Plymouth is a port city located in Devon in the region of South West England. This city has gained popularity for numerous reasons. One of the reasons is definitely higher education. Three universities are based in Plymouth including the University of Plymouth, Arts University Plymouth, and the University of St Mark & St John.
When international students visit Plymouth, they face some challenges. But, of course, there are several opportunities students get by studying in Plymouth. Here, you will read about those challenges and opportunities.
Challenges
- Weather
The first challenge is the weather and the coastal environment of Plymouth. Plymouth has a maritime environment. The weather may be sometimes windy, cloudy, or rainy. Students who are coming from a different environment may face a problem due to this. Especially those coming from Asian and African countries may face a drastic weather change.
To face this challenge, you should keep the clothes according to the weather of Plymouth. Besides, you should also keep some significant medicines with you. After reaching Plymouth, you should go for a medical checkup to know if the weather in Plymouth has had any adverse impact on your health.
- Language Fluency and Understanding Accent
Although, Plymouth’s language is English but some students may face the problem of language fluency. This challenge is often faced by students whose first language is not English. Besides, one more problem many students face is understanding the accent used in the UK. So, they feel it arduous sometimes to communicate with local people and understand lectures.
These challenges may be resolved by some practice. Besides, some universities and private institutes provide special courses to resolve these issues.
- Cultural Shock
It is for sure that different countries have different cultures. So, the culture shock is obvious. You may find some things which can be good according to one culture and bad according to another. So, you need to understand the culture of Plymouth and the UK in order to cope with this challenge. You can start by reading about the culture on the internet and in the books. Besides, you can communicate with your friends who are local to Plymouth. You will make many such friends while living in Plymouth.
- Finding Accommodation as Per Your Preferences and Budget
Finding student accommodation in Plymouth according to your preferences and budget can also be a challenge for you. But, this is a type of challenge you can easily resolve. Many internet platforms facilitate students today to find to see the list of accommodations in different cities on a single platform. Besides, they also provide the details of all accommodations. Users can also filter the list, sort the list, and compare multiple accommodations online on a single page.
Opportunities
- Access to Marine and Coastal Resources
As already stated, Plymouth is a coastal city. Here, you find unique opportunities in different subjects. But, if you are going to study marine, biology, oceanography, environmental sciences, and other related fields, Plymouth is one of the best places for you. Due to the proximity to the sea, students get a location to conduct hands-on research and fieldwork. It makes Plymouth a wonderful location for marine-related studies.
- Affordable Cost of Living Compared to Larger UK Cities
The large UK cities such as London and Manchester are costly for students. Compared to them, Plymouth is an affordable city. So, if you can live at a low cost in Plymouth. If you are unable to stay in an expensive place but still want to study abroad, then Plymouth is the right destination for you.
- Opportunity to Get International Exposure
The international exposure is definitely good for your future career. Besides, it allows you to learn things from different perspectives. Until you live in your home country, you have limited approaches to solving different problems in life. But, when you start living abroad, you meet people from different backgrounds. So, you can see things from different layers.
- Outdoor Lifestyle
For students who appreciate outdoor activities, Plymouth is an excellent location. The city is located near Dartmoor National Park. Its coastal location allows for activities like sailing, surfing, and hiking. These can provide a balanced lifestyle and healthy work-life integration during demanding graduate studies.
Conclusion
Studying in Plymouth as a graduate student presents both challenges and opportunities. Students may face hurdles like adapting to the weather, language fluency, cultural differences and finding suitable accommodation. However, Plymouth offers unique opportunities also. Some of the opportunities are:
- Access to marine and coastal resources
- An affordable cost of living compared to larger UK cities
- International exposure, and
- A vibrant outdoor lifestyle
Overall, Plymouth provides a supportive and enriching environment for academic and personal growth.
Also Read : Balancing Studies and Travel: Study Abroad in Kingston, UK
