What is it like to study in the UK?

The British study abroad circle is a very complex one.

The so-called study abroad circle is too general. Under one big circle, there are too many small circles. People are independent individuals, and everyone has their own circle. It was just a coincidence that everyone came to the UK to study. People are the same in different regions, so the concept of study abroad circle has no practical significance.

So I can only roughly classify the people I observe studying abroad in the UK. Don’t make any mistakes! ~

1. A social butterfly who loves to communicate.

This type of people generally have good family backgrounds. They go abroad not to further their studies, but to get a diploma while studying abroad, and by the way, they can play for a few more years, get involved in the circle of international students, and expand their contacts. , just in case you can use it when you return home to inherit the family property in the future.

Here is a small example from my former classmate

Girl A is located in London. Her uncle runs a five-star hotel and also develops some real estate. Her father is a shareholder, so his family conditions are not bad, but they are not particularly rich. But she is good-looking and very sociable. She is the center of the crowd in her social circle, with a large group of people surrounding her. Later, she made a boyfriend in London who was also an international student and bought her a pink Ferrari. The girls turned around and smashed the front of the car. Later, when she returned to China, she went around looking for friends from the study abroad circle. Her current state can be partially referenced by Qu Xiaoxiao in "Ode to Joy".

2. A "royal" reserve who has a mine at home.

They may not stand out among the crowd, nor are they academic leaders. Usually my grades in school are just scratching the surface. I am not particularly keen on socializing, but my quality of life is first-rate and I never treat myself badly. Although I am living a good life, I don’t like to show off in my circle of friends. The purpose of going abroad is to experience life abroad and earn some money for yourself. Yes, they really have a throne in their family that needs to be inherited.

Take H, a male friend I know, as an example. He looks very ordinary and is very low-key. He doesn’t like to socialize around. His daily life is also very simple. He attends classes from 9 to 5 every day and attends classes in the evening. I go home and do my homework, and on weekends I go for a walk around the city with my friends. But in fact, he has a fortune of over 100 million and owns a large flat in London. When buying shoes, he buys a pair of Yeezys in all colors because they are easy to wear. When buying shoes, he almost never looks at the price. He is also a very friendly person. He never looks down on others, but is very charitable. Maybe this is the so-called wealthy upbringing. I usually just chat with friends and play cards. I didn't live a very rotten life. When you have a vacation, travel around the world and have fun. Don't live too comfortably, and be a proper royal reserve.

3. A spiritual Westerner with yellow skin and white heart.

Although they are Chinese, they are actually more accustomed to expressing themselves in English. They have been influenced by Western culture and education since childhood, and their values ????and thinking patterns are also more Western-oriented. Although they have a certain appearance, He looks Chinese, but in fact his central ideas have been completely Westernized.

I once had a girl friend, E, who went to the UK to study when she was in primary school. Later, she went through all the obstacles and went through middle and high school. She was successfully admitted to the Imperial College of Science and Technology to study chemistry. She went abroad to study, and her friends and classmates were from all over the world. The culture and education she received also came from the Western education model. Therefore, in my opinion, her usual behavior and way of thinking are closer to those of a British person than a Chinese person. It is also commonly known as "white washed"

For example, in terms of speaking style, compared to the Chinese modesty and politeness, she speaks more directly and critically. In class, if she thinks what the teacher said If there is any question, she will directly raise her hand and retort verbally. Compared with other international students who gather together to keep warm, she is more accustomed to establishing her own independent circle. She not only respects Chinese culture, but is also very familiar with British culture, so she is very popular among both international students and British locals. welcome.

Another thing is that her parents bought a studio in London with full payment for her to live in through Lansha, but she took the initiative to write an IOU to her parents (even though her parents refused to let her), and also detailed a "debt repayment plan" after graduation. He said that since he was an adult, the rent should be borrowed from his parents. He is also very independent! I won’t comment on whether Western culture or Eastern culture is better or worse, but in her, the two cultures show a wonderful fusion.

4. An academic master with all-round development of morality, intelligence and physical fitness.

What I admire very much about this kind of people is not about their family environment or any other external factors, but about their own unique personality charm. They are always trying to do what they like and let their own Life is full of meaning. The more open and free environment and social atmosphere abroad make them more daring to try to be different themselves.

Here I have to mention a male classmate Z who I admire very much. Judging from his appearance alone, Z is a very ordinary boy. He had a simple shave and didn't pay much attention to his clothes. Compared to his well-dressed classmates who hung out in bars, nightclubs and luxury shopping malls, he looked quite inconspicuous. But as long as you get to know him a little deeper, you will find that he is a very charismatic person.

He made me see what it is like to be an international student who can represent China, and it is not just a glamorous appearance. For a while, I found that he often went to London to volunteer at The Foundling Hospital founded by Thomas Coram. Or, at Christmas time, he would decorate the Christmas tree with the children and open gifts with them. Later, he also cooperated with the welfare institution and launched a fundraiser at the school. One hundred sets of winter clothing were collected for the children. His social media posts are full of smiling faces of children. Be patient, responsible, and affectionate, this is what you should have. During school holidays, he would go hiking and climbing mountains, going to surrounding countries, working as a backpacker, and challenging himself to change his tan from Asian to African in one week.

