London is a magical location
My mom studied in London when she was my age and I grew up hearing stories of how magical and exciting it is. It has always been a dream of mine to explore and travel like she did, so once I had the opportunity I took it. Studying in London has been transformative for me. It definitely took a moment to adjust but in comparison to America, schooling is much more affordable and international. I have met people from all over the globe and have been able to learn so much from each experience.
Why I chose University of Roehampton...
When researching Universities my mom and I came across Roehampton and quickly fell in love with what it offered. One of the reasons it was so interesting to me was the fact that I did not have to take any general education classes, i.e math, science, language, etc. Instead I would have the chance to solely focus on my major. This is very rarely the case in America so this was exciting to me. I was also able to study two subjects simultaneously which was something I was seeking out. Furthermore, one of the biggest selling points was the fact that I did not have to have a roommate and would only have to share a kitchen. The reality of my course was not what I expected and I would recommend applying to schools outside of this one, especially if you are looking to pursue arts, but it still has redeeming qualities.
Student life
First year is very exciting because there is a week-long period to party before lectures start called, “Freshers Week”. Most London universities participate in this, including Roehampton and hold events on campus, like fairs on the lawn and silent discos. This is the perfect time to make friends and put yourself out there. Outside of the University, clubs all around the city put on big events for all of the new and current Uni students to celebrate the start of the new academic year. At the beginning everyone is very friendly because they are all in the same boat as you, so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself! Stay true to your values but also be open to new experiences. It is a great time for self exploration and growth. In my personal experience, a lot of people formed cliques after the first year and people I was once close with began to fade out of my life if it wasn't implied. Be mindful of who is genuine and spend time with those who have your best interest in mind! I think it is also very important to go to a Uni with a good social space, like a common room or dining hall. My uni lacks that and people often don’t go to the university organized events so I think that's a big factor as to why many students became more reclusive.
Accommodation
I have enjoyed my experience in my accom. The room is a decent size, there is a very spacious desk, big window, and nice bathroom. I chose Elm Grove, which is one of the only accoms on my campus where you are given your own bathroom. I am very appreciative of this, it is a bit more expensive but I believe it is worth it. The room doors lock as well as the hall door and that adds a very nice layer of protection, everything is accessed via key card. I recommend bringing a mattress pad or comfy blankets/pillows because the bare mattress isn't super comfortable. You can find mattress pads for pretty cheap on Amazon. Also make sure to bring decorations with you that will create a more home like space. I brought lots of pictures, posters and lights and it really adds to the room, you have so much opportunity to customize it and express yourself so I recommended putting in the time to make the room special, it helps with the homesickness. In addition, the kitchen has limited space but everyone should always have a few cabinets, a shelf in the fridge and a drawer in the freezer. It has huge windows and comfy chairs which I love, and again is a really fun space to decorate, which could be a good bonding activity with your flatmates. Furthermore, a big issue I faced throughout my time in Uni so far is stealing. There is often someone in the flat who tries to be sneaky and causes drama. Get ahead of this and label your things and buy kitchenware that is unique to you so it doesn't get mixed up. You can always talk to wardens and the heads of accommodation if anything like this becomes a problem. It is hard to share a space with strangers but it is a good experience to have.
Compare and Contrast
The biggest differences between Uni in England vs America is the tuition, the length of the program, the amount of lectures and the break time given. My course is only 3 years which was a pleasant surprise to me, all of my friends in school in the US are in 4 year programs. I am so excited to finish earlier because it will allow me to have my 20s to build my career. The amount of lectures per week is much more manageable and each lecture only occurs once a week. I always have a day or two off during the week which gives a lot more free time to get projects done, go to work and to explore the city. And in terms of breaks, we are given reading weeks, which are week long breaks to work on our projects but a lot of students use that time to travel as well. Christmas break is a little over a month long and the school year starts later and ends earlier in comparison to American schools. I am always less stressed than my American friends and am given more time on my assignments which I really appreciate. The tuition is also a quarter of American tuition which is another huge benefit. I’d say overall it is a great choice to choose the U.K. but if you are interested in fraternities/sororities and want the chance to explore more subjects throughout University, I don’t recommend it.
The experience of London
London is a magical location to experience this time in your life. I have had so many peak moments and have really found myself here. I love live music and nightlife and have found a huge community of people to experience those things with. Every night of the week there will be something to do, whether that's a jazz show or an art exhibition. The price of things can be intimidating but there are plenty of free and affordable things to do, you just have to search for them. I have spent many days at all of the beautiful parks the city has to offer which is completely free of charge, besides transportation. I have also found organizations that put on free raves, as well as, free art exhibitions. Most museums in the city also offer free entry, which is great. There is food from every corner of the world and wonderful and accessible transportation to take you to all of these places. The UK is also a great place to be if you are interested in traveling to Europe, airlines like Ryanair offer really cheap flights to a plethora of European countries. I have also had a lot of fun becoming more familiar with so many different backgrounds and cultures. The first friends I made were from everywhere from France to India. I highly recommend studying here because even if the University isn't exactly what you hoped for, the city will open up so many opportunities for you.
Visa Process
The last thing I want to touch in is the visa process. There were points where I wanted to give up going through this process but ultimately it was worth it. It takes a lot of paperwork, money and patience. Sometimes the steps are unclear but I recommend communicating with your school as much as possible and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also get in contact with other international students because it is comforting and helpful knowing people going through the same thing as you. Be prepared and keep all of the information organized. I wish all incoming international students the best of luck!!
- Willa