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Escaping from New York: Grad School Overseas

post #1 of 46
3/20/08 at 3:22am
Thread Starter 
With a bit of prodding from this thread and after some thought, I've decided to start planning for grad school.

I'm getting older, and things are, to put it mildly, not so good. So I'm packing it all in and planning on getting my master's degree in journalism, hopefully in London. (It's taking Timothy's suggestion of a road trip a little bit farther, but whatever. I've always wanted to go there, and I feel like if I don't go soon, I'll never get the chance to go.)

The theory being that I really need to do something drastic in order to get things going in my life. I've never been the one to do ballsy things, and it's one of the reasons I'm in what I like to call a Seven-Year Rut.

I looked into this a few years ago (I know I started a thread about it), but got scared shitless by the cost. After chatting with a friend of a friend who ended up in London for her grad work last weekend, she was adamant that it could be done.

As I put it in text form: "SU being the same cost + never been to London + soccer geek + Brit pop culture geek = good times.”

Translation: If I'm going to spend 30 grand anyway, why not spend a few more and do it overseas? My best friend in college made it to Japan after graduation and has been living in Tokyo for seven years, a friend's sister lives in Milan and my brother was looking into going to Korea to teach.

I figure I could bounce around temp jobs for the next 18 months, leave that, get the degree, then get a better job. Sure, I wouldn't pay the loans off before I die, but leaving the grandkids in debt would be a small price for finding some happiness.

So has anyone else gone overseas for grad work? I've not read anything that says I have to take the GREs if I go out of the country, but as I wouldn't be applying until the summer (logic and bank account dictate that I not go until the fall of '09), it'd be nice to know for sure. General advice would be helpful, but thanks for reading anyway.
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post #2 of 46
3/20/08 at 7:56am
Sounds like a fun time, all in all. I would suggest getting out of London as often as possible, however...it's totally different from the appeal of the rest of the country. (second hand knowledge, btw...I've never been)

Also,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Barg View Post
I figure I could bounce around temp jobs for the next 18 months, leave that, get the degree, then get a better job. Sure, I wouldn't pay the loans off before I die, but leaving the grandkids in debt would be a small price for finding some happiness.
Hahaha! Oh, that's so funny.

That was a joke, right?
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post #3 of 46
3/20/08 at 11:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jared Melton View Post
Hahaha! Oh, that's so funny.

That was a joke, right?
Heh, yes. I have no interest in burying my progeny in a mountain of debt. Really.
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post #4 of 46
3/20/08 at 1:08pm
Good for you, Jim! Best damn way to get out of a rut is taking a shot at something new. Grad school in London sure as hell does the ticket. You could even turn everything leading up to and including the trip into a story or something.

Best wishes, homeslice!
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post #5 of 46
3/20/08 at 1:14pm
Jim, I'll get the guys in the Myers87 poster department to work on making one of these detailed wireframe maps of London for you, but you're going to have to find your own glider.



And just remember, they really DO have Dukes over there!
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post #6 of 46
3/20/08 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy225
Good for you, Jim! Best damn way to get out of a rut is taking a shot at something new. Grad school in London sure as hell does the ticket. You could even turn everything leading up to and including the trip into a story or something.

Best wishes, homeslice!
Thanks, Tim. I can only hope so. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure if I do make it over there, there will be a story. I only hope it's a happy one...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trejo View Post
Jim, I'll get the guys in the Myers87 poster department to work on making one of these detailed wireframe maps of London for you, but you're going to have to find your own glider.



And just remember, they really DO have Dukes over there!
Brilliant. I'd give my left eye for the return of the rep system right now. I'm sure I could find an eye patch as well...
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post #7 of 46
4/1/08 at 2:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy225 View Post
You could even turn everything leading up to and including the trip into a story or something.
I was so bored yesterday at work that I spent most of the shift running through possible titles for said story... yeah, I think I'm (emotionally) ready to go.
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post #8 of 46
4/1/08 at 2:16am
Sounds like a fantastic thing Jim, it really really does.

Of course I was going into with a crack about "journalism standards" when it comes to the British press. But damn if isn't Page Three a glorious thing to behold.
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post #9 of 46
4/1/08 at 11:54am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by EdHocken View Post
Sounds like a fantastic thing Jim, it really really does.

