I really hate to admit this – my mum was right when she said I’d fall in love here. Albeit it wasn’t in the romantic way she meant…

Hi! I’m Jess, a 24-year-old Neuroscience BSc student at Queen Mary currently studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara. This experience has been incredible and given me some of the best moments of my life, but it’s also had its tough moments that have helped me to grow beyond what I would have thought … Continue reading I really hate to admit this – my mum was right when she said I’d fall in love here. Albeit it wasn’t in the romantic way she meant…

“I have learned about cultures and ways of living that I had never conceived of before.”

Hi! My name is Grace Lynch and this semester I have been studying abroad at Queen Mary University of London! I originally grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but chose to pursue my degree in Biochemistry at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts - where I’ve lived for the last two years. Navigating London and my new … Continue reading “I have learned about cultures and ways of living that I had never conceived of before.”

Tips and Tricks for an Australian Exchange; The Diary of a 21-Year-Old Muslim Girl and her Experiences in Melbourne

Khadijah is a Queen Mary English student and Turing Scheme grant recipient, currently studying abroad at the University of Melbourne in Australia. Moving abroad comes with its own set of adventures and challenges that one can never be fully prepared for; that’s what makes it so exciting! The experiences I have had during my year … Continue reading Tips and Tricks for an Australian Exchange; The Diary of a 21-Year-Old Muslim Girl and her Experiences in Melbourne

“Kobe may not be Tokyo, but it definitely has its own attributes of note.”

Hi, my name is Shania and I am an LLB Global Law student from Queen Mary University of London, currently studying my final undergraduate year in Kobe University in Japan, and here to tell you everything you may need to know about living in a reality completely different from the one back in London. Kobe … Continue reading “Kobe may not be Tokyo, but it definitely has its own attributes of note.”

Mely B (What a Place to Be!)

Amelia Chisholm studies within Queen Mary's School of English and Drama. As a Turing Scheme grant recipient, Amelia is currently studying abroad at the University of Melbourne in Australia. Amongst many, my main reasons for choosing to study at the University of Melbourne were the city’s reputation for being Australia’s cultural capital, the university’s beautiful … Continue reading Mely B (What a Place to Be!)

An opportunity to experience a different type of British life and culture…

Naomi is currently studying abroad for a semester at Queen Mary University of London, from Gonzaga University in the US and recently spent a weekend with a British host family to learn more about local life. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Essex, England to spend the weekend with a … Continue reading An opportunity to experience a different type of British life and culture…

“I think it’s understandable for me to feel so out of place in a setting that is so different from my own.”

Hey everyone! My name is Liz, and as some of you may know I am the Queen Mary University of London Global Opportunities intern for the fall 2022 semester. My home university in the United States is Pennsylvania State University (WE ARE) where I am pursuing a degree in Global Studies. This semester I have … Continue reading “I think it’s understandable for me to feel so out of place in a setting that is so different from my own.”

Need to start your application to study abroad, but unsure where to start? Emma’s got you sorted…

It’s likely I won’t be the first to tell you that studying abroad takes a lot of preparation and research, and as the application deadline gets closer it can begin to feel a little daunting. But I promise the work you put in now will be so worth it! I’ve been through the process myself, … Continue reading Need to start your application to study abroad, but unsure where to start? Emma’s got you sorted…

My IISMA experience & preparing to depart for Queen Mary in retrospect

I arrived in London on September 18th, yet IISMA’s final announcement of successful scholarship awardees was on May 12th. Four months is not a short amount of time, so how have I been perceiving this long wait from receiving the good news to landing in London? To better understand how we got here, please allow … Continue reading My IISMA experience & preparing to depart for Queen Mary in retrospect

“At Queen Mary, I hope to gain a different perspective on education”

Hello there! My name is Nayla, I’m a third year law student in the University of Indonesia, and I am currently living with the jaw-dropping anticipation of spending an entire semester in London with Queen Mary! London has always been one of my favorite cities in the world, with its strong arts culture, scenic parks, … Continue reading “At Queen Mary, I hope to gain a different perspective on education”

“I hope I can find an open & supportive community during my time at Queen Mary…”

Halo! My name is Aditya, I am a student majoring in Law – with an emphasis on Business Law – in the Faculty of Law at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and I am currently an exchange student at Queen Mary University of London. The opportunity for me to study in Queen Mary is … Continue reading “I hope I can find an open & supportive community during my time at Queen Mary…”

