From Sri Lanka to Europe: My postgraduate journey in the UK

I'm Keshala, an international student from Sri Lanka who just wrapped up my postgraduate studies at Coventry University this summer. I spent a wonderful year at Coventry, packed with a lot of stories and experiences, reading for my postgraduate degree in international marketing management.  

I’m writing this article to take you on a journey through my academic adventures and share bits and pieces from my study abroad experience, with the hopes of positively impacting another courageous individual to make that leap. 

How it all started 

At a turning point of my career, after being employed as a graduate for quite a while, I realised that my whole identity was confined to a limited set of beliefs and experiences. This motivated me to get into the driver's seat and take charge of my life, by studying a postgraduate degree.  

However, I wanted more than just the qualification, but also the opportunity to explore new possibilities, and to really discover my own potential, by studying away from home comforts.   

With this in mind, I started researching different study destinations, and after a considerable amount of evidence-based research and speaking to other expats, I decided that the United Kingdom would be ideal for my postgraduate studies.  

For me, the UK offered a great reputation for academic excellence, post-study work opportunities, a shorter duration of postgraduate programmes than other countries, as well as benefiting from access to Europe and having a culture which would be easy to adapt to.   

Selecting a university   

To choose a specific university, I looked at not only the programme offerings but also the culture of the universities, with the help of an educational consultancy agency.  

Coming from a developing country, the affordability factor was key. Apart from that, I paid extra attention to the nature of the programme and how it aligned with my interests, as well as any relevant regulations associated with international students and the institution’s reputation among students. Having considered these criteria, Coventry University’s MSc for International Marketing Management turned out to be my programme of choice.  

When doing my research and going through the application and visa process, things got overwhelming at times, but the process sure gave me a few good life lessons. My key takeaways were that it’s important to start the process at least six months in advance, familiarise yourself with relevant regulations and requirements for things like accommodation, driver’s license, medical services etc. Also, always get 100 percent involved in the process even if you’re using an agent, as you’ll benefit from being more involved.   

Studying at Coventry University 

Studying at the university was a pleasant experience overall and the support I received was impeccable. I felt as if my postgraduate journey was an absolute breeze thanks to the lovely and supportive lecturers, friendly mentors and invaluable advice services.  

It took me quite a while to appreciate the plethora of support services the university was offering, since I was often busy with my studies, chores and part-time work, but it’s safe to say that I took full advantage of those services as soon as I realised.  

While the course structure and assessments at Coventry University had some resemblance to what I was accustomed to in Sri Lanka, one thing that I found to be distinctively different yet highly effective was how the majority of the assessments strongly encouraged creativity, pushing students to think outside of the box. 

An assessment model that I found myself to be unfamiliar with was the use of simulation games to get the students to learn concepts in a more immersive manner. We had a module which required students to take up the role of a marketing manager and make business decisions over the course of an academic semester and experience how they would affect a real-world business and generate reports about our course of action.  

In my opinion, this immersive experience trains students to be vigilant of minute decisions which otherwise might get overlooked in a theoretical setting. 

One of the main goals I had set for myself before coming to the UK was to make the most of the year available to me as a student. I managed to do this by making studies and my career goals an active priority, not being hesitant to ask questions, networking with potential mentors, receiving constant feedback, and expressing my interest towards future projects.  

Making friends as an international student 

As a child I never had any difficulties making friends, but like any other adult it is now something that I find extremely challenging. However, the university’s vibrant student culture, events, clubs and societies turned out to be quite helpful in this regard, since I managed to network and make a few lifelong friendships, all while having a lot of fun.  

As someone who turned into an introvert post-COVID-19, I often find it hard to get out of my shell and start interacting with new people, but moving abroad for my studies forced me into facing a lot of situations which were way out of my comfort zone. This helped me develop confidence, become aware of my own strengths and make new friends.   

Coping with missing home 

Leaving home for the first time was not the greatest feeling I have experienced, even though a part of me was eagerly anticipating to seeing what the future beholds. Regardless of the journey being exciting, there are moments, even now, when I occasionally find myself functioning with a heavy heart.  

However, I have never once regretted my decision of studying abroad, because both the challenging and celebratory moments have only shaped me for the better.  

The experience of studying abroad and living alone is something quite liberating but with its own ups and downs. I won’t lie, missing out on a lot of important events for loved ones and not having family to celebrate your own milestones with you can be quite heartbreaking at times.  

I’ve understood that sticking to a routine habit of contacting loved ones back home helps me keep homesickness at bay. I also find that enjoying comfort food or a comfort show which reminds me of home is especially helpful when feeling homesick.  

Having a tight group of friends is another necessity to get over those blues, and something that me and my friends back home do is share our weekly plans on a shared calendar to make time to catch up without having clashes.  

Key takeaways 

A few other things I learnt from my journey are:  

• Determination can actually take you places 

• Every moment you get to spend with family and friends is precious 

• Budgeting is an important life skill to have 

• Self-care and mental health should never be ignored 

• Our potential is always way bigger than what we believe it to be 

To my fellow international students embarking on this journey, my advice is to embrace every opportunity, be open to new experiences, cultures, and people and make an effort to stay in touch with family back home.  

Don't hesitate to reach out to support services on campus if you ever need assistance. Take part in extracurricular activities; they are the bridge to lasting friendships.  

And, above all, remember that your journey will be unique, filled with both challenges and triumphs, contributing to your growth and self-discovery. Cherish every moment, for it will be a chapter in the story of your life that you'll never forget.