Blogs

I’m writing this from North Carolina in the US. I’m visiting a number of universities on behalf of my school, and while I have been here it has struck me that there are a number of misconceptions in the UK about unconditional offers for university places for American universities, and the fact that more UK universities are now making unconditional offers.

Since the end of April, I have finished all my assessments for the year. What freedom, what joy. Added to the recent warm weather in London, life is pretty good right now.

However, the anxiety of job hunting is still nagging me.

I recently attended my first careers seminar. It was fairly small forum, with around 15 companies. Armed with a CV completed just days before, I strolled into the event venue. Clad in black and hair tied back, I did my best to look professional and put together. 

I’ve experienced many unexpected hurdles while doing my PhD part-time and I’m sure that you will too. It is often difficult to keep your spirits high while doing a part-time PhD but the reward is substantial. 

It is also helpful to hear about other people's challenges before you embark on your own journey. 

When I embarked on a teacher training course at the University of East London seven months ago, I spent my days somewhere between feeling overwhelmed and excited by the prospect of being in a classroom with 30 students between 11 and 18 years old. I soon realised that I was looking forward to this challenge, despite its unpredictability. So, when my university presented me with the opportunity to teach prison-based learners in a London prison, I jumped at the chance.

“Ensure students have the money to live.” This was the top recommendation in the National Union of Students’ first report into class and poverty in post-16 education in the UK.

The recommendation struck me. It struck me that we still have to remind the government to provide enough funding just so that students can survive and that those in power still need to be told that students are struggling to make ends meet.

Starting one’s university life is no easy feat. There are numerous aspects of applying to, deciding on and going to university that students have to deal with. For international students, however, making those decisions can be much harder.

Summer internships or study abroad programmes are an expectation at Harvard University. Every year, the university connects students with hundreds of organisations and schemes to encourage us to have a productive three months during the summer. Conversations about summer plans start as early as Christmas and often by February many students have a placement secured. I was not one of those students.

When I lived in Singapore and Japan, my only encounters with racism were anecdotes from my non-East Asian-looking friends living in Asia. I am privileged enough to be of Chinese heritage so I was able to “blend in” with the dominant ethnicity.

However, in the six months since I’ve been in England, I’ve had a small taste of what it is like to be on the receiving end of racism. I’ve written a series of open letters to those who have displayed such behaviour to encourage them to reflect on their actions. 

Having just been named one of the best university cities in the world, it is clear that London is a top study destination for both domestic and international students.