Student Spotlight: Why I chose the UK

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Isaiah from the University of York a few weeks ago. Isaiah is an international student from Iowa and was happy to share some of his experiences and insights with us.

What made you want to apply to universities in the UK?

Initially, I was drawn to the UK by how much more affordable university tuition is in comparison to the US. While £20k/year is certainly nothing to sneeze at, many US universities of a similar echelon would cost triple or even quadruple that. Given how limited my funding options were due to my age (then 22, now 25), having that option available was huge. Additionally, I’m fascinated with the Middle Ages and archaeology, and that wasn’t an easily accessible option in the US, where Medieval Studies is generally reserved as a masters-level degree or higher.

Isaiah was interviewed for his involvement with the White Rose Historical Fencing society.

What is your favorite aspect(s) of living and studying here?

There are a lot of aspects to studying here that I’ve come to appreciate, and it’d be difficult to list them all! I think the attention that is given to student life and wellbeing is one of the most vital resources I’ve had access to, and many of my friends from US universities don’t have particularly nice things to say about how American universities support their students (or don’t, tragically). Additionally, being able to work a part time job to support myself has been a huge blessing.

What makes the University of York special?

There are a lot of things that make UoY special, but I think the university’s commitment to supporting their students is a big one. I’ve had a few ongoing struggles with mental health over the course of my studies here, and the help I’ve received from my entire uni community has been critical in helping me through my academic journey. 

Also, Long Boi [an iconic duck that roamed the campus] was a national treasure, it’s a right shame we lost him! 

What has surprised you the most about studying in the UK?

As for surprises, I think one of the biggest was the level of informality amongst staff and students was a big one. I come from a background in ballet, and there is a very strict social hierarchy to that discipline (which is often a consequence of having so many big personalities competing for status and attention). Conversely, relations between lecturers and students are much friendlier, and this helps facilitate deep, meaningful conversation in a way that I could never have had with any of my ballet masters.

To whom would you recommend this sort of opportunity?

In short, I would recommend this to pretty much everyone! I think there is a huge benefit to getting out and seeing the world through more than just a tourist’s eyes, as understanding another people/culture is a matter of exposure, and you just cannot get that as a tourist. We live in a world where many people are drawing lines in the sand without understanding the people on the other side, and that kind of thinking can only serve to harm us all. A better world is one where we all are more connected and understanding, and that begins with each and every one of us. Going to a foreign university (especially one where your language is spoken) is a great way to get out of your shell and start that journey.

Thank you to Isaiah for sharing this with us! You can also watch our initial interview with Isaiah. You can read a little about the University of York in our Snapshots post (remember, these are just informative— we aren’t compensated to promote universities).