My background

Hi, my name is Yi Quan, and I'm from an island called Penang in Malaysia. This year, I will be finishing my foundation year in Psychology at Durham University in the UK, in the northeast.

Why the UK?

I have always wanted to come to the UK since I was a child, and my parents also encouraged me because they studied here as well. I just really loved this country and its scenery, which is one of the reasons I wanted to come here. Another reason I chose the UK is that there are fewer opportunities in Malaysia compared to the UK. Additionally, the UK is home to many of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Application process

I'm doing quite a non-traditional course. It's a foundation year, and only a few universities offer this, as it is equivalent to A-levels. Basically, I worked with an education agent who helped me through the process. My main choices were Bristol, Durham, and York because they were among the top Russell Group universities that offer a foundation year.

The application process was pretty challenging. I had to write a lot, gather all my extracurricular activities and grades. The entry requirements themselves were not extremely high, but the requirements for scholarships were much more competitive.

For my grades, I did the IGCSE with eight A*s and one A. For my extracurriculars, I was involved in the Christian fellowship as the president, participated in orchestra as both the conductor and the vice president, and I was also a part of the student council.

I wish I had known that the process isn’t very straightforward. There is a lot of back-and-forth communication with the school, which can take time and be a little stressful.

The Adaptation Process to the UK

It was quite difficult at first, especially being away from family. I actually felt really homesick during the first few months, but over time, it got better as I found a community here. The weather in the UK is also very different. It's often gloomy. Back home, I live on an island where it’s sunny almost every day, and I used to go to the beach frequently. Additionally, at the peak of winter, there are only eight hours of sunlight per day, which was also hard to adjust to.

As an international student, it can also be difficult to connect with local communities due to cultural differences. Humor, accents, and social norms can feel unfamiliar, especially Scottish and the Welsh accents. Overall, I think you have to be more independent and actively seek out communities where you feel a sense of belonging.

School community

Of course there are freshers’ events, but since we are in the northeast, the population is predominantly white, which can make it harder to fully integrate at first. As an international student, you often have to put in more effort to engage, especially when it comes to understanding humor, accents, and conversations. I remember during Freshers’ Week, I often felt lost in conversations. People were talking about things like Wimbledon and cricket, which I wasn’t completely familiar with. However, the university provides strong support by helping international students connect with each other. For the foundation year, there's something called the International Study Center, where most students are international, which makes it easier to connect.

Scholarship and Financial Aid

I’m currently on two scholarships. The first one is a financial aid for students from developing countries, which I qualified for as a Malaysian student. The second one is the Inspiring Excellence Scholarship, which provides a tuition fee reduction.

How long did the process take?

I started applying quite early because I was really nervous. After applying, I had to wait for about six months for a response. Overall, the entire process took around five to six months.

Pros and Cons of Studying in the UK

One of the biggest advantages is meeting people from all over the world. You get exposed to new ideas and perspectives that you may never have encountered before. This can really shape your values and your worldviews. I guess you also learn to be more independent, emotionally and practically. You learn how to navigate new cultures and how to balance your friends back home and your friends here. As for the cons, the weather is definitely a challenge. However, overall I think it's pretty worth it.

Advice for the future applicants

It's a truly amazing experience. Even after seven months, I feel like I’m having one of the best times of my life. Living abroad has completely changed me, even my friends at home tell me that I've changed a lot. So, my advice would be to take a leap of faith and worry later. Just do it