Of course I was going into with a crack about "journalism standards" when it comes to the British press. But damn if isn't Page Three a glorious thing to behold.
Thanks, Ed. Well, we have standards, they have cheesecake photos. And bless them for it. (One of the titles: "The Demon Writer of Fleet Street." Lame, yes. But if it keeps me focused, that's all that matters.)
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post #10 of 46
4/1/08 at 12:29pm
Not to mention headlines that are unbelievable. Only the NY Post can compete with them.
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post #11 of 46
3/8/09 at 5:50pm
Thread Starter 
Bump.

After much procrastination and scrambling, I got the application out last Tuesday. The rec letters took a lot longer than hoped, and crafting THE MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY EVER brought on a nasty case of writer's block. But it's done, and in the London city limits as I type.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an animal out in the backyard that needs to be sacrificed to the College Gods....
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post #12 of 46
3/8/09 at 5:56pm
Some European schools are free to international students, the only country I know personally that does this is Sweden.
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post #13 of 46
3/8/09 at 6:06pm
Good luck, sir.
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post #14 of 46
3/8/09 at 8:24pm
When I was 18, I decided to go to England (Manchester) to study at university. My motivations were similar to your own. I'll not try to convince you, Jim, due to the finances involved. However, I will wish you all the very best, and hope you can look back on your experience with as much fondness as I do mine, should you go for it.

A football fan, eh? Who do you support?
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post #15 of 46
3/9/09 at 3:26am
Thread Starter 
Thanks, James and Bobby.

Quote:
Originally Posted by englebert View Post
Some European schools are free to international students, the only country I know personally that does this is Sweden.
A friend spent a year in Sweden, and absolutely loved it. This university I applied to is not free, however. Frankly, I think I might get some family help along with the loans, since everyone's been gung-ho for this over the last year. (Save for Mom, that is. My brother's been in Seoul since July, and he isn't coming back any time soon. I'm not sure she'll be ready to see me leave the country too.)

To answer your question, Bobby, I'm a Charlton supporter. Since I live on the East Coast, I've missed just about every single game because of work on Saturday mornings thankfully. Though if I do end up in London, at least League One prices should be affordable, right?

And for the record, I applied to Goldsmiths College. I was talking with a coworker yesterday about going there. He was extraordinarily jealous, since he's been to the campus. 15 minutes from the Valley as well, apparently...
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post #16 of 46
3/9/09 at 9:08am
Don't mention it, Jim. I really admire you for even seriously thinking about it at the minute. The atmosphere around my move wasn't nearly as oppressive. It takes real courage to do something like that at all, but especially now. Good on you.

Charlton fan! Cool. They never got my goat when they were still in the Premiership like some teams did. One of the few teams not in the top 5/6 who actually had a go and played a bit. There wasn't a "ten men behind the ball, let's just kill the game and grind out a draw" approach (looking at you, Allardyce's Bolton) employed. Curbishley there just felt right.

Very true about the ticket prices too, I'd imagine. Being a Manchester United fan isn't all flowers and sunshine!
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post #17 of 46
3/9/09 at 10:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Barg View Post
Bump.

After much procrastination and scrambling, I got the application out last Tuesday. The rec letters took a lot longer than hoped, and crafting THE MOST IMPORTANT ESSAY EVER brought on a nasty case of writer's block. But it's done, and in the London city limits as I type.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an animal out in the backyard that needs to be sacrificed to the College Gods....
As long as you don't worship Udo Kier (tough finding "Wirgins" nowadays) you should be fine.

Hope everything works out great for you - I'm expecting lots and lots of updates when you get to London. Pics, too!
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post #18 of 46
3/9/09 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobby Bear
Don't mention it, Jim. I really admire you for even seriously thinking about it at the minute. The atmosphere around my move wasn't nearly as oppressive. It takes real courage to do something like that at all, but especially now. Good on you.
Thanks. I've played the role of the part-time vagabond for eight years, and I have nothing to lose. It's either go for broke now or keep staying in place.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Timothy225 View Post
As long as you don't worship Udo Kier (tough finding "Wirgins" nowadays) you should be fine.
I don't have a digital camera, actually. Gonna have to fix that.

The only thing Mr. Kier and I have in common is German ancestry. At least that's what I'm allowed to say publicly. Though I did get a sacrificial offer from one of the rec writers, since I caught her on a real bad day at work...
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post #19 of 46
5/28/09 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
I got in. The offer came this morning.

I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor.
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post #20 of 46
5/28/09 at 4:06pm
Congratulations! I never had the opportunity to study internationally while most of my friends did, but they all loved it. One of them wound up staying after she finished.

