- Renee from the China
- Manish Basyal from Nepal
- Abdulelah from the Saudi Arabia
- Nicolae Muturniuc from the Republic of Moldova
- Kumiko Nishihira from Japan
- Kimberley Tan Kai Lin from Singapore
- Kalada Iyalla from Nigeria
- Dyne Kim from South Korea
The ISC student blog
Read the My life as an International student blog.
Meet Betul from Turkey and Alexandra from Bulgaria as they talk about what it is like to be a student at Lancaster.
Renee
Renee is Chinese. She is studying on the Business and Management foundation year before starting a Business Studies degree.
"First of all, Britain occupies a special place in my heart, because of her unique political culture, history and scenery. When I was looking for a proper university for me in the UK, Lancaster University came into my sight as a distinguished institution which has won international recognition for her high-quality teaching and research. Besides, one of my friends who is currently studying in Lancaster University also recommended this University to me. I was really impressed and finally decided to come to Lancaster for further education.
I enjoy firstly the great campus scenery. I was captured by this university at the first sight because of its beautiful countryside scene which appears to be extremely quiet and peaceful for me. I really enjoy walking on the periphery of the campus with friends. Next may be the academic environment. Library and Learning Zone have always been my first choices for study, where I can really concentrate on my work and finish all the homework with a high quality. Last but not the least, people around here are always kind and friendly with international students, which made me feel warm and comfortable. The most impressive thing here may be those smiling faces.
At the ISC I’m able to meet people from different countries where English is not their first language. They give me an important lesson of cultural diversity, and I also learned how to go along with people who have different backgrounds. Apart from the schoolmates, it is the teachers and staff at LUISC who helped me most with my studying and living.
The courses here are really closely related to the subject that I would like to study in the university. The knowledge is practical and useful for students to learn and expand our horizon. As for the teachers, they may be not enthusiastic enough, but definitely friendly and kind to international students no matter where we come from and who we are, they are just there for us and to help us.
The ISC not only provides those courses which will be needed for the requirement of applying for university, but also helped me with my application for Lancaster University, like how to fill in the application form and how to write my personal statement properly. I’ve also got lots of precious information about undergraduate courses, which increase my desire for the real university life.
As for long-term career goals, my current objective is to get the offer for Business Studies for the undergraduate course in Lancaster University. And then, I would like to work on the master degree in Business Studies if possible. After all these being finished, I think it will be better to go out and gain some experience. "
Manish Basyal
Manish is Napalese. He is studying on the Engineering and Computing foundation year before starting a Mechatronics degree.
"It is a strong belief in my family that the British education system has the best to offer in the whole world. This belief arises out of the way the University has provided its outstanding study features. If I get an opportunity to be a part of that intellectually stimulating environment, I am sure my talents will be put to optimal use. Besides, the University is situated in an environment that is ideal for me because I had my school too situated far from the town.
I enjoy the ISC because the University is full of new faces and everyone has something new to say. It is full of hidden experiences waiting to be unveiled. Moreover, I enjoy the facilities that the University has provided. The library resource, The Learning Zone and also the sports centre have helped me spend my time in a productive manner.
What I enjoy about my time at the ISC first of all is the experience of learning with friends from different parts of the world and secondly, the enthusiasm from the peculiar style of teaching that the International Study Centre has to offer. I also enjoy the group projects that I do with friends from different places.
The courses that I am attending here are a bit different from the ones I studied. It is rather practical based than theoretical, which I find very pleasing. Furthermore, the teachers always helped me understand the facts in an easy way. I believe the ISC has enhanced my study skills to meet world standards. I learnt many new things that I realised to have been missing while being back at home, especially the new ways to operate devices in the physics lab. They were sophisticated but of the current standards which I would have never got chance to experience while studying back home.
As for my long-term career goals, I wish to put in use the knowledge I acquire here, into the resources I have back in my country. I envision myself to be a skilled manpower in future to serve as an individual or as part of an organization with the best I have to give. "
Abdulelah
Abdulelah is Saudi. He is studying on the Law and Social Studies foundation year before starting a Law (LLB) degree.
"I have been dreaming to complete my university degree abroad particularly the UK due to the great universities that they have. Also a brother who is completing his PHD motivated me to come here. I did many researches in order to find a university that suits me, Lancaster was my final choice.
At the ISC I enjoy the university campus and student’s life, it’s great especially in the summer. I also like The Learning Zone - it’s a place where students can study and “hang out”. Also the location of the centre is great.
In the courses I did learn many things about policies and law. It made me more open-minded about what is going on in the world. It was a great life experience; I learned many things from other international students. The teachers are helpful and wonderful, they did support me all along the way particularly when I needed their help. My ability of writing essays, completing projects and self study has increased; I learned how to communicate with people and how to express my ideas in conversations.
My goal is to follow my father and two older brothers steps and complete a PHD. It’s a long process but it’s useful for my future."
