My journey to choosing Queen's

I did not expect that my first trip to the UK would be for a year-long move to continue my education. I first became interested in Queen's when my husband was in the midst of applying to different master's programmes. We were living in Chiang Mai, Thailand where I was working in community health for a year. I had always been passionate about medicine and healthcare and had developed an interest in the public health field in college, so I started looking at the Public Health programme at Queen's out of curiosity. I didn’t feel quite ready to leave, to trade the sunshine and mango smoothies for rain and thermoses of tea.

Yet, I let myself picture how my career could be bettered by a masters. I read and reread descriptions of the Master of Public Health programme, and I saw myself reigniting my passion for being in the classroom – challenged by something new. My doubts about money, moving across the world again, and being good enough to get back into school disappeared when I received my acceptance.

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Moving to Belfast

We fit our lives in two suitcases, two carry-ons, and two backpacks once again. After visiting home in Washington State for the summer, I travelled to Belfast to move in the day before induction started. I traveled through Germany, France, and Ireland before taking the train into the city of Belfast. I met many kind people in Northern Ireland, those who helped me with my luggage, to find my train platform, and pointed me in the direction of where I needed to go.

I was relieved to find that the staff at my accommodation were friendly and helpful, no question was considered dumb in my struggles to settle in completely the day before classes. Induction week was just as helpful, allowing me to figure out which classes were where, who to reach out to for what, and most importantly, meet my classmates.

Student Accommodation at Queen's

I was surprised to learn that I was the only American in my programme this year, but I became excited hearing about all of the cultural events that the students typically put on as I deeply missed my Latin American community from home. Overall, induction week helped me get my bearings and was a positive introduction to what to expect for the year. 

Tips for incoming students

For any US students coming to Queen's, I encourage them to stay on top of their visa application as much as possible and to begin the process early. As long as they do that, things will work out. As stressed as I was trying to figure out the details of exactly what was needed, there was always a solution or help available. There is no question about the process of moving that has not been seen before and there will always be someone at the university that can assist. If you feel like you’re not ready to leave your home, I hope you find comfort in knowing that no one is ever quite ready, but once you have given yourself time to adjust, you’ll be making a new home and community.

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Once you arrive, make sure to upload your immigration documents and complete the final steps for online registration so that you can matriculate in person. Although I worried that I could be missing something for the process, there was nothing to be overly concerned about because Queen's was always in touch with anything else they needed from me.

Now that I’m settled, I feel lucky to pack my thermos of honeyed black tea everyday and begin my morning walk through the city streets to my classes. Although the rain is different here, it comes down with enough force to remind me of Seattle and mend any homesickness. With time, I hope all international students will enjoy these small moments as well.

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More blogs by American students

Postgraduate study at Queen's

Everything You Need to Know as a First-Year Queen’s University Student

Advice for New Students at Queen’s: Building Your Foundation Beyond the Classroom

Diana Kachman Public Health | Postgraduate Student | Washington State, USA My passion for public health and medicine stems from a desire to work with underrepresented peoples within the health field, especially the elderly, migrants, and indigenous communities.  I am a Peruvian American from the Seattle area in Washington State. I graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota in 2023 with my degree in English and History.  Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, baking, hiking, and salsa dancing. I love travelling to learn about new cultures and am happy to connect with students from all paths and backgrounds.