Bear Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 Hi friends, I'm about to finish my undergraduate degree in a few months and I'm looking at (post)graduate programs overseas. I don't plan on applying for 2026-27, but I will for 2027-28 which gives me an extra year to decide where I want to go. So far Kent and Birmingham have my attention since they both have programs I'm interested in, however I'm a bit nervous as it would be a huge leap (distance wise and tbh, culturally too) for me. For those in the UK, or in Europe in general, would you recommend going over there as a student? Anything I should consider? Thank you Quote
Sir Rols Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 Honestly, GO FOR IT! Travel broadens perspectives annd all that, Britain is not THAT huge a cultural leap to make, and you’re young - seize the experience. Quote
StefanMUC Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 A year in Birmingham sounds scary, one day was enough for me But sure, go for it! I wish I had done it when I was your age. Quote
sebastien1214 Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 What are you studying? Is the UK the only European country that interests you, or are there others? In any case, whatever the case, I can only encourage you to study abroad if you have the opportunity. Culturally, I think the UK isn't a huge leap compared to the US, which might be reassuring if you're looking for some... "security ?" in that regard. Quote
Sigh Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 I agree that studying abroad is a great experience from so many aspects. The initial culture shock that foreign students do experience almost always soon is something that doesn't affect the students negatively. Costwise I'm not sure how the UK compares with other European countries when you come from the US. Remember that many, many universities in the EU offer masters where the course language is English. Just as an aside, foreign students in Sweden complain that it's hard to speak Swedish. Not because it's a complicated language, ti isn't, but because everyone can speak English! 1 Quote
Bear Posted February 26 Author Report Posted February 26 11 hours ago, sebastien1214 said: What are you studying? 8 hours ago, Rob2012 said: What course are you looking to do? Im getting my degree in Anthropology, so I'm looking at programs related to heritage and culture. I also have some experience handling and analyzing human remains as part of my program, so I could probably do a forensic osteology program as well... 11 hours ago, sebastien1214 said: Culturally, I think the UK isn't a huge leap compared to the US, which might be reassuring if you're looking for some... "security ?" in that regard. It's silly, I'm non-white so I'm a bit cautious of my options, especially since I've never been to the UK/Europe. But more importantly - I need the food and cuisine situation to be good 😭 I moved to a majority-white town once and it made me sad because the food options were not great. 11 hours ago, sebastien1214 said: Is the UK the only European country that interests you, or are there others? I'm open to anything, but I haven't done much research on universities outside of the UK Quote
sebastien1214 Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 38 minutes ago, Bear said: Im getting my degree in Anthropology, so I'm looking at programs related to heritage and culture. I also have some experience handling and analyzing human remains as part of my program, so I could probably do a forensic osteology program as well... It's silly, I'm non-white so I'm a bit cautious of my options, especially since I've never been to the UK/Europe. But more importantly - I need the food and cuisine situation to be good 😭 I moved to a majority-white town once and it made me sad because the food options were not great. I'm open to anything, but I haven't done much research on universities outside of the UK Speaking about the country I know (though no doubt every European here will also speak better about their own country), we have some excellent anthropology master's programs in Paris; notably at the EHESS and Paris Cité University. Panthéon-Sorbonne (which, internationally, is known as the famous Sorbonne) launched a master's program this year in "socio-antropologie des techniques" which I think might interest you (they have a course on Biomedical Techniques, among other things). However, to study at the Master's level in France, a B2 or even C1 level in French is essential and often even required. So keep that in mind as well. The University of Strasbourg also offers a Master's degree in Anthropology. Strasbourg has the advantage of being less expensive than Paris in terms of cost of living; it's also a very international city, and above all, it's even more centrally located in Europe (for a French city i mean...) with a huge number of destinations easily accessible by train in under 12 hours. If you're going to live in an EU country, you'll have the chance to get a Schengen visa and you can take as many weekend trips as you like to Prague, Stockholm, Rome, Madrid, Vienna... all by train, so keep that in mind! This is a bit more complicated from the UK, which is no longer in the EU and whose trains stink. Regarding the need for a country with good food: I've always been told not to kick someone when they're down, so I won't mention the UK. In any case, the food in France is excellent! (And restaurants are still less expensive than in Scandinavian countries, Germany, or the Netherlands.) Quote
