For my first degree, I moved away from home, I stayed within Canada, and only a short 1 1/2 plane ride home, but it was a good starting point. I moved from Newfoundland to Nova Scotia. I spent four years doing my Public Relations degree and loved every minute of it. I made some really great friends, and got to go home 2-3 times a year, making it difficult to actually become that home sick. While it can be tough at times, if family members get sick or die and you can't get home for it, but it's all a part of life, unfortunately.
After my first degree, I moved home for a year, which was interesting, especially after living on my own for four years. I worked during this time, and made the decision to travel abroad for my next degree, Law. This is when things can get a little difficult. I chose England, because my stepdad is from there, and I had been there twice before and absolutely fell in love with the culture, the fashion and the accent. Luckily for me, I knew exactly where I wanted to go, so I didn't have to spend a lot of time deciding on where to travel abroad. Next was finding a University. This part was difficult. I checked out a lot of University websites looking for information on Law programs, but didn't find many of them helpful, I tried emailing the Universities and they would just direct me back to their website. Eventually, after almost giving up on my dream to study abroad, the University of Leicester held an information session in my hometown, I decided to go and see what it was all about. I was the only person to show up, so I got to ask every question I could possibly think of, it was great. In the end, I chose the University of Leicester to pursue my degree in Law.
Now that I had decided where to go, I had to apply for a study visa. This can be a bit of a lengthy and expensive process, especially since I had to travel to Halifax to get my biometrics done. Then I had to start paying my deposits for accommodation. I chose to live on campus during my first year, which I think is a great idea, especially when you are moving somewhere new and know absolutely nobody. Once I got to England, I think this was one of the most stressful parts about it, I had no phone, and it was absolutely a nightmare trying to get one. In order to get a phone and be put on a contract, you need a UK bank card, to get a UK bank card, you need information from your school, your passport, etc. Then it takes a couple days/weeks to get the actual bank card, because they don't issue temporary ones like they do in Canada. So I had to apply for a bank card, they ended up losing my information, so after a week or more of waiting, I inquired about why I hadn't received my card yet, and that is when they told me they couldn't find any of my information. So I went through the process again, and something went wrong again. I was living in a foreign country, with no phone, and this may not seem like a big deal, but it was, and it was so stressful. After about three weeks, I caved and bought an iPhone from the Apple store. It was expensive, but worth it, and something to definitely consider. I didn't end up getting a UK bank card, instead, I pay month to month for my cell phone plan, and have no contracts to worry about. Also, when I go home in the summers or travel, I just switch my SIM card, it so convenient. Month-to-Month deals in the UK are so cheap, its 15 quid a month, and I get all you can eat data, 1500 texts and 300 minutes.
Another problem I came across was student loans! It is a completely different system in the UK, and Canadian student loans are just an absolute hassle, especially when you are aboard. I recommend going to the Student Loan office before you leave Canada/ or where ever you are from and find out exactly what they are going to want from you once you have moved, if there's anything you need to sign before you leave etc. I did this before I left and still had problems once in England. I didn't receive my loans until about May, almost through my first year. It is safe to say that was an added on stress that I absolutely did not need or want. Eventually I got it sorted out, but it can definitely ruin your experience if you let it get to you.
Studying abroad is expensive, like really expensive. You really need to think hard about if it's worth the amount of debt you will be in once you finish. In comparison to schools in the USA it's probably not too different. But for my first degree in Canada, I was paying about $6,000 a year or so, and now I'm paying about $18,000 a year. Most law schools are not cheap to begin with, and some of the best schools in Canada can get pretty close to that price, but you need to include the cost of living, which is a lot higher in the UK, as well as travelling, etc. I'm currently living in a 6 person flat, all inclusive, and am paying 95 pounds per week.
That's it for now people, next week I will discuss all the wonderful things about living abroad!
If you have any questions about living abroad please comment below!
xxo
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