My Exchange at King’s College London
I’ve always wanted to go on an exchange programme and planned my degree accordingly so I could go on exchange in the last semester of my studies. A close friend of mine went on exchange a semester before me and absolutely loved it, which made me even more eager to have my own exchange experience.
I chose to study abroad in London, particularly at King’s College London (KCL), because I’ve always wanted to live in a big multicultural city. To me, London felt like New York but closer to Europe—a real bonus! However, London exceeded my expectations in the best way possible. I had heard that living in a big city can be isolating and lonely, but London felt incredibly lively. I owe this to KCL’s orientation week and reconnecting with some high school friends.
Orientation week at KCL was hectic but the best way to make friends in a new city. I met people from all around the world and was immersed in many different cultures just by talking to and getting to know other exchange and domestic students. One of the biggest highlights for me, aside from the amazing people I met who are now my closest friends, was the courses I had the opportunity to take. I enrolled in two marketing and two entrepreneurship courses. Thanks to KCL’s extensive alumni network, I got to listen to guest lecturers from renowned firms like JP Morgan, Burberry, and startup founders from Dragon’s Den. It was thrilling to attend class and be surprised by guest lecturers from companies I had always felt were out of reach. It turns out, working at these big firms might not be such an intimidating goal after all!
Beyond my studies, I did plenty of traveling. I managed to visit 10 countries: Spain, Germany, France, Portugal, Ireland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Morocco, Denmark, and more! One of the coolest things about London is how cheap the flights are. “A £23 flight to Paris for the weekend? Let’s do it!” This was how I spent most of my weekends, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, in hindsight, I wish I had explored more parts of England instead of traveling to Europe almost every weekend. This brings me to my top tips for future students going to study in London:
- If you’re in your last semester of university and want to work in London. Studying at KCL makes this very much possible! Make use of KCL’s extensive alumni network and career help options!
- Budget Budget Budget! London is quite an expensive city, try to budget accordingly and plan for any emergencies.
- Traveling to Europe every weekend is amazing, but don’t forget England is beautiful too 🙂
- Step out of your comfort zone and say YES!
- Be interested! Ask people questions – whether that’d be your lecturer or your classmates.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
Guest Lecturers! I absolutely loved all the courses I took at Kings. They were interactive, provided a glimpse into real world experiences and brought guest lecturers from big firms like JP Morgan, Startups that have been in Dragon’s Den, Burberry and more. I learned so many lessons I will take back with me to NZ.
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
Be active during King’s Orientation Week. Make as many friends and go to as many events. It may be quite hectic and tiring but definitely worth it! Additionally, join university clubs that interest you – I joined the bouldering club and absolutely loved it 🙂
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Don’t hesitate to join university clubs that interest you! I discovered a newfound passion for bouldering after joining the university’s bouldering club.
- Travel as much as you can, but also make sure to explore the local area where you’re doing your exchange.
- Be open to exploring new cultures —I took a cooking class in Morocco, and it was an incredible way to learn and experience the culture through food.
How much did you budget for your exchange? Was this enough? Were there any lessons learned that would help future students budget for their own exchange?
I budgeted 10,000 NZD. I had to quickly figure out that this was definitely not enough. I recommend future students budgeting 20,000 NZD + to cover both rent and other daily living expenses.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
My most significant takeaway from my experience abroad is how exciting life can be when you have the courage to say yes and embrace everything that comes your way. Studying abroad was a life-changing experience where I made lifelong friends, learned more about myself, and traveled to 10 countries in six months. However, this journey was not without its challenges. Appreciating and being grateful for every moment—the good and the bad—made the experience all the more memorable and rewarding.