A person with energy shines wherever he goes. He studies to a degree that ordinary people cannot achieve. He gets up at six o'clock every day, followed by a day of efficient study. I often ask him, aren’t you tired of studying so hard? Otherwise, take a little more rest and sleep in. He said: Why sleep for a long time during your lifetime? You will sleep forever after you die. His mentor admires him very much and often takes him to work on projects and research topics. All in all, he is really an outstanding person.

Liang Wendao once said: Reading to the end is to make us more tolerant and understand how complicated the world is. Don't care what kind of circle the British study abroad circle is, everyone has their own life. The important thing is that you have an independent spirit and strong character. No matter what the circle is, just being yourself is great!

Why are there so many people who want to study abroad now?

The advantages of studying in the UK should be as follows:

There are many famous universities with high rankings

Among the top 100 universities in the world, the UK accounts for approximately About one-fifth of the total, 18 colleges and universities were shortlisted. For students with excellent academic performance, there are more choices for well-known colleges and universities in the UK, and the comprehensive ranking of schools is also higher. The advantages of returning to the country for employment are also more obvious, and the value of going to foreign-invested enterprises is also higher.

The academic system is short and the cost is relatively low

Most taught master's degrees in the UK are one-year studies. In terms of cost, the one-year tuition fee in the UK includes tuition and living expenses. Tuition fees Generally, business courses are between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds.

High quality education

British education allows students to integrate theory and practice, not just theoretical education. Moreover, the professors are very capable and humorous, and they even have foreign students as friends. Do a group discussion or class presentation together.

Many academic qualifications are recognized

The Chinese Ministry of Education recognizes the academic qualifications of overseas returnees. Looking at the Ministry of Education’s foreign-related supervision information website, basically the top 50 schools in the UK are all eye-catching. .

Cultural life is richer

The UK is more culturally diverse and open. Moreover, the UK has good security and a large number of white people, so the cultural experience is better.

After coming to the UK, I realized that there is a huge gap between the university atmosphere in the UK and ours. In our case, the best benefits of the school are almost all for foreign students. In the UK, the annual tuition fees for overseas students are sky-high. The fees for some subjects are relatively low for local students, but extremely high for overseas students. At the same time, don’t have any wishful thinking about what additional benefits the school will provide to overseas students.

In our area, the benefits provided by universities to foreign students are not too good: refrigerators, washing machines, special stoves... I heard that some universities also hold social gatherings for Chinese and foreign male and female students from time to time. Activity. Let’s talk briefly about food, clothing, housing and transportation. Clothes: In general, most local or non-Chinese students dress simply, but in our area, especially our overseas students, thanks to the rapid economic development in recent years, there are many famous brands.

For example, girls wear 2.5-inch sachets and UGG snow boots as standard, while boys tend to wear the popular OffWhite and Supreme. Food: British campuses generally only have small fast food restaurants, which offer only a few types of food all year round. Either fish or chips or German-style chicken nuggets, as well as a variety of salads and cold cuts. There are many students who are not used to eating. In addition to bringing their own food and heating it in the school microwave, they also go to nearby restaurants to solve the problem.

Living: Most students choose to rent a house off campus. If they want to live on campus, it depends on their character. Some universities provide on-campus student dormitories, which are coveted by many people. The biggest advantage is of course that it is close enough to the campus. The closer the rental house is to the school, the higher the price, and the number of renters is huge. It is difficult to find a dormitory room in the school. Not only do applicants have to be on the waiting list, but in many cases they may not be able to get one after graduation. At the same time, it depends on each person's specific situation, such as social reputation, and the rent of the dormitory is not cheap.

OK: Many people drive to class, and there are usually many visitor parking spaces on campus, free of charge. Of course, there are also people who come to class by various means of transportation. In recent years, our students have become more wealthy, and there have been more luxury cars on campus. Finally, let’s talk about the core teaching. The biggest problem for our students is that they like to stay in groups for warmth. Due to cultural differences, they are always used to interacting with students from their own country. In fact, when you go abroad, you should strive to integrate and accept the local culture. Otherwise, what is the point of studying abroad?

Britain’s national strength has declined rapidly in the past 40 years. The simplest reference index is the pound. Compared with the 1970s, the pound has depreciated by 50%, which is equivalent to the depreciation of half of all assets denominated in pounds. Coupled with the recent Brexit, the economic decline has accelerated. It can be said that the UK has entered an era without a sense of national direction. It is boldly predicted that it may continue to decline in the next 40 years.

1) In the field of science and technology, the UK has lagged far behind the United States and China. The development of its Internet, information industry, and transportation industries is very slow. There is not even a decent stretch of highway in Scotland, and the locals euphemistically call it protecting the environment.

2) In modern industry, the UK no longer has a complete automobile industry. Even the mini Cooper has long been sold to BMW, which is also called the elimination of low-profit industries. The modern semiconductor industry is also lagging behind in development and cannot compete with the United States, Japan, and China, which is about to catch up. It can be said that the UK no longer has a complete modern industry. If you study in the UK, it will be difficult for science and engineering students to find a job in the UK after graduation.

