As my mind wandered back to the days where I was in London, UK, for studying MA TESOL Pre-service at UCL, some of the memories stood out. This short article will only discuss a tiny aspect of being a postgraduate student in London, and the experience may vary.
Searching for accommodation can be a nerve-wracking activity since thousands of students also fight for a place. This can be anticipated by contacting prospective accommodation(s) earlier in the year. There are plenty of websites which advertise any types of private accommodation such as Gumtree, Rightmove, and Zoopla. Do not forget to see if your university provides its own residences and student houses.
As a postgraduate student, be also prepared with strong reading and academic writing skills, as well as critical thinking. These skills are essential to get you through the study. Most programmes will assess your understanding of a subject by asking you to write one or more essays. Do not worry, as your university will provide support for academic writing for free. Also, depending on the programme, you will have a one-time tutorial with a lecturer to discuss your essay draft.
However, being a postgraduate student is not always about studying. Being involved in university clubs and societies allows you to jump out of your comfort zone. Although not for everyone, doing voluntary works will give you a lasting sweet taste, and there are unlimited possibilities to get a part-time job. If you are from Indonesia, Indonesian Students Association (Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia) might be a great place to start. You may want to challenge yourself to be involved in conferences and seminars – free or paid –, as a presenter or as an attendant.
Also, if religion plays a central role in your well-being, most universities provide you with religious facilities. You can also join religious student associations, and there are also local religious centres in which you can join. Entertainment is greatly provided, from free museums, public libraries, cinemas, bars, also beautiful parks in the city to wind down. Just choose which suits you best.
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Lidya Pawestri Ayuningtyas is an English lecturer, translator, and creative writer. An LPDP awardee, she holds an MA in TESOL Pre-service from University College London, a bachelor in English literature from University of Indonesia, and diploma degree from State Polytechnic of Jakarta where she is currently teaching.