Lakshmy Radhakrishnan

• Ba (hons) Architecture
• Year of study: 3rd year

'The University of Kent is a top rated university that can provide education worthy of any career.

My own experience lies with the architectural department. Being a final year student, I can now look back onto the best three years of my life! It has been an exciting rollercoaster ride from year 1. This place has taught me so much in terms of the course and to being an independent individual.

Kent is a great place for students to start their university life. I’d recommend it to anyone from back home (Bahrain), because it feels just like a home away from home!

Just before I entered university I was scared of feeling like a little fish in a river suddenly being let go into an ocean!! But Kent proved me wrong. The university has a great fresher’s week programme which makes sure you are settled before your course begins.

Doing architecture at Kent has given me a great opportunity to travel across UK and Europe in the past 3 yrs. I’ve had the chance to visit Barcelona, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Belgium, and Paris from the school of architecture.

Studying in UK offers so much to prepare individuals to face the real world at the end of their course. Architecture is definitely a challenging course but at Kent, they make it interesting and enjoyable.

As advice to international students at Kent, I’d say utilize the resources and tools provided here and use your valuable experience in UK to the fullest extent for a bright future because you are amongst the few lucky ones that can make a difference.'

Lina Samawi

• English and American Literature MA

Why did you choose Kent?

'I chose Kent for many reasons. Most importantly is the good program I'm studying, the good facilities and department and the Canterbury itself, for it's such a charming place!'

What do you find interesting about your course?

'It's flexible. It gives me space and conrol over my time. I get to do everything. I study, I read, I go out and travel around.

What was it like arriving at a university in a different country from your home and how did you settle in?

It was new, but expected. It was a new culture with new people and new life style and habits, but once I have found my way around, and have a grip over things, everything else comes naturally.'

What extra-curricular activities do you take part in?

'I try to search for activities that involve getting to know the British culture more, or ones that involves mingling with British people. I enjoy the Salsa classes by the Salsa Society. Poetry readings every Tuesday is very interesting. Also, going to the theatre gives me a some taste of the culture.'

What are you getting out of the experience academically, socially and personally?

'On the academic level, I am being integrated into a wholly new system. I learnt how to write critical essays and how to search and analyze. That is a huge thing for me , since the educational syste in Jordan is based merely on testing. Socially, as a person fond of travel and meeting new cultures, I enjoy every single bit in learning about England. Personally, I consider every experience a nourishing dose to the development of my identity and personality. The more I see, the more I know myself and the more I mold myself the way I prefer.'

Would you recommend studying at Kent and why?

'I definitely do. I wouldn't have chosen it if I have not seen something special in it. It has a very healthy, friendly invironment that makes one feel at home. Plus, I really find my department an excellent choice for me.'

Bushra Mubarak AL-Hasni

• Phd student , second year , School of physical science, Functional material group

Why did you choose Kent?

'I heard it is a good university and it is one of the best universities in UK

I want to study materials Physics and Kent university has a very good group in Functional materials

I got the offer from Kent faster than from other university and my contact with them let me realized that they are well organised

Kent itself is a quiet place and that was what I was looking for.'

What do you find interesting about your course?

'First of all the FMG group is a very nice group

I like my course because it is so interesting and according to my project I have to go to different places to do experiments so, this is very good experience for me, and I used different techniques that are not available in my country or in the Gulf at all.

The references that are available in the library are good.

Above all my course is so interesting as it motivates me to think and read a lot.'

What was it like arriving at a university in a different country from your home and how did you settle in?

'I arrived on January 2009, it was so cold for me in comparison with the hot weather in my country, but I bought suitable clothes from here and I have started use to it

The food is completely different as well, so I use to cook myself.

I am so careful when I buy anything and I always try to find cheap place to buy something from.'

What are you getting out of the experience academically, socially and personally?

'Frankly I got great experience academically as I introduced before that I used several techniques that are not available in my country and it is very advanced ones, and I found good books here, as well working with FMG group add a lot for me

From attending conferences and deal with different phd students from different countries, all of these add a lot to my personality and let me become strong and more social'

Would you recommend studying at Kent and why?

'Undoubtedly yes because it is nice and quite place and because also I heard from my friends who are styding in other Schools at Kent that they are good as well.'