From the historic Hadrian’s Wall to the stunning Peak District National Park, Britain is teeming with beautiful landscapes just waiting to be explored. In fact, some of Britain’s most spectacular scenery can only be accessed on foot. So, what better excuse do you need to dust off that raincoat, lace up your walking boots and set off on a good old British hiking adventure. Here’s a shortlist of some of Britain’s top hiking spots. 

Blencathra

Not one for the faint-hearted, a hike along Blencathra will take you past some of Britain’s most picturesque countryside, across dangerously narrow ridges and through dense forests. This 8.5km walk officially starts from the village of Threlkeld and follows the England-Scotland border before looping back to the original starting point.

The main event is the Hall’s Fell Ridge, which rewards hikers with spectacular views across the Cumbrian Countryside. Well, at least for those who are brave enough to make the treacherous scramble to the top! 

Ben Macdui

Tucked into Cairngorms National Park in Central Scotland, this challenging 12-mile hike can be completed as a day trip from Inverness. On average, it takes a confident hiker 8-9 hours to complete the loop, so start as early as possible from the Coire Cas car park. This picturesque trail offers walkers stunning scenery throughout the walk. Get your cameras ready to capture incredible vistas over Rothiemurchus Forest, and from the top of Britain’s second-highest mountain, Ben Macdui.

Helvellyn

Nestled into the well-known Lake District National Park, this is another long trail that can be tackled partially or in its entirety. Those who wish to complete the whole 14-km trail will need to be prepared to spend the end of the walk on their hands and knees scrambling up some very steep cliffs. But it’ll be well worth it, as you’ll enjoy unrivalled vistas from the top of Striding Edge and across to Red Tarn Lake.  

Lizard Peninsula Coastal Walk 

A more leisurely stroll can be found in the south of England and takes you around the rugged coastline of Cornwall’s peninsula, also known as The Lizard. Hikers will wander along the top of Cornwall’s wild coastal cliffs and can choose to stop off at one (or many) of the secluded bays and coves peppering the coastline.

As one of Cornwall’s most popular walks, the path gets busy during summer, so consider visiting during a shoulder season when you may even luck out and get a beach all to yourselves. 

Wistman’s Wood Hike

Considered to be one of the Southwest’s best day walks, the Wistman’s Wood Hike takes walkers on both an educational and picturesque adventure. After passing through an otherworldly stunted oak forest, walkers will discover Neolithic settlements and stone circles, many of which still remain a mystery. At only 2.4miles long, taking just three hours to complete, this is a great option for anyone looking for a leisurely, but worthwhile hike. 

The Glyders

One of the most iconic Welsh landscapes, Snowdonia National Park offers visitors a myriad of hiking opportunities. Although there are plenty to choose from, The Glyders walk will lead you to some of the most unique and varied landscapes in the area. The hike begins with a steep climb up Devil’s Kitchen before it carries on at a less intense pace to The Castle of the Winds rock formation. This is just one of many incredible rock formations you will discover on the hike.

At around seven miles long it’s best to allow at least five hours to complete the track and take as many insta-worthy photographs as possible!

Old Harry Rocks

Despite what its name suggests, the Isle of Purbeck is, in fact, a peninsula that sits between Poole and Weymouth on England’s south coast. Known as the Jurassic Coastline, and a recognized World Heritage Site, the peninsula is littered with white chalk cliffs, huge sandstone boulders and refreshing lagoons. It’s best explored via the Old Harry Rocks walk which encompasses all of the isle’s best bits. 

Stanage Edge

Starting from the charming village of Hathersage, this walk takes hikers on a 10.5km journey through The Peak District. The majority of the hike takes place amongst the luscious greenery of the park, culminating at Stanage Edge, which is a series of gritstone monoliths that line the top of the mountains.

The beauty of this walk isn’t just in the hike itself, but the village of Hathersage is also full of old-school English pubs waiting to welcome you with a refreshing pint at the end of your arduous walk.

South Foreland Lighthouse Walk

One for the not-so-keen hikers out there, the South Foreland Lighthouse Walk offers a scenic hike without the exhaustion. Located in the southeast of England, this four-mile walk provides stunning views of the White Cliffs of Dover and the chance to visit historic hotspots such as the Langdon Hole – an  underground network of tunnels used during World War II.

Don’t miss the chance to walk to the top of the South Foreland Lighthouse for uninterrupted views across the English Channel. 

Yorkshire Three Peaks

Last, but certainly not least, is the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. Taking place in the Yorkshire Dales, this challenging hike will have you scaling three of the area’s highest mountain and all in a day's work. Hikers will need some serious training beforehand, as the 24-mile loop includes more than 1,600m of an incline in just twelve hours.

This hike may be challenging, but don’t forget to take a minute to catch your breath and appreciate the incredible views around you. 

Out today, the QS Latin America University Rankings 2020 features 400 of the most prestigious universities in Latin America. Discover what it’s like to study in different Latin American locations with our guides.

The index was compiled using eight indicators; academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty to student ratio, staff with PhD, International research network, citations per paper, papers per faculty and web impact. Find out more about the methodology used here.

Read on to discover the ten highest ranked universities in Latin America in 2020.

10. Universidad Nacional de Colombia

Location: Colombia

Kicking off our list of the best universities in Latin America is the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in tenth place for the second year in a row. Founded in 1867, the university is the largest in Colombia, with eight campuses around the country and more than 53,000 students. The Universidad Nacional de Colombia offers the largest selection of courses in the country and scores highest in the academic reputation indicator, ranking seventh – a reflection of the institution’s high quality of teaching and research.

9. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

Location: Brazil

In ninth place we have the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, which ranks 358^th in the QS World University Rankings® 2020. UFRJ is the largest federal university in Brazil and is internationally recognized for its excellent teaching and research. The university earns its highest scores in the international research network and web impact indicator and is an indication of the university’s international outlook and strong online presence

8. Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)

Location: Argentina

The Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) moves up one place in the Latin America university index this year, ranks 74^th place in the world and is the top university in Argentina. UBA is one of the largest universities in Latin America, has produced four Nobel Prize winners, several presidents and the Marxist guerilla fighter Che Guevara. The university is highly respected by graduate employers and academics, earning its highest scores for the academic reputation and employer reputation indicators, with perfect scores in both. It is also worth noting that undergraduate degrees are free of charge for both domestic and international students.

7. Universidad de Chile

Location: Chile

Heading over to Chile now, we have the Universidad de Chile in seventh place. Founded in 1842 and inaugurated in 1843, it is the oldest university in the country, and has a rich history in academic, scientific and social outreach. This top university places joint 189^th in the world and has a very high research output; earning its highest score in the international research network indicator. Notable alumni include 20 of the past Chilean Presidents, two Nobel Laureates and 155 National Award recipients in different fields.

6. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

Location: Mexico

Sixth in our countdown of the best universities in Latin America is Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), placing 103^rd in the global world ranking. The university is the largest in Latin America, containing over 143,000 students and has several campuses in Mexico City, as well as many others across Mexico, and four campuses in San Antonio (Texas, USA), Chicago (Illinois, USA) and Hull (Quebec, Canada). UNAM earns its highest score in the international research network indicator, where it places third – a reflection of the university’s substantial national and international presence.   

5. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp)

Location: Brazil

Dropping two places this year to fifth place we have Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp). Unicamp places 214^th in the most recent world university rankings and scores highest in the web impact and papers per faculty indicators – showing the university’s high research productivity and use of new technologies. As a result, Unicamp is now responsible for around 15 percent of all Brazilian research. As with all public universities in Brazil, there are no tuition fees for domestic or international students.

4. Universidad de los Andes Colombia

Location: Colombia

Back in Colombia we have Universidad de los Andes Colombia (Uniandes), dropping two places to fourth place this year, and joint 234^th in the world. Uniandes offers over 100 undergraduate courses and has around 12,964 students. Founded in 1948, Uniandes is situated in Colombia’s capital city, Bogotá, and contains a wide range of facilities (including a sports center with a semi-Olympic swimming pool!). The university ranks the highest in the employer reputation indicator in seventh place – showing the university’s graduates’ popularity amongst graduate employers.

3. Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)

Location: Mexico

Mexico’s Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) rises three places in our countdown of the top universities in Latin America  to third place. ITESM ranks 158^th in the world university rankings in 2020 and earns its highest score in the employer reputation indicator. Established in 1943, ITESM has grown to include 31 campuses across 25 Mexican cities, becoming one of the most recognized universities in Latin America.

2. Universidade de São Paulo (USP)

Location: Brazil

The second-best university in Latin America in 2020 and ranking joint 116^th in our most recent world university rankings is Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Despite not making first place overall, USP remains the top university in Brazil in 2020. The largest public university in Brazil, USP was officially founded in 1934, but its law school was established much earlier, in 1827. The university earns its highest scores in the papers per faculty and international research network indicators (with perfect scores in both), reflecting the high quality of research output. In fact, USP has quickly achieved a leading role in many different fields as a research center and is now responsible for around 20 percent of all Brazilian academic output. 

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC)

Location: Chile

In first place, and once again the top university in Latin America in 2020, is the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC), which ranks 127^th in the world. Established in 1888, UC is one of the six Catholic universities in Chile; with four campuses in the country’s capital, Santiago, and one in Villarrica. UC scores well in all of the indicators, but earns its best score in the employer reputation indicator, placing first and displaying excellent employment prospects for the institution’s graduates.

Sponsored by ESSEC Business School

Are you toying with the idea of going back into higher education? If so, you may want to add the possibility of studying an advanced master’s to the mix. Why? Read on and you’ll soon find out.

What is an advanced master’s?

To get a better idea of what an advanced master’s is all about, we spoke with Dr Anne-Flore Maman Larraufie, Academic Director of the Advanced Master Strategy & Management of International Business (MS SMIB) at ESSEC Business School, which has several campuses around the world, including France and Singapore.

“An advanced master’s means we recruit people who already have a master’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree and want to pursue their studies before going into their professional career, or they simply want to switch careers,” said Dr Maman Larraufie.

A lesser known degree, but nonetheless just as reputable, valuable and challenging, the advanced master’s is an official and accredited postgraduate diploma from a higher education institution. It is generally tailored towards specific disciplines and is offered in only a few countries around the world – most commonly in France.

You don’t need any previous professional experience

“It’s called an advanced master’s because it’s in between a master’s and an MBA. As a result we don’t require any minimum year of professional experience either so you can apply straight after you’ve completed your first master’s degree,” said Dr Maman Larraufie.

All academic backgrounds are welcome

Even if you’re not a math whizz or your previous master’s or undergraduate degree wasn’t math or business related, it shouldn’t hold you back, according to Dr Maman Larraufie.

“We have some people who have studied the arts. I’m responsible for recruiting students and I think diversity also means diversity of academic background and not just nationalities,” she said.

Of course, there are still some rigorous requirements necessary for studying an advanced master’s, such as the General Management Admissions Test (GMAT): “Because we have a lot of finance courses in this program you do need to be ready to work with a lot of math and numbers.”

Go international and study all over the world

The opportunity to travel overseas for your studies is exciting and is a great way to tap into various cultures and their way of doing business. You’ll meet a diverse network of people too – from your class cohort to professors who all bring their own wealth of experience and knowledge.