Nicolae Muturniuc
Nicolae, 19, from Republic of Moldova, is studying on the Business & Management foundation year before starting a degree in International Trade.
"I decided to come to England to study because the universities here are good, and because I enjoy English accents. Also Great Britain is not so far away from my home country. I was looking for a British University outside a large city. I sent letters to a number of them but Lancaster responded the fastest. Lancaster is a big University and has a great rating. All this impressed me.
I like everything about the University now I am here. I’ve made lots of flat friends in my residence. I also met some Russian-speaking guys, but I try to speak English when I socialise to improve my English speaking skills.
In lessons, English seems easy although I do sometimes still make mistakes, but Maths is difficult. Economics is interesting.
I walked into Lancaster city centre last week – it is a long walk but a nice one. It is an old city with beautiful historical places. I read at article about Lancaster before I arrived in England and it made me want to come here – there are lots of places to see.
For my degree, I want to major in International Trade while continuing to study Marketing and Management. I think I will go back to Moldova after University."
Kumiko Nishihira
Kumiko, 18, from Japan is on the Law and Social Studies foundation course.
"My reason for coming to study in the UK is firstly that the language is English. I had thought to go to a Spanish-speaking country, but English was more familiar to me. Secondly, the UK is near by Europe, the Middle East and Africa and I would like to travel to countries in these areas. Lastly, the degree is three years in length – and you study just specialised subjects. On the other hand, at American or Japanese universities, you have to take two years of general subjects first.
I like the environment of the university. It is quite calm and there is lots of countryside. My room in the residences is larger than I expected and everything that I need is in my room. I also like having a phone (which are in all the rooms) so I can call my friends for free.
The English teachers at the International Study Centre are very friendly and enthusiastic for that reason I am normally enjoying my lessons.
After the foundation year, I would like to study Religious Studies because it relates to the study of human beings and I am curious about why we have so much religion as well as what we are going to do in the future."
Kimberley Tan Kai Lin
Kimberley, 19, from Singapore wants to start her own business and is currently studying on the Business & Management foundation course.
"I wanted to come to University in England because it is the best place for my education. I came to the country one month before the foundation year started. I love this country!
Classes at Lancaster are good. The teachers are very engaged in their teaching. The teachers explain things very clearly and I am very impressed with their teachings. The other staff are extremely helpful and friendly too.
The University is in a small city so it’s an ideal place for me – away from distractions and other temptations. My city in Singapore is really busy, and so Lancaster has definitely a better environment for study. I went into the city centre for the first time yesterday and it is nice - small, beautiful and friendly.
After the course, I want to study Management or Accounting and Finance for my degree. After I finish my study in England I will go back to work in Singapore. There is opportunity for me to get better jobs, plus the fact that Singapore values graduates from overseas. After gaining work experience, hopefully I am able to set up my own business."
Kalada Iyalla
Kalada, 23, from Nigeria, took the Business & Management foundation year and aims to take a Masters in Money, Banking & Finance.
"My family is big on education and prize UK education as the best in the world so I came to an English University.
I choose Lancaster because I wanted a place where I could focus on my degree and not be caught up too much with social life. It has done that for me - the University is not too noisy, but very student friendly. In addition the Management School is very prestigious and Lancaster is a beautiful city.
I’m really enjoying my time here. I can enjoy the landscape and nature but at the same time I am not cut-off from technology. It’s been a very interesting experience adapting to British culture, the accent and way of life.
Lessons are awesome – they are demanding but not boring. The classes are quite intense, like a refresher course. I have had chance to meet other nationalities and cultures. The teachers are extremely friendly and always there to help if you have a question or just want to chat. They are very smart.
I’m going to learn Italian this summer and I’m picking up some Chinese by interacting with other ISC students. My Mum speaks 11 languages and my Grandmother 13 so it’s a family tradition.
I want to study Finance at undergraduate level, then a Masters in Money, Banking & Finance. Eventually I’d like to open a group of companies operating around construction, legal and financial services. I’d also like to teach. I have a lot of plans!
Dyne Kim
Dyne, 20, from South Korea is also on the Business & Management foundation programme and will shortly be deciding which degree to persue.
"I’ve been in England for two years already – I studied at college and spent the other year travelling.
Previously, I was at University in Korea studying Computing but the course wasn’t what I expected. I decided to come to an English speaking country to improve my English. My cousin recommended England and the English accent is so posh! I choose Lancaster because the fame of the University tempted me a lot. Studying Management I can also get good skills such as Marketing.
I really like the University as it is very big. Coming to the International Study Centre motivates me to study. Being on campus, I see freshers and second years and that makes me want to do well so I can join them next year.
Economics and Maths are my favourite subjects. I like the teachers. When I had to extend my visa, the staff at the ISC helped me a lot to do this and checked everything for me.
Lancaster is now like my home town in England – I know everywhere to go.
Hopefully by the end of the Foundation Course, I will find an interesting subject that tempts me to get to know more. Then I will decide what I want to study for my degree, but it will probably be a course that includes business and management."