From Vietnam to the UK: A journey of stepping out of my comfort zone

I first learnt about the University of Huddersfield via an alumnus, who attended MA TESOL. She told me a lot about life in the UK, as well as in Huddersfield, and I was immediately attracted to it. After completing my Bachelor’s degree, I spent a lot of time finding out more about the University of Huddersfield, and I realised that not only does it have a high-quality academic team, but also various exciting extra-curricular activities, such as workshops and day trips. Also, I realised that the tuition fee, supported by scholarships, and living expenses at Huddersfield are quite ideal for an international student, which further consolidated my intention to pursue my MA degree here.

Even though I’m an international student, I found it quite easy to fit in with the way of life in the UK and at the University. Since I’ve always had a passion for British culture and lifestyle, it wasn’t difficult for me to make friends from various countries at the University. However, the biggest challenge for me back then was with my studies. I’d never conducted research before and I found it quite challenging to manage my studies independently (what to learn, how to learn, at what pace etc). However, I was able to receive lots of help from the Academic Team, as well as the Student Support Team. I was strongly supported by my Personal Academic Tutor, who was also a teacher in the School of Education. He gave me lots of useful tips and advice regarding my specialisation. Furthermore, I also got help from the Academic Skills Tutor, who provided me with tutorials consolidating my English language and research skills.