Spark of Study Abroad Curiosity 

Starting in high school, Charlotte Ellis, a Connecticut native, remembers having an interest in travel and, when exploring in the past with family, felt particularly ‘inspired by the differences in culture.’ She found the University of St Andrews in St Andrews, Scotland on the CommonApp. Charlotte recalls being immediately drawn to the beautiful campus and was well aware of the lack of language barriers while still having the opportunity to go abroad for an extended period – something she had always wanted to do. 

Similarly, at 16, Devon Martirez y McFarland felt like studying abroad could truly be an opportunity for him after arriving at a private arts high school in Southern California. As an avid dancer since age 12, Devon knew he wanted to professionally dance somewhere where the arts are celebrated. During one trip to Portugal, Devon was hooked: ‘I went with my father to see a dance show, and I fell in love with this company – everyone was supporting them. It was lovely.’ 

‘Europe has more of an arts scene,’ continues Devon, including more funding and accessibility for the general public to see and afford diverse performances, resulting in consistent community support, a considerable force behind his decision to attend the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

While inspired to study abroad in the UK, other significant factors played a role in both Devon and Charlotte’s decisions to actually apply. For Devon, obtaining an affordable degree in three years while still receiving vocational professional training was vital; for Charlotte, the beauty and history of the UK and the lack of a language barrier made pursuing her passion in history at St Andrews seem like a no-brainer. 

After applying to their respective universities, deciding to go required a bit more research. Utilizing university websites, UK government websites, steadfast Google, and speaking with others from high school who had previously obtained degrees abroad, both Charlotte and Devon gathered enough information to make their ultimate choices confidently.

For Devon, the UCAS system was straightforward, and for both he and Charlotte, their respective UK universities provided ample information throughout the process. Studying in another country has its challenges, but just like applying to universities in the US, ‘it all gets easier as you go,’ says Devon. 

Read More: How can a US student apply to college in the UK?

Traveling to the UK

‘It was a long flight – 16 hours,’ laughs Devon, but after the layovers and connecting flights, the trip was well worth it. Spending extended time with family before his courses started helped Devon settle into his new home abroad. ‘I just remember feeling really excited, excited to start this new journey.’ The smallness of his new town, Glasgow, surprised Devon at first but affectionately so; compared to his native Alameda, California, the walkability and softness of the city without ample traffic made Glasgow quickly feel like home. 

For Charlotte, arriving in the UK felt like stepping onto a movie set. ‘It was something out of a movie,’ Charlotte remembers. ‘Everything I looked at, I felt like I had seen this in a dream.’ 

The feelings of nostalgia followed Charlotte around as she took in the beautiful castles and all the ‘quintessential and quaint’ parts of the country, especially Edinburgh. As she explored her new surroundings, Charlotte says, ‘I was just having so much fun.’

Life as a UK student

The fun and excitement of the UK didn’t stop for Charlotte and Devon once their courses officially started.  

Charlotte realized that courses were very different from what she was familiar with in the US. ‘It was very in-depth,’ she explains. ‘You would only take two or three classes per semester and really dive deep into those courses. You had to be very self-sufficient and very independent.’ Charlotte appreciated the freedom and autonomy of the academic structure at St Andrews and, importantly, reflects that it’s helping her now as a professional in the US, where she’s a clothing historian for the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society; self-motivation is significant in her line of work.

As a dance major, Devon’s coursework is slightly unconventional; he’s partaking in physical, demanding work to become a professional dancer. And while he’s busy, Devon describes his work as ‘very practical.’ He especially appreciates the teachers who specialize in different dance techniques and are incredibly supportive. ‘They really care – it’s so nice to have that in a dance and university setting,’ he explains. 

When she wasn’t busy with her history coursework, Charlotte loved joining the clubs at St Andrew’s – fencing, archery, horseback riding, and more. She felt the annual activities at her university were also like something out of a Harry Potter film, with balls, fashion shows, and an authentic Oktoberfest. Life as a UK student was simply fun. 

Both Charlotte and Devon reflect on the many different international students at their universities, including others from the US. Charlotte says, ‘Everyone was so nice; they were all very open to learning about different cultures.’ 

Outside their universities’ activities, Charlotte continued exploring Scotland and greater Europe with road trips, castle visits in the Highlands, and quick plane rides to other, close countries. ‘The accessibility of it all,’ she reflects. Devon has also done his sightseeing when he has some downtime from his exciting but demanding schedule; from trips around Europe to nightlife in Glasgow, being in the UK has been a whirlwind. 

 

The long-term impacts of a UK experience

Beyond the coursework and the community fun, Devon and Charlotte acknowledge how impactful the UK student experience has been. ‘It got me out of my shell,’ says Charlotte. ‘You have more of an understanding of how the world is all interconnected.’ 

‘There’s a slogan here,’ explains Devon, ‘‘People make Glasgow,’ and they really do. It’s nice to experience something new, learn someone else’s lifestyle, and learn from each other overall. I feel safe here – I feel safe to be myself.’ 

 

Charlotte graduated from the University of St Andrew’s in 2019 with a bachelor’s of history. Devon is in his third and final year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and will graduate in July 2025 with a bachelor’s of arts in modern ballet.

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