From France to Singapore, at ESSEC Business School there’s a strong emphasis on training students who are capable of working with a global outlook.

It’s not about learning outdated business models, strategies and theories

Whether you study corporate strategy, strategic consulting, digital transformation or financial management, it’s important that institutions consider the demands of the current job market and develop a curriculum that aligns with such demands.

Doing so brings a sense of flexibility to the program, stops it becoming too stale and ensures students are up-to-date and tapped in with business models, strategies and theories that are relevant in today’s globalized world. 

“This year we have introduced a couple of new things, such as a course which is about the legal implication of the digitalization of the world, as this is a new challenge for companies and education as well,” said Dr Maman Larraufie.

“We’ve shifted towards tracks which are going to be more focused on one specific area. For example we have a track dedicated to strategy consulting for international business departments which is for students who aim to become consultants in big consulting companies.”

Other modules that have recently been introduced on the MS SMIB curriculum include big data as well as the Internet of Thing (IoT) and the impact it has on business conduct.

There’s a strong emphasis on hands-on learning

As a former Advanced Master Strategy & Management of International Business student herself, Dr Maman Larraufie knows the importance of hands-on learning and what it means for not just your academic experience but professional experience too.

At the ESSEC Asia-Pacific Campus in Singapore, students jump straight into work with a seven-month consulting mission with a genuine company based in Asia. Opportunities to work with a real company, be it a start-up or a multinational corporation, are a sure-fire way of enhancing your professional skills as well as your industry acumen.

“It’s very demanding as companies are expecting a real result. It’s not just a project it’s a real job which students have to do for the company.”

You don’t need to follow a set career path after graduating

An advanced master can lead to a number of fruitful and lucrative career paths.

“Around 30 percent of our students will work in consulting and will go and work for traditional consulting companies, especially abroad. A lot of students have gone to work for the top consulting firms in Spain, Morocco, or China,” said Dr Maman Larraufie.

Many students embark on a career in marketing, with several going into the luxury marketing industry. Finance is also a popular route to take after graduating, especially in asset management and private equity, according to Dr Maman Larraufie.

Advanced master’s students who have an engineering or pharmaceutical background also benefit greatly.

“Roughly 50 percent of our students will have an engineering background and so we have a lot of them going into aeronautics and space, or defense companies and energy companies, such as EDF and GE.

“We also have approximately 15 percent of students coming from a pharmaceutical background who go on to work in business analytics or marketing within the pharmaceutical industry.”

The second edition of the QS India University Rankings has been released today, featuring 107 Indian Universities; all of which are featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2020.

The QS India University Rankings are based on eight indicators; academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, staff with a PhD, papers per faculty, citations per paper, international faculty and international students. You can find out more about the methodology used here.

Read on as we countdown India’s top 10 universities.

10. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG)

In 10^th place in our list of the best universities in India, we have the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati; one of India’s 26 Institutes of technology (IITs). The university earns its highest scores in the employer reputation and academic reputation indicators– indicating that IITG is an extremely reputable university throughout India, both to graduate employers and to other universities. The university also scores well in the papers per facilities indicator, highlighting the institute’s research productivity and impact. 

9. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR)

Ninth on our top universities countdown is the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR). IITR is the oldest Technical Institution in Asia, established in 1847 as the College of Civil Engineering at Roorkee and gaining IIT status in 2001. The university features in the top ten for most indicators including; academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per paper and staff with PhDs. It also ranks in the top five for the citation per paper indicator.

8. University of Hyderabad

Down one place in the top Indian universities index this year is the University of Hyderabad in eighth place. Established in 1974, the University of Hyderabad is relatively young in comparison to the other top universities in India. The university has more than 5,000 students and 400 faculty members, and in 2015 received the Visitor’s award for the Best Central University in India, awarded by the president of India.

The university earns its highest score in the faculty/student ratio, which reflects the number of students enrolled per full-time academic faculty member employed and shows the university’s commitment to teaching and student support.

7. University of Delhi

Ranked the seventh best Indian university in 2020, the University of Delhi is the highest ranked non-IIT university featured in this year’s 10 best universities in India. The university was established in 1922 and has since become India’s largest institution of higher learning and one of the largest in the world, with over 132,000 students.

It has two main campuses in the north and south of Delhi, with a total of 77 affiliated colleges and 16 faculties. The University of Delhi earns its highest scores for academic reputation and employer reputation.

6. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK)

In sixth place we have the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK). Established in 1959, the institution currently has 3,938 undergraduate students and 240 graduate students.

The university scores well in multiple indicators; particularly the and staff with PhDs and papers per faculty indicators, where it ranks first and fourth respectively – an indication of the large number of highly qualified members of the faculty working at the university.

5. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP)

Entering the top five now, we start with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP), located in northeast India.

IITKGP ranks joint 281^st in the latest QS World University Rankings® and the university scores well in both the staff with PhD and employer reputation indicators; showing the university’s graduates are extremely attractive to prospective graduate employers. 

4. Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM)

In fourth place we have the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). Despite falling one place this year, the university scores well in both the employer reputation and staff with PhD indicators and places in joint 271^st place in the world university rankings.

Established in 1959, IITM was the third IIT to be established by the government and has 8,000 students, 550 faculty and 16 academic departments. The university also contains facilities such as the IIT Madras Research Park, which is the first of its kind to be established in India. 

3. Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi rose one place in 2020 to enter the top three top universities in India for the first time! The university earns the second highest score in India for its academic reputation and employer reputation indicators, suggesting the university is rated highly for both its academic output and its graduate employment prospects.

IITD recently gained ‘Institutes of Eminence’ status, meaning it has increased autonomy on course structures, tuition fees and academic collaborations, as well as allowing 30 percent of admitted students to be international students.

