Kingston University international students share their view on Brexit and the Erasmus Programme

Moving countries to study internationally can be a huge task to undertake. From 2017-2018 alone, there were a total of 458,520 international students studying at universities in the UK.
With Brexit taking effect back in January, this could cause severe repercussions with international students and their educational experience when it comes to studying in the UK or EU.

To gain a more in-depth insight into the thoughts and opinions of international students currently in the mix with the implementation of Brexit, The River has interviewed two international students who share their perspectives with us.

Rainna, 20, is an international student from Korea, who is undertaking a Graphic Design course and is currently in her first year of study at Kingston University.

“I was searching for universities that were well known for a design course and Kingston was one of my top two choices.

“I prefer the UK because there is much more to learn here. In Korea, we have to figure everything out on our own,” Rainna said.

With the UK having left the EU on January 31 2020 as part of Brexit, Rainna gave us her opinion on this.

“I want to get a job in the UK after my studies, and I think Brexit will make it more difficult for international students,” Rainna said.

Rainna also has powerful beliefs that Brexit will make it more difficult for international students to study here in the UK.

“I think Brexit will restrict visas and almost everything else for foreigners,” Rainna said.

A lot of students tend to study abroad as they believe the level of education they will receive from a different country is far better than from their home country.

The teaching system can be a huge incentive for students to undertake an international study.

“I enjoy it here because the UK’s level of teaching is very high quality, whereas, in Korea, it’s more about the results and techniques. I feel like it’s less systematic here,” she said.

The strict education system in Korea was the incentive Rainna needed to finalise her decision to study in the UK.

“I was really stressed about the education system I had to go through in Korea. I did not get a break, and I have been designing since the age of 10,” she said.

Overall, Rainna enjoys her educational experience far more significantly than her time studying in Korea. She feels while studying in the UK, there has been a lot more help and guidance during her studies.

Sweta, 21, is an international student from India, who is studying media and communications and is currently in her third year.

Sweta told The River: “I chose the UK because I was bored in India and wanted a new environment to learn in.

“My very good friend from India recommended Kingston University to me. He said it was multicultural and beautiful.”

With there being a huge difference between the education system India and the UK, Sweta told the River: “The education system in India is more theoretical, whereas here it’s more challenging, so you end up learning a lot here as opposed to in India.”

Sweta also gave us her input on Brexit.

“Brexit will make it harder for international students, but better overall. For most Indians, it’s more about the class and image to show others that they are studying abroad.

“There are so many kids who come here and struggle with money because they don’t know how life is here.

“Unless you are brave and deserving enough, a visa should not be given.”