the amazing butterfly garden and Puerto Banús in Marbella which was very expensive but fabulous for a day trip! I know I am biased, but Andalucía has been my particular favourite to travel in (with Málaga being the winner here – I loved the holiday vibe). This is mainly because it is (on the whole) incredibly cheap but also the weather here is better than any other region of Spain (whilst I am writing this in May it is 28 degrees!).  

Another amazing thing here for me personally is the sheer amount of cats! I am the biggest cat person and there are hundreds of them in and around the city, particularly in the Albaicín. I ended up making a travel account called @gatitosinspain to showcase them where I posted all the pictures of cats I had seen in Spain, along with more pictures of cats that I had been sent from my friends in other areas of Spain! It’s been quite successful and I think it has brightened the days of people who follow it which is always positive.  

I sadly do not have long left in Spain but there are many things I have learnt whilst being here and things I am sure I am yet to learn – I would love to come back on holiday in the future!

The main points that I would like to highlight are that firstly, please don’t be too upset if for the first few months of your year abroad you’re not loving it – this is completely normal, trust me. It took me honestly 4 months to settle in here and to stop comparing myself to my other friends on their years abroad who looked like they were enjoying it more. It is something I needed to get used to in my own time and that is completely okay – I am still getting used to it even today!  

Secondly, if you are anything like me, it took me a while to realise that it is fine if you don’t enjoy going out to clubs that often. I much prefer a bar to a club which is perfect in Granada because there are so many that are open just as late if not later than the clubs so if you still want to drink but be able to socialise and eat as well, this is perfect for you. I met a lot of people out here who were like me in that respect and that really made me feel at home even more. I would recommend in particular Bib-Rambla in the centre which is a square with lots of bars and restaurants offering Spanish food and delicious cocktails all for decent prices.  

Thirdly, the language barrier is incredibly scary at first but you will become accustomed to it, especially when you have to learn Andalusian Spanish, I promise! The main things that helped me were being a bit nosy in coffee shops and listening to the waiters and waitresses’ conversations with customers, picking up on what they do and don’t say and recycling it as my own when I ordered there. There are a lot of colloquialisms that are used way more often than the formal Spanish terms that we are taught in school and at university which you will definitely notice when you get here. Also, it sounds bizarre but switch the language on your phone to Spanish as well – this will help to teach you a few terms that are used frequently in Spain (for example, the phrase for ‘on charge’ is ‘en carga’, which, weirdly enough, is something that helped me a lot in lecture theatres!).  

At the end of the day, no one expects you to just fly through this year abroad with no issues at all. It is a completely foreign thing to do (quite literally) and it will be weird at first but you will get used to it. Homesickness is something I particularly struggled with at first but I had good and bad days and it is important to acknowledge that, even when you get back to Sheffield too. For me, I made a point of calling or FaceTiming my family at least once a week if not more and keeping in contact with my friends over social media so I could at least feel like I wasn’t missing out on too much by not being in the UK or with them in their Spanish cities. Also again, keep in contact with Sheffield even if you don’t think it’s necessary, there is no harm in updating them. For example, when I knew I would have to go back to the UK and that this would potentially impact my studies in Spain, I emailed Sheffield so they could put it on my transcript to ensure there were no discrepancies if my grades were affected.

It is important to remind yourself that you are doing your best and I think that this is easy to lose sight of when you’re trying hard at something new but don’t worry! It is all a learning curve and I think you’ll find it amazing. For me, I’m so proud of myself for doing this year abroad. It has taught me so much about myself and has certainly, without a doubt, made me a more tough and resilient person. There were definitely times when completing it or even continuing my degree in general seemed impossible; I am so happy I didn’t give up.  

P.S. make sure your friends and family are fully prepared for your year abroad to become your whole personality trait hehe 🙂 

My favourite ‘little’ things about Utrecht by Emily Bush

Now I am coming towards the end of my year in The Netherlands, I have realised that there is often an assumption that during your time abroad you will be constantly busy and that you have to say yes to lots of ‘big’ things if you want to make the most of it. I have definitely found myself thinking, “If I’m not always on the go, I have wasted my year abroad’, which can put a lot of unnecessary pressure on yourself. As much as big sightseeing trips and adventures can be an exciting part of your year abroad (and I’ve had an amazing time on the trips I have taken) they often aren’t what you spend most of your time doing.

In fact, one of my favourite things this year has not big the big adventures and experiences, but just living in Utrecht and experiencing day-to-day life in another country. Because of this, I wanted to talk about my favourite ‘little’ things in the city I spend most of my time in, and what I get up to in an average week.

