Oxford Brookes University

the international student life is a wonderful experience but I don't think it is open to everybody. The student has to have a certain maturity and independance, the will to learn and share from other culture. The key word to study abroad is: flexibility. For those who think that their country/culture is the best one and that they don't need to learn from others, my advice is then "Stay at home"! (except if you think that the French footbal team is the best one in the World, that is not a problem: you are right!). Last comment: what I did not like is all the stereotypes linked to a nationality: French people are always late, German are boring... These kind of ideas narrow your mind: forget about them/ Same logic when you meet people who are prejudiced: show them that you are French (or any other nationality), yes, that it happens that you are late, eat bread and wine... but these are not your first caracter traits! And last advice: go there to study and do it seriously, yes, but have fun as well and enjoy the local habits!

There was really a lot to do in the courses, and many in the class ended up having no life outside the classroom. It is important to relax, it even contributes to better grades! So get out and do something. I started doing tae kwon do, and got to know even more people, mostly English this time, and I still keep in touch with them. Also try to travel a bit around England. To my great shame, I have only been to Lond twice in 6 months, which is a bit sad.

It is a good idea to invest in a computer before coming to Brookes, as the computer facilites are quite cramped. I had to rent a computer on several occasions so I could hand in papers on time! Housing is expensive in Oxford (about the same as in London), so come prepared, especially if you plan on renting a flat on your own. I worked 9 hours every Saturdays in a store. Part-time jobs are easy to find, and foreign students can work up to a certain number of hours a week (15-20?) without paying income taxes.

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