POV From Indonesia to UK: Studying as an International Student in the UK

Karina Dwijayanti

February 6, 2024

I’ve always wanted to go to different places and meet different people. So, what better way to achieve this than studying abroad in the United Kingdom? London has always been on one of my top ten lists. Not only is it close to Paris and other beautiful European cities, but the city itself has so much to offer. It consists of people from distinctive cultures and countries, amazing food and endless historical sites. As a hardcore football fan, this city is an absolute gem! There are always football matches every week, where you can watch your favourite teams, like Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham United, etc, play in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League!

Studying and living abroad is not something new for me. I’ve lived thousands of miles away from my family and friends since I was 18. So, moving to the UK definitely did not scare me at all. I did my bachelor’s in Political Science International Development and French at Portland State University. Afterwards, I worked at a Transitional Housing for youths who were experiencing homelessness and did a bit of journalism for a year at Street Roots. Although living in the United States was a wonderful experience, I felt the need to move to another continent where I could gain more knowledge and make new friends.

When I moved into my apartment, I was greeted by my roommates. They came from different countries. A lovely girl from Portugal, a chef from India and two siblings from Sudan. I was surprised that our apartment housed residents with huge age gaps. In the US, I’ve always lived with roommates who were students the same age as I was. For those who prefer living with another student, you should make sure to look for rooms on the student accommodation website. However, it can be pricey at times. If you’re on a budget, it is better to find a shared flat on SpareRoom.

The reason why I decided to pursue my Master’s in International Management and Emerging Economies at Loughborough University London is that I got 20% off my tuition. I believe that they give discounts for enrolled international students who have high GPA on their Bachelor’s. If you wish to find out more on this, you can go to their official website and ask the student services! Other than that, Loughborough offers Future Space to enrolled students. This student service exists to support you to connect to your future. They host a wide range of events and activities focused on a range of topics such as growing your network, gaining experience, developing new skills and career planning and support.

London is a place for you if you imagine yourself doing your assignments at an adorable cafe at Notting Hill and Hackney Wick. This city is filled with amazing coffee shops and restaurants where you can enjoy your lattes and take cute pictures. If you don’t feel like spending that much money, you can always go to the food markets, like the Borough Market near Tower Bridge or the Camden Market! There are plenty of delicious food, ranging from Korean cuisine to the infamous fish and chips, British food! It is also the place for you if you are a Harry Potter fan, they filmed scenes here, like Leadenhall Market, Kings Cross Station, etc! So, what are you waiting for?