[member885283]

how did you fit in? did you find the student atmosphere overall welcoming and easy to make new friends in?

[KirstyK]

Yes. I found the initial settling in period a bit difficult because I stayed in halls that were not overly conducive to international students, and better suited to the upper English class, but I quickly made friends in my degree course, through societies, etc.

Ultimately it depends on a variety of factors and your personality how you'll handle the situation and what your mindset will be.

Three years on, I am very happy with my group of friends at my home university. But from a welcoming perspective, I find English people aren't necessarily as warm and fuzzy and welcoming/inclusive as Canadians, or coincidentally, the students at my exchange uni in Singapore.

[Vulpes]

Tons of people have experienced that, myself included

The student atmosphere was indeed very welcoming. Freshers week really helps you meet tons of people (although you probably wont talk to half of them afterwards). There are pros and cons I suppose. I met tons of amazing people here at uni but at the same time, there is always that slight edge of racism from certain people (I'm chinese).

You will basically meet a lot of people in your first few weeks at university and soon settle down with a group of friends you are comfortable with. Not everyone finds it as easy or as difficult as others so it really comes down to your personality, I guess.

[member885283]

hi guys, thanks for replying! yeah, I've heard the british are a bit of an acquired taste and not as open as you'd hope them to be. do you by any chance know what the situation is like with 'mature' (mid 20s) students? are there many or any at all?

[Vulpes]

That would depend on the course you are studying and your university. Can't really help you unless you give more info

[member885283]

(Original post by Vulpes)
That would depend on the course you are studying and your university. Can't really help you unless you give more info

I will be applying later this year for 2013 entry. Actually I am hoping to do medicine and I see that is what you're studying. Did you find so far in your course for there to be any older students and overall how well do they fit in with the students who are just out of high school?

Another unrelated to this topic question for you... as an international student, did you find the application/interview process to be more difficult or strict than for home students?

[Vulpes]

(Original post by member885283)
I will be applying later this year for 2013 entry. Actually I am hoping to do medicine and I see that is what you're studying. Did you find so far in your course for there to be any older students and overall how well do they fit in with the students who are just out of high school?

Another unrelated to this topic question for you... as an international student, did you find the application/interview process to be more difficult or strict than for home students?

Ah. I shall advise you to go take a look at our TSR Medicine forum then. (if you haven't already)

We have several mature students in our year. I can't tell you the exact number as we don't generally go around asking people if they have taken a degree previously etc. I get along with some of them pretty well and they fit in fine with everyone on our course. (with a few exceptions but there will always be the odd one or two who are quiet and don't really talk to the rest)

I applied to my strengths, so the application process wasn't particularly difficult for me. I would say that the application process is about the same for both internationals and home students.

[KirstyK]

(Original post by member885283)
Another unrelated to this topic question for you... as an international student, did you find the application/interview process to be more difficult or strict than for home students?

I found the application process to be the same, no real difficulty because of the international factor.