Café culture

My favourite thing about Utrecht is definitely all of the cafés. The outdoor café culture and terraces here are amazing throughout the year but especially when its sunny (which admittedly isn’t often – Dutch weather is pretty much the same as in the UK). The outdoor eating culture makes the city feel a lot more vibrant and welcoming and was one of the first things I noticed when I arrived back in August – with people sitting in chairs on the streets with their coffee, in café terraces or on benches outside cafés and along the canal. In the last few months, a few of my friends and I have been working through a list of cafés we want to try before we leave, which has been really fun, and easy to do with a few free hours.

Canals

Utrecht, like most cities in the Netherlands, is full of canals. The Oudegracht (“Old Canal”), my favourite canal, runs through the centre and has lots of shops along it as well as quieter spots with benches or decking. If it’s a nice day and I need a break from studying, I really like going for a walk around one of the canals, or just going to sit by the Oudegracht. They take mental health walks to a whole new level! Even after a year here, I still can’t get over how beautiful they are, and I’m really going to miss them when I return to Sheffield.

Bikes

It’s impossible to talk about the Netherlands and not mention bikes at least once. Even though I’ve found that I still prefer walking to biking (mostly due to my terrible balance), I love watching people on their bikes and experiencing the biking culture. Rush-hour here is pretty much car-free and instead consists of traffic jams of bikes and overflowing bike parking. People here also have a lot more practice at biking with one or no hands, so it’s fun to see the different things they manage to carry (I’ve seen people carrying pets, flowers, or even carrying another bike).

Market day

Saturday is the main market day in Utrecht – with the food market, the fabric market and the flower market (my favourite)! Since being here, I’ve had a lot of weekends where I’ve had no plans, and where the only thing I’ve done on a Saturday is go to the flower market with some friends. The flowers are really affordable (around €5 for a bunch), and they also sell other plants and plant pots. There is also a coffee cart (which is transported attached to a bicycle) so it’s a really nice thing to do that doesn’t take up much time!

The University

Ultimately, if you are doing an exchange year, the place where you spend most of your time will probably be the university you’re studying in. Most of my classes are in the city centre, which is full of beautiful buildings, and the library was also built in a former palace which makes for a cool study environment! Aside from all the beautiful buildings, my favourite thing about the university is probably that all the lecture halls have coffee machines which sell very cheap coffee. This is maybe a strange ‘favourite thing’, but it is absolutely necessary here because lectures are usually at least 2 hours (although I have also had classes with 4-hour lectures!).

While some of these little things seem very small, the main point I wanted to make is that there are so many ‘little things’ to experience while on a year abroad that you might not even think about prior to arriving. Spending time abroad is not just about backpacking trips and weekends away, but also about enjoying everyday life in a slightly different way than you would in Sheffield. There are so many ways to enjoy your year abroad, and you won’t be ‘wasting’ it by taking it more slowly!

Final Reflections on Berlin by Joy Whyte

It feels so surreal to be writing this, knowing that in a little over a month I will be back at home, not knowing the next time I’ll be back in Berlin. A year ago, I was moving out of my house in Sheffield, saying goodbye to friends, having no idea what was ahead of me. I felt uncertain and scared. Now, a year later, I cannot believe all that has happened and all that I have done in that time. I can absolutely say that I made the right decision in choosing to study abroad for a year. I know this sounds cliché, but I do believe I have grown as a person too. Being pushed out of my comfort zone, has made me much more confident, resilient, and outgoing. I came to Berlin not knowing the city and not knowing anyone, and now I am leaving knowing I have made incredible friends and made a home and life for myself in this city. It’s such a bittersweet feeling, knowing I’m going to have to say goodbye to my friends and not knowing when I’m next going to see them again – though I have no doubt that we will all keep in touch. There have been some amazing high points, like getting to travel with my friends and experiencing all there is to do in Berlin, but also some low points too – like walking home in tears because I couldn’t figure out how to buy stamps in German! Its been a roller-coaster of emotions, but the good has always outweighed the bad though – If I could do it all again, I absolutely would. As this is my final blog, I thought I would write down a few of my favourite places and things to do in Berlin.

Berlin has so many green spaces. One of my favourite things to do is go to Tempelhof Feld with friends. It is the old airport of Berlin that has now been turned into a massive park. There are always people skating, flying kites, and having a barbecue. I loved having a picnic and some drinks with my friends there while watching the sunset. It’s such a nice relaxing thing to do on a sunny evening. Victoria Park is also a great place to go, with a waterfall, and is one of the few hills in Berlin! Another of my favourite thing to do outdoors was to go to one of Berlin’s many lakes. Wansee and Krumme Lanke are great places to go for an outdoor swim, with nice beaches. It’s a great day trip to do with friends.

