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Studying in another country is a big deal. Whether it’s a full degree abroad or a short-term study abroad program, the decision to move and study abroad is one that must be considered seriously. Having now studied abroad in England twice, I know. Here I will describe why I chose to study in England in the first place and what ultimately led me back.
Planning my junior year abroad
During my sophomore year of college in the US, there were lots of information sessions and fairs on the different study abroad destinations available. At my college, the vast majority of study abroad opportunities were year-long programs, which generally took place during a student’s junior year. This idea of spending my entire junior year abroad, which initially seemed very daunting to me, ended up becoming the best thing about studying abroad.
Since the study abroad programs emphasized full immersion and studying in the host language, I narrowed my options to England and Australia, two English-speaking countries. Australia got eliminated because I thought it was too far away, though it was my front-runner for a long time.
This brings me to the England options. I knew that if I were to study abroad, I would want to go somewhere really different from what I was used to. My options of where to study in England were the Universities of Leicester, York and Sussex. After going to the information sessions, speaking with returning students who’d come back from their junior year abroad, and researching each university and city intensely, it was clear to me that the University of Sussex was my choice.
The main factor which led me to the University of Sussex was the location, on the edge of the city of Brighton. Not only is Brighton just an hour away from London, but it’s also an attractive seaside city. I thought there seemed to be a lot to do, from shopping to restaurants to ample nightlife options. I knew that the university was easily accessible from two major airports – London Heathrow and London Gatwick – which I thought would make traveling more convenient.
I did of course consider the academic options as well. I looked at the available classes we were allowed to take as study abroad students, and saw a lot that really interested me. I had so many materials – both online resources and via the study abroad office – which helped me to make a really well-informed decision.
Even so, I was really undecided about studying abroad for the longest time, mainly because it would be for a whole academic year. In the end, I pushed myself to go and was so glad I did. I can’t imagine my life without studying abroad, as it is the reason I am where I am today – back in England.
Fast forward a couple years. My junior year abroad year was full of ups and downs for sure, but on the whole it was a positive experience for me. Since the vast majority of my friends at Sussex were British, I was able to learn so much about the country’s culture and really fall in love with England. When I came back to the US, reverse culture shock hit me hard and lasted for many months. I so longed to be back in England and was homesick for the place every day.
The benefit of this depressing time in my life was that I learned how much I wanted to work as a study abroad advisor. In searching online for related master’s degree programs, I was able to find a relevant master’s in England, at Newcastle University. This program was the only one I applied to, since I knew I wanted to come back to study in England for another year. The program is called Cross-Cultural Communication and Education, it is one year long and I am currently about halfway through!
My study abroad immersion experience of living in England for a year with British friends and flatmates ultimately led me to earning my master’s in England. If I hadn’t spent my junior year abroad with mostly Brits, I would never have gotten the deep cultural knowledge I have today. The bond I have with England is so strong. This place has shaped me personally and professionally. I honestly don’t know who or what I would be doing with my life had I never studied abroad here in the first place.
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Why I Chose to Study in England
Amanda Guarino
Updated Apr 03, 2017Save
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Studying in another country is a big deal. Whether it’s a full degree abroad or a short-term study abroad program, the decision to move and study abroad is one that must be considered seriously. Having now studied abroad in England twice, I know. Here I will describe why I chose to study in England in the first place and what ultimately led me back.
Planning my junior year abroad
During my sophomore year of college in the US, there were lots of information sessions and fairs on the different study abroad destinations available. At my college, the vast majority of study abroad opportunities were year-long programs, which generally took place during a student’s junior year. This idea of spending my entire junior year abroad, which initially seemed very daunting to me, ended up becoming the best thing about studying abroad.
Since the study abroad programs emphasized full immersion and studying in the host language, I narrowed my options to England and Australia, two English-speaking countries. Australia got eliminated because I thought it was too far away, though it was my front-runner for a long time.
This brings me to the England options. I knew that if I were to study abroad, I would want to go somewhere really different from what I was used to. My options of where to study in England were the Universities of Leicester, York and Sussex. After going to the information sessions, speaking with returning students who’d come back from their junior year abroad, and researching each university and city intensely, it was clear to me that the University of Sussex was my choice.
The main factor which led me to the University of Sussex was the location, on the edge of the city of Brighton. Not only is Brighton just an hour away from London, but it’s also an attractive seaside city. I thought there seemed to be a lot to do, from shopping to restaurants to ample nightlife options. I knew that the university was easily accessible from two major airports – London Heathrow and London Gatwick – which I thought would make traveling more convenient.
I did of course consider the academic options as well. I looked at the available classes we were allowed to take as study abroad students, and saw a lot that really interested me. I had so many materials – both online resources and via the study abroad office – which helped me to make a really well-informed decision.
Even so, I was really undecided about studying abroad for the longest time, mainly because it would be for a whole academic year. In the end, I pushed myself to go and was so glad I did. I can’t imagine my life without studying abroad, as it is the reason I am where I am today – back in England.
Testimonials
Returning to study a master’s in England
Fast forward a couple years. My junior year abroad year was full of ups and downs for sure, but on the whole it was a positive experience for me. Since the vast majority of my friends at Sussex were British, I was able to learn so much about the country’s culture and really fall in love with England. When I came back to the US, reverse culture shock hit me hard and lasted for many months. I so longed to be back in England and was homesick for the place every day.
The benefit of this depressing time in my life was that I learned how much I wanted to work as a study abroad advisor. In searching online for related master’s degree programs, I was able to find a relevant master’s in England, at Newcastle University. This program was the only one I applied to, since I knew I wanted to come back to study in England for another year. The program is called Cross-Cultural Communication and Education, it is one year long and I am currently about halfway through!
My study abroad immersion experience of living in England for a year with British friends and flatmates ultimately led me to earning my master’s in England. If I hadn’t spent my junior year abroad with mostly Brits, I would never have gotten the deep cultural knowledge I have today. The bond I have with England is so strong. This place has shaped me personally and professionally. I honestly don’t know who or what I would be doing with my life had I never studied abroad here in the first place.