The experience of moving to a new country for university is difficult to put into words. The minute you step here, your feelings become like colours in a rainbow. Too many at a time, but too pretty too! You feel the warmth in the change, excitement in the uncertainty, and finally feel independent, despite feeling homesick. All at once. When I first arrived, the weather, lifestyle, food, and culture all seemed very unfamiliar. Like many other international students, I had the same doubts: “Would I fit in?” “Will this place ever feel like home?” is a very normal question. But once I started exploring around the city, it actually started to feel like home!

Manchester, the city with red bricks blending in with glass facades, a combination of both old and new architecture in the same lane, and the gradual evolution of the street with respect to the changing world and needs, makes the city feel like a living classroom for my course. When I started my first semester studying Urban Design and International Planning (UDIP), the course curriculum felt both exciting and challenging. I had a very different education system back home, and this transition needed some adjustment. However, the professors and staff were very understanding and supportive throughout. We also have a dedicated urban design lab, the MUD lab, which provides all the necessary resources, from a pen to an A0 printer, within the studio itself.

Apart from that, we had specially organized walking tours by our professors, which were an amazing opportunity for us to familiarize ourselves with the streets of Manchester and its history. The planning in Manchester is way beyond just the policies or drawings. The tours taught us many practical design implications, which helped us understand the subject on a whole different level. Upon understanding the theory for the Urban Design module, we were supposed to work on a real site for the entire semester. We have a dedicated module to understand planning and its policies across the world.

I struggled with the core module presentation, but dedicated software and presentation skills sessions helped a lot. In seminars, students from diverse backgrounds present examples from their home countries, making discussions open and inclusive. Eventually, life outside the classroom felt more welcoming. From quiet study spots to meet deadlines to cultural life that relieves stress, everything helped me feel settled.

My favourite spot is the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons, which is accessible 24/7, making it very convenient and safe for students. Also, the student union and student hubs provide all sorts of support, from essentials to job hunting. There are a lot of career fairs happening very often, where I had a chance to meet representatives from many renowned companies. It helped me understand market standards and what I need to improve. Additionally, we had a study tour in the first semester to Newcastle, which played a huge part in our learning as we had a chance to practically study and compare planning systems. All I would say is that UDIP is an amazing course with a perfect blend of practical and theoretical approaches, and the University of Manchester is the best place to call HOME. As an international student, it’s not easy, but it’s totally worth it. 

Written by Jahnavi, a current postgraduate student in SEED

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