So, you’ve packed, gotten your visa, and finally sorted your accommodation? It may feel like you’re ready to get on a plane and go, but right when you think you’re finally done with all the hard logistical stuff, you start to think about university and student life, but there is one thing that many people forgot to consider before heading abroad to study in a new country. No matter how crucial it seems, when caught up in the hustle and bustle of preparing to move, it’s easy to forget to even think about academic differences and challenges. I, for one, was fully unprepared for the hurdles I would face transitioning to school in the UK.
During my first week, I attended a lecture on writing where I was introduced to the UK grading system. The obvious difference was that there were no letters, only numbers, and they weren’t necessarily sorted by percentage. I was told that it was rare and near impossible to get a mark higher than 80, and that 70 and up was equivalent to an A in the US grading system. Truthfully, I didn’t understand it at all, so I assumed I would just pick it up as I went along.
Fast forward a month or so and I finally get my first mark back. And it’s a 63. Now, this is actually a pretty good mark for a first try, but my brain, fully acclimated to the US grading system, saw it as an automatic failure, and my first instinct was to cry, which I definitely did. However, after my moment of weakness I looked up a table comparing UK and US grades, something I recommend all international students do (for their corresponding country of course) BEFORE arriving in the UK, and I finally learned to understand the scoring system.
Once I got over the grade-translation obstacle, I noticed other academic differences between the US and UK, and a lot of them are actually amazing! One of the best things about studying in the UK is the freedom. I felt more grown up, and not just because I literally moved to another country and was now living alone and ultimately was forced to grow up, but also because I was finally able to study exactly what I wanted, when I wanted. The professors treated me like an equal rather than someone they were just employed to teach. The coursework I did outside of class was actually productive and left plenty of room for creative expression. I loved that it was not just busy work and I could write/read about absolutely anything I wanted, but most of all, I loved feeling like a real student, excited to learn and enjoying what I was studying.
The assignments I do for my classes in England are all about quality over quantity, which is something I wasn’t used to after being in the US school system. With only a couple big essays or projects per semester, it felt like I finally had TIME to fine-tune my assignments AND I even had extra time to read. (Granted, the workload may differ depending on your program of study, but for me, it worked out great)! The days of setting aside 3 hours for homework after school were over. No more coloring in maps of the world for geography, writing scientific reports for chemistry, and filling in equations for algebra.
The most incredible thing about studying at University of Sheffield specifically has most definitely been the global perspective it’s strengthened in me. Sheffield has a huge international student population, which is something that drew me to it in the first place. As a politics and philosophy student, speaking with my peers and hearing about their unique experiences has really aided my understanding of the subjects I study in my classes. I get to see first hand how cultural and personal upbringings can drastically impact individual opinions on the same issue. Having conversations in classes and seminars with my peers added a whole new dimension to my understanding of the wider world.
Ultimately, despite initial hurdles, studying in England has helped me grow as a person and learn as a citizen of the world. I feel better equipped to continue my academic career with newfound freedom and knowledge, which is something I always wanted. 🙂
Charlotte Flores is a current student at University of Sheffield originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico. She is currently studying BA Politics and Philosophy and plans to graduate in 2022.
