Study abroad stories

'England? Why? Are you crazy; missing out on ANOTHER Australian summer?'

This was the instinctive reaction of almost everyone I spoke to when I discussed my plans to study in the UK for the winter. I, on the other hand, was electrified at the prospect of studying abroad, meeting new friends and immersing myself in a new culture.

I arrived in Scotland prior to Christmas and met up with friends for a couple of months before settling into student life. This time in Scotland provided me with just the right amount of climate shock (hypothermia) to become adjusted. It also allowed me to understand the subtle or at times vast culture differences between the UK and Australia, which has proven to be of great benefit.

When the date arrived for me to catch the train down the coast and begin my semester in York, I felt a combination of emotions; I was apprehensive to meet new people and settle somewhere new as I had just began to settle in Scotland, yet I was unbelievable excited about what was to come. As I pulled up to York on the EastCoast service from Glasgow, I saw its indescribable beauty. I had been told York was a beautiful place, yet seeing it with my own eyes was almost overwhelming. I walked across the ancient wall, past the gothic- like York Minster and to my Hogwarts- style university. I immediately knew this experience was going to be life changing.
Meeting up with the other three Australians (safety in numbers: P), we were given a brief tour of the university before being shown our rooms. Having heard a number of horror stories about student accommodation, I did not expect anything too special, but where I live is GORGEOUS! My room is on the top floor with beautiful views and chickens in the yard! I met my housemates: a Norwegian girl and three students from York (all really cool!) it’s helpful because two of my housemates have just returned from studying in Canada for a semester, so they love showing me fun things to do around York.
From day one, I knew this was going to be EPIC!!! YORK HERE I COME!!