The Global Mobility Experience Bursary (GMEB) was funded by the King’s Race Equity and Inclusive Education Fund with the aim of the Bursary to address the participation gap between students of minority ethnicities in Study Abroad activities – both in outgoing King’s degree students studying abroad as part of their degree, and in incoming students coming to King’s for a semester or year.
The Global Mobility Office awarded 20x £500 student bursaries to enhance student experience during Study Abroad activities in the 2022/23 academic year. Students were required to submit an application and answer questions on their personal, academic and professional motivations to study abroad, their plans for how they would spend the money and how that would impact and enhance their study abroad experience.
By sharing student experiences on our social media and blogs, we hope to inspire those who are unsure whether studying abroad is an option for them. We also want to show some of interesting, unusual and transformative experiences that were made possible by the Bursary.
So without further ado, we hope you enjoy reading our Student Success Stories that you will see featured in this blog!
We have four brand spanking new Peer Advisors to help both incoming and outgoing Study Abroad students this academic year! If you’ve got a question for them, pop along to their office hours.
Viola will be in K0.57 on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 – 12:30.
Hello! My name is Viola, I’m one of the new Global Mobility Peer Advisors for this academic year. I’m a fourth-year student studying Management and Spanish at King’s College.
During my studies, I had the incredible opportunity to spend the third year in Madrid. I completed the first semester at Universidad Carlos III and the second semester interning at Bloom Consulting. My time in Madrid was absolutely amazing, and I would absolutely recommend studying abroad during your university years.
Paella – a must eat!
Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, experience new cultures, and gain a global perspective. It not only enhances your academic and language skills but also fosters personal growth and independence. Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet incredible people from all around the world, forging international friendships that last a lifetime
From my personal experience, I understand that studying abroad can come with some challenges. Adapting to a new culture, being far from home, and facing language barriers can be tough. However, the key is to stay open-minded, embrace these challenges as opportunities to grow, and connect with fellow students and locals. You are not alone in this incredible journey, as many students are going through the exact same experiences. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need a chat or advice.
If you’re an incoming student at King’s College, here’s some advice to kickstart your university journey. Firstly, don’t miss out on the opportunity to join our numerous societies; it’s a fantastic way to meet people who share your interests, broaden your horizons, and even enhance your CV. Beyond that, don’t forget to explore the vibrant city of London and make the most of the incredible cultural experiences it offers.
Some of my favourite places to explore in London
Speaking of London, when it’s sunny one of my favorite activities is picnicking in Hyde Park or St. James’s Park, where you can enjoy nature in the heart of the city and spend quality time with friends
Additionally, I highly recommend wandering through Notting Hill, especially exploring the vibrant Portobello Road Market. It’s a treasure trove of unique antiques and vintage finds. Lastly, remember to strike a balance between your coursework and self-care – this is key to a successful university life. Enjoy your time at King’s and make the most of every moment in this incredible city!
We have four brand spanking new Peer Advisors to help both incoming and outgoing Study Abroad students this academic year! If you’ve got a question for them, pop along to their office hours.
Andrew will be in K0.57 on Monday afternoons from 2-4
Hello everyone! My name is Andrew – I’m one of four global mobility peer advisors this year.
I’m in my final year of my BA International Relations degree, and studied abroad at the University of Hong Kong from 2022-3.
In return for taking on some small challenges, studying abroad afforded me some incredible, unique, and rewarding experiences that I recommend everyone to have during their university. I was able to join countless societies at HKU, experience local dormitory/hall life, study politics from a different country’s perspective, choose multiple fascinating modules both related to, and separate from, my degree, and make friends –local and international – who I’m still in touch with now. Studying abroad, especially in Hong Kong, also gave me amazing opportunities to travel – I was able to easily visit Mainland China, Macau, Japan, and Vietnam. I’m sure that with Covid restrictions completely lifted, if you study abroad, your travel options will be even more diverse.
Mask wearing was very strict in HKViews from up highCity lights
London is a fantastic city to study abroad in. I’m sure you will visit all the normal sites like Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly, Oxford Circus, and so on, but I’d recommend to you 3 less-trafficked places of in London that I think are well worth a visit. The London Mithraeum is an Roman-era temple in London dedicated to Mithras, an Iranian, and later Roman, God. It’s free to visit, immerses you in the Roman experience, and displays religious artifacts from that time. It’s only a 10-minute tube ride from King’s! The Golden Hinde is a reconstruction of a British ship from the 1500s which circumnavigated the world. Just a stone’s throw away from there is Borough Market – in my opinion, one of the best places to get food in all of London, alongside the South Bank.
London is well-known for its role as a global financial and legal hub. If you’re interested in law, business, and so on, I highly recommend a visit to the City of London and Canary Wharf to see the headquarters of some of the world’s largest companies and some incredible architecture.
