FAQs about studying at London Metropolitan University with Animesh

Hello, can you introduce yourself?

Hi, welcome to London Metropolitan University's YouTube channel. My name is Animesh Basnet, and I'm from Nepal. Today I'll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions about studying here at London Met. I hope this video helps you outif you're planning to study here at London Met or London in general. 

What do you study and why did you choose it?

I'm currently doing a master's in artificial intelligence and this was a decision that came naturally to meafter I finished my master's in computing. Besides this,when I looked at the industry at Nepaland the AI curriculum at London Met. It was a perfect matchand I applied instantly.

Do lots of international students study at London Met?

Yes, the majority of the campus, including my own class,has a lot of international studentsfrom diverse countries all over the world. Me being an international studentmyself, can vouch that there'sno limit in international bonds that you can make when you're here.

Do you have a scholarship and what's your experience of having a scholarship?

I do have a scholarship that is an ISH [International Student House] and London Met scholarship which sponsors both my tuition and my living expenses.This scholarship so far has enabled me to prioritise my studies and concentrate more fully on my courses, which otherwise would have been very challenging for me to manage.

What opportunities are available for international students?

There are a lot of opportunities. It could be related to getting a jobby working at the Uni, maybe getting a business idea funded by the Big Idea Challenge, or maybe you get to represent your own society as a representative.There are a lot, both in class and beyond. Yet these opportunities depend on whether we take them or not.

What qualifications do you need and did you do any extra tests?

I had to show my bachelor's degreeand was required to do PTE which is an English language test.

What did you bring with you from your home country to the UK?

I mostly brought clothes and the most important necessitiesas there was a limit to the luggage that I could carry. It was around 20kgand that was a bummer, honestly. Yet I did bring some valuable things, like pictures of my family and friends that you can probably see here, which helps me kind of connect back to my roots. However, for people that are coming now, I do recommend getting spices from homeas you’ll surely miss it.

Why did you choose to study in London and at London Met?

Well growing up with Sherlock Holmes and British culture I knew I wanted to come to London, both to further my studies and gain valuable experiences that my younger self always wanted to see. But choosing London Met was to study AI and particularly the module, semantic technologies, that is only taught in a handful of the universities around the UK.The cultureand the diversity that London Met has, was such a plus point that I could not ignore. And it helped me choose London Metover all the universities in the UK.

How will studying at London Met help you with your future career aspirations?

Studying at London Methas provided me access to network with the UK industry experts in my field. It has given me the practical experiencethat are in demand right now. And a supportive learning environment,all of which are crucial for me to advance in my careerfield in AI.

How long did the visa process take?

I think it was around 1 to 2 months,especially because I had a lot of delays. But overall it was quick and I was able to get my visa before my semester started.

What was the biggest culture shock?

I think I believe it was the morning breakfast, that is super sweet to my taste. It’s the mornings that usually start with the slightly bland and boiled food. But here it's a very sweet and I cannot handle it at times.

How do you deal with homesickness?

Living at a student accommodation where there are international students like me has greatly helped meto deal with my homesickness.Being with friends, studying and travelling together has greatly helped me to realise that there is a home beyond home. Besides, I do talk to my parents every day and even if it's like five minutes, I don't feel like I'm losing much.

What do you miss about home?

Besides my parents, I definitely miss the food from back homeand also my friends who used to accompany me after work.

Are there opportunities to network with people from your own country?

London Met has a really diverse community of people, so there is a very likely chance that you'll find a society of your own country, where you could meet people, make new friends and gather around when you want to celebrate your festival. And even if there is no society for your country, you can always be the one that starts it off, especially because the staff at London Met are very supportive. It comes to bringing diversity and inclusivity to the campus.

Can you work alongside studying?

Yes, you can. However, there is a 20 hour work limit per week as a full time [international] student.

What is your favourite thing about the UK and London?

I think the commute has to beone of my favourite things here in London, especially the tubes. They are so frequentand bring so much ease to your life. But I also like walking in general because there's always something new to see and you don't get fed up at all,like even when you you're walking much. Plus, everything that you need is just a short walk away. That's all the questions that I'll be answering today. However, I hope this helps you guys out. And thanks for watching this video. London Metropolitan University's website and social media pages are going to be linked in the description below. They are great resources for finding out more about studying here and hopefully I'll see some of you guys next year. Bye, bye.