Hi, and welcome to my blog!

My name is Ida, I´m 21 years old and in my first year at Oxford Brookes, where I study International Relations & Politics. I´m originally from Norway where I previously have studied International Relations & History and Political Science. However, I have always wanted to study abroad and I´ve always thought of the UK as a diverse and interesting country.

When I was choosing between universities I searched for all kinds of university rankings and Facebook pages but eventually it all came down to my gut feeling. Due to exams in Norway I was unable to attend open days at the universities, but it was something about the feeling I got when I was looking at Brookes’ homepage, and the overall environment really attracted me. The combination of International Relations and Politics was something other universities didn´t offer, and Brookes felt like the right choice for me.

Choosing Brookes as my university is probably the best choice I´ve ever made.

As an international student you´re guaranteed accommodation if you apply before the deadline, and the possibilities are endless. My boyfriend, who studies Economics, Finance & International Business at Brookes, and I chose a university managed flat near Cowley Road, within walking distance to both the university and the city centre. Cowley Road is one of the busiest streets in Oxford, with all sorts of restaurants, stores and even a cinema.

Another great thing about Brookes is the variety of services they provide. Whatever your problem is, there is always someone who can help you, even if you´re feeling homesick, have financial issues or problems with your housing contract or landlord. The staff really aim to make you feel at home in Oxford, which can be a huge help for an international student studying abroad for the first time.

I´ve just finished my first semester at Brookes and I´m waiting for my exam results. Meanwhile, I have celebrated Christmas with my family in Norway and New Years Eve with friends. Looking back at the first semester I realize how much knowledge I´ve gained in just a couple of months, not just improving my language skills and gaining academic knowledge, but also making new friends and experiencing a new culture and city. Since Brookes are offering free language courses, I´ve also learned French, which has been a fun break from days which sometimes can be full of heavy theory.

I´m really looking forward to the rest of 2014 and the next semester at Brookes, and while it has been nice with a Christmas break I´m eager to get back to Oxford and Brookes.

The aim of this blog is to give you some “inside information” from my life as a student at
Brookes and I hope you´ll continue to follow me.