2. Indian Institute of Science (IISC)

The Indian Institute of Science (IISC) is ranked second in the India University rankings this year and places 184^th in the world university rankings. The university situated in the city of Bangalore was established in 1909, but only granted university status in 1958.

The city scores well in the academic reputation indicator and earns first place in the papers per faculty indicators – highlighting the university’s strong academic output.

1. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)

India’s top university is the Indian Institute of Bombay (IITB), ranking 152^nd in the world university rankings. The institute is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of engineering education and research, earning first place for both the academic reputation and employer reputation in the QS India University Rankings.

IITB was established in 1958, as the second IIT in the country, and has since produced a number of high achieving graduates who have made contributions in the fields of industry, academics, research, business, government and more.

Sponsored by University of Lima

The rapid development in technology over the last few decades has been nothing other than revolutionary. From smart devices to self-driving cars, virtual reality headsets to 3D printing, modern technology is becoming increasingly accessible and provides exciting opportunities for everyone, especially for those with disabilities.

In the Fab Lab at the University of Lima in Peru, researchers have come up with innovative solutions to the problems faced by children with disabilities by designing and developing several custom-made products using modern technologies. We spoke with them to find out more.

3D-printed archeological artifacts to help children learn about history

In the summer of 2019, the Tacto Museo Project delivered various 3D replicas of archeological artifacts to the Gold Museum of Perú, which included a Tumi, gold mask, mummy as well as other valuable objects.

The initiative was developed by the Center for Technological Innovation (CIT) at the University of Lima and the Gold Museum of Perú.

“We wanted to solve a problem that arose when visually impaired children visited a museum and couldn’t touch the artwork,” said Fabricio Paredes, Director of the CIT Fab Lab at the University of Lima. 

Thanks to modern technology, such as lasers, scanners and 3D printers, the research team at the University of Lima were able to create 3D prints of archaeological artifacts for those with visual disabilities who would be able to appreciate the artwork through touch.

This type of project is essentially a tool to help those with visual impairments and blindness to enjoy and appreciate the environment they’re in.

“These new works of art help us as a museum to modernize. Now we have a project for remodeling the entire Gold Museum and we want to include those new works of art with a view to becoming a more inclusive museum,” said Lara Mujica, Director of the Gold Museum of Perú.

Braille slates to help children read and write

Image credit: University of Lima

Sensory disabilities such as visual impairment or blindness can prevent children from utilizing ‘traditional’ classroom materials and tools. It also means they face numerous challenges in the classroom on a daily basis.

With access to technical tools for human touch and recognition, there’s no longer any need for children with visual impairments or blindness to do ‘traditional’ reading and writing exercises.

The Center for Special Basic Education, San Francisco de Asís in Surco, Peru, was given 30 slates and 30 styluses to help children read and write by the University of Lima.

“The initiative arose from the teachers at the school, which has a number of visually impaired students,” said Parades.  

“One of the main tasks was to focus on manufacturing these slates. Indeed, the children have other problems and other needs, but the point here was to use the equipment we have to solve a problem that is pretty big for us, but in fact, is much bigger for them.”

The Technological Innovation Center at the University of Lima used 3D printers, CNC machines, a laser cutting system and 3D design software to manufacture 30 braille slates and 30 styluses for the school. Braille is a tactile language system that’s used by people who have visual-impairments or are blind to read and write.

“We couldn’t imagine that from oil, aluminum and blades we could make such an important tool for visually impaired people,” he added.

 “They [slates and styluses] are very useful for their education and access to written information,” said Cristina Miranda, Director of the San Francisco de Asís Special Education Center.

Standing frames for children with low muscle tone

Image credit: University of Lima

In February this year, 30 standing frames for children with mobility issues were presented to San Juan de Dios Clinic headquarters by the University of Lima, who were part of a project that collaborated with the Area of Social Responsibility and the Center for Studies in Textile Innovation of the University (Ceitex).

“We decided to manufacture standing frames because we thought they were a tool that was quite significant for children who suffer from hypotonia and can’t stand in an upright position,” explained Paredes.

“Children are more comfortable doing their daily therapy with the aid of this tool.”  

“We’ve focused on trying to make standing frames that are easy to manufacture and still easily meet the needs established by the therapists at the San Juan de Dios Clinic,” said Eduardo Cieza De León, project manager of the CIT Fab Lab at the University of Lima.

In Peru the majority of standing frames are imported from other countries, especially countries in Europe which can also cost up to 20 times the amount of what it would cost to manufacture the frames in Peru.

Claudia Uriarte, the Director of the Teletón Perú Foundation talked about the impact and benefit the standing frames would have on the children. She said: “These standing frames are going to improve the quality of life of many children who will be able to continue with their rehabilitation.

“The standing frames will enable them to stand up and provide them with the possibility of gaining the ability to walk in the future,” she added.

Opening up the classroom and breaking down barriers

The inability to carry out the simplest of tasks can be both inhibiting and daunting, but with the help of modern technology, people can feel empowered to do things they may not have had the opportunity to do before.

However, the utilization of modern technology in these circumstances is more than just about accommodating the needs of people, and in this case, children with disabilities. It’s also about giving them greater levels of independence, confidence and the ability to seek out new opportunities and not necessarily having to depend on others 24/7.

Lead image credit: University of Lima

Sponsored by Sophia University

Tokyo: the city of neon lights, cherry blossom and this year, the Rugby World Cup. Steeped in technology and innovation, yet still deeply rooted in thousands of years of tradition and heritage, Tokyo has something to offer everyone who visits – whether it’s for study, travel or work.

It might be difficult picturing yourself studying abroad in the first place, let alone learning to adjust to unfamiliar customs and traditions. But it is absolutely possible – and you won’t find a more welcoming nation than Japan.

