With £13.77/Hour Job & Global Exposure, Indian Student Finds Balance Studying In The UK

Hello! My name is Gauravi Patil. I am a postgraduate student doing an MSc in engineering geology. I belong to Mumbai, India. So, why did I opt for the UK? It is because the courses provided by the universities here perfectly matched my expectations. I was looking for a master’s course that would help me build hands-on skills and prepare me to work in the industry as an engineering geologist. Since I also want to gain work experience after my studies, the Post Study Work Visa was an added advantage, allowing me to study at one of the best places in my field while also gaining industry experience.

Why Leeds was the ideal destination for my Master's in Geology

I applied for an MSc in Engineering Geology at Leeds, given its world ranking, good industry reputation, and lively city. Field experience is very important for a geologist, and this course provides plenty of field experience and site visits both within the UK and overseas. I did consider other places like Germany and Australia, but the UK—and Leeds in particular—was my top choice.

On my first day in Leeds, I was completely lost! The university campus is enormous—I remember walking around so much and still not seeing it all. My main mission was to find the School of Earth and Environment, which I eventually did—thanks to Google Maps. I celebrated my first day in Leeds by sitting near the Roger Stevens lake on campus with a coffee and a pistachio pastry from Caffe Nero (probably one of the best pastries I’ve had so far).In my first week, I got to know the city centre and the campus and visited the Fresher's Fair. It was a little daunting initially because it all seemed so new and alien, but I soon settled into the groove and began referring to Leeds as my home away from home. One interesting fact which came as a surprise to me was how much Indians are adored by the locals here—and that the UK's national dish is Chicken Tikka Masala!

My university experience has been amazing and very fulfilling. The teaching here goes far beyond theory—I’ve gained so much practical knowledge and hands-on experience. One of the highlights of my master’s was our fieldwork trip to Greece, which was part of the course! Moving abroad completely transformed my lifestyle for the better. I had never been apart from my family but soon grew accustomed to life on my own and was a more assertive version of me. An ordinary day for me is waking up very early in the morning to make my lunchbox. I am off to the university gym followed by the normal classes where I get to encounter my wonderful colleagues. Upon concluding classes, I either join events at university, discuss projects with fellow learners, or conduct more work within the library.

Once home, I cook dinner while chatting with my parents back in India. My days have become well-structured and balanced, giving me time for my studies, health, extracurriculars, and a bit of fun.

Adapting to Life in Leeds

I wouldn’t call any of these major challenges because the university offers so much support to help students settle in. At first, I found the supermarket self-checkouts difficult to get used to, but after a while, I found them so quick and efficient. Grocery shopping too took some time—I was slow in picking what I wanted and recall walking home with laden bags, absolutely exhausted. But after learning the bus routes, life became much easier. Being a member of the culture here wasn't hard either—being respectful, polite, and not forgetting to say "sorry" and "thank you" does the job. I also work part-time as a Link to Leeds Ambassador, which works around my lecture timetable because of its flexible nature. I found this job through JobLink, the university’s portal for part-time roles both on and off-campus. It’s not difficult to find jobs in general, and the university is always there to help.

Balancing Finances

I manage my cost of living through a combination of part-time work and savings from a job I had back home before coming to the UK. My Link to Leeds Ambassador part-time job pays £13.77 an hour. It is flexible in terms of hours, so I am able to work around my classes, and my total pay varies based on the number of hours I work a week.

Tips for fresh students

My advice to would-be students is to come with an open mind and heart and be ready to accept all challenges. You will fit in quickly with your new home if you try to see the positives and meet every challenge head-on as an adventure. Consider this chapter in your life to be an adventure and live your best life in it. And don't be anxious if you are an introvert and believe you will not have the best experience out of it—I'm an introvert too, but here's space for all—everybody is welcome. Just take the correct approach of mind, and you'll breeze through this adventure gracefully.

The author is pursuing an MSc in Engineering Geology from the University of Leeds, UK