I'm jealous.
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post #21 of 46
5/28/09 at 4:31pm
Yeah, congrats. I spent 6 months living in England after college (and did study abroad in China in college) and it's just great to get out of the country and get a different perspective.

I don't know that I'd want to spend the rest of my life in another country but to get the outside perspective on everything is a really great experience. Of course, if I had an opportunity to live/work in Australia or New Zealand I'd probably jump at it in heartbeat.
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post #22 of 46
5/28/09 at 4:53pm
Congratulations, Jim!
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post #23 of 46
5/30/09 at 2:19pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, guys. I'll be even happier when the Charlton schedule comes out and I can plan trips to the Valley...

The comment I keep getting from friends and family is that they're proud of me. I was expecting something in the vicinity of 'About damn time'.

Oddly, the lone voice of dissension comes from my brother who lives in Seoul. As he put it, London's expensive, I've never had a full-time job, he did grad school, regrets it, is now in debt up to his eyeballs and he would've had his current job with a BA. While the temptation is to just blow him off, it still makes me think a little.
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post #24 of 46
5/30/09 at 2:33pm
Don't let concerns about debt or shit like that stop ya; you'll pay that stuff off eventually, like the rest of us. You've got a pretty sweet adventure ahead of ya, so go for it!

My most heartfelt congratulations to you, Jim! Do great things, learn cool facts, and more importantly, enjoy yourself, son!
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post #25 of 46
5/30/09 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobby Bear View Post
When I was 18, I decided to go to England (Manchester) to study at university.
Ouch.

I can't imagine anyone leaving their home country to settle in Manchester. It's a city which even on short visits I've found to be akin to depression made flesh.

In regards to studying in London the one thing you have to be aware of is that the cost of living is Astronomical and it rises in irrational ways. Rent prices can shoot up 10-15% in a year at times.
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post #26 of 46
5/30/09 at 6:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post
Ouch.

I can't imagine anyone leaving their home country to settle in Manchester. It's a city which even on short visits I've found to be akin to depression made flesh.
Really? I love Manchester and it gave me some of the greatest times of my life. The friends I made there are the best I've ever known and, culturally, the city's fantastic. Sure, it's unbelievably busy at times and there are a few characters, but that's commonplace in my experience (and a small price to pay for all that Manchester offers.) It was a massive decision to leave Belfast, but I wanted to explore, and really go for a change of scenery, routine. I'd been over with my brother before (to see United, naturally) so once I committed to the move and and got looking around, I knew it was right. Hopefully, going back next week, too (so excited!)
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post #27 of 46
5/30/09 at 7:08pm
Manchester has a lot to offer, it's where I go to see the majority of my gigs, but I never got on with the vibe of Manchester or the populace. I know some great people in Manchester, but really I don't think I've ever been anywhere which felt quite so...nihilistic. Maybe I'm going to the wrong areas.
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post #28 of 46
5/30/09 at 7:34pm
Over time, I found Manchester and Belfast to have some commonalities. This was ideal as it allowed me to enjoy a contrast to home whilst never being so radical a departure as to prevent a comfortable transition. The abundant confidence (and, in some cases, arrogance) that a lot of the young people have is very similar. So, too, is the warmth evidenced in the pointed sense of humour.

I know what you mean about concerts. Hugh Manbeeng and Barton Keyes (both top Mancs) will attest to Manchester gigs being an occasionally problematic way to endear the city to you. That's as much about the band/artist as the crowds, though (ergo, Laura Veirs in Night and Day Cafe = awesome; random rock bands in one of the Academies = uncertain.)
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post #29 of 46
5/30/09 at 7:46pm
Then again I'm slagging off Manchester whilst I reside on the border of Bradford and Leeds (the former which is a hotbed of multicultural angst, despondency and addiction and the latter which is desperately trying to pretend to be cosmopolitan despite its insane issues with unemployment and behemoth housing estates) so I really can't say much.
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post #30 of 46
5/30/09 at 9:47pm
The great thing about our country is that it's so diverse. It's essentially 15 cultures in one giant takeaway.

Welcome, despite the negative intro.
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post #31 of 46
5/31/09 at 12:06am
Thread Starter 
Thanks, guys. Any perspective British Chewers can give is much appreciated.

I plan on dorming, if possible, just because I know that will be covered under the student loans. (Hopefully I can get a single room...) If I'm able to stay (ie: get a job right after graduation), then I can worry about renting and such.