By 2020, the Japanese government aims to attract 300,000 students to Japan to pursue their studies, but what makes Tokyo, in particular, such an attractive study destination for students from all over the globe?

It’s been named the second-best student city in the world for two years running…

… according to the latest QS Best Student Cities ranking. It’s also a view that’s shared by Klara Kristianingtyas, an international student from Indonesia who’s currently studying a Master’s in Green Science and Engineering at Sophia University in the heart of Tokyo.                                                               

“Tokyo is a nice city to live in, to study, and to work. Everything you need is in the city just like any other metropolitan city,” she said.

Tokyo’s patchwork of districts and neighborhoods all with their own identities and offerings make it a truly international place that’s full of contrasts.

“The important thing is to find a place which really fits your lifestyle. If you can see yourself living in a big city like Tokyo, then you’ll know how to enjoy it,” said Klara.

You’ll be able to study for your degree in English at an outstanding institution

In a bid to encourage more students to move oversees and pursue their degree in Japan, many universities offer English-taught degree programs. Sophia University, a highly reputable university which ranks in the top 30 in the QS Japan University Rankings 2019, offers English-taught degree programs in Green Science and Engineering.

We asked Klara to share with us a little bit about her study experience.

“Unlike other engineering programs, in green engineering we had the opportunity to study as many engineering fields as we needed and were constantly introduced to recent developments in science and technology.

“If I didn’t have the option to study the various fields of engineering and had no freedom to choose which field I wanted to join, I would not be where I am today.

“This is a unique aspect of my degree which has been very beneficial and enjoyable.”

You’ll expand your international perspective

Studying abroad comes with many learning curves – and enhancing your international outlook is one of them.

As you work and study alongside a diverse group of individuals who come from all walks of life and bring their own stories and experiences to the classroom, you’ll soon benefit from considering other people’s points of view as well.

“Sophia University gave me mixed learning experiences between Japanese culture and other cultures thanks to the diversity of the students and professors,” said Klara.

Experience a unique and welcoming culture

When asked what her first impressions were when she arrived at Sophia University, Klara was impressed by the hospitality she received.

“I could really feel the unique and welcoming culture, especially from my experience living in an international campus dormitory,” she said.

“We always held a welcome party at the beginning of every semester for new residents. All the residences worked hard in preparing the parties and gave the warmest welcome to new residents,” she added.

Celebrate Yukata Day

Something which you may not experience as a tourist in Tokyo is Yukata Day, an exclusive event at Sophia University where students, teachers and staff wear yukatas, making the campus lively and colorful.

“Every year in the spring semester there is a day where everyone wears a yukata to school – including the professors. During the day, students can experience a Japanese tea ceremony, kanji calligraphy, and so much more,” explains Klara.

It’s a great way for students from all over the world to learn and get a genuine insight into Japanese culture.

Tokyo is a city that likes to invent and reinvent

Tokyo’s tech-savvy attitude means it’s often admired for its state-of-the-art technology. It’s also a gadget paradise for those who love all things sleek, new and exciting. From robots to smart cities, Tokyo is a playful metropolis that doesn’t shy away from change, that’s for sure.

Visit a sakura matsuri (cherry blossom festival)

There’s no doubt the sakura matsuri is one of the most aesthetically pleasing visions in the world, with numerous parks around the city such as Ueno Park hanging their own lanterns during Hanami – an outdoor party that marks the beginning of the cherry blossom season.

Many students at Sophia University also host their own Hanami to celebrate and enjoy the new springtime season, according to Klara.

It’s not just a concrete jungle – Tokyo is home to pristine parks and glorious gardens

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Ueno Park, Imperial Palace East Garden and Yoyogi Park are just some of the many tranquil parks you can escape to when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s busy city streets. This is something Klara really appreciated: “It might get a little too busy and there might be times when you think everything is happening too fast and you want to slow down.

“Just be aware that you can always slow down. There’s no need to follow anyone’s pace.”

Tokyo is a city that’s full of color

For many, the first thing that comes to mind when they think about Tokyo is its abundance of neon lights. But neon isn’t the only way Tokyo gets its color.  

“Everything is pink during spring to welcome the sakura,” said Klara. “Then the fireworks light up in the summer.

“The leaves start to fall covering the streets with orange to remind you that autumn has arrived, and then, before you know it, the whole city is lit up with winter illuminations which give warmth during the winter.”

It’s transport system is hard to rival

Something else Tokyo does well is its efficient and clean subway that can get you wherever you need to be at a rapid speed, which makes getting around the city a total breeze.

Bearing in mind Tokyo is home to 13 million people, the subway can get busy at times, as Klara told us: “Even though it’s extremely packed during rush hour, the subway gives me the freedom to travel all over the place.”

If on the weekend or during the university break you find yourself wanting to explore more of what Tokyo and Japan has to offer, a bullet train is the probably the best way to do so as they cover vast distances quicker than normal trains.

Bullet trains are notorious for their punctuality. In fact, in November 2017, a Japanese bullet train company issued an apology for departing 20 seconds early.

Fulfil your wanderlust

Speaking of travel… you can’t study abroad without taking an adventure or two. Tokyo has a lot to offer when it comes to fulfilling your wanderlust, such as seeing a kabuki theater performance, a sumo tournament (also known as a basho) or visiting Odaiba in Tokyo Bay – a high-tech entertainment hub on an artificial island. You have to see it to believe it!

For art and culture, you’ll want to head to the Roppongi District and visit the Mori Art Museum and Observatory as well as take a trip into Tokyo Mid-Town. The notorious district of Harajuku is also a must-visit for those who love to shop ‘till they drop.

