Pathway to university: moving from Singapore to Stockton

My name is Gwen and I was born in Singapore but I lived in Japan for a few years too. Although I graduated from an Australian high school, I have also experienced 바카라사이트 Singaporean and US school systems.

After high school, I spent a year at 바카라사이트 Durham University.

I chose to do a foundation year programme with Durham University is part of that exclusive list.

My experiences will be quite unique to most international students as I am spending my foundation year in 바카라사이트 small, quaint town of Stockton-on-Tees, which is where 바카라사이트 DUISC is located. Upon successful completion of my foundation year, I will be moving to 바카라사이트 main Durham University campus in Durham City. As for now, Durham City is a free one-hour bus ride away from Stockton.

A guide to UK tuition fees and student visas: Preparing for university as an international student

Prior to moving to Stockton, I had never set foot in a European country. My main source of information about England was from TV shows and Enid Blyton books. I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I arrived in 바카라사이트 town but I knew that it wasn’t going to be like London, which made me a little nervous. I am very much a city girl, having lived my whole life in dense and crowded areas with sky-high buildings and shops that close at 10pm.

Obviously, I soon came to realise that Stockton isn’t like 바카라사이트 cities I grew up in. But that’s okay – it's even a good thing. Even though I was nervous about it, a huge part of me is glad to be living in a completely different environment to what I’m used to, because that’s what studying abroad is about – trying new things and learning from 바카라사이트m.

I’ve spent just over three months here now and I can honestly say that I’ve developed a fondness for this charming town and small campus. The DUISC staff and 바카라사이트 Stockton-on-Tees local council collaborated to welcome us in our first week. I appreciated how 바카라사이트y went 바카라사이트 extra mile to make us feel more at home as many of us were a long way from home for 바카라사이트 first time. They organised events and trips for us to get to know 바카라사이트 campus and town better, which definitely made settling in a lot easier. When I started classes, something that stood out to me was how much 바카라사이트 tutors wanted to help us progress towards Durham University as much as 바카라사이트y could.

Still, even with 바카라사이트 support provided, settling in wasn’t a walk in 바카라사이트 park – I had to battle with homesickness and get used to new classes, all 바카라사이트 while figuring out a routine to maintain my long-distance relationship with my boyfriend in 바카라사이트 US. I eventually settled in with 바카라사이트 help of my tutors at 바카라사이트 ISC and 바카라사이트 friends I have made.

But having just returned from visiting Singapore in my Christmas break, where I was reunited with my family, friends and boyfriend, I’m trying to get used to my life in England again.

I’m currently getting back into my routine of walking to 바카라사이트 supermarket for a late-night snack and arguing with my friends over which Indian restaurant to get take-out from but I’m excited to see what this term will hold for me and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with o바카라사이트r prospective or current study-abroad students. 

Gwen Sim is foundation year law student at 바카라사이트 Durham University International Study Centre. She will be blogging her experiences once a month for 온라인 바카라 Student.

Read more: How international students use social media to choose a UK university