From the American Dream to British Reality
Actually, as a teenager, Fleur (23) dreamed of becoming an actress in America. But due to the enormous distance and high costs, that proved difficult to achieve. Things really started to take off when her brother left for Oxford to study. “I went to visit him and got a taste of the vibrant international student life there. That’s when I thought: Wow, I want that, too.”
Because she was fascinated by clinical neuroscience, she set out to find the best place to study it. She decided to apply through the British admissions system (UCAS) to five different universities, including UCL. In the end, she chose UCL in London. “London is close to home, English-speaking, and one of the world’s leading centers in my field. It just all came together perfectly.” After completing her bachelor’s degree, she “stuck around” at the same university for her master’s. She stayed partly for convenience, but mainly because she loved it there and it’s a world-class location for clinical neuroscience.
A harsh reality check
Fleur prepared well: she connected with future classmates online via Instagram and watched virtual campus tours on YouTube. Still, her start in England was, to put it mildly, a major reality check. “I was only seventeen, so I was placed in special housing for minors, with stricter rules regarding things like alcohol. Of course, you don’t always follow those rules, but it did take some getting used to,” she laughs.
On top of that, it was the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The first month was pretty tough. It’s no small thing to be alone in a foreign country when everything is closed. In those early days, I sometimes sat in my room crying because you feel so vulnerable. You have to push yourself to get out the door and make friends.”
Classes, coffee, and making connections easily
Fortunately, after that difficult initial phase, everything quickly fell into place. While it can be quite difficult to find your way in such a huge metropolis, building a network actually went surprisingly well for Fleur.
"I’ve always been pretty social and outgoing, but suddenly it came very easily to me there. I really went out of my way to do it: I approached people, asked if they wanted to join in on activities, or I’d just go up to them on my own."
Her weekdays quickly settled into a pleasant and familiar rhythm. During the day, her schedule included lectures, seminars, and workshops at the university. Afterward, she’d often head to the library to study or go out for a cozy cup of coffee with fellow students. She usually spent her evenings at her place. “We’d cook together in the shared kitchen, chat endlessly with our roommates, or play games. It was always so much fun.”
Notable differences: ‘Baked beans’ and excessive politeness
On the weekends, there was plenty of time to explore the big city. She’d head out with friends to London’s many parks or attend events. There, Fleur quickly discovered that the British have a lifestyle that’s just a little different from ours in the Netherlands. It started first thing in the morning. “Suddenly, everyone was sitting down to a hearty breakfast of white beans in tomato sauce and sausages. We Dutch tend to think: how can you eat that so early?”
Communication was also a bit of a learning curve. “In the Netherlands, we’re very direct, but the British say ‘sorry’ for everything and often reply with ‘I don’t mind.’ As a down-to-earth Dutch person, I’d think: just say what you actually want! Conversely, they probably found me a bit blunt at times because of my directness.” Still, she quickly found her footing in social life, which in England mainly takes place in so-called “societies” (clubs based on interests or background) and in the many pubs. “The drinking culture is huge—people really guzzle liters of beer and cider.” She was a member of the Dutch Society herself. She even became its president later on.
The financial puzzle: scholarships and borrowing the maximum amount
Studying abroad sounds incredibly expensive—and often is. Still, Fleur managed to solve the financial puzzle. “I was incredibly lucky that I started right in the year before Brexit. Because of that, I still paid the lower, standard institutional tuition rate instead of the full price for international students.” She also tapped into a savings fund from her grandparents, took out a tuition loan, and borrowed the maximum amount from DUO. But what really gave her a big boost were the scholarships. "During my studies, I managed to secure a total of six scholarships. That really saved me."
She therefore has a golden tip for future students: “I actually knew absolutely nothing beforehand about the many scholarships and funds available for studying abroad. Be sure to research this thoroughly in advance, because it’s a shame to let those opportunities slip away.”
Growing Up at Breakneck Speed
Looking back, Fleur is glad she took the plunge; her greatest victory is the personal growth she experienced. “London is big, busy, and competitive. You’re literally on your own there, and no one is going to take care of things for you. You have to go after everything yourself and fight for your own success. That level of independence and solution-oriented thinking—no one can take that away from me now.”
From MedTech to the classroom?
Now 23-year-old Fleur is back in the Netherlands. She has a busy but challenging job in medical technology, focused on interventional cardiology. Still, there’s a good chance her name will soon be on an application form again. “I’m an explorer. I really enjoy my current job, but I’m seriously considering applying to study medicine in the Netherlands.”
Her advice to high school students who dream of studying abroad? “Don’t let the obstacles along the way hold you back. Follow your instincts. Prepare thoroughly, research everything online, reach out to organizations that can help you, and just go for it. It forces you to step out of your comfort zone, but in return, you’ll gain a wealth of experience and a vast international network.”