Jahla Wilson from the USA
"I’ve always wanted to study abroad and when looking at different programmes I wanted to choose somewhere different from where I was from. In Ohio I didn’t have access to a beach and seeing the city has so much to do was a big influence.
"Brighton is smaller than London but not too small that I feel like everyone would know each other and I would then be an outsider. There's enough for me to see and do so I won't be bored and feel overwhelmed in a huge city.”
Anya Wangsuwan from New Zealand
"Doing this student exchange has been one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life. I have met some incredible and talented people and have had some incredible experiences.
"I am a Graphic Design major. Studying at Brighton has opened up so many opportunities for me and has allowed me to experiment with new techniques and ideas. My course has allowed me to attend seminars and local design studios which has been very inspiring. For one of our design briefs, I had the opportunity to utilise my design skills to create a piece of work for an international company.
"I was both nervous and excited when I started studying at the University of Brighton. However, everyone was extremely friendly and made me feel welcome. I knew from the first day that I would enjoy my time here. My course tutors have been extremely helpful and supportive. If I ever had any questions, I could email my tutors and set up a time to meet with them. They were very reassuring during the start of the semester when I was still adjusting to the different ways of learning.
"I have become more confident and independent during my time at Brighton. By pushing myself past my comfort zone, it has allowed me to meet new people and experience a different style of living. Brighton is a brilliant city for international students and has always got something going on. I absolutely love it here.
"How would I describe my experience in three words? Amazing, life changing and unforgettable."
Andrew Baumann from the USA
"I'm really happy I chose the [modules] I did at Brighton. They all offered unique perspectives on their respective topics that I couldn't really get back home.
"Coming to England has been both the farthest I've been from home, and the longest time I've been away. It's given me a certain confidence and comfort in my own independence and self-reliance. There is more independent learning than what I'm used to, which is an adjustment, but it allows me to decide when I want to learn outside of a traditional class schedule.
"It's been surprisingly easy to settle in to Brighton. There are so many support systems in place. The Study Abroad Office has really been so incredible, and so many other people [are] willing to help you out.
"Brighton has its own sense of style. You really get to feel at home in this smaller, diverse seaside city. But you're still closely connected to London and the rest of Europe with Gatwick Airport being half an hour away.
"The field trips have all been really cool because they've been to places I wouldn't necessarily pick out for myself, and yet they've given me a much better awareness and appreciation of what this part of the UK is like.
"I think what's made me most glad that I came to Brighton is the friends I've made. It's such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience that you really get this special bond with all the people you go through it with."