Bradford, huh? I really, really want to go to this next year:

http://www.in70mm.com/widescreen_weekend/index.htm
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post #32 of 46
5/31/09 at 12:09am
Yeah, we've got the National Film Museum up here so we've got an Imax and a 70mm film theatre which kicks ass. Our neighbouring city also hosts an International Film Festival in November which always kicks ass.
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post #33 of 46
5/31/09 at 12:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post
Ouch.

I can't imagine anyone leaving their home country to settle in Manchester. It's a city which even on short visits I've found to be akin to depression made flesh.
Bah Manchester is nothing.. When i moved to England i went to Swindon! (dont go there Jim.. Ever) It's a horrible soul sucking place.
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post #34 of 46
6/3/09 at 3:12pm
It really annoys me when the BBC don't put Manchester on the map when the do the weather.

That is all.
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post #35 of 46
6/3/09 at 3:33pm
I noticed that, too, Barton! It's downright disrespectful to Manchester, frankly.
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post #36 of 46
6/3/09 at 4:45pm
Is Manchester worth mentioning?
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post #37 of 46
6/3/09 at 4:56pm
I'm not that incapable of sensing a joke!
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post #38 of 46
6/3/09 at 5:00pm
How can it not be on the map? Isn't it the second largest city in England?
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post #39 of 46
6/3/09 at 5:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EdHocken View Post
How can it not be on the map? Isn't it the second largest city in England?
Third, maybe fourth, I think.
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post #40 of 46
6/3/09 at 5:08pm
Expect a Brummie back-lash, Ed.
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post #41 of 46
6/3/09 at 5:09pm
Brummie? You're talking to Joe Hollywood here. What do I know about the population centers of the UK?
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post #42 of 46
6/3/09 at 5:11pm
Oh, I know! I just thought there might be a Birmingham correction brigade moving in on you. Just wanted to give a heads up.
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post #43 of 46
6/4/09 at 12:48pm
Birmingham is traditionally the second city, but considering there's fuck all there, Manchester has kinda taken it's place, unofficially at least.

But, Birmingham did give the world Slade, so it can't be all bad.
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post #44 of 46
6/18/09 at 6:03pm
Thread Starter 
Sent in the acceptance letter and accommodation form today (single room, thankfully), due to the fact that I got my passport earlier than I thought (three weeks!). I think I can refer to myself as a grad student now. The loans are all set. Flight's not booked yet (next week), and the visa will be taken care of next month.

I'm a little amused by the international student pamphlet I got from the college. To writ:

"British people are generally relaxed. There are relatively few customs that have to be observed and many people are willing to chat casually with someone they just met."

"You will find that 'please' and 'thank you' are widely used."

"If your culture does not allow you to drink alcohol, you may be worried if you are invited to go to a local pub."

"You will find that in the UK men and women mix easily. British women are independent but although they mix freely with men, this does not imply a willingness to enter into sexual relationships."

Quote:
I'll be even happier when the Charlton schedule comes out and I can plan trips to the Valley....
The first game I'll be able to attend is against Norwich on September 26. That'll be during orientation, and classes don't start til that Monday. Awesome.
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post #45 of 46
9/22/09 at 3:07pm
Thread Starter 
Bump.

Alright people, I'm here. I live on New Cross Road. Any suggestions as to where to go?

I survived about 32 hours with no sleep, between packing, the plane and navigating through Heathrow. I actually fell asleep while watching Commando Saturday night.

I register on Thursday, while means I can't get banking or a phone set up until then. Thank goodness for Skype.

Unfortunately, I left the USB cable for my camera home, so I wouldn't be able to upload photos for some time.

More updates to follow, I'm sure.
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post #46 of 46
11/24/09 at 8:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post
Yeah, we've got the National Film Museum up here so we've got an Imax and a 70mm film theatre which kicks ass. Our neighbouring city also hosts an International Film Festival in November which always kicks ass.
They showed a 70mm print of The Dark Crystal this weekend. Cost? ONE POUND. I don't care if there's no one but kids in the audience and the print's redder than Superman's cape, that is a steal.

Oh, also, my class is doing a newspaper/website project this term. Take a peek and critique away. Clicking on the 'About' section will give you a group picture. I'm the guy in green with glasses. (Apologies for the plug.)

Aiming to upload pictures by the weekend, hopefully.
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