Baileigh (Sem 2, 2023)

My Exchange at The University of Manchester

The 360 International Programme was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.

After a handful of lectures, each starting with a guest speaker from the 360 team, in the first semester of 2022 I applied for an exchange during the second semester of 2023 with a university I had fallen in love with; the University of Manchester. And after a year and a half of planning, working with the 360 team and preparing, I arrived in Manchester in September of 2023.

At first, I was nervous, but my excitement seemed to outweigh any anxious feelings I had as my host university became my home for the next four months. Manchester has a certain energy that kept the city alive and welcoming all throughout my stay. Whether it was the people, the architecture or the environment in general, I knew that I was where I was supposed to be. The accommodation only solidified this. I lived in Thorncliffe Halls at Whitworth Park which was almost right on campus with eight other students who seemed as eager to start their studies as I was. One of my most favorite memories from Flat 22 was the Christmas Dinner we all prepared together before our exams, it has become an incredibly dear memory for my time in Manny.

Orientation at the beginning of my study helped to smooth out any bubbling fears and the courses themselves helped me settle into my host country. My lecturers were lovely and greatly involved in their areas of study which made for an incredibly passionate four months of study that I got to fully immerse myself in. In fact, one of my courses was on the history of extinctions, and I was so moved by my lecturer’s knowledge that I trekked to the Natural History Museum in London to stake out the Megatherium!

Manchester continued to grow on me. I walked into town almost every weekend to find someplace new to have lunch or to stand in awe of the architecture. The ease of access around central Manchester helped to open up the U.K. and its nature to me, and I felt as though I saw more of the country on foot. Even on my own, I was able to experience an incredibly iconic city centre and never feel lost or overwhelmed.

Life on campus was focused greatly on the student. When I first arrived on campus, I visited a few International Student meet and greets as well as the usual Clubs Expos and Welcome Week. The student was made to feel valued and heard. Through all of these events, I found that I was not the only one who was maybe feeling anxious or nervous about starting my studies because I met so many awesome like-minded people who helped me feel not so far away from home.

If I could go back in time and talk to the version of myself who is uhm-ing and ahh-ing about applying for this exchange programme, I would tell her that there were too many opportunities, laughs, smiles and experiences in Manchester that she would hate to miss. The application process, although finicky at times, covered enough ground for me to feel prepared to leave the University of Auckland for a semester. Once in the UK, I was handed over to the University of Manchester International team, so I never felt like I was stuck or alone.

This exchange programme was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself. Not only did I learn so much about life in the UK and deepen my love for my degree, I learned more about myself which I would not be able to say had I not listened to a guest speaker.

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Q&A

What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?

As a humanities student, the time I spent in Manchester only further developed my love and admiration for Art History. It was incredibly affecting being surrounded by so many other students who cared so deeply for the arts. On top of this, I was able to observe almost my entire art history study timeline within the galleries of the UK.

Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?

The Christmas markets in the UK definitely helped me feel less homesick around the festive season! They were selling keepsake mugs filled with hot chocolate, and I remember one early morning walking to the markets to get myself a cup. I still drink from that mug to this day.

What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?

1. Public transport seems almost unnecessary in city centres. You can easily walk through town and come across so many exciting things you wouldn’t have been able to had you been riding the tube or public bus

2. The UK is any history lovers dream. So many times I stopped in the middle of the footpath to take photos of the buildings or to navigate my way to the nearest galley. Make sure you clear your camera roll

3. Enrol in courses that interest you! And use your time abroad to your advantage. Where else can I study the history of fictional representations of forensic medicine or the history of extinctions? These two courses have become some of my favorite classes I have taken part in and I never would have been able to study these back home.

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 had saved from the beginning of my exchange process (March 2022) to the week before I left (September 2023) so that I would have enough funds to live comfortably while overseas. I also applied for a student loan to cover the costs of accommodation in the Student Halls.

I made a simple budget plan before I left to help anticipate how much money I would be spending on groceries, general shopping and accommodation which I benefitted from greatly in the grand scheme of things.

What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?

My time abroad helped me cement a plan for my future because it enabled me to see clearly just how much I enjoyed what I studied. Learning about art history on the other side of the world, somewhere where art can be found around every corner, made me realise that it was something I wanted to be involved in for the rest of my life. Special thanks to my art history lecturer in Manchester who took my familiarity with art history and opened new doors.