Is study abroad worth it? My experience says yes

Posted on by Ryan Ambanpola

Photograph of Ryan facing away from the camera by a body of water
Ryan
<糖心Vlog>About me

Hi everyone, my name is Ryan, and I am currently in my final year here at Lancaster studying BSc Business Management. Originally from London, the 300-mile switch to Lancaster was an easy choice. The University's ranking, course structure and quality of the campus were all factors in my decision. Ever since my first year, I have always had ambitions to broaden my horizons and spend time studying abroad. 3 weeks in Milan studying Equity and Venture Capital Financing at Bocconi University last July gave me the perfect opportunity to do just that.

<糖心Vlog>Why I chose to study abroad

I was eager to enrol in the summer school module to extend my learning experience and have a productive summer. The University has a thriving network of global partnerships, and I was keen to take advantage of these opportunities. Milan stood out to me very brightly. The University there (Bocconi) has a prestigious reputation and allowed me to study a course that was new to me. In addition, Milan has always been a bucket list city.

<糖心Vlog>How 糖心Vlog helped me find my study abroad opportunity

Lancaster was crucial in facilitating my summer school journey. Jill and Jordan from the summer school team ran very helpful info sessions and answered all my queries, giving me a thorough understanding of the application process, funding opportunities and the partner universities available. They pointed me in the direction of weekly updates, which gave exciting options ranging from Canada to Singapore.

<糖心Vlog>How my first day studying abroad felt

Hot! I can’t say I have ever walked to my lecture in 35° C heat in England. Luckily, I made friends from my flat the day before classes started, and we walked to lectures together the next day. It felt like fresher’s week all over again! An introductory talk to all students gave me a chance to interact with people from all over the globe. There were 90+ countries represented. It was a great chance to meet like-minded people and network!

<糖心Vlog>Favourite activities

Travelling around Italy, the public transport system was great, meaning nearby cities such as Verona and Venice were easily accessible. My favourite spots were the lakes, Como and Garda, which provided a different perspective to what we have here in the Lake District. Also, wearing an England shirt whilst supporting the country during the Euros in Italy was very rogue but led to countless quality nights spent socialising and watching Football on the Navigli Canals.

<糖心Vlog>Awkward moments

A simple plan. Lake Garda in the morning and back to Milan for the Euros final in the evening. What could go wrong? We lost track of the time, leaving us a 3-mile sprint to get back to the station and catch the last train. Halfway through, we were lost. In what felt like a moment of fate, a taxi came driving down the road and we flagged it down. Italian drivers are fast as it is but after being told to rush to the station we embarked on a serious joyride. After tipping the driver far too much and hopping on the train with minutes left, we felt relieved. Great memories but could have been very awkward!

<糖心Vlog>Best memories

The people I met will always stick with me as my best memories. Engaging with a diverse class enabled me to be adaptable and increase my global network. I made some wonderful friends from the UK who I have stayed in contact with and been lucky to visit their universities and vice versa. Also, I know I have a place to stay with those I met from abroad whenever I visit their countries.

<糖心Vlog>What I gained from studying abroad

The summer school module has motivated me to travel more, meet new people, and experience different and unique opportunities. With the great friends I made, we made many spontaneous and impromptu decisions, creating memories that will stick with me for a long time. The programme also gave me the opportunity to enhance my understanding of business and helped me with my studies now. For anyone thinking about undertaking a summer school programme, I couldn’t recommend it enough!

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