If you want to deepen your understanding and appreciation for Japanese culture, there are plenty of temples and shrines in the city to visit: Meiji-jingu Shrine and Senso-ji Temple are particularly remarkable.

For those who love a challenge, catch a bullet train towards Mount Fuji and plan a day’s hike. If the hike doesn’t take your breath away, then the views definitely will.

Or, if the thought of hiking tires you out, you can always opt to relax like a real Japanese citizen by visiting an onsen – a Japanese hot spring.

Become multilingual

Many students shun the prospect of studying in Japan simply because of the language barrier, but don’t let that put you off. The majority of public signs also feature English translations, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding your way around the city.

The people are extremely welcoming too, and if you choose to embrace the local customs and culture and try to learn a bit of Japanese too, you’ll be met with even more warmth and appreciation.

In fact, Klara found that having made friends with people from all over the world, not only did she learn Japanese, but the languages spoken by her friends too.

“I have friends from all around the world and we still keep in touch with one another. Everywhere I go now I always have a friend to meet and a place to stay,” she said.

Japanese is spoken by 128 million people and is considered a valuable language to have. Here are a few phrases to help get you started:

Konnichiwa – Hello/Good morning

Genki desu ka – How are you?

Arigatou gozaimasu – Thank you

Gomen Nasai – I’m sorry

Namae wa _ – My name is _

Ja Mata – See you later/Goodbye  

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food

And finally… the food! There’s more to Tokyo than fresh sushi and noodle bars. When you start eating out for the first couple of times it may be a case of trial and error while you become accustomed to the range of flavors and textures that entertain your palette. Not everywhere will have an English-language menu either, so choose carefully when you order!

Tokyo is home to the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world and it’s not unusual to find upscale cuisine establishments and inventive street food stalls sharing the same street. As long as the food is good, everyone is happy.

One more thing – when it comes to eating and drinking in Tokyo (and Japan in general), it’s believed that food and drink should be enjoyed. This means no multi-tasking – so no eating or drinking on the subway please!

The United States is home to some of the highest ranked universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings® 2020.

However, the US is also renowned for being one of the most expensive places to be a student, and with high tuition fees and pricey living costs, it’s unsurprising that US cities often earn their lowest score in our affordability indicator – one of the six used to compile the QS Best Student Cities index.

In this article we’ll be counting down to reveal the cheapest US student cities US in 2019, based on the affordability indicator. Each of these cities contain at least two world-renowned universities featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2020.

10. Chicago

Ranked as the world’s joint 41^st best student city, Chicago takes tenth place in the US for affordability and 132^nd in the world. Chicago contains five world-ranked universities, with the University of Chicago coming top in 10^th place in the QS World University Rankings® 2020.

Nicknamed ‘The Windy City’, Chicago will blow away your budget with tuition fees costing an average of US$30,800 (the higher end of US universities’ tuition fees). Despite this, the city scores well in the Mercer Cost of Living indicator, in 34^th place, and a one bedroom apartment in Chicago city center is likely to cost students US$1,880 according to Numbeo.

9. Boston

Home to eight universities in total, with two universities in the top five; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, in first place) and Harvard University (third), Boston is undoubtedly an extremely popular student city. Boston is ranked 12^th in the best student city index (the highest ranked student city in the US) and places 131^st in the world for affordability (down four places this year).

Average tuition costs US$34,800, and as a result, Boston is one of the most expensive cities for tuition fees in the US. You may argue, however, that the exceptional reputation of Boston’s institutions justifies the higher costs.

Don’t let these high costs put you off – the universities offer generous financial aid packages, so students can have access to some of the world’s top universities, without breaking the bank. 

8. Philadelphia

Philadelphia rises four places in the affordability indicator this year, ranking 130^th in the world and 8^th in the US. The city places 62^nd in the Best Student City rankings, containing three ranked institutions, with the University of Pennsylvania coming top in 15^th place.

Tuition fees, on average, will cost students US$29,900, and the city ranks relatively well in the Mercer Living Index in 38^th place. Despite this, a single person’s monthly costs (excluding rent) will be around US$1,003 according to Numbeo, and the cost of living index is 1.23 percent higher than London.

7. Miami

Florida’s most populous and well-known city comes seventh in our countdown of the cheapest US student cities, ranking 125^th in the world for affordability. The city comes in at 94^th in the best student cities rankings, climbing six places this year, and it’s highest ranked institution is the University of Miami in joint 271^st place.

Average tuition fees in Miami will set you back US$30,800, but the monthly living costs (excluding rent) for a single person are a lot lower than other US cities – US$973 without rent – and the cost of living index in Miami is 5.32 percent lower than London, according to Numbeo.    

6. Dallas

In sixth place we have Dallas, in north east Texas, ranking 123^rd in the world for affordability (dropping two places this year) and 114^th overall in the Best Student Cities ranking.

Dallas’ top ranking university is the University of Texas Dallas, placing 501-510, and average tuition fees will cost students US$31,700. However, this is offset by lower costs of living – 14.9 percent lower than in London, and consumer prices (including rent) are 43.4 percent lower than the US’ least affordable student city – San Francisco, according to Numbeo. 

5. Houston

Entering the top 5 now, Houston ranks 120^th in the world for affordability and comes 93^rd in the best student cities ranking. Houston is the largest city in the state of Texas, the fourth largest city in the US, and is home to 6,313,000 people, of which 43,300 are students.

Tuition fees in Houston will cost students US$29,800 on average, and a one bedroom apartment in the City Center will cost around US$1437, according to Numbeo, with consumer prices (including rent) 46 percent lower than San Francisco.

