Tuesday 15-10-2024 - 14:52

First and foremost, WELCOME!

You did it, you moved to the UK, and you felt a nice sense of relief until you were told ALL the things you MUST do once you are here, from socials to studying, it feels like you must do everything all at once. That’s why we’re here. The Union is here for you all year round.

So, first, we thought we’d introduce our International Team to you and share with you our top tips for your first month.

 

---

 

Get to know the British grading system and your tutors' expectations of you.

Suppose you’re doing a Master's degree. In that case, you have 20% taught and 80% self-study, which means you need to get the baseline information from lectures to use your research skills and be ready for discussions in tutorials and assessments.

Talk to your tutors and gain an understanding of this so you can organise your study schedule accordingly. In the UK grading works slightly differently; unless you are doing a science-based degree, it is not achievable to aim for 100%, in fact over 70% is considered a 1rt/ a distinction.

(Distinction: 70% or above, Merit: 60–69%, Pass: 50–59%, Fail: Below 50% in undergraduate degrees failing is under 40%)

 

---

 

Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will there be a new life in a new city

Be kind to yourself! It’s okay to miss home and to take your time to find things you enjoy doing.

Manchester is famous (or infamous) for its poor weather – so there’s a high chance that if you’re going to wait for a sunny day to get out and about – you might not actually get anywhere.

The best advice we can give is for you to get yourself an umbrella and get those steps in – it’s completely free and you’ll be able to explore some of Manchester’s hidden gems - like Castlefield Bowl, it’s a beautiful outdoor space - perfect for meeting up with your friends come rain or shine.

But, if you’re lucky enough to have some free time on a sunny day – we have already made a list of the best outdoor spaces in the city centre for you to visit.

 

---

 

Find your community

Starting up in a new place can feel scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by finding likeminded people, this can be your course mates, joining a society or a sport.

The International Student Group is here for you. We have lots of activities planned for the first term, and we would love to see you at some of them. We thought of introducing ourselves first, so now you know at least one person who will be there, and you can come and say hi to.

 

---

 

Margarida

Olá , my name is Margarida , and I'm from Portugal! I've been living in the UK for the past 5 years as I moved here in 2019 to study my undergraduate in Photography.

I’ve recently moved to Manchester to start my MSc in Digital Marketing Communications. Apart from my passion in content creation & marketing, I love travelling, immersing myself in new cultures and trying new food.

This year, I'm one of the International Organisers here at The Union and I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you and learning more about your culture, language and interests. Don't hesitate to say hi if you see me around.

 

---

 

Rakim

Hey everyone! My name is Rakim Bello Osagie, and I’m originally from Italy, though my roots are Nigerian.

I moved to the UK this year and I’m currently studying for a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science here in Manchester. One of my absolute favourite foods is pasta alla carbonara; it’s a classic Italian dish that always takes me back home.

When it comes to music, I’m all about Afrobeats. I’ve always been passionate about tech and problem-solving, and this year, I’m excited to be one of the International Organisers at The Union.

I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and learning about your unique stories and cultures, so if you spot me, don’t hesitate to say hi.

 

---

 

Rachit

Hey everyone! I’m Rachit Jain, born and brought up in the heart of India, New Delhi. For the past eight months, I’ve been here in Manchester pursuing MSc International Business Management at Manchester Met. I’m also the Vice President of the Indian Society.

When it comes to food, Dal Makhani is definitely one of my favorites. I’m also really into sports like football, volleyball, and badminton. Along with that, I’m an International Student Organiser at The Union.

I’m super excited to meet all of you, learn about your cultures, and your experiences in Manchester.

 

---

 

नमस्कार (Namaskaar), I am Harshal (/ɦərʃəl/)

I like to think my name perfectly sums up the energy I bring – spreading good vibes and positivity wherever I go. It literally means 'happiness'.

I’m from India (western region people who eat the spiciest food). You have to try my favourite dish 'Kichadi Kadhi' - it's a spicy rice cooked with lentils served along with sour yoghurt curry – the best combination.

I moved to Manchester in 2023 for my master’s degree in Zoo-conservation Biology and have been here ever since.

I'm an all-time curious person, so you’ll find me exploring sundry of activities beyond my passion in nature conservation. I enjoy learning languages and new cultures, cooking and singing – though only when no one’s around to hear it!

Let’s exchange ideas, explore new hobbies, and make this an amazing experience for everyone.

My favourite quote: ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’- the world is one family.

 

---

 

We understand that adapting to calling a new city home can be daunting. Our advice is to embrace it, but take it one day at a time, and when in doubt – join groups and societies to help you along the way. Our International Student Group on Facebook has over 2000 members, ready to welcome you with open arms.