Each year, the School of Economics welcomes transfer students from our reputable partner universities all around the world. Here’s how Minnie, Haigreev, Picha and Ju-Lyn are making the most of their experience.
By Ffion Lindsay
Minnie (Chutipapha) Pavasant, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
The most impressive part of my course has been my professors. Every morning if I arrived at the seminar or workshop early, I would hear ‘How was your weekend, Minnie? Is there anything that you don’t understand?’.
When I have my favourite lecturer’s classes, I can feel her passion for teaching and she always sincerely answer my questions. I hope one day to be as passionate as she is about her job.
I have found the social atmosphere in Bristol to be welcoming and friendly, with my classmates being warm and approachable.
This has made my time in Bristol all the more enjoyable and memorable, as I have been able to form meaningful connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Bristol is a place that makes me think a lot about my future. I like how we can easily get in touch with the university staff for career advice, and the many fairs and working societies we can join.
The Bristol Banking and Investment Society is helping me a lot by expanding my knowledge of the world of banking, and the staff always inform us about opportunities for internships or activities that can pave the way to working.
In essence, what stands out most to me about my time in Bristol is the people – their kindness and inclusiveness have made my experience here one that I will always cherish.
My advice for future transfer students – be prepared to adjust to a new environment. Now I genuinely understand the phase ‘work hard, play hard’ – but people around me seemed to be really good at finding a work-life balance.
I think finding balance is a really good way to improve mental health and improve your concentration in class.
Haigreev Kejriwal, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, India
Bristol was also the most appropriate choice for me because I wanted to live and study in an exciting and dynamic environment.
The city is known for its rich history, creative culture, and diverse communities, and it’s famous for its street art, including works by world-renowned artist Banksy.
One of the things that I enjoy the most is to just go for a walk by the Harbourside, Brandon Hill or Clifton Downs and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Watching the snowfall, cooking various cuisines with friends from different countries, playing football, and tasting distinct types of beers and wines have been my favourite memories so far.
The Global Lounge and Student Union community at the University of Bristol provides a wide range of extra-curricular activities and events that are designed to enhance our experience, promote cultural exchange, and foster a sense of community among international students.
My advice for future transfer students – make use of university resources, including academic support services, career advice, and health and wellbeing services, to succeed academically and personally.
Also, take advantage of your time in Bristol to explore the city and surrounding areas, and travel around the UK to see all that the country has to offer.
Finally, try to be open-minded, flexible, and willing to try new things. Studying abroad is a unique and rewarding experience, so try to make the most of your time here.
Pichayanin Tripetch, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
The big difference I found between Bristol and my previous university is that study is much more independent here.
However, I can still reach out to professors during office hours or after class, message my personal tutor and ask them questions, or post a question online and get it answered quickly.
Studying independently has allowed me to develop many more skills and teaches me to rely on myself more, which will be beneficial when I graduate and enter the real working world.
Having tutorials, seminars and workshops was also new to me, and I found that they helped me to understand the materials at a deeper level.
The University also places importance on their students’ future. The Bristol PLUS award was beneficial in terms of boosting my CV and enhancing my soft skills, while the Career Service gave me feedback on my CV and cover letter.
They also provided a lot of sections on international employability. This boosted my confidence and acted as a guideline for me to pursue successful employment.
My advice for future transfer students – look at the modules carefully, as they might have deeper or more advanced content than expected.
As we do not get to study some courses that others study in the first year, it’s useful to do a bit of catch-up (ask for the slides from a former student and take a
look). Still, overall the transfer process is very smooth, and the study plan was almost seamless for me.
Ju-Lyn Tan, HELP University, Malaysia
As one of the top universities in the UK and part of the Russell Group, the University of Bristol was always my top choices.
I always knew I wanted to head overseas for my studies, so finding out about the partnership programme between Bristol and HELP was ultimately what made me take the leap.
Being halfway across the world, there are many differences to my previous university, but the main one is the value added from so many international students and staff.
Meeting individuals from all walks of life, learning to view things from various perspectives and making friends from all around the world has been the most unique element of my experience. You never know who you’ll cross paths with.
My favourite lecturers are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in their field, and their explanations are cohesive. They are able to take complex economic material and make it easily understandable. And, despite being experts in economics, they are humble about it.
They’re always open to suggestions and ideas from students and not afraid to admit when they have made a mistake.
The university also has a very active and supportive Careers Service that hosts multiple career talks both virtually and in-person – these factors have all been useful in determining the path I wish to take post-graduation.
My advice for future transfer students – come with an open mind, and think of your uni life as a blank slate, the perfect chance to try new things and create new experiences.
There are some things you can read up on but only fully grasp when you experience it yourself.
Oh – and a warning about how hilly Bristol is would have been nice!
Interested in transferring your studies? Find out more about our international partnerships programme.