4. Baltimore

Baltimore ranks 87^th in the best student cities ranking and rises five places this year to reach 119^th. Maryland’s largest city, Baltimore, contains two ranked universities, including John Hopkins University, which places 24^th in the world university rankings this year; is the city’s highest ranked university, as well as one of the best medical schools in the world.

Average tuition fees for Maryland’s universities will cost students a comparatively low US$21,500. The city also scores well in the Mercer Cost of Living Index in 38^th place.

3. Atlanta

Atlanta kicks off the top three, ranking 115^th in the affordability indicator, rising two places this year and placing third in the US. Average tuition fees in the city are a modest US$27,100, but the cost of living is relatively high, with Atlanta ranking 78^th in the Mercer Cost of Living Index.

The city boasts rich history and culture as well as being a thriving center of commerce, and as a result, places joint 57^th in the student cities ranking. The city contains three internationally recognized universities, with the highest ranked being the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech, joint 72^nd).

2. Pittsburgh

Dropping four places this year in the affordability indicator is Pittsburg, ranking 112^th. Despite this fall, Pittsburgh is still the second cheapest student city in the US this year, and only just misses out on the top spot by one place in the affordability indicator. Pittsburg contains two world-ranked universities, including its highest ranked, Carnegie Mellon University, in 48^th place.

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs a comparatively cheap US$1,166 -- the US’ most expensive student city, San Francisco, is significantly more expensive, with a similar apartment costing US$3442 on average.

1.San Diego

The cheapest student city in the US this year is San Diego, remaining in 111^th place for affordability. With numerous attractive beaches and plenty of tourist attractions, San Diego is an extremely popular student city, earning its highest score in the desirability rank and placing 76^th overall in the best student cities ranking. The city contains three top universities; including University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 48^th place.

The city offers the cheapest average tuition fees of the US ranked cities at US$15,500. Supporting this is a relatively affordable cost of living, and San Diego places 27^th in the Mercer Cost of Living Index. A single person’s monthly costs (excluding rent) is around US$903; significantly lower than many other US cities.

To get into graduate school or some business schools, you need GRE scores to demonstrate your readiness for post-graduate education. As the test requires a considerable investment in time and money to sign up and prepare for, you want to be prepared when you eventually take it.

While you will find several study options available, the best way to study for the GRE depends on you. To decide which method could be the best option for you, read up on the available techniques, and how you can integrate them into your prep time before the test.

Books

GRE preparation books are one way to get ready for the test. While these books are everywhere from libraries to online stores, they shouldn’t be the only method you use to prepare.

Advantages 

GRE prep books are ideal when you have a tight budget. In some cases, you can find these books in your local library for free or online for under US$100. Because books are cheaper than other study options, they are an excellent tool to start studying.

Prep books allow you to learn more about the test and try practice problems for a low investment. While you get dozens to hundreds of practice problems – depending on the book publisher – this shouldn’t be the only way you study for the GRE as there are inherent disadvantages with self-study from books.

Disadvantages

The downside to only using books to prepare is the lack of feedback you get from study. While most books offer solutions to the practice problems, you may not understand the solution presented.

If you've ever seen GRE study books, you will notice their massive size. Unless you know what parts of the test you need to study the most, you can get lost in the hundreds of pages of information. Too often, students feel overwhelmed by the size of the books and give up on studying at all.

Yes, you should use prep books, but use them with another study method to achieve the best results.

Flashcards

If you weren’t already aware, the GRE tests your vocabulary. Participants must prove they have a college-level handle of English on the test, which makes flashcards appealing. But, like books, flashcards shouldn’t be your only study method.

Advantages

Flashcards make it easy to study for the vocabulary portion of the GRE anywhere. You can have flashcards on your phone and go through them on your commute, while waiting in the doctor's office or anytime you have a few free minutes. For an on-the-go study method, flashcards are an ideal solution.

Disadvantages

Yes, flashcards can help you  drill in some vocabulary knowledge, which is critical for getting a high score on the GRE verbal section, but what about the math portion? On the flipside, flashcards don’t help you with critical reasoning or reading comprehension. If you want to use flashcards, make them a part of your studying method, not the only way.

Tutors

Private tutoring gives you one-on-one instruction for the GRE. Although you get private teaching, it may not be the most effective way to prepare for the GRE for everyone, especially if you want to save money.

Advantages

In an ideal situation, the tutor will customize teaching to the parts of the test you need to focus on. They should also give you GRE study tips to help you practice outside of tutoring sessions. With an online or in-person tutor guiding you, you may have more motivation to study than working on your own.

Disadvantages

The level of experience attained by tutors is wide and varied, meaning, you could find someone with no experience or specially trained test experts. Unless you have thoroughly vetted a private tutor or sought assistance from a GRE test prep company's trained tutors, you could find yourself getting poor advice and wasting your money.

The monetary aspect is a big disadvantage for some; private tutoring is one of the most expensive test prep options.

Online courses

Online courses give you an overview of the GRE as a comprehensive study option.

Advantages

The advantage of taking an online course is the flexibility to study anywhere you have access to a computer. These classes cost less than private tutoring, making them better choices for those on a budget. Online courses also give you a complete package of practice, information and study tips. Depending on the service, you can even find online study courses that offer a score guarantee, such as the Princeton Review.

Disadvantages

Unless you practice on your own outside of the online class, you may not get the full benefits from the course. Additionally, online learning doesn’t give you interaction with your fellow students or teacher that you get from in-person classes.

In-person courses

In-person courses require physical attendance in a class with other GRE students. Among the ways to study for the GRE, this is one of the most well-known, but is it the best?

Advantages

In-person courses are ideal if you need interaction with other students and the teacher. You can ask questions and collaborate on problems or form study groups with classmates. Since the classes happen on a pre-set schedule, you must keep up with studying and practice to avoid falling behind.

