Name : P. Mehta
Course : Level 2 Health & Social Care
Year : 2006
Level : II
Country : India
“Gateway2uk Education has good reputation in the UK and the well-organised course appealed to me when I first heard about it in India. Postgraduate study has given me more independence and freedom. The course has been excellent with good organisation and well-delivered information, plus G2uk Education is a quiet place to study with lots of friendly people.
“As an international student, I have found this course quite different from what I was used to back in India. It is of a higher level so I would definitely advise other students to consider gaining some knowledge of what will be studied before they sign up. I have developed my skills, particularly in computer technologies, visual presentations and my own independent study skills. I am also proud to have improved my creative thinking using the broader knowledge gained in my studies.
“My project as part of the course is about emotional elderly people health care focused on ‘health and social care. I have been able to use my work placement experience for presenting this project. In the future, my career plans are to continue running a Health & Social care using the skills gained and enhanced during my Level II course.”
Once you arrived in the UK, how easy or difficult for you was it to find somewhere to live?
When I first came here I lived with a host family, which was good although they were a bit mad! I think it's important when you arrive to try and get to know the culture here, and staying with a family is a good way to do that as you can see how people live.
What was the course that you did at the Gateway2uk Education Language Centre?
I did a 26 week’s EAP course across the summer. I entered with a grade 5 IELTS then at the end there is an assessment and they said I was ready to do a master degree with English support class.
Before that I did General English. Apart from the English, studying in the language centre really helped me to settle in. In a short period of time you can improve your English a lot. Even if you already have the IELTS you need it is still a good idea to do the 12-week’s EAP. It's not just the language, it's the skills. Without doubt the skills that I learned on EAP have certainly been very useful in the course that I am on now for example you learn how to reference and how to write a bibliography, how to access information and so on.
Name: Jigar Trivedi
Course: Business Studies
Year: 2007
Level: III
Country : Britain
Who's the most interesting person you've met since you came to Gateway2uk Education?
My teacher Dr.Jane Changl, she was the Head of the FM course. I appreciated her because she was always very honest with us from the beginning.
What do you think is the best thing about Gateway2uk Education?
The best thing about Gateway2uk education is it's cheap. It's also a nice location in London to travel around.
Give us an example of something that happens in the UK that would never happen in your country.
I don't think English people look after facilities management well. However my part one training has come out very well.
- Do get involved with the Student Union, there is no link between them and the language centre, but you can go and find them.
- Do get involved with other students, international or British, particularly students whose first language is not English but from who you can learn a lot.
- Do stay in accommodation at the university, or very close to the university.
- Don't carry large amounts of cash with you.
Earn while you learn:
Did you work part time during your studies, or during the holidays?
No, there is absolutely no time to do any part time work.
Finding out about Gateway2uk Education and settling in to British Student life:
How did you find out about Gateway2uk Education?
I came through advert in Hot courses.
Name: Mayank Patel
Course: Adv. Profession diploma in Management Business & Administration
Year: 2007
Level: Level 5
Country : India
Who's the most interesting person you've met since you came to Gateway2uk Education?
My 2 housemates in my first year. There was one girl from london and one from India. It's very important to have support when you first arrive, as it can be quite lonely. They really helped me to get through the first year. Also I would have to say our professor Nagpure he inspired me to do Business Administration!
If you could meet one famous person in the UK who would it be?
I'd like to meet a writer from this country, preferably of academic books. I read a lot and I have been called a "geek" a lot here as I read so many academic books!
What do you think is the best thing about Gateway2uk Education?
The best thing about London is probably that it is a multicultural city. London campus is very much an international population; people have been very good to me. It's a friendly city. Campus is not as big as University, not too big nor too small and there is a good mix of everything.
Give us an example of something that happens in the UK that would never happen in your country.
One thing I've noticed here is that everyone is very polite to each other, holding doors open for you and where you thank the bus driver when you get off the bus, and so on. This doesn't happen so much in India, in fact nowhere else I've been.
Give us a "do" and a "don't" piece of advice for international students interested in part time work.
Keep a balance between work and study, remember you are here to get a degree!
If you could only bring 3 items with you to the UK, what would they be (not including clothes or money)?
For Indian students, a pressure cooker would be very useful as we cook most of our dishes with these. You can get them here but they are very expensive. Bring some dried food with you as well, and some spices, so that at least you are covered for the first few days while you settle in.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to others that is not given in the international student guides?
Enjoy your time here, and mix with all the other students as much as possible. You are not just here to study but to have a cultural experience, I have met people from all over the world and mixing with them has really helped me and taught me a lot.
Earn while you learn:
Did you work full time during your studies?
Yes, my education was work placement based plus theory.
What sort of job(s) did you do?
My first job was delivering papers, I really enjoyed that job, it was easy and active. I also did a bit of work for a catering company doing waiting at sports venues and football matches across the country! Also working in Bakery doing packing of breads.
How well was it paid?
They were both paid about £5.55 an hour, not too bad.
How many hours did you do?
About 16-20 hrs per week, more hours during term
Was it easy to find?
Yes, very easy to find. In fact the parent company of Gateway2uk Education, Facilities Management & Consultancy Europe Limited does do lot of facilities work hence most of the opportunities are found from Campus itself.
Was it difficult to concentrate on your studies? Is working part time and studying a bad idea?
I think what you need to do is find a balance. I have seen some students who go mad on work because they are very short of money and in the process they neglect their studies and suffer. I try to advise students who arrive not to work too much. I tried to find a compromise; I didn't have any problems and continued to get good marks so it wasn't a problem. I try to remind students I meet that they are primarily here to get a degree and not to get too distracted by work.
Facilities?
They are good here. There is a lot of partnership and cooperation between the 2 Institution in this particular subject area so the facilities are excellent.
Once you had decided to come here, did you have any difficulties in applying to the Gateway2uk Education and securing your visa?
Not really no. I had an appointment and it all went quite smoothly.
Once you arrived in the UK, how easy or difficult for you was it to find somewhere to live?
I had university arranged I did it directly through the university accommodation service, but it was a bit of a disaster finding it! I arrived at London at night, and it took me a 15 minutes time to find my way to South Ealing, pick up point for my keys to the room, then a 15 minutes time to find the actual room.
Did you join the students Union?
Yes I did, but actually I haven't been since starting the PhD, as I've been too busy.
Gateway2uk Education ( A division of FM & CE Ltd)
Registered in England & Wales no 4714943
1 sycamore avenue, London W5 4LH
Phone: 0208 566 1911,
Fax 0208 5797926
|
