Get Insider Study Abroad Tips from Indian Students in UK

Deciding to study in the UK is exciting and full of life-changing opportunities. However, it can also be quite daunting, particularly if you have never studied or lived overseas before. To bring you an insider’s look into student life in the UK, we sat down with Medha Arora and Paridhhi Bajoria, Indian students who studied at the University of Bath. 

Paridhhi Bajoria

Meet Paridhhi Bajoria who is originally from Mumbai. She studied MRes in Sustainable Futures from the University of Bath and graduated in 2021. After completing her education, she started working in Bristol, UK.

Medha Arora

Medha is based out of Delhi/ NCR and studied MSc. Data Science with placement year from the University of Bath. After completing her 2 years long masters, she started working for Bosch in Germany.

How did you choose your study destination?

Medha: “There were several reasons for choosing the UK. Primarily, I was influenced by how beautiful, and scenic the UK is. The second being that I could finish the taught course in just one year and then gain work experience as part of my second year, as Bath offers a placement year option. The entire course was taught in English which made adjusting easier as I did not have to learn a new language. The food and other parts of the UK lifestyle were easy to adapt to as well, especially as British cuisine also includes lots of Indian food.”

Paridhhi: “The University of Bath has always had such a great international reputation and offers an interesting range of Master of Research (MRes) courses which provide a strong start for someone wanting to pursue a career in research and academia. As I wanted to start my journey as a researcher, picking the MRes in Sustainable Futures at Bath was the perfect choice for me! I also really appreciated the academic support provided, the overall student experience, and the university-run accommodation.”

What were your first impressions of Bath, both the city and the University? 

Medha: “The city was incredibly beautiful with stunning, well-preserved historic monuments. The campus itself was beautiful too with a mixed blend of modern buildings and the stunning lake to relax by. I was also amazed to see how people stand in queues patiently to buy tickets or even to enter restaurants. The city had so many tourists during the day but at night I was surrounded by students. It felt very safe and peaceful to roam around anytime, whether be it alone or at night time too.”

How safe is the UK for Indian students?

Medha: “The city, as well as the university, feels like a very safe place to be. The University’s library is open 24 hours a day seven days a week and has security available to keep us safe. The university also gives you a direct contact number in case you feel unsafe at any time. You can just ring the number if there is an emergency and someone from the university is there to help you out.”

Paridhhi: “Bath is such a safe place to be. To top that, the security and safety on campus and in university-managed accommodation is great!”

How did you feel as an international student in the city?

Medha: “Bath treats every individual equally irrespective of their culture and background. It is very welcoming and diverse at the same time.”

Paridhhi: “As Bath has such a diverse student body, I felt like I fitted in. I definitely felt supported and safe as there are plenty of resources available to support international students at Bath.”

How do UK universities support international students?

Medha: “The Careers Service has been excellent in supporting me. The University’s jobs portal gets regularly updated, detailing opportunities across the UK and beyond. I received support in preparing my CV and cover letters and benefited from mock interview practice. The Careers Service staff are approachable, and it was easy to book online appointments, though the services also included in-person support. They also assisted us in interacting and engaging with companies throughout the year. In addition, there are bi-annual careers fairs which offer opportunities to meet with many companies working across various sectors.”

Paridhhi: “I used the Tier 4 visa (now student visa) extension service, with the university helping me to apply for my visa from the documentation stage to the actual application stage. I found these services extremely helpful and convenient, and it made my life a lot easier! Also, during my studies extensions for deadlines were provided due to any unforeseen circumstances because of the pandemic, which was really helpful.”

Do you have any study tips for students heading to the UK?

Medha: “Keep focussed and consistent in managing your studies and doing assignments. Do not be scared to reach out for help, as there is so much available.”

Paridhhi: “Create a deadline schedule from the very start, so you can pace yourself and find time to enjoy some extracurricular activities, and of course remember to relax. Remember that studying towards a master’s degree is certainly not easy and taking breaks is important!’

Any useful advice for UK aspirants?

Medha: “Always try to reach out for support if you need help with anything. You can never get any help if you don’t ask. Also, do not exhaust yourself and stay determined and focussed.”

Paridhhi: “If I could go back in time, I would advise myself that time flies quickly, and there is no changing that, and so it is important to be as proactive as possible for this very reason. I would also like to wish everyone good luck! The UK has definitely been a great second home to me, and I am sure it will be the same for you too!”

After completing education from the University of Bath, Medha started working full-time at Bosch in Germany and Paridhi is presently employed in Bristol, UK. Inspired by the journey of Medha and Paridhi from India to the UK? Leverage Edu is here to turn your UK dreams into reality! Sign up for a free counselling session with our experts and we’ll help you carve an impressive application for January 2021 intake!

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