My Exchange at Kingston University, London
I found out about the 360 International exchange programme through a friend who had done it in 2018. She raved about her experience, so I knew it was something I definitely wanted to do at some point in my degree.
When I first arrived in London, I fell in love. I loved my university town (Kingston upon thames) and the vibe immediately. People were friendly and it was a very diverse community and student population. The journey from Aotearoa was incredibly long so it was very reassuring to know the trip was worth it within a week of arrival.
I have mixed reviews about my accommodation. I think I got very lucky with my room and my flat mates. I had a very clean and somewhat spacious room with friendly flat mates. However, I had many friends who did not have the same experience. The reception staff were not approachable (maybe cultural difference) and I found if something was wrong, for example my bathroom flooded one time, I had to be quite assertive for them to solve the problem. I think I received what I paid for (I chose the cheapest option) but if I were to go back, I would have opted for the price accommodation as I think it would have been worth it for the experience.
The cost of living in London is very high! I would have saved a lot more and budgeted higher had I known what it would be like. However I don’t think it’s so far off from Auckland, it just fluctuates differently. The uni campus is helpful in catering to students by providing cheap hot tasty meals but London itself is a verrrrry expensive city! I would not have survived if I didn’t work.
The extracurricular activités were also lacking a little bit, I found more enjoyable ones outside of uni and int he community. London is good for this as there is a lot to do always!
Food in London is pricey but delicious and you’re always able to find literally any cuisine and its authentic too!
The highlights of my exchange were definitely the people I connected with. I made so many friends that I will still keep in contact with. Also, the experiences I gained were incredible!
It was challenging to settle in at first, it was a big change and I was far away from home. But I found that the exchange is a simple as you get out what you put in. I had to make a big effort to get involved and overcome fear but it was so worth it in the end.
My advice would be to just join everything, say yes to everything and just fight the fear and urge to stay home and be shy. It going to be hard at first but if you push through, I promise you can’t not love it or have an incredible experience. it is was you make it!!! it was the most challenging but hands down best year of my life. I would do it again and again.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the academic experience at your host university?
It was really interesting to be in a different cultural setting and learning in their way. England wasn’t a huge difference but it still wasn’t NZ. I liked the accent and when they referenced NZ and their perspective of our country. I liked learning from teachers who were from countries I had never met people from before. I liked being able to engage with different kinds of learning materials and coursework. For example in one sociology class, we were partnered with a fashion studies class and we had to create in a format that sociology had never required of me. So instead of essays we designed posters and story boards and videos. I loved it!
Would you recommend any particular activity/activities unique to your host country or university?
I would recommend just joining as many things as you can and signing up for anything and everything! I went with a small group to protest Israel through uni in the heart of London. That was a surreal experience.
What are your top 3 tips for future students attending your host university or going on exchange to your host country?
- Say YES to everything. go out of you comfort zone. Tū whitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū! – feel the fear but do it anyway!!!
- over budget! things will be expensive but the experience will be worth it. take this into account so you don’t have to miss out on anything.
- don’t wait for people to come to you, just approach and thats how you’re going to make friends.
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 was going for a year so I was always going to get a job. this was more than necessary because London was expensive and you need money to do anything because bare minimum you will need to pay for transport. I went over with 6000 pounds to start me off. I survived but I wish I went with 10. it just depends on you and what you’re going to do. I also underestimated start up living costs, so buying things like bedding and cooking utensils cost a bit. Look at charity shops though! I learnt this too late.
What are your most significant takeaways from your experience abroad?
I learnt a lot about myself, who I am and the person I want to be. The world is a challenging and complicated place that keep moving even when you don’t. I had to have a lot of patience with myself and look out for myself in ways I’ve never had to. but it’s possible to find friends and community anywhere! it may take time, but it will always come, when you least expect it even more. My most significant takeaway is the friends I made. friends that I will have for life now, no doubt.
Do you want to share anything about travels you did outside your host city/country?
I went to Germany, Paris, Amsterdam, Greece and Croatia. All beautiful places! and very easy to get to from London. I recommend travelling as much as you can in whatever country you are! makes the experience so much more worth it because in NZ we are so far form everything! also the travel can be quite cheap if you book in advance.
Final Comments
Just do it!!!!! I have no doubt, if you put in the effort, you will have an amazing time! and go for as long as possible! I would have stayed longer than a year if I was able.