One of the things I love most about this city is the range of café, bars, and restaurants it has. One thing that pleasantly surprised me was the variety of cuisines and vegetarian options. Berlin has lots of cute cafes to work in or chill in, and I loved trying out different bakeries. There are also so many cool, unique bars. In the warmer weather I loved just being able to meet up with friends and go and sit outside at a restaurant/bar for hours. Almost every place had outdoor seating which I loved.  My absolute favourite place to go on a sunny evening is Holzmark 25. It’s situated along the Spree River in Berlin and has many different independent food and drink vendors and lots of different outdoor seating to choose from. It’s always such a great vibe and a great place to hang out with friends until the sun goes down.

There are lots of activities to do in Berlin. In the winter, there were plenty of things to do indoors. My friends and I had great fun at a horror themed Escape room. There are also so many fascinating museums, I would definitely recommend the Deutches Espionage Museum, it had a lazar maze that you had to try and get through – and it was more difficult than it looked! Pottery painting at Paint Your Style is also such a fun activity on a rainy day, my friends and I liked it so much we went back more than once. In Spring and Summer, going to Mauerpark flea market is a must do. It has clothes, food, drinks, books and so much more for sale. But the highlight is definitely the karaoke there. Everyone is singing and dancing, its so much fun and really wholesome too. Another event worth mentioning is Karnival de Kulturen, which was a great experience. There was a massive parade and celebrations that went on for the whole of the bank holiday weekend. I also made the most of Berlin Ice Cream week as all participating shops had a special flavour ice cream that was only 1 Euro.

These are just a few of the many options and activities Berlin offers. I have made the most amazing memories here, and I feel so lucky to be able to have had this opportunity. If there’s one thing I hope you take a way from this, it is that if you’ve got the option to study abroad for a year – absolutely do it!

A guide to studying abroad by Harriet Robotham

I’ve not long returned from studying abroad for 8 months at the University of Waterloo in Canada, and while it wasn’t all easy, overall it’s taught me valuable lessons and is an experience I’ll never forget. I’m going to let you in on all of the advice I’ve gained, in hopes it might help you… (p.s. this is general advice and not specific to Canada.)

The drastically different view from my balcony in March (left) compared with April (right).

Before:

Be flexible with your University destination and don’t settle on one place to avoid disappointment. I got my third choice and looking back I couldn’t have pictured myself anywhere else.

Apply for your visa early, apply as soon as you know you’re going because it can take weeks to process. The application took a long time to complete but my biometrics appointment at the embassy was really quick, I think that’s when it started to feel real.

Don’t over-pack, you may want to bring things home or travel to other places after studying and lugging around suitcases isn’t ideal! You don’t need as many clothes as you think; at least I didn’t.

Consider your finances and compare how much money you have available compared to what you want to do out there. There is a lot of support in terms of finances, such as the student finance England travel grant as well as the Turing scheme. Looking back, it would have been nice to have saved more before I began my year abroad for trips across Canada, and the ability to be more spontaneous without worrying about the cost! However, keep in mind there might be an opportunity to work whilst you’re, usually on campus, if that’s something you’re interested in.

Being nervous is normal! You may feel a sense of uncertainty as you’re saying goodbyes and packing your things, but push through the feeling because this is expected as it is a big change.

Become a global ambassador yourself! It’s a rewarding and enjoyable role where you can share your experiences to help other students.

Outside Manchester airport the day I flew out to Canada, and also my 21st birthday!

During

Don’t panic buy everything you see the first time you’re in your local supermarket. I made this mistake and ended up finding things at a better price later on. There’s almost a mad rush of trying to get the essentials: kitchen utensils, bedding etc, to try and avoid the FOMO on your first week! It will take a week or two to get settled so don’t rush this. I would have also originally bought more items second-hand as I ended up donating most of them before I came home.

Say yes to as many opportunities as you can, going abroad is all about trying new things and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

Make the most of the classes offered, if there’s a subject you’ve always been interested in, then try it. I do Biomedical Science at Sheffield but ended up taking ‘physics, the universe and everything’, ‘plants and civilisation’ and ‘human nutrition’, as well as classes linked to Biomed and I loved them all.

Get support if you need it; not everything is going to be easy and there are people to help if you struggle. I definitely went through periods of missing home and found FaceTime so valuable!

Get to know the area and travel as much as you can, and also don’t be afraid to travel solo, I took a solo trip to Toronto and it was so empowering!

Visit home or have visitors, as I did at Christmas which was the perfect halfway visit.

