I had looked into studying abroad with Northumbria before I had even applied to the University, as it was something which I was really intrigued by. I love travelling and seeing the world and I felt that it would be such an amazing opportunity if I could combine travelling with the experience of living and studying abroad, as it provides an entirely different experience than if I was just to go travelling.
Northeastern University was actually one of my last choices, but I could not be happier that it was the University where I ended up. One of the reasons I chose Northeastern was because of how central it was, as it was right in the centre of Boston! Additionally, I loved how many international students Northeastern boasted and how much focus they placed on diversity.
There were so many times when I was studying abroad that I felt like I had to pinch myself to believe it was really happening, even just walking down the street every day I was in awe of the fact I was actually in Boston, going to Law School. One of my favourite moments was one of the times I went to New York City. A couple of friends and I went for the night and went clubbing. It felt surreal to be enjoying a night out in the most amazing city in the world.
I did find it quite costly to study abroad, as grocery shopping and day-to-day expenses were really high in the USA, however I think this may have been because Boston is such a large city, as it’s similar to London in the UK. The cost of my flights, accommodation, visa and more also really began to add up. Fortunately, I qualified for the Study Abroad Travel Grant, which meant SFE reimbursed me for some of my expenses which brought the cost of studying abroad down substantially in the end! There’s also no extra tuition fees to study abroad, meaning all there is to pay for is the cost of travelling out there and your living expenses. The only extra costs compared to living in Newcastle were flights, a visa, and insurance.
Studying abroad has absolutely increased my chances of securing a job in the future. Not only has it bulked up my CV, it has brought out perseverance, determination and confidence in me, which I know are skills that employers admire. I have also become much more worldly, which allows me to often see things from a different perspective, therefore giving me an advantage over others.
100% do it! Without sounding too cliché, I genuinely feel like a different person after this experience. Studying abroad provides you with unforgettable memories, lifelong friends and you will develop so many qualities which you can rarely acquire another way. You will be so grateful that you did it. Once you do apply and go… do not give up! Getting out there may not be easy and the first few days, perhaps even the first week or so, will be really tough, but you will settle in, you will make friends and you will be so glad that you persevered.
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