Image
Coming to the UK has been a wonderful experience
Hello everyone! My name is Francisco — but you can call me Pancho :). I am currently a PhD student at Cardiff University. This university was my first choice due to its excellent reputation as a member of the prestigious Russell Group. Additionally, Cardiff City is the perfect place to live if you're looking for friendly people, a reasonable cost of living, and stunning walks with a wonderful view from the bay to the sea. And of course, let's not forget about the good weather.
In the context of my research, my entire time at Cardiff University has been worthwhile. This is because I have experienced a significant improvement in my scientific writing skills, and I have even identified a research area to which I plan to dedicate my career from now on. Besides that, my professional network is now full of individuals with similar interests to mine, and the best part is that you have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers from all around the world.
A typical week at Cardiff University as a PhD student usually begins with a meeting with your supervisor on Monday. After discussing previous progress, you can proceed with your tasks, which include drafting academic papers, conducting experiments with robots, and discussing with your colleagues. Moreover, there are lots of opportunities to work part-time for other researchers who require your skills. This not only enhances your CV but also provides you with more experience in your field. During my PhD studies at Cardiff University, I appreciated the flexibility in how I could conduct my research. This is of great importance because it allows you to develop your talents while benefiting from valuable feedback.
Regarding accommodation, there are several options that align with your needs. In my case, I lived in a building close to the city centre, which was a studio with a private bathroom, kitchen appliances, and even a desk where I could study and attend my meetings during the pandemic. In town, you can find a variety of restaurants that go from Chinese to Mexican. To the best of my knowledge, there are always vegan food options included on the menus. Cardiff is a friendly city characterised by implementing lanes exclusively designated for bikes. Additionally, several areas are restricted to a speed limit of 20 mph, which makes Cardiff's roads pedestrian and cyclist-safe zones.
Before I finish, I would like to offer you some advice: always carry an umbrella with you!! as the weather in the UK can be unpredictable. Be prepared for sudden rain coming from nowhere, even when the sky has that characteristic beautiful blue on sunny days.
Overall, coming to the UK has been a wonderful experience that has contributed to both my personal and professional growth. Being part of a multicultural and inclusive environment in the UK is something that will remain attached to my memories for the rest of my life. I encourage anyone interested in studying in the UK to seize the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality.
- Francisco
I only wish I could have stayed longer!
I did my MA in Translation Studies at Cardiff University, and my only regret was that I couldn’t continue studying for longer. I wholeheartedly enjoyed the whole course. My tutors were approachable and had a great deal of academic and professional experience.
The other students on the course came from a wide range of backgrounds and class discussions were very engaging. I personally felt that the course was a great balance between the practical skills and advice needed to find employment after graduation and the theoretical underpinnings which would help us to translate confidently.
I strongly recommend this course to students who are interested in becoming professional translators.
- Spencer
Great service, free of charge!
I used the Across the Pond service to help me apply for my Journalism MA in the UK. I remember asking over and over again if there was a fee to pay because I couldn't believe such great service was free of charge.
From the very start, my adviser was there to guide me. He helped me explore program options all over the UK. When I decided on a few, he helped me prepare my application for each school and went through it to make sure it was accurate.
Then after receiving my offers and choosing a school, my adviser helped with my student visa application, residence application, and even suggested a few places to check out in the UK when I'm there!
He answered any questions I had via email within 24 hours or on Skype. I would recommend this service to anyone interested in an education in the UK. I fly to London in less than a week to start my MA and that wouldn't have been the case without the help of my great adviser!
- Ahmad
Digital meeting with a Student Advisor
Book an online session with an advisor with Across the Pond to learn more about studying in the UK!
- Make sure you book the meeting at least 2 days ahead of time
- If you want to talk over Skype, make sure your Skype is working as it should and that you have connected with your advisor before the meeting starts to avoid losing valuable meeting time
- If you do not use Skype and prefer to talk over for instance Teams, just type that into the "Skype-ID" field and we´ll arrange to send you a meeting link via Teams (you do not need a Microsoft Teams user)