3) The UK’s strongest field is finance. If you study abroad to study finance-related majors, you can still consider it. The UK's securities trading, auction industry, commodity trading, etc. are still the largest centers outside New York.

4) If your family has money and you don’t expect returns from studying in the UK, you can come to the UK. If it is really for study and future employment, I personally do not recommend it, unless you come to study finance-related majors. The United States is still the best choice for studying abroad.

I wish you good luck in studying abroad!

It’s a pity that I don’t have the opportunity to study abroad in the Empire on which the Sun Never Sets! But I guess there may be two experiences:

1. I feel like I can do many things without queuing.

2. You can see many ancient buildings and other antiques.

I am studying at the University of Birmingham Business School and have been in the UK for 2 years. I graduated from high school and came to the UK after half a year of IELTS study. Culture here The UK has a large number of world-famous universities, especially the world's top institutions of higher learning like Oxford and Cambridge, which lead the world in scientific research and innovation. In addition, British universities have rigorous academic styles and stable campuses. The phenomenon of buying and selling diplomas that occurs in many countries is absolutely eliminated in the UK. Therefore, British diplomas are internationally recognized and respected. When you come here, you are communicating with the smartest brains in the world.

University of Cambridge

The admission process is user-friendly

Compared with the United States, Canada, and Australia, the application process for British university offers is the most user-friendly , most schools do not have application fees, and applicants can submit materials to multiple schools at the same time. Moreover, many British universities pay more attention to the academic background and overall quality of the applicant, weakening the weight of language scores in the application. As long as the major is excellent, you can get a "conditional notice".

The UK has a large number of world-renowned universities, especially the world's top institutions of higher learning like Oxford and Cambridge. They rank among the best in the world in terms of scientific research and innovation. First. In addition, British universities have rigorous academic styles and stable campuses. The phenomenon of buying and selling diplomas that occurs in many countries is absolutely eliminated in the UK. Therefore, British diplomas are internationally recognized and respected. When you come here, you are communicating with the smartest brains in the world. The admission process of Cambridge University is user-friendly. Compared with the United States, Canada, and Australia, the application process for British university offers is the most user-friendly. Most schools do not have application fees, and applicants can submit materials to multiple schools at the same time. Moreover, many British universities pay more attention to the academic background and overall quality of the applicant, weakening the weight of language scores in the application. As long as the major is excellent, you can get a "conditional notice". The fastest study period

It only takes three years to complete an undergraduate degree and one year to complete a postgraduate degree in the UK, so choosing to study in the UK virtually saves money and time. Students can work while studying in the UK, with 20 hours of part-time work per week. By paying a small fee in the UK, you can enjoy the national medical insurance system. Not only do you not have to worry about seeing a doctor, you can also get different discounts on glasses or dental visits. The UK has a long history and is still exciting in culture and art. Its music, theatre, movies, literature, fashion, etc. can enable overseas students to fully appreciate and enjoy a cultural atmosphere completely different from China in their spare time. It only takes three years to complete an undergraduate degree in the UK and one year to complete a postgraduate degree. Therefore, choosing to study in the UK virtually saves money and time. International students can work part-time while studying in the UK, with 20 hours of part-time work per week. By paying a small fee in the UK, you can enjoy the national medical insurance system. Not only do you not have to worry about seeing a doctor, you can also get different discounts on glasses or dental visits. The UK has a long history and is still exciting in culture and art. Its music, theatre, movies, literature, fashion, etc. can enable overseas students to fully appreciate and enjoy a cultural atmosphere completely different from China in their spare time.

To be honest, I don’t have the qualifications to study abroad.

In fact, my personal opinion is that if you want to seek knowledge, you don’t have to go abroad to study.

If you want your own, Tsinghua University and Peking University are the best places to study.

The first factor in studying abroad is instability.

I suggest that it is best to study in your own country.

In fact, studying abroad is not as good as you think

Studying in the UK is out of reach for many people. On the one hand You can enjoy unique educational resources, and on the one hand, you can broaden your horizons. It really kills two birds with one stone. But more importantly, your pursuit will become higher and higher, because you are exposed to a different country. If you can If you have such an opportunity, you must cherish it.

I went to college in a small town 1.5 hours drive from London. In fact, I also got offers from famous universities such as the University of London and the University of Exter through Ucas. But I chose here mainly because it offers a 2-year undergraduate degree in the UK. In fact, looking at Figure 9, it is clear that in addition to big cities, there are actually many universities in the UK that can provide choices. Facts have proved that I was right. Moving to a small town is not only a matter of low cost, but also less competition. (You will get more support at school) I also successfully started a business in the UK with the help of the school's Enterprise and International Office. Likewise, the quality of teachers is not bad either (Picture 5: John Bercow, Picture 8: British Minister of Universities, Picture 7: Former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General John Holmes, Picture 6: European Union Military Commission Lieutenant General David Leakey)