November 27, 2015, by International students

From Mexico to UoN

By Jorge Luis Aguilar Santana, one of the two winners in our #journeytoUoN competition. Jorge is studying MSc Renewable Energy and Architecture.

Hello, I am Jorge. Originally I studied Architecture at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City. Being a student of architecture in my home country helped me to figure out which was the next step in my life.

Of course, moving to study in a different country for the first time could be daunting. It is not only spent time like in vacations, it’s making plans for achieving your goals in life. Choosing the right university for your higher education is also a challenge.

Jorge in front of Tower Bridge on a recent weekend trip to London

Now that I look back and realize that I have been here for the past two months it is awesome. (I am not lying to you, the first two weeks were a little hard) but once you settle in an environment of people of your same age and dreams you realize how similar it could be to your birthplace.

I always like to participate in social events as much as I can, so it was really helpful to join a few societies in the first week. I met many people with similar interest and hobbies.

The first time I had the chance to approach the University events was when I submitted a picture for the competition #journeytoUoN. In this case my girlfriend took a picture of my family in the last few minutes before leaving Mexico. We thought it would be a nice picture if everyone pulled me trying not to letting me take the flight, and we got a nice picture for the competition.

“Finally!! The time for my #journeytoUoN has arrived.”
Jorge’s winning #journeytoUoN photo

A few weeks later I was contacted by the International Office to let me know this picture had been chosen as one of the two winners for this competition and I have to mention that half the credit for the picture is for my girlfriend. It is great to have the chance to study in this uni with her too.

“Better than coming to Nottingham is not coming alone”
Another #journeytoUoN photo Jorge shared on Twitter during our competition

In this case I won a food voucher that we redeemed in a weekend trip to London a few days ago. I had the chance to share a dinner with my girlfriend just beside the Thames River after spending the whole day walking around London. We took so many pictures of the city and had a lot of fun in this new country in which we had found new friends and a university full of opportunities. Thank you University of Nottingham!!!

The #journeytoUoN prize was a restaurant voucher

Using the restaurant voucher in London

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