Anyone thinking about studying abroad is certainly aware of the excellent reputation of British universities. There are so many amazing universities that it is difficult to decide which one is the most suitable for your profile and plans.
When it was my turn to choose the university where I would do my master's, I considered several factors. One of them was City, since he would live in this place for at least a year. After living in Durham for over 9 months, I decided to share with you what it's like to live in this city and the reasons why I'm so grateful for the choice I made!
1. The city
Durham is a city in the North East of England and has a population of approximately 50,000 people. Famous for its cathedral that has served as a movie set (Harry Potter and Avengers, for example), Durham is 3 hours from London and less than 2 hours from Edinburgh (by train). The city is very peaceful, precisely because it is a country town, and at the same time, we have access to everything: good restaurants, great markets, several shops, many cultural attractions.
Sumien, Chevening Scholar from South Africa, shared what it's like to live in Durham:
“For me, Durham is not just a place to study, it has become a place to call home. No matter how much time passes, the beautiful landscape that surrounds us on a daily basis does not tire us: the change in the color of the trees, the beautiful architecture, the footpaths in the middle of the forests and on the banks of the river, which lead us to the market or the university. .”
2. Locomotion
The vast majority of students get around in the most economical (and healthy!) way possible: on foot. The student accommodation is very close to the university buildings and the city center, so there are no transport costs.
As I'm living in Durham with my husband, we decided to rent a house in a residential neighborhood, a bit far from downtown. Even though I don't live close to the university, I get to the university by bus in less than 15 minutes. My costs for this mode of transport are very low: as a student, I pay only £5 per week to use all buses (from one of the companies, Arriva), at any time and as many times as I need.
3. Student discounts
The university certainly has an impact on the city's economy. After all, Durham University has about 19,000 students enrolled, and it's only natural that stores and restaurants are interested in attracting this audience. This makes students have many benefits in Durham.
There are student discounts at several shops, pharmacies, transport (bus)… In addition, several restaurants and cafes in the city center also offer student discounts! This all makes the cost of living here lower than in other places.
3. Friendly community
The townspeople are very polite and kind, and I feel like I really belong in the community. Whether in commerce, at local events, at the university, in the work environment: everyone welcomes me with open arms, interested in my studies and knowing a little more about Brazil.
4. Internship and employment opportunities
Anyone who thinks that Durham, being a small town, has few options for doing an internship or getting a temporary job, is wrong! In addition to the many opportunities in Durham, students can look for internships or job openings in the nearby city, which is 10-15 minutes away by train: Newcastle upon Tyne
As soon as I arrived here, I applied for a few volunteer internship opportunities and luckily I was selected for two: one in Durham at the state government (Durham County Council) and the other in Newcastle at Freedom From Torture. I chose to do the internship at the local government, as I wanted to know a little more about the British public sector, and the experience was very enriching. In other words, there are many opportunities in the city and region!
5. Cultural attractions
Cultural attractions abound, and prices are very affordable (many of them are free!). I've been to an opera at the Theater Royal in Newcastle, to several concerts and performances at Durham Cathedral, seen a play at the Gala Theater and been moved to hear a choir singing Christmas carols in a small local church.
Durham has an intense schedule of shows. One of the reasons is the university's music course, which is one of the best in the country – is ranked number one in the UK, according to the Guardian University League Table. In other words, the students themselves perform quite frequently in different places in the city.
I really like living in Durham and I can say that I really feel at home here. The excellent location, the tranquility of everyday life, the beautiful landscapes and architecture, the affordable cost of living: it's impossible not to like Durham. If you're in the UK, don't miss out!
PS: what do you think of the beautiful photos in this post? Image credits to my friend Germán, Chevening Scholar from Colombia and student at Durham University.
