Weijia Yan

Why did you choose your host university?

Aston University is located in the heart of Birmingham city, University facilitated with gymnasium swimming pool, small convenience store, coffee shop are located in the center of campus. Back to history, Aston was found 51 years ago, their Aston business school are now pioneers around the UK. In addition, Aston is located in the city of Birmingham’s geographical location is also an advantage, departing from Birmingham to south part of British won’t take too much time. 

What was the university like?

Aston University located in the heart of Birmingham, The exchange students were invited by the Student Association for traditional English afternoon tea, the city tour and other activities. They will make exchange students very welcomed. In the UK, the logistics profession belongs to the engineering college, but the logistics diploma is exactly what Aston has operated in the past two years. Therefore, the enrolled students are limited, the most active class I’ve been to contains 15 people. It is a good thing, take the procurement class for example, tutor will clearly remember everyone’s name and question everyone. Thus, she can clearly see your pros or cons. 

What did you gain from your exchange experience and has it changed the way you think or altered your approach to life?

The only way to grow is to learn to be lonely, I arrived one month before orientation. I knew nobody at the first time and I got a lot trivial things to deal with. Such as setup bank account, select appropriate network server, figure out how to travel smart and money saved. From this, I knew  how to complete the task independently, arrange daily itinerary, reasonable arrangements for their own time. 

What accommodation options were available to you?  How affordable was accommodation and would you recommend the same option to others?

Aston does not provide accommodation for short-term exchange students, so make sure to prepare your living problem early. I found my student dorm on social network and it takes me about a month to find one. Popular location such as in-campus dorm may takes up to one year to apply. 

Describe your travel experiences; did you travel locally or to neighbouring countries?

Geographically, Birmingham took the advantage of traveling around British. Train can take you to everywhere in UK. In this half year, I have been to majority places of British, north to Edinburgh and south to Brighton. If you often take the train, then a discount card called “Railcard” is a must. Here is another hint, book train ticket as earlier as you can via website, I normally book ticket two weeks earlier, once I went to London it only cost me nine pounds, normally it will cost 20 pounds. 

Describe how you adjusted to life in a different country and how you met new people.

Week before orientation, student association organized different activities every day for new international students. There are new afternoon tea, while drinking tea and school staff to understand the British culture, there are pub quiz, etc., in the activities of different people know, greet the same way friends travel with the United Kingdom.

Can you see any benefits from this exchange to your future career?

For a business student, it is very helpful to understand the culture of different countries and play a key role in the future international trade relation. 

What advice would you give to a student who was hesitant or considering joining the exchange program?

The experience of communication is a valuable asset in life, it is very recommended that everyone go out to see, compared with tourism can be more into the local culture. Suggestions and interested partners together, so that in a strange environment to take care of each other.