Rob2012 Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 Ah, my brother did forensic chemistry at Kent, but that was about 15 years ago now. I believe they've got a decent reputation for that kind of thing though. Can't say I know anything about Birmingham uni personally, but I'm sure it's also very good. It'll certainly have Kent beat on diversity and food options, nice though Canterbury is. 1 Quote
yoshi Posted February 26 Report Posted February 26 Just remember that it's Birming-umm not Birming-haam & you'll be fine Also a mere 20 minutes from Wolverhampton... Quote
Sigh Posted February 27 Report Posted February 27 15 hours ago, sebastien1214 said: Strasbourg .... it's also a very international city, and above all, it's even more centrally located in Europe Where else can you step on a tram on a busy city centre street, pay your local fare and wind up in another country (no border check)? My advice is to find people around you that have experience of studying in various European countries and get feedback from them. I, and many other others here, can speak beautifully about our own countries but that will be from another perspective than you wil have. I could give an exhange student's view of LIthuania. I had a great time but given that only younger people speak English, Lithuanian IS compicated ant that the national cuisine mostly is based on potatoes ... Quote
Bear Posted February 27 Author Report Posted February 27 7 hours ago, Sigh said: My advice is to find people around you that have experience of studying in various European countries and get feedback from them. None of the people around me have done that 🥹 which is why I'm turning to you guys 21 hours ago, yoshi said: Just remember that it's Birming-umm not Birming-haam & you'll be fine Also a mere 20 minutes from Wolverhampton... I won't lie I did look briefly into the University of Wolverhampton but they don't have any programs similar to the ones I'm interested in hahaha 23 hours ago, sebastien1214 said: Speaking about the country I know (though no doubt every European here will also speak better about their own country), we have some excellent anthropology master's programs in Paris; notably at the EHESS and Paris Cité University. Panthéon-Sorbonne (which, internationally, is known as the famous Sorbonne) launched a master's program this year in "socio-antropologie des techniques" which I think might interest you (they have a course on Biomedical Techniques, among other things). However, to study at the Master's level in France, a B2 or even C1 level in French is essential and often even required. So keep that in mind as well. The University of Strasbourg also offers a Master's degree in Anthropology. Strasbourg has the advantage of being less expensive than Paris in terms of cost of living; it's also a very international city, and above all, it's even more centrally located in Europe (for a French city i mean...) with a huge number of destinations easily accessible by train in under 12 hours. If you're going to live in an EU country, you'll have the chance to get a Schengen visa and you can take as many weekend trips as you like to Prague, Stockholm, Rome, Madrid, Vienna... all by train, so keep that in mind! This is a bit more complicated from the UK, which is no longer in the EU and whose trains stink. Regarding the need for a country with good food: I've always been told not to kick someone when they're down, so I won't mention the UK. In any case, the food in France is excellent! (And restaurants are still less expensive than in Scandinavian countries, Germany, or the Netherlands.) Thank you for this! I don't speak French unfortunately ☹️ but Strasbourg does have a program I would be very interested in. Quote
JMarkSnow2012 Posted February 28 Report Posted February 28 I agree with Rob on choosing Birmingham over Kent. Birmingham's a proper city, not just a town with a cathedral and a university. It's also very central, with good access to places like Oxford and Manchester, not to mention Borchester. 1 Quote
Bear Posted March 21 Author Report Posted March 21 COMPLETELY random, but for the UK users - was this controversy known outside of Birmingham when it happened? https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/oct/01/young-conservative-sent-home-birmingham-dump I was randomly reminded of it while I was looking at the University of Birmingham. I unfortunately have the severe displeasure of knowing the person in the middle of the controversy so I'm wondering if you guys have heard about it lol 1 Quote
Rob2012 Posted March 21 Report Posted March 21 Seems like a fairly minor thing, maybe I saw it at the time I don't remember. When I saw this thread back at the top of the the forum listings I assumed it was going to be a post about what's going on at Kent. Quote
Bear Posted March 21 Author Report Posted March 21 9 minutes ago, Rob2012 said: Seems like a fairly minor thing, maybe I saw it at the time I don't remember. When I saw this thread back at the top of the the forum listings I assumed it was going to be a post about what's going on at Kent. Yes, I just saw that right now after I sent my previous message. Is it known how the outbreak started? I hope things can be contained quickly, may the two people rest in peace. Quote
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