Donate, or sell your things to charity or to the university when you come to the end of your time abroad (Facebook marketplace is good for selling used items in Canada).

(Left) Outside the Eaton Centre in Toronto, (right) the CN Tower lit up at night.

Finally

Enjoy being home, catch up with friends and family and visit all the familiar places again. Living abroad makes you so much more grateful for being back, and it opens up possibilities for similar ventures in the future.

Keep in touch with the friends you’ve made. My flatmates were both Canadian and now we’re good friends, with one of them hoping to come for a year abroad in England!

Finally, don’t compare your experience to anyone else’s. Your experience is personal to you, for example, something that was hard for someone else might have been easier for you, or vice versa. Be proud of yourself!

Until next time, Harriet.

Advice for students living and studying in the USA by Myles Turner

Studying and living in the USA is very similar to the UK however there are a few small but significant differences. I lived in the North East of the US, just north of Boston so this article will be aimed more for anyone living in this region. However, I will add general tips too.

I will put them into three key categories: positives, negatives, and general differences.

Let’s start with the positives of living / studying in the US:

• Americans are very friendly and are always happy to meet new people. I was very scared when I first arrived on campus as I knew nobody in the whole of the US. However, after a couple of days I had met some nice people and already started making friends.

I was especially worried about Thanksgiving as everyone goes home and campus is shut for a couple of days. However, my one of my flat mates invited me to his house for Thanksgiving for the weekend, I got to meet his friends and family while enjoying some great food.

• The USA is a massive country (about the same size as all of Europe) and has stunning natural beauty. I was surprised by the range of weather conditions. The summer were hot (I got sunburnt) and the winters were freezing (regular snow storms shutting down campus). There are also large mountains very near to campus many of which have ski resorts, meaning several times I was able to get a lift from friends and go skiing just for the day.

Winter vs Summer in Durham, New Hampshire

• Switching to academics the teaching style in the US very different. Each semester you will take 4 to 5 classes, each class will have homework’s generally set weekly which counts towards your final grade. On top of this you will have midterm exams, normally 2 if not more and not every class has a final exam. This makes the middle of term fairly stressful as you have to balance lots of deadlines, however it means the end of term isn’t too stressful. Professors can also give out extra credits if you do additional work / very well in a project.

I would also say that the students in the US are a lot closer with professors and that professors offer much longer office hours availability. However this also comes with the expectation that you need to attend at least one office hour session a semester.

Some of the negatives of studying / living in the US are:

• Transport, it can be very difficult to get around without a car. There is some public transport, but it is often quite expensive and notoriously unreliable. However, most American students do have cars and will be happy to give you ride, so this isn’t the worst, but you do need to try and make some friends with cars.

• Cost, everything in the US is crazy expensive, it can make travel difficult as cost of accommodation can easily be over $100 per person per night (even at the cheapest hostels and hotels). Flights and bus rides can also be very expensive, coach tickets between New York and Boston (200 miles) cost around $50 each way and unfortunately renting a car is not possible unless you are 21 years old and even then it is still very expensive.
• Police and Laws, Police in the US are very strict and should be treated with the utmost respect to avoid trouble. If you do have any encounters with the police which lead to your arrest, your VISA will be revoked and you will be deported, so it’s a very high-risk game.

This may sound farfetched however some laws in the US differ to the laws in the UK, for example the drinking age is 21, jay walking is a large fine, many states have legalised marijuana and in certain states open carry is allowed.

My advice would be to stay cautious and check with friends and the university staff if you are unsure about doing anything.

Then there are just some general differences:

• Different holidays to the UK, in the US you have Thanksgiving weekend, this is a 4-day weekend (Thursday to Sunday) at the end of November. You then have Christmas break, which is the same as the UK.

In the Spring you have Spring Break which is a week off in the middle of March. Finally, you don’t get any time off from college for Easter and then term finishes in the middle of May.

• Longer semesters, my semesters were 16 weeks which means they are less intense but much longer, so I think they are about equal to the UK. My first semester started at the end of August and went till Chr8istmas, my second semester started at the end of January and went till the end of May.
• Sharing a room, it is very common for all students to share a room throughout their first 3 years of university. This has pros and cons mainly depending on if you like your room mate or not, the main other pro is that you tend to get a larger room as you are sharing.
• Food, generally in your first 2 years of university you live on campus and will be catered for, the meals are in a buffet style and a wide range of options are available. So generally on campus housing does not have cooking facilities. Meal plans are expensive but are also a great way to socialise and make friends.

I hope that this information helps anyone who is thinking about studying and living in the US.

I would definitely recommend studying in the US as it is a very unique experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.