#WeAreInternational: Taru’s Story of Studying and Working in the UK

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) #WeAreInternational campaign is back for its tenth year, celebrating the amazing achievements by international students in the UK.

To mark the occasion (and to show what makes the UK such a great study abroad destination) we caught up with our Content Writer, Taru Medha, who moved to the UK from India in 2020 to study a Masters in Global Journalism at the University of Sheffield, before joining the FindAUniversity team in 2022!

We chat about her experience of studying and working in the UK, and her advice for other international students looking to follow in her footsteps.

Why did you decide to study in the UK?

I've always wanted to come to the UK – since I was 10 years old! As I did Journalism for my Bachelors and then my Masters, an English-speaking country was the obvious choice. I didn’t look at any other countries when I was researching options for a Masters abroad.

How did you feel when you first stepped off the plane into the UK?

I had a mixture of feelings! It was very nerve-wracking because I travelled right in the middle of the pandemic – and I travelled alone. Funnily enough, I didn’t cry before leaving India. I cried when we landed, because it’s just the realisation that what you’ve dreamt of all your life has come true and you’re here. It’s a wave of emotion.

Did you feel supported when you first arrived?

I took a cab to Sheffield and by chance the cab driver was also of Indian origin, so seeing a familiar face as the first person you interact with was really nice. I also have to give props to the university. They were extremely helpful. I remember going to my accommodation office for basically anything and getting a reply within an hour.

People in Sheffield are generally really nice – they’ll say good morning to you no matter what! So small things like that really make a difference.

How did studying in the UK compare to studying in India?

It’s very different. I think primarily it’s the independence. In India, you’re given very specific guidance from your professors, which is very task focused. A lot of our assignments were writing journalistic content for newspapers, both inside and outside of the university.

My Masters was a lot more theory focused, which was a big jump for me. I’d never done academic writing before. It did come as a surprise, but the university had loads of resources which helped me get the hang of academic writing and referencing.

What do you love most about being in the UK?

I've never not felt at home here. I think it’s the diversity more than anything. Going to university, I’ve met so many international students and meeting new people has definitely helped me settle in.

Would you recommend the UK as a study abroad destination?

Yes, I would definitely recommend it! Given its contribution to literature, science and the arts – there is a lot of world history that has originated from the UK. And they do take academia really seriously. I haven’t met a professor or academic who doesn’t really love what they’re doing.

And outside of academia, there’s so much to do. Whether that’s engaging with your Students’ Union, or just taking in the culture of the country, there’s so much to see.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of studying in the UK?

Pack warm clothes, and always, always have an umbrella in your bag!

I also think it’s good to sharpen up your English skills, and maybe look up some local slang or some colloquialisms. You could also learn a bit about British pop culture – I think that just sort of makes talking to people and finding common ground easier.

Obviously you’ll need to prepare academically as well, but it’s also important to prepare for your life as a student too. That’s more of what you’ll take away – the time you spend outside of university is what will stay with you forever.

Why did you choose to work in the UK after graduating?

It felt like the most obvious progression because I have always imagined a life here. There was no guarantee that I would get a job, but given that I’d already done a Masters here and that was already on my CV, it seemed like giving it a try was the obvious step.

What are the main benefits of working the UK?

If I speak from a journalistic point of view, because that was my area of study (although the job I do now is only tangentially related to that), I was always more appreciative of some forms of journalism in the UK.

There’s also more work-life balance than working in an Indian company. The fact that I can log off at 5pm and not worry about work for the rest of the evening is a huge bonus, especially when I compare it to my friends working in India.

What do you like most about working in the UK and at FindAUniversity?

I have been very, very lucky with my first job in the UK because the people at FindAUniversity are extremely welcoming and supportive. I haven’t felt misunderstood or left out in any way, shape or form.

Of course, there’s a lot of career growth which is pretty evident – when I first joined I was just writing content, but now I’ve progressed into video content and other forms of content creation. But I think the biggest jump I’ve made is in personal development, whether it’s navigating a professional environment or just managing relationships. I’ve grown into a much more confident person since joining FindAUniversity.

What advice would you give to someone considering working in the UK after graduation?

I think it's very important to be picky with your first job because I think that is what will inform your entire experience. Finding your dream job on the first go is practically impossible for anybody – but you can still be very mindful of what you want from the work culture and people. And ask questions at your interviews that will give you an idea of the work-life balance you can expect.

Even when you move countries, your responsibilities back home never really go away – and you can only physically be in one place at a time! So if your workplace can give you that freedom and help you manage both, then I think it’s the right place for you.