What our students say

Every year we see our students grow in confidence and become more independent as they explore their passions and interests through a flexible programme of study.

We asked some of them what they would want to know as a new study abroad student. This is what they said.

ANYA WANGSUWAN

Study abroad student 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 University 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. As part of my course we have designers come in and talk to us which is very interesting to learn what my future career may look like. I have also been on a few studio visits which have been informative and exciting. I was both nervous and excited when I started studying at Brighton University. However, everyone was extremely friendly and made me feel welcomed. I knew from the first day that I would enjoy my time here. Teaching here is much more open and self-directed. We are given a brief for a project and it is then basically up to you how you approach the project and what you decide to do. I found this way of teaching to be interesting and it has taught me to become more independent and selfdirected.

I have learned many new skills such as such as letterpress and bookbinding and I have pushed myself to experiment more with my work. 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 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

Study abroad student from Illinois, USA

I’m a junior (third year student) majoring in Environmental Studies and History.

I’m really happy I chose the courses I did in Brighton. They all offered unique perspectives on their respective topics that I couldn’t really get back home. I think this will help with my degrees because both history and environmental issues have strong international components. So, getting to learn how these topics are viewed in a different country is a great experience to have. Since 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 selfreliance.

There is more independent kind of learning than what I’m used to, which is an adjustment, but it allows for 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. There’s the study abroad office, which has really been so incredible, and so many other people willing to help you out. Brighton has its own sense of style and is off the beaten path. You really get to learn about and 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 less than a half 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.

AMY GOSSI

Study abroad student from Idaho, USA

I’m a double major in Education and Mathematics from Idaho and studied abroad in my senior year. I chose the University of Brighton because of its amazing location, affordable prices and variety of classes.

The university had so many options and transferable classes that every one that I took made progress in my degree back home! After arriving in Brighton, I quickly felt at home. The staff is always available if you ever have questions or need help with any kind of support. They genuinely care about each student and want us all to have the most amazing experience. For all my classes the professors were genuinely excited about the subject they were teaching and had lots of experience. I went to my psychology seminar every week excited because the professor knew my name and wanted to learn from us as much as she wanted to teach.

The University of Brighton made my academic life easy but also offered much outside of the classroom. Guided field trips gave me the chance to see more of England, spend time with my new friends, and make even more memories I’m going to treasure forever.