As someone studying in the UK, I’ve come to realise that the most valuable part of this journey isn’t the university name printed on my diploma. It’s the experiences that changed the way I see the world.
From those long nights in the library writing assignments to the breathtaking views while hiking in Edinburgh, the excitement of finally seeing Big Ben in person, or the pure joy of watching a football match at St James' Park. I still remember sitting outside York Minster soaking up the sun and enjoying ice cream on a warm afternoon. Then there are the friendships I built with flatmates from all over the world in our dorm kitchen. These are the moments I’ll carry with me for life.
When I first arrived in the UK, I thought I was chasing the prestige of a world-class university. But now, when I look back, the memories that really stuck had nothing to do with the degree itself.During the Christmas holidays, most British students went home early with their families. For us international students, it was the perfect time to travel. I went on a trip with a few Taiwanese friends to Paris, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam. I’ll never forget the moment we got on a bus in Luxembourg and noticed there was no card machine. We panicked a little, thinking we missed something or made a mistake. Turns out, public transport there is completely free. We couldn’t believe it! After travelling across Europe and the UK, we were so used to being fined for the tiniest mistake with train tickets. Getting on the wrong service or using the wrong fare type could cost you a lot. So when I chatted with a local on the bus and confirmed it was really free, I was genuinely shocked.
I arrived in the UK during autumn. After waiting for two and a half months, one early winter morning, I got flooded with messages from Taiwanese friends saying, “It’s snowing!” At that moment, I had just finished an all-nighter working on a paper. Looking outside felt like a reward from the universe. That week I took so many snow photos, built my first snowman, had my first snowball fight, and spent the longest time away from home that I’d ever experienced.
One of the biggest surprises was how my dorm hallway became a mini United Nations. I shared the floor with flatmates from India, Hong Kong, France, Italy, and the US. We were three girls and three guys. Downstairs lived six British guys. Dinner time turned into a cultural experiment. Our kitchen filled with spicy curry and naan from my Indian flatmate, authentic pasta and ravioli from the Italian guy who insisted everything be “proper”, burgers made from freshly pan-fried steak by the American flatmate, and my own scallion pancakes and bubble tea. Around the dinner table, we talked about everything from global politics and philosophy to childhood memories and future career plans. Those conversations helped me break out of my cultural bubble and see the world through entirely different perspectives.
From volunteering at a local charity shop (BHF) to striking up random conversations in pubs, from late-night breakdowns in the study room to solo museum visits that made me rethink everything, to sharing life stories with my flatmates over leftovers in the kitchen, these moments became the foundation of my worldview. I learnt to appreciate the beauty in cultural differences and to understand that there are so many ways to live a meaningful life. I also became more aware of how small and clueless I once was. These experiences didn’t just give me knowledge; they taught me how to approach the world with humility and curiosity, with strength and openness.
Studying abroad isn’t just about the degree; it’s about the lessons, the growth, and the friendships that last a lifetime.
