It was a Year 11 exchange to France, followed by a trip to Spain’s IE University, that kickstarted the idea of studying overseas for Lily, soon to begin a Bachelor of Science (International Relations) at the London School of Economics (LSE).
She applied for a range of different universities in the UK—five in total—and found herself drawn to their programs. ‘I found them to be a little more specific than studying in Australia, so you get a lot more depth in your subject. I also thought the opportunities in general that come from an overseas university experience are second to none.’
‘Meeting people from all different countries and cultures, and getting to hear their perspectives, really influenced me to want to apply and pursue the goal of studying overseas,’ Lily said.
Fellow 2023 graduate, Emma, who will be studying English Literature at University College London (UCL), said she wanted to learn in a city that was a melting pot of old and emerging history.
‘Studying in London means there will be so many opportunities available to me, and the ability to be close to history, but also modern culture as well, was really intriguing to me,’ she said.
Emma studied all three English subjects at Girls Grammar—English, Literature, and English Literature Extension—and said it was the specificity of an English Literature degree that made it so appealing.
For Lily, the appeal of her studies was both the reputation of LSE as a world-renowned university and the vast range of professional pathways that might arise, not yet knowing where her studies may take her.
‘While it is specific (studying International Relations), it’s still broad enough to cover lots of different avenues and career pathways I might want to pursue in the future, because I’m not really sure what I want to do after university yet. I think it’ll be an interesting subject to study,’ Lily said.
‘I’m most excited to push myself to explore new experiences and put myself out there. It will be my first time living in a new country and living by myself. So getting to experience all those new things and grow as a person really excites me.’
Neither Emma nor Lily was required to interview for their places but did have to submit a personal statement and reference, results from Years 9 to 12, and their ATAR scores. However, academic results were not the only thing they were looking for. The admissions team was also looking at what co-curricular activities Emma undertook, including societies, clubs and leadership opportunities, and whether they aligned with her studies.
‘I’m really nervous, but I think anyone would be,’ Emma said about moving to London. ‘Something I was really interested in was doing something way out of my comfort zone, and really pushing myself to become my own person and grow. I think whilst moving over there is really daunting and scary, the opportunity to become my own person, outside of who I am here, excites me.’
Having begun their primary school journey together at St Columba’s Primary School to graduating Girls Grammar at the end of last year, and now setting off overseas—and by some coincidence living across the road from one another in student accommodation—the girls will no doubt enjoy the familiar face of another Grammar girl nearby in such a big city.
‘I’m a little bit nervous to be so far from home, but I’m grateful that in this day and age, it’s so easy to communicate with people, which is such a blessing,’ Lily said.
Lily Blanshard (2023) and Emma Readdy (2023)