Advice for future Queen Mary students studying abroad at UC Berkeley, or in California more generally…

By Queen Mary Geography student, and Turing Scheme grant recipient Joel Bantick. When I made my trip to UC Berkeley last August there was a rush of emotions; excitement for the new academic year ahead, sadness for being far away from home and the pressure to make new friends. While this was overwhelming at times … Continue reading Advice for future Queen Mary students studying abroad at UC Berkeley, or in California more generally…

“I found myself meeting students from every corner of the world…”

Queen Mary Politics with a Year Abroad student, and Turing Scheme grant recipient Yash Dadhwal, reflects on a year abroad spent hiking, beaching and studying, all within the hustle & bustle of Hong Kong. My life after being accepted for an exchange programme suddenly became very fast-paced and frantic. Amongst feelings of anxiousness and excitement … Continue reading “I found myself meeting students from every corner of the world…”

A midnight yell each night in finals week to alleviate the stress…

Queen Mary Economics with a Year Abroad student, and Turing Scheme grant recipient, Jasmine Kaur offers some insight and handy tips for those looking to study abroad at UCLA. Academics Before I began the exchange, I thought academically that UCLA would be very similar to Queen Mary in terms of their system. Queen Mary has … Continue reading A midnight yell each night in finals week to alleviate the stress…

You might want a big city, but don’t be surprised if a small town ends up being the one for you…

Queen Mary Languages student and Turing Scheme grant recipient, Nadine Gomes Paixão reflects on how taking a break from the larger cities is great and can feel easier to connect with others. Being in a small cityBefore my semester abroad, I decided that I wanted to be in a big city, somewhere that reminded me … Continue reading You might want a big city, but don’t be surprised if a small town ends up being the one for you…

Top Tips for studying abroad at UC Berkeley – what we wish we had known!

Queen Mary Politics student and Turing Scheme grant recipient, Vicky Bedford, thought it would be useful to ask fellow study abroad students about what they wish they had known before studying abroad at the University of California, Berkeley. These were the most popular answers... Work Obviously studying is a big part of the study abroad … Continue reading Top Tips for studying abroad at UC Berkeley – what we wish we had known!

Queen Mary Politics & International Relations student and Turing Scheme grant recipient, Vicky Bedford, asks students what they wish they had known before studying abroad at UC Berkeley…

Work Obviously studying is a big part of the study abroad program and I thought Berkeley was so intimidating when I first started. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a really academic school and people here work really hard but there’s no reason to stress yourself out. The work here isn’t necessarily harder than at QM … Continue reading Queen Mary Politics & International Relations student and Turing Scheme grant recipient, Vicky Bedford, asks students what they wish they had known before studying abroad at UC Berkeley…

Getting to know the Valencian community through fiestas and day trips.

Katrina Fuller is a third year Modern Languages student (studying French and Spanish), and this year she has been working as an English Language Assistant in Castellón, in the Valencian Community, Spain. Enjoy reading about some of the Turing Scheme grant recipient's favourite fiestas and places she has visited during her time in Spain thanks … Continue reading Getting to know the Valencian community through fiestas and day trips.

“I soon came to realise the ‘winter’ coat that I brought with me from the UK was very inadequate to withstand a -20°C wind chill!”

Queen Mary History student and Turing Scheme grant recipient, Isobel Betty, provides you with some tips to consider if you plan to study abroad in Canada... I certainly felt an element of disbelief when I arrived in Toronto. After deferring my year abroad in 2020 (I am very grateful to the Queen Mary Global Opportunities … Continue reading “I soon came to realise the ‘winter’ coat that I brought with me from the UK was very inadequate to withstand a -20°C wind chill!”

Engaging in multiple cultures when studying abroad in the US…

Queen Mary History student and Turing Scheme grant recipient Harry Stafford is currently studying abroad at the University of California, San Diego. Harry looks at how the Turing Scheme has supported engagement with, and understanding of cultures beyond what one might initially imagine from studying abroad in the US... Throughout my time in San Diego, … Continue reading Engaging in multiple cultures when studying abroad in the US…

Must-do things in Berlin! By Queen Mary Film Studies & German student, and Turing Grant recipient, Amy Cropper.

