So, you want to further your education and you’re considering options for university. You might even be thinking ‘should I leave home for university?’
There’s no need to be apprehensive about going as there are so many benefits to studying abroad. Here are just four of the reasons you should leave home to attend university abroad.
- Explore a new country whilst having an academic adventure
- University gives you the chance to make friends and experience something different
- You’ll develop as a person and become more independent
- The wider choice of universities means you’re open to more opportunities
Explore a new country whilst having an academic adventure
Connect with the country you’re studying in by taking time to explore. Immersing yourself in your new surroundings is rewarding and helps you familiarise yourself with where you’ll be staying.
If you’re concerned about missing home, it’s natural after leaving for university to feel this way. Wherever you’ve travelled from, it will never be easy to say goodbye to friends and family. It’s not forever and you’ll return will lots of stories about exploring a new country.
There are ways to deal with homesickness and the feeling soon fades. You can always video chat with your family and keep them updated. Speaking with them for the first couple of days might be the comfort you need to truly settle in.
It’s a good idea to join a society or club. The members will have the same interests as you and it gives you the opportunity to make friendships which will last throughout your time there and even after.
University gives you the chance to make friends and experience something different
So we know that joining clubs and societies is a great way to start friendships but there’s plenty of other ways too! Here are our top tips:
- Follow your prospective university on social media. Some universities will have various different accounts for each department and will mention any deals or events.
- If you’re in halls of residence or student housing, then purchase a pack of cards. It’s a small investment for the hours of fun you’ll have bonding with your housemates.
- Attend the events that are specifically for new students. Everybody will be in the same situation as you and it’s a great environment for building new friendships.
- Organise a study group for your course. You’ll get a better understanding of the curriculum and get better acquainted with your classmates.
- Don’t try too hard - being yourself will help you fit in just fine!
If you’re worried about balancing your workload and social life, then there’s no need - it’s totally achievable. Just make sure to prioritise anything for your course so you have plenty of time to have fun with classmates.
You’ll develop as a person and become more independent
Staying at home whilst attending university delays your journey to independence and can mean you miss out on acquiring valuable life skills.
Living away from home will mean you’ll learn how to budget, cook and take care of yourself - something that you might not experience living at home. Embracing this chance to develop as a person is highly beneficial and will be useful later on in life with your future career.
The wider choice of universities means you’re open to more opportunities
Leaving home for university means you’re not restricted to the ones in your local area. Studying in another country is a big decision but you could attend some of the best universities in the world with access to industry-leading researchers and world-class facilities, such as the Russell Group universities here in the UK.
At university, you’ll complete independent research that’s at the forefront of the industry. Tutors might have a slightly different approach in your home country, but it won’t take you long to adapt. Universities may offer a support system for international students if you’re worried about anything, from the workload and new teaching style to simply just needing to talk.
Not only do you have the opportunity to attend a first-class university, but you get to see more of the world too. If you can’t wait to see as much of the world as possible, then studying in the UK is perfect for you. It’s a diverse and thriving place with so much to see and experience.
Leave home and study at a world-leading UK university
The excellent teaching style, the diverse communities, friendly locals and each world-renowned university makes the UK the first choice for thousands of international students each year.
The UK offers lots of exciting opportunities when it comes to studying here and there’s plenty to see and experience. Our International Students page provides more useful information on what life is like studying abroad at a UK university and how you can become an international student.
