Bold in Bath

“Why did you have to come here?” It was the question I heard many times from course-mates (who loved my fluency in American accent very much) on the first week of 2018 Pre-sessional course D Management (PSCD) in University of Bath. (And I got to understand I am actually one of the rare few who “chose” to enroll.) Yes it is not mandatory for postgraduates like me who meet all needed qualifications (such as IELTS score) to go for a main course.

So, was it just a luxury, not necessity to me? I cannot claim it was a necessity, but I say it has been definitely a huge benefit. Aside from enjoying UK’s pleasant summer temperature (indeed, compared to my home country’s continuing 40-degree-Celsius weather), I have been earning what I exactly expected to through the pre-course. I summarized what you may could do to have most of the PSCD by introducing three major benefits.

 Upgrade English proficiency

This is important if it’s your first time leaving in an English-spoken country. You would recognize a (presumably very huge) gap between what you learn from the textbook and what you listen from the real people. What you listen—phrases, words, intonations, humor—from native speakers would directly go to your lingual brain. (Bath Uni have one of the most brilliant instructors in UK who are magicians of language. Enjoy their beautiful language!) At the same time, you can practice speaking to enrich your vocabulary pool and English acumen. I believe campus life is best to practice new language because teachers deliver their words as clearly as possible and you are surrounded by peers who are also on their stage of practicing. You’d be less shy to speak.

I have little challenge in English, but PSCD still played an important role for me. That’s because I got to adjust myself to English-based study environment. Speaking & writing with academic words, understanding lectures of diverse fields of study, working with students in a group… all very important activities for my main course. My best satisfaction is that I indulged myself into the world of critical thinking, or “thinking outside the box” to deepen your knowledge on academic topics. This is something I never learned and connected to my academic works in my hometown university… so happy to work on this during my pre-sessions. You can do achieve academic skills in first few weeks of the main course, but you can choose to start your first week with confidence and savvy. I am prepared for the main course.

 Plan your future ahead

Pre-session is, in personal point of view, not as hardcore as the main one (and all my British graduated friends cynically agreed so). After you get pretty much settled in your life cycle, you have quite a time to think of your goals that made you come to UK. Is it getting a job? PhD? Marriage? (Come on, it can be a goal to someone.) Luckily, Bath Uni has a plenty of offerings to support students on their career, academic and life goals. Check your emails daily! I always got information of any campus workshop, seminar and gathering that are all designed to make students more successful (not just in PSCD, but all the way through graduation).

One great benefit of being in UK earlier is that you can be ahead in a journey for a job. To my surprise, many of the UK companies start opening up positions on September 2018 (which is even before the start of the main course!) Since it is a long journey, you may want to start working on your CV and applying for companies before postgraduate course begins. Sign up for job workshops! They give you handy tips on searching firms, writing a CV and getting prepared for interviews. 

Sensibly, all those workshops are from end of August to first few weeks of September so that you can have time left to make an application at the end of the month.

 Travel

You can choose to arrive earlier than the start of PSDM, which is what I did. Visit your dream UK cities! I brought my parents with me as I entered UK and we all had unforgettable time together in London and its suburb cities. You also have approximately three weeks after you finish PSDM, having freedom to go all the way to middle or Northern part of UK or even countries outside! One beautiful merit about being in UK is that you enjoy extremely low flight ticket price. Download Skyscanner or Hopper app to check how cheap it is to fly from London to Edinburgh or Copenhagen! For my pre-sessional vacation, I made my booking for a flight and accommodation in Munich, yes to enjoy Octoberfest! Summer is the perfect time to stay in UK and Europe because the continent is in the grip of festival fever. Explore summer events and celebrations happening at hundreds of landmarks in Europe!

Short of budget or time? Explore Bath to discover its historical relics and natural beauty. Aside from city center, there are some places where you can feel the nature and chill. Go Alexandra Park to see gigantic sky view of the Bath city! (Best in nighttime)

The campus is in an ideal location to do some tracking along the riverside which is only 20 to 30 minutes away. 

You can also go for 1-day trips to nearby cities such as Bristol, Oxford and Cardiff (they are all worth visiting). It is also a good idea to make a railway card if you love travelling by train. You get discount every time you take train. For a whole year!