One semester in Reading, a lifetime in my heart <3

Dear Reader,

My name is Oihana and I’m a second-year student from Bilbao. Ever since I started my degree, the idea of studying abroad always filled me with excitement. And I couldn’t be more grateful for the choice I made. Reading is much more than just a town near London. It became my first ever home away from my country.

I’ve always felt a certain attraction for England that’s hard to put into words. Perhaps it’s related to my passion for the literary authors it keeps, its green landscapes or how predictable the weather is, always covered with a romantic mist.

The truth is, I didn’t know anyone who was coming to Reading, nor had any personal references. So I was pleasantly surprised by it all. The university’s organization for the international students was impeccable. Shout out to the study abroad office! They gave us time and a space to get to know each other and that was crucial. We had an orientation week prior to the beginning of the semester to settle; full with activities to make friends and engage with the new environment. And from then on, it was a piece of cake!

As far as the academic side is concerned, I’ve had the chance to choose subjects that interest me, which I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do anywhere else. And I’ve found the assessment and study methods to be straightforward and accessible. And the environment in class is proactive and engaging. It’s not a heavy workload, so there’s plenty of time left over to enjoy your personal life.

Going abroad to study gives you independence and social skills; it takes you out of your comfort zone and that opens up endless possibilities. During my time in Reading, I had the purpose to get to know the country and its surroundings as best as possible. Both through SAO —Bath, Stonehenge and Brighton— and on my own— Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Ireland and soon enough, Edinburgh 😀
I immensely recommend getting a railcard!

So, if you are applying for a study abroad programme and considering Reading, I’d encourage you to go for it! Not only because of its location, which gives you the chance to explore England with ease, but also because, although Reading isn’t recognised as a city, it’s a very large town with plenty to offer: active uni-life, bars, shops, a mall, nightlife…Reading simply has everything you need!