I’m sure questions will emerge as you get started on your academics at King’s. If you need help, feel free to speak to me in my office hours or contact the Global Mobility Office, and we will advise you and point you in the right direction.
I wish you all the best in exploring the varied and exciting courses on offer at King’s. Have a great semester!
We have four brand spanking new Peer Advisors to help both incoming and outgoing Study Abroad students this academic year! If you’ve got a question for them, pop along to their office hours.
Anan will be in K0.57 on Tuesday afternoons from 2-4.
Greetings, fellow scholars! I’mAnan, your trusty Global Mobility Peer Advisor, and I’m thrilled to be your guide on this exciting academic journey. Currently, I’m immersed in my third year of studies, pursuing a degree in Geography with a focus on Environmental Science. While I may call the UK my current home, my family’s origins trace back to the vibrant cultures of India and Bangladesh.
Now, let me pull back the curtain a bit and introduce myself more intimately. I have a deep-rooted love for travel that ignites my spirit, and I’m an unabashed foodie, always eager to embark on culinary adventures. My curiosity leads me to new horizons and experiences, and I relish every opportunity to embrace the unknown.
This past summer, I embarked on a transformative journey to ESSEC BUSINESS SCHOOL in Rabat, Morocco. To put it simply, it was a life-changing experience! Not only did I have the privilege of making enduring friendships, but I also dove headfirst into the captivating worlds of innovation and entrepreneurship. Morocco’s diverse landscape allowed me to explore a range of sports, from the exhilarating waves of surfing to the precision of tennis, the tranquility of golf, the focus of archery, and the camaraderie of football, pool, and table tennis.
Some of the things I experienced on my Summer exchange!
Now, as you prepare to step into the exciting realm of academia at Kings College London, here’s a piece of sage advice from someone who’s been there: embrace every opportunity this esteemed institution has to offer. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of extracurricular activities. Engage in the vibrant society events that will bring you closer to like-minded peers. And remember, London is a treasure trove of knowledge and culture, with an array of free museums and exhibitions waiting to be explored. Don’t hesitate to grab your friends and embark on these enriching adventures. Let’s make your academic experience at Kings College an unforgettable chapter in your life’s story. Welcome aboard, and let’s soar to new heights together!
We have four brand spanking new Peer Advisors to help both incoming and outgoing Study Abroad students this academic year! If you’ve got a question for them, pop along to their office hours.
Aitana will be in K0.57 on Friday mornings from 11-1.
Hi, my name is Aitana and I’m one of your Global Mobility Peer Advisors for the 2023/2024 academic year!
I am currently a fourth-year Biomedical Sciences student here at King’s. I just came back from my year abroad at Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore, US. For those of you that have never heard of it before (don’t worry, I hadn’t either), Baltimore is a city in between New York City and Washington DC.
Growing up, I moved around every 3 to 5 years (which was, as one would expect, exciting yet incredibly stressful). I had even moved away from my home in Switzerland to attend university here in London. I had however never been so far away from my family and friends; after all, Baltimore is a whole transatlantic journey away. Yes, it was scary and overwhelming at first, but (thankfully) I wasn’t alone! The Peer Advisors at Johns Hopkins helped me through every challenge I encountered, big or small, whether it was advising me on where to go grocery shopping or helping me navigate the university’s complicated system for choosing classes.
Going abroad was one of the best decisions I have ever made; it challenged me in ways I never expected and helped me grow so much as an individual. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity, and hope that you will feel the same about your own study abroad experience.
Ice skating on the JHU campus (I’m in the colourful trousers)A day trip to DC! I’m second from left
Now, some tips and tricks about studying in London…
London is an amazing, vibrant city with lots to offer students; I like to think of it as the New York City of Europe! I truly believe that it has something out there for everyone. If you like to go to museums, and exhibitions, you have lots (and most of them are free for students!). You can check out the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern, and even go to some cool immersive exhibitions like Dopamine Land, Dali cybernetics or the Van Gogh exhibit. If you’re more of a go to a park and paint or read a book kind of person, there are lots of pretty parks around London; Regent’s, St James’, Holland park, Kensington gardens, Hampstead Heath…If you’d rather do all the touristy things people first think of when they think of London, you can do that too! You can check out the London eye, Buckingham Palace, or even go on a guided tour in one of those big, red buses.
While all of this can be incredibly overwhelming, you are not alone! You have us Peer Advisors at your disposal, and you’ll be going through this experience alongside a big group of exchange students that are just as excited and overwhelmed as you are.
I’m very grateful that I get to be a part of your study abroad experience and very excited to meet you all and hear your stories!
