Starting uni, changing country

Thousands of students from all over the world decide to move to the UK to study. Gaining the qualifications, learning the language and being accepted into a UK institution is only the start of it. Moving countries to start university is undeniably daunting: what’s living in the UK like? What support is available? What can you expect from a UK university?

The experience

The UK is consistently one of the most popular countries to move to for higher education. Currently there are 1.6 million full-time undergraduate students in the UK, with 99,000 of those being international students.

The International Student Barometer found in 2007 that UK universities are the best in the world for teaching and supporting their international students. And the findings, as reported in The Times Higher, conclude that the UK is a ‘world leader when it comes to international education’, ahead of global rivals across key measures such as teaching, course content and student support.

Youssef Erkouni is nearing the end of a Media degree at Southampton Solent University. He came from Paris to study three years ago. Overall, he feels his time in the UK has been one he would happily repeat:

“Coming to Southampton was something that I wanted to do as I knew that the education system was completely different to the French, and I would have the opportunity to meet people from different cultures. I also knew that studying in the UK would help with my English and my future job applications.”

A comprehensive survey from Universities UK, UKCOSA: the Council for International Education, British Council and SCOP (the Standing Conference of Principals), found in 2004 that international students studying in the UK are very happy with their academic experience, student support and the wider experience of living in the UK.

The survey, ‘Broadening our Horizons’, found that more international students are now offered accommodation when they arrive, more attend orientation programmes, and advice is more easily available.

"The reality of the situation when I arrived was that the university didn’t offer everything I was expecting"

And a recent StudentPulse survey of 11,000 prospective students from 143 countries indicated that the UK may be beginning to challenge the US as the most popular study destination, with 95% rating the UK as an attractive place to study.

Problems

Despite these encouraging statistics, swapping countries to study is not easy. Culture shock and homesickness, for example, are normal for anyone studying in a different country. Even students from the UK often suffer homesickness and miss their hometown, friends and family. Luckily, these feelings are temporary, and will dissipate as soon as you start getting stuck into your new life.

Says Youssef Erkouni: “I often hear that some of the international students get homesick quite easily. This is because everything is so different to back home. Some people left after one semester. The cold, the culture or the university might have been the cause. But I haven’t personally felt homesick. I made the decision to come to the UK and I have enjoyed every moment of the last three years.”

However, a report carried out last year for the Council for Industry and Higher Education found overseas students often find it difficult to make friends with non-international students. On many campuses, it is noticeable that different ethnic groups tend predominately to socialise together. With some effort though, it should be relatively easy to mix with a varied cross-section of the university population.

Many students find that their university experience isn’t what they expected. Whether it’s the culture, the city or even the course, it’s likely that there will be aspects of the university experience that don’t deliver all you hoped. Says Youssef:

"The reality of the situation when I arrived was that the university didn’t offer everything I was expecting. There seemed to be a lack of communication between departments which led to problems. Although as I had hoped, my English improved dramatically over the time I was here and I soon learnt to communicate effectively with my classmates and teachers.”

It’s up to you to decide whether the problems you encounter are solvable, and if not whether they are big enough to stop you enjoying your time at university. But most students find that sticking with it yields more positives than negatives. Youssef sums up:

“Overall, my experience in the UK and at Solent University has been good and I would recommend both to people who are thinking about applying.”