Disadvantages

In-person classes can feel tedious, especially with large amounts of information to learn. Additionally, depending on the class size, you may not get any personalized instruction during the course. Like tutoring, in-person classes can be expensive. However, some people find the investment a driving factor, to study harder and put more effort into participating in the class.

Don't wait to start your GRE preparation

Regardless of how you study for the GRE, you can’t wait until the last minute to begin preparation. As soon as you decide to take the GRE, start your search for the best study methods for you.

What are good study methods for the GRE? That depends on you. Think about how you study best. Do you need individualized tutoring, or can you motivate yourself to study through an online course? You will need many methods to get the desired results regardless of whether you take a class – you still need practice outside the class to reinforce what you learned.

Sources: 

1. https://www.princetonreview.com/grad/gre-tutoring-course?ceid=nav

2. https://www.princetonreview.com/grad/gre-honors-course?ceid=nav

3. https://www.princetonreview.com/grad/gre-test-prep?ceid=tersh-nav-honors-course

You’ve decided your university course isn’t right for you, and you’ve found another one you like the sound of – but how do you go about changing courses?

If you’re thinking about changing your degree program, know it isn’t likely to be an easy process, and you need to be completely sure that it’s what you want. Not only can it be extremely costly and time consuming, often you will have to take some time out before commencing your new course, and sometimes you won’t be able to get onto your course of choice at all.

However, if you’re really unhappy in your current course, switching courses can help you achieve more, and help you towards your career aspirations.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about changing university courses.

What to consider

Once you know that changing university course is the right thing for you, bear in mind that there are several practical aspects you need to consider before you commit to switching university courses.

Firstly, ask yourself why you want to change to this course. Be brutally honest about your reasoning – there’s no guarantee you will enjoy this new course better than the first one, and there is a lot of time and money at risk if you make the wrong decision. Alternatively, if you’re not 100 percent sure that university is right for you, jumping straight into a new course is probably the worst thing you can do.

If you’re changing course in order to get onto a more competitive course, we hate to be the ones to tell you, but this probably won’t work – universities are well aware of students attempting this, and will, more than likely, reject your application straight away.

Secondly, be aware that if you don’t meet the basic entry requirements for the course you want to change to, unfortunately, it’s unlikely the course will accept you.

Thirdly, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to transfer courses in the year you wanted – particularly if you submit your application after the deadline. This is especially true in competitive courses in high ranking universities, where spaces may be scarce.

If, after considering all of this, you are still set on changing courses, read on to find out how.

Changing courses in your current year

If you’ve just started your course, and realized immediately it just isn’t right for you, then you’re (slightly) in luck – you may be able to change without too many issues if you can get your application submitted before the deadline.

This deadline is usually around the second or third week of your first term. Beware though: once this deadline has passed, it’s a lot harder to change courses without incurring complications.

To change in your first year, in the first couple of weeks of term, follow these steps:

1. Decide what course you’re changing to and why
2. Consult your personal academic advisor

The first thing to do is to speak to your personal tutor or program leader to talk about your decision. They will provide you with information on how to proceed. Do this at your earliest opportunity

3. Talk to the student services office

Every university’s admin system works slightly differently, so you will need to find out how your university’s system works. To do this, seek the help of your student services office,. They will provide assistance on how to change your course, direct you to the correct departments and tell you who you need to talk to at uni

4. Fill in a form asking you which course you’d like to switch to and why

This will be available from your student support center or online. Consult your academic advisor or student support office if you’re unsure where to get the form

5. Your application will be considered by your current department and the department of the course you’re looking to change to

You will need to already have the required entry requirements for this course to get accepted

6. You will receive an email once your application has been approved

Changing next year

You will use this option if you’ve already completed your current academic year or have decided to stick it out until the end of the year before changing.

If you’ve missed the deadline for transferring during your first year, you may have to wait until the following September.

If this is the case, follow these steps to change courses next year:

1. Consult your academic advisor and student services
2. Fill in the form to say that you wish to change courses

In the UK, this should be before the UCAS closing date (15^th January) and applications submitted on time will be treated like any other UCAS application.  After the UCAS deadline, your application will be treated the same way as a late UCAS application.

Your academic advisor/personal tutor will be able to advise you on when this deadline will be 

3. Your application will be considered, taking into account whether you’ve studied the required modules to progress into the next year of your new course

If so, you may be able to transfer straight into your second year. If not, you will have to repeat first year, and start the new course from scratch in September.

It’s also worth noting that you’re more likely to be able to switch to a different program within a department, as there will often be some common modules  

4. Receive confirmation that your application has been approved

How will changing course affect tuition fees

The extent to which changing course will affect how much you pay in tuition really depends on what time of the year you decide to change courses. Generally, if you leave at any point during your third term, you will have to pay 100 percent of your fees for the year. If you leave earlier than that, you will only have to pay a percentage of your total annual tuition.

For further information on this, see the table below:

When you transfer courses, you should be entitled to funding on the new course, but this depends on who provides your funding. Check with your funding provider about their procedure on changing courses.

If you get your funding via Student Finance England, for example, you should still be entitled to funding, including a maintenance loan and tuition fees. However, you must contact student finance to notify them of the change, and your institution also needs to notify them.

How will it affect international students?

As soon as you know you are changing course, contact the relevant department in charge of international studies to ask them how to proceed with your student visa. Bear in mind, the procedures vary across countries.

In the UK, you will need to inform the UK Home Office and there may be complications for your Tier 4 visa, and you may need to reapply. Talk to your university’s international studies office for more information on how to proceed.

In the US, you will need to make arrangements with your university’s international studies office, who will let you know how to approach the situation. If you don’t do this your institution will notify USCIS, and you may have complications with your visa.