York is half Taiwanese and half Chinese but grew up in Vietnam, attending the British International School in Ho Chi Minh City before coming to Warwick. Here he tells us about his experience as an international student on the BSc Health and Medical Sciences.

 

Why did you decide to apply to Health and Medical Sciences at Warwick Medical School?

I knew I wanted to pursue something within the medical field, as I am planning to apply for medicine after my undergraduate degree. Upon reading about Health and Medical Sciences at Warwick Medical School, I found out about the interdisciplinary approaches that the course provides - both the biology and medical aspect of healthcare, as well as the less obvious social side of healthcare. I knew health sciences is a big part of healthcare, and because I want to become a medical doctor, learning things from various aspects and approaches can only be deemed beneficial.

How did you find the transition to life and study in the UK?

I believe I adapted and settled in the UK relatively well, as the language barrier was not an issue for me. The biggest difference in life here compared to the life back home is the independence aspect of it, from having parents to help you to doing everything independently, it can be tricky at times but simultaneously a rewarding experience. Academically, since I previously studied in a British International School and completed a difficult IB diploma, I had no issue when it came to transitioning into studying in a UK university.

How have you found the course so far and your overall Warwick experience as an international student?

I think HMS has been a great experience for me, teaching me new knowledge that I am interested in but more importantly to look at problems from multiple angles which I think is important not only in medicine but also in life. The university itself, from the campuses to the societies to the local area, has been wonderful and easy to settle in as an international student. I have had quite a few highlights at the university, but the biggest highlight thus far must be the clinical skills module, where we learnt different clinical skills hands-on as well as practising them on simulated patients. This has been rewarding and fun at the same time.

Have you been involved in any extracurricular activities?

I have been involved some extra-curricular activities, from social events and sporting events to academia-related events. One of the highlights that I had would be being the student ambassador for WMS at WMS open day, where we had to help the department but also engage with visitors and introduce our course. It was a great experience where I had the opportunity to reflect about this course but also share my own personal experiences with visitors and prospective students. I have also been applying for volunteering and placements opportunities for more hands-on experiences in the healthcare field.

What tips do you have for other international applicants?

I think the biggest tip I have for other international applicants would be to find out about your interests first, and only study a course that interests you, which will make your study ‘easier’ to an extent. I think it is also important to not shy away from your emotions and feelings, as everyone will feel different emotions at different times, from being homesick and lonely to being stressed and burnt out. Making sure to have a way of expressing and not keeping everything to yourself is quite important being an international student living abroad.