'It's awesome being able to experience and learn about the different foods, weather, phrases and accents. You also get to enjoy stunning scenery.'
Name: Lina Yow Pei Shi
Studied: A-levels
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Home country: Singapore
Studied: A-levels
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Home country: Singapore
Lina was inspired to study in Britain after hearing stories from her three older sisters who all came to university here.
‘At 17, I started my adventure by studying A-levels in Canterbury, Kent. I chose to study in a local school so as to experience the full British education system while immersing myself in the local culture.It was definitely scary at first, especially being the only Chinese person in the whole A-level cohort, but the support network was remarkable and I was able to fit in quickly.
'Many fond memories and great friends were made and I definitely matured a lot being away from home for the first time, and living alone in a foreign country.'
Now she is embarking on an exciting journey of her own at Queen’s University in Belfast after completing her A-levels in the south-east of England. Lina explains that she thoroughly enjoys studying and living in Northern Ireland.
‘Coming to another part of UK is brilliant as you experience a very different culture. It’s awesome being able to experience and learn about the different foods, weather, phrases and, of course, accents. You also get to enjoy stunning scenery.
‘Joining societies can be really fun and it helps in building new friendships and making your journey more enjoyable. I joined my rowing team and experienced the craziness of training outdoors throughout the winter!
It's totally natural for international students to feel a bit scared of coming to study in another country. But they shouldn’t fret because there’s plenty of support and societies for international students.
‘Having started my journey at the age of 17 at a college for A-levels and now in university, my experiences have taught me a lot. I would love to pass on my knowledge and stories to other students who probably are as fearful as I was when I was considering to come overseas to study.'
My experience: Eliza Esiategiwa (Nigeria)
My experience: Pratichya Kandel (India)