I got the opportunity to spend a year in Berlin studying at the Freie Universitӓt Berlin. Berlin is an amazing city with tons of stuff to do – here are some of my favourite places that I’ve found that you have to check out if you too find yourself in Berlin! 1. Curry 61, Oranienburger … Continue reading Must-do things in Berlin! By Queen Mary Film Studies & German student, and Turing Grant recipient, Amy Cropper.

“Being able to study beyond the strict boundary of my degree in to something such as a language has helped me to expand my knowledge of both politics and international relations.”

Queen Mary Politics & International Relations student, and Turing Grant recipient, Alastair Boland takes a look at the career aspects that an exchange can provide... Hello everyone! My name is Alastair Boland, and I am a third-year student at Queen Mary University of London currently doing a year abroad at George Washington University. I study … Continue reading “Being able to study beyond the strict boundary of my degree in to something such as a language has helped me to expand my knowledge of both politics and international relations.”

Living in Switzerland and adapting to unfamiliar surroundings by Queen Mary English student and Turing Grant recipient, Clément Edwards

When I travelled to Zurich last September the idea of going on year abroad seemed pretty daunting. The first week was dominated by administration work and the adaption process into a different culture and city was initially a bit rocky. Nothing too bad: just little things you always have to bear in mind, like cars … Continue reading Living in Switzerland and adapting to unfamiliar surroundings by Queen Mary English student and Turing Grant recipient, Clément Edwards

South Korea during Covid – a foreign student’s experience of the capital amidst a pandemic. By Queen Mary English & Drama student and Turing Grant recipient, Rose Mudie

South Korea is well known for its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and incredible food, but with the COVID-19 pandemic enforcing strict restrictions on what one could do in the country, my first term abroad was limited to what I could find to do by myself. Yonsei University's campus was shut, theatres were closed, and social … Continue reading South Korea during Covid – a foreign student’s experience of the capital amidst a pandemic. By Queen Mary English & Drama student and Turing Grant recipient, Rose Mudie

Queen Mary Economics student and Turing Grant recipient Harkirat Singh studied abroad at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Harkirat takes a look back on the challenges students can face when looking to study abroad but how and why these challenges should not stop you.

My curious and inquisitive nature enables me to keep thriving and forces me out of my comfort zone, which is one of the many reasons I decided to embark upon a semester abroad at the University of Bocconi, Milano. Admittedly this experience was daunting at first, especially since this was my third and most heavily … Continue reading Queen Mary Economics student and Turing Grant recipient Harkirat Singh studied abroad at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Harkirat takes a look back on the challenges students can face when looking to study abroad but how and why these challenges should not stop you.

Katie’s top tips for the best game day at UT Austin. Hook ’em Horns!

Politics & International Relations student Katie Schwarting is currently studying abroad at the University of Texas at Austin and it's safe to say she's settling in to the local culture well... When I was debating destinations to go to, I was primarily looking at US schools, with a heavy focus on East Coast schools because … Continue reading Katie’s top tips for the best game day at UT Austin. Hook ’em Horns!

Kathryn Hurley is a Queen Mary Modern Languages and Cultures student, studying Russian. As a Turing Scheme grant recipient, Kathryn studied abroad at St Petersburg State University last semester. Take a look at some of her favourite spots!

My favourite places in St Petersburg for… Groceries:This may not be the most exciting part of a year abroad, but it is important! My favourite grocery shop turned out to be Azbuka Vkusa, not for everyday shopping (Eurospar and Pyaterochka win for that), but for finding things that cannot be found in regular Russian supermarkets. … Continue reading Kathryn Hurley is a Queen Mary Modern Languages and Cultures student, studying Russian. As a Turing Scheme grant recipient, Kathryn studied abroad at St Petersburg State University last semester. Take a look at some of her favourite spots!

Queen Mary Economics student and Turing Scheme grant recipient Luqmaan Said spent last semester studying abroad in Milan, at Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi. Take a look at some of the things Luqmaan got up to…

Was Milan what I expected? Not a chance. Is that a good or bad thing? 100% a good thing. My entire life I’ve grown up in Dagenham, East London. I’m so used to the city I don’t even question the structure and layout of other cities. When I first arrived in Milan, I really expected … Continue reading Queen Mary Economics student and Turing Scheme grant recipient Luqmaan Said spent last semester studying abroad in Milan, at Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi. Take a look at some of the things Luqmaan got up to…