MSci Integrated Natural Sciences student Agathe is half French and half Vietnamese. She spent most of her life in France and lived in the UK for two years before coming to Warwick. Here she shares her experiences so far and offers some tips for other international applicants

Why did you decide to apply to Integrated Natural Sciences at Warwick Medical School?

My goal after completing the French-American version of the International Baccalaureate was to come back to the UK to study a STEM subject, which is why I chose Integrated Natural Sciences at Warwick as it combines every aspect of sciences in one course, particularly biology. During my high school years, I was very interested in biomedical research and topics such as cancer research, and I think this course delivered by Warwick Medical School is ideal for me to continue to engage in subjects related to organisms and the way life works.

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

I've found the transition to living in the UK quite smooth, despite the sun setting at 4pm… Integrated Natural Sciences is great, we have a lot of contact hours, and that I find very good for engaging with my peers and discussing with my professors. The structure of changing blocks every 2 weeks enables me to dive into many topics I was unfamiliar with before, such as cell motility, as I had not studied biology in school. The many practical hours spent in the labs of Integrated Natural Sciences are also a great way to understand what it is like to be a scientist, and I hope to discover more on what research is like as I continue this course.

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

Life at Warwick University has so far been really entertaining and full of surprises. There really is a big international community, which enables me to meet people from all around the world, even from places I had never heard about. Furthermore, as a first year, I chose to live on campus, which I think is a good choice because there are always so many things to do on campus, and I can partake in them with my friends. One of my favourite events was the lantern march around campus for OneWorldWarwick to celebrate the global community and culture of our university. I also joined some societies, such as the Language Society, Yoga Society and InSoc, and it is a great way to meet new people and enrich my culture – by learning a new language for example– or to relax after classes.

What tips do you have for other international applicants?

My advice for international applicants would be to visit Warwick (if you have the opportunity to do so) and if you get in (hopefully !) get into some societies. This is where you will meet other people, especially people coming from various horizons, which I think contributes hugely to who I am today. I would recommend joining Integrated Natural Sciences if you are interested in scientific research, spending time in labs and if you enjoy a small cohort, as I think it's quite good to get to know everyone in your course. Integrated Natural Sciences really pushes me to improve my skills as a scientist and create new ones, like computing skills for example, and is an ideal course for biologists, chemists, physicists (scientists overall!)