Cafes, Castles, and a New Chapter: How Paula Made Her UK Dream Come True

For Paula, being an international student wasn’t a fleeting fancy. When asked why she wanted to study abroad, her answer was clear and direct.

"I think it's because it's been a dream of mine since I was young. I really wanted to experience what it feels like to study abroad, [from] the sense of independence [to] exploring new things and seeing different cultures all over the world," she said.

The strong desire to explore and see the world in a different light has always been evident. Before starting this journey, Paula studied at the College of St. Benilde and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Diplomacy and International Affairs. Now, taking up her master's degree at a prestigious university abroad is something like a fun challenge for her.

Choosing Nottingham Trent University wasn't a coincidence, too. According to her, her alma mater is very much like her new university, making it feel a lot like home.

"For me, Nottingham Trent was like Benilde because they started out as creative schools and later transitioned to research schools [that] focus on social sciences," she explained.

Studying in the United Kingdom was also an active choice. The country is known to offer one-year master's programs, which are significantly shorter (and effectively more cost-effective) than postgraduate degrees in other universities that last two years or more.

After her stint as an intern, Paula eventually graduated. She reconnected with IDP in July 2024, and with the help of her counselor, she ultimately chose Nottingham Trent University for her master's degree.

Despite being over 10,000 kilometers apart, the College and St. Benilde and Nottingham Trent University are strikingly aligned in different matters. Both institutions have forged their reputations on a modern, innovative, and hands-on approach to education. They are known for their strong connections to industry and offer programs designed to produce career-ready graduates.

Another evident similarity is their urban integration and campus vibe. CSB is situated deep within one of Metro Manila's creative and business hubs, much like NTU, which is located in the city center of Nottingham.

There are differences between the two institutions, of course. While CSB was established in 1988, NTU has been around for significantly longer, starting from its foundation in 1843 (or at the tail-end of the British Industrial Revolution). NTU's 170-year-old history is apparent in some of its castle-like buildings that housed some of Great Britain's brightest minds. Soon, Paula will join the ranks of the university's most notable alumni who made an impact in the fields of science, politics, and the arts.

CSB and NTU really have a lot of similarities, but it doesn't mean that Paula's journey from one school to another wasn't met with challenges. Particularly, Paula found it difficult to find a dorm or apartment to rent--a problem often encountered by many students going abroad.

"The most challenging part was actually looking for accommodations... It was hard for me to look for accommodations because I was also taking into consideration if it was near my school or if the area was near the city," she said, explaining that she wanted to live somewhere accessible to malls that she can visit if she ever needed to buy something.

Ultimately, Paula was able to resolve the problem and find a new dorm at UHomes, one of IDP's trusted partners. Having a long list of options and cross-checking them one by one to see if they're within her budget really helped her in securing her new home in the UK.

She's very thankful to her counselor, Roselle Dacutanan, who gave her the list of websites to check out, making the research a little easier for her. But Roselle's assistance goes beyond that, according to Paula, who shared how her counselor had been very accommodating and patient with her.

"IDP helped me with a lot of things because I'm someone who likes to cram. And you know you *can't* really cram [when it comes to securing] your documents and files when applying," she said, mentioning the multiple reminders she received from Roselle about her school requirements, visa applications, and IELTS exams.

"All the questions I asked, [Roselle] always has answers. And I really like how she sends me reminders in bullet points, so I can see immediately, 'Okay, so this is what I have to do!'" she added.

With her flight set for September 5 and classes beginning shortly after, Paula’s mind is already in the UK. Her plans for her first days are a beautiful mix of the practical and the profoundly personal.

After settling into her dorm and probably fighting off the jet lag, the first thing on her to-do list is to find a cute cafe! According to her, she'll order an iced coffee and reflect on her journey so far.

"I'm already there! Might as well take everything slowly before my classes start," she said.

But beyond the first sip of her well-deserved British latte, her ambitions remain vast and open. She speaks of traveling and exploring new cities on her own, probably during the weekends when classes are off. New friendships and lifelong connections await her, too, especially now that she's studying in one of the UK's most diverse learning institutions.

"The one thing I'm most excited about is actually learning since I'll be taking up my master's. [What] I will learn from there, I think, will really help me as I grow as an individual," she said. She has yet to plan out her life after graduation, but working in the UK seems really appealing to her.

Paula is just one of the many dreamers that IDP Philippines sends off every year, each with a unique story but a shared ambition. Her journey from IDP's desks as an intern to the lecture halls of Nottingham Trent as an international student serves as a powerful reminder that the path to a global education is paved with expert support.

We wish Paula all the best for her thrilling adventures ahead. And to everyone like her, we are here to turn your "what if" into "what's next"!