| My advice to other students would be to always join a course abroad from the first year itself, rather than joining the course in its second or third year as there are enough changes to deal with. Joining a course in the latter semesters would turn out to be difficult for them in more ways than one. I did not have to write any exams as I was transferring from a college in Delhi which had an affiliation with the University abroad. I did not use the service of educational counselors either as I went directly to the University through family in the UK. I did need a VISA. The VISA interview experience was short, simple and straightforward. It was simple to get tickets to my destination as well. I flew Lufthansa and Qatar Airways. The airlines did not offer a student fare. I landed at Manchester Airport. This airport was approximately an hour away, by road, from the institution. There were baggage rules but excessive baggage was allowed for students. The only problem was if you travelled back to your hometown in between, excessive baggage wasn’t allowed and then in that case not allowed when you travel back home once and for all too. I did not face immigration issues apart from not having some X – Ray which they needed but no one mentioned this to me in advance. They said they would send a Health Officer to my residence in their country but no one followed up so all was smooth. The university did not offer any service at the airport. I was not very happy with the way the program was structured as they did not make field assignments easier for students from abroad who may not have contacts to complete their assignment with as much ease as students that are citizens of the UK. The professors were smart and helpful. The lecture halls were fine. The library was good but apparently nothing to match some other better universities in the UK. I was living on campus in a flat that was shared with four girls each in their respective room with a common bathroom, kitchen and living room. It was very tough for international students to get hold of part time jobs. The social scene was very lax as compared to the hullabaloo in Delhi, India. The population of Preston was mostly university crowd with a smattering of residents of the town. There was an international student society but I wasn’t a part of it.
The university did have a placement cell but it was tough for international students to get jobs. There was a campus placement process too. They set up stalls in some part of the university and asked you to fill details about yourself. I do not know what the process was like further, in later stages. I did not apply for a work permit. There was an alumni society in the university and it was fairly active. I do not know if the alumni helped with placements or not.
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