Overseas Opportunities

‘A record number of students applied to overseas universities this year. Ben Davies, who hopes to become an Environmental Consultant, has already received an offer from McGill University in Quebec to study Environmental Studies; Jannace Bond has received an offer from the University of Toronto to study Architecture and Bader Jalal has received an offer from Northeastern University in Boston, USA. There are a further four Upper Sixth students waiting for offers from the USA and two who have applied to institutions in the Republic of Ireland. The next academic year looks even more exciting with students looking to apply to the USA, Canada, The Netherlands, France and the Republic of Ireland to study a wide range of subjects. Lancing is always keen to support students considering continuing their studies at overseas universities. Helen Robinson, Overseas Higher Education Coordinator, spoke to us about this year’s applicants and the ways in which pupils can benefit from our overseas programme: There is a wealth of information and help available through the school, and Unifrog, the go-to website for information about universities, has an extensive overseas section. Part of my role as Overseas Higher Education Coordinator is to organise international education fairs here at the College. Whilst the event planned for this term had to be cancelled, we hope to be able to continue organising such events in the next academic year. At the end of February we hosted a visit from David Hawkins, an independent university adviser, who spent time chatting to current Lower Sixth students and advising them about applying to the USA.

It is important for students to realise that if they are serious about applying overseas they need to start preparing now.’

Jannace Bond, Upper Sixth writes: ‘I have applied to Canadian universities in addition to UCAS because I want to study in a new country and experience a different culture. I believe that Lancing has really given me the confidence and the support to do so. I already have an offer to study architecture at the University of Toronto and I am waiting on a decision from The University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Most Canadian universities like UBC offer a Co-op programme during the four-year course; this gives students the opportunity to gain work experience and build networks in the field, which is something I am really looking forward to.

Unlike the US application system, I didn’t have to sit any additional examinations like the SATs, so it was relatively easy to apply with my A Level predicted grades. The only drawback is the cold weather!’

Jack Taylor (School 2012–2017) has benefited hugely from his time at Maastricht University; alongside his degree in European Studies, Jack has learnt to speak Dutch and improved his German by participating in an exchange semester in Switzerland. Jack says: ‘The course is unique in that it is based on problem-based learning and covers a wide range of important topics such as European law, economics and politics. I definitely have zero regrets about going abroad because there is so much to see and do!’

With a strong football background and academic standing, Landry Cheta (Teme 2015–2017) applied for a sports scholarship to study Biology in the US. Now a Student-Athlete at Georgian Court University in New Jersey, Landry says: ‘My experience abroad has been full of excitement and adventure to which I would not have been exposed to back home. I have been able to meet students from different parts of the globe here, and the same mantra is repeated by all of them: Just do it! It’s true; overcoming those first thoughts of trepidation truly makes the experience even more valuable.’