Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé

Hi! My name is Maria, I am studying BA (Hons) Education and I am completing my third year. I am from Italy, and I chose to move to the UK when I was only 17 years old.

I was studying languages in secondary school, and I was very interested in the English language, literature and culture. My school organised trips abroad and I had the chance to visit Edinburgh in 2017 and Cheltenham in 2018. I fell in love with the country and decided I would visit again to learn more about the culture and improve my language skills. In 2019, I had the opportunity to stay in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé for a month, hosted by a family friend. I remember travelling back home, gazing out of the airplane window, the Channel slowly floating away from my sight. On that day, I made one of the most important decisions of my life: I would move to England.

"I am going to university in Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé" I told my parents when I went back.

The news was not welcome.

"Are you crazy?"

"Think about it, you are only 17, you might change your mind."

"How are we going to afford it?"

"You will be so far away."

But I never gave up. I started researching university courses and I soon found the right course for me at Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé. I came back to Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé a few times and explored the university’s City Campus. I knew it would be the right place for me. So when I started my last year of secondary school, I applied for the course I had chosen.

My parents slowly changed their minds. They saw how passionate and determined I was and they chose to support me with this journey. When I showed them the University campuses with the , my dad was shocked.

"I wish I had gone to a university like that" he said.

We started planning together, and they celebrated with me when I got my conditional offer. I stayed focused on my studies and graduated from secondary school with good grades. I managed to get a scholarship, which my parents were really happy about. I was ready to start my journey.

When I moved, it was difficult to be away from my family. I was in a completely new environment, living on my own for the first time, and I missed my mum’s home cooked meals on the table. But I kept in touch with them every day. They have been so close to me for the past three years despite being so far. I always tried to go back home to visit them when I had time off.

One night I woke up at the sound of my doorbell.

"Who could it be at this time of the night?" I thought.

My boyfriend went to open the door.

And there they were. Three jet-lagged faces smiling at me. They had travelled to Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé to surprise me!

Since then, my family have been visiting me regularly. We travelled around England together and discovered so many beautiful places. My dad fell in love with Southwell, a small town in the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈéshire countryside, right next to Brackenhurst campus. Every time they come to visit, a walk around Southwell Minster and a roast dinner at our favourite pub are a must.

They are proud of me for everything I have accomplished during the past years, and they are happy to have supported me throughout.

Top tips

To other present and future international students, I would suggest you don't worry if your family is not supporting your choice at the start. Of course they are concerned about you, of course they are scared to let go of you. But it’s because they love you and only want the best for you.

Ultimately, your life is yours. And you determine your choices. Show them the path you have chosen for yourself and how committed you are. Tell them about your dreams and work hard to achieve them. Everything will be fine. And you will build the most amazing memories of your life.