Arriving at Manchester as an international master’s student

Rohith Satheesh is a student on the MSc Medical and Molecular Virology course at Manchester. Here, he talks about what it was like to apply for a place on the course and arrive in the UK as a student from India. You can also read Rohith’s previous post about the course itself.

My journey from Pune to Manchester was an unexpected one. It was my sudden decision to move abroad for my higher studies – everything just happened within six months.

I applied to several universities in the UK and got accepted to all. Still, I chose the best among all, The University of Manchester, to study for my master’s in Medical and Molecular Virology.

Now, after completing my first semester at the university, I am content that I made the right decision.

Receiving offers and a rush of mixed feelings

It was initially overwhelming when Manchester accepted me. I applied for the postgraduate master’s courses in Medical and Molecular Virology and Infection Biology, and was fortunate to succeed in both. Never had I dreamt that one day I would be a student at one of the world’s best places to study biological sciences, particularly virology.

It was sad to leave my parents, home, friends and country behind for a completely new place. As rightly said, everything happens for a reason; this was the best opportunity for me to engage with some of the best minds and expose myself to global cultures.

Preparing for Manchester

The University’s Meet Manchester programme, held in Mumbai, was very helpful for learning more about the University’s vision and impact. It was great to meet other fellow acceptees, and some of the staff from the University as well.

With this, I prepared to start my new journey. I settled my finances, arranged the travel, and got ready for my visa. But then I received some good news that made my emotions shoot up even higher: I was among the few who had received the prestigious Global Futures Scholarship from The University of Manchester.

All the hard work that I had done had finally paid off. Being selected for this scholarship was itself a matter of pride. It was also a morale booster.

Settling into Manchester

It wasn’t my first international journey. I had been to the United States before, but fear gripped me when I landed at Manchester Airport. Maybe it was because I was alone this time and because of the new life and challenges that I was about to begin.

Luckily, I am an extrovert; I like meeting new people and embracing different cultures, so it wasn’t hard for me to overcome that fear. The Welcome Week organised by the University provided the time and comfort for me to get acclimatised to the surroundings and culture, and get to know the University and its facilities well.

My way ahead

Completing the first semester at the University was a great experience. With the new concepts and knowledge I gained during my first semester, I expect to begin my research project the following semester.

The welcoming nature of this place has captivated me and changed my initial perceptions. Never have I once felt like an alienated person. Today, technology has grown so much that I don’t miss my parents as I thought I would. A simple video call makes me feel at home. I have made some good friends here who are like family.

Learn more about joining Manchester as an international student.