Italy

Besides the high quality of teaching, the facilities of the campus and the English pre-sessional courses were the factors which brought me to consider Essex my first choice. I have settled into life at Essex quite easily because the pre-sessional course provided a clever induction scheme to welcome the new students. Also, during freshers' week, we were taught about course and differences in study between the UK and Italy: understanding a system so different from the Italian one is fundamental to obtaining good results. This was my first experience alone and abroad, I haven't been too homesick thanks to the the kindness of English people and the exciting international environment.

I chose Essex because of its high ranking in the discipline I was intending to study. I consider myself very lucky; before coming to Essex I was worried that I would have found it very difficult to settle in, both academically and socially because of a very competitive environment but I didn’t find this at all! I found very helpful lecturers and professors, as well as very nice and supportive classmates. To anyone in Italy thinking of coming to Essex I would say that, especially at the postgraduate level, coming to study here is an important experience that has no comparison with any Italian university, and that you will find a university tailored to the students.

I decided to come to Essex because of the high ranking of its Economics department in teaching and research. I was also offered a scholarship by the University, and that was a great incentive as well! I currently live in The Houses, on North Campus. I like the fact that the house is quiet, that I have my own bathroom and I’m just a 3 minute walk from the lecture halls and central campus. To any Italian students considering the University of Essex I say go for it, because this experience will enrich you so much! Even the infamous English weather becomes bearable, in a place like Essex!

Studying in the UK is very different from our Italian view of University. There’s a lot more campus life and the quality of relationships with professors and tutors is really good and much closer than what we are used to. Also, the location of Colchester is amazing for travelling, especially because London is so near, but you don't feel the pressure of the big city and you actually have as many adventures on campus as you would in London!