Johanna came to Strathclyde from her home country, Canada, for a postgraduate degree. Find out below why she chose to come and study with us and what she enjoyed most about Glasgow and life at Strathclyde.
I chose Strathclyde because... it had the exact course that I wanted. After I completed my undergraduate degree, I knew I wanted to specialise in the area of Forensic Science. I looked for Masters level courses in Canada (where I am from), however there was no course of this type available. So I began looking outside of Canada. The Masters of Forensic Science programme at the University of Strathclyde appealed to me the most.
As the longest running Forensic Science programme in the UK, I felt confident that the teaching would be first-rate.
As an international student, it was also important to me that the programme was accredited, which ensured that my education and training would be recognised worldwide.
Finally, I chose Strathclyde because many friends confirmed it was a wonderful university and that Scotland was a beautiful country.
The application process was... very straightforward! I applied a month after finishing my undergraduate degree, so I had my final transcripts. I spent an evening completing applications and the next morning I was contacted by an individual within the Centre of Forensic Science. They made me an offer of a place in the programme. Since I had my final transcripts I received an unconditional offer by the end of the week.
I have never experienced such a fast reply or personal communication during an application process.
I had never been to Scotland... before arriving to start my Masters degree. I did not know what to expect but I was excited for the new adventure!
My favourite part about living in Glasgow was... being able to explore the city. It's very different from cities in Canada. The historical architecture is stunning; I was always in awe on my walk to class! The city is very lively. I enjoyed the street performers on Buchanan Street, Christmas markets, various festivals, and the 2018 European Championships!
Strathclyde and Glasgow are both very welcoming... as an international student, I did not know anyone when I moved to Scotland; therefore it was very important for me to join different groups.
The Strathclyde International Society is a great way to meet other students and experience the best of Scotland and Glasgow.
I also joined a local church. They were very welcoming to new students and had different groups that were available to join. This was a way for me to meet people outside of university and build connections with a broader range of people.
The best thing about uni life... was the little family that developed with the people in my program. Most of us were international so we quickly became each other’s support network. We would create study groups and celebrate together after the completion of big projects or exams.
I love travelling... and wanted to see as much of Scotland as possible. Strathclyde has a close connection with Student Tours Scotland. On the weekends they would bring students on trips all over Scotland. This was a fun way to travel, especially since it catered to students.
Soak in every moment... as an international student completing a year-long Master’s degree I wanted to make the most of my time studying abroad. It can be scary starting a completely new adventure far away from home but it will be worth it. The time flew by and it was definitely one of the best experiences of my life.
