A year in Brighton changed my life entirely

Congratulations to Jihae Namkung from South Korea, who has been named one of the Degree Pathway Programme Maths & Data Students of the Year. She has received offers from four outstanding Russell Group universities to study Neuroscience (University of Bristol, University of Glasgow, King’s College
London and the University of Manchester). Jihae’s dedication, academic excellence, and positive attitude have made her a standout student during her time at Kings. We spoke to her about her experience studying in the UK, her passion for Maths and Data, and her plans for the future.

How has your experience at Kings been overall and what are some of the highlights?

“My experience at Kings has been truly amazing. I have done numerous things I could not have imagined would happen to me, and those changed my life completely.

In terms of the academic life, I got to study the field I was always interested in but never had a chance to study. Amazing teachers and staff helped me adjust to those subjects and my general experience at Kings. They offered me sufficient guidance for my UCAS application and a personal statement, which was crucial for my university offers.

As Kings is a small, private school full of diverse international students, it was extraordinary to get to bond with other students. Living in such proximity enabled us to be in each other’s lives deeply, and we became one big family.”

You won a prize related to your achievements in Maths and Data - Congratulations! Is this a topic area that particularly interests you, and how did Kings most help you develop in these areas?

“To be honest, I was always interested in Mathematics and Data subjects, but was not the best at it back in my home country. Teachers I have met at Kings Brighton were all super supportive, they were always happy to answer my questions and very passionate about the course. I suggest to other students to focus on the classes first to absorb all the information and review them back in a self-study session.”

What are your plans for university and how did Kings help you with the application process?

“I plan to study Neuroscience at the university. Kings Brighton helped my application in various ways, such as filling in complicated questions, reviewing my personal statements, and offering a sincere reference. I believe the reason why I was able to receive conditional offers from one of the top universities I applied to was because of the personal reference and teacher’s reference. An Academic Director of Kings Brighton and other teachers helped a lot on how and what to write in the personal statement.

There was one incident where the University of Manchester rejected my application, and the reason was that my ‘subjects are inappropriate’. However, all my requirements were suitable according to the university website. When I sought help, two teachers who were in charge of the UCAS application gave me advice to reach out to the university and I did via sending them an email. The Academic Director also sent an email to the university, which was very thoughtful and helpful. As a result, I could’ve received a conditional offer from the University of Manchester.”

What have you enjoyed so far about living and studying in the UK and would you recommend Brighton as a destination for academic students?

“Based on my experience, I believe Brighton was the best place in the UK I could have ever chosen. Kings Brighton has great access to everything you need, groceries, cafes, the city centre and is only a 10-minute walk down to the beach. Furthermore, you can visit London with only an approximate 1-hour train ride, so you can always go out during the weekend to just hang out or to get anything you need.

One surprising thing about the UK is that the weather is actually better than I expected. In Brighton, it’s never too hot or too cold. Even the rain only lasts for a couple of minutes. I would say the winter weather can be challenging for some people, as it rains more and the sun sets earlier. Nonetheless, as the student accommodation is just around the corner from the school, it personally did not affect me. Rather, the gloomy weather outside the window helped me focus on studying. It was also very bearable as students gathered in the common area together and studied or hang out together.

Lastly, living in the UK in general is something you can dream of if you like UK culture. If you have ever liked Harry Potter, British bands, or other cultures, everything will feel different, but in a better way.”

Do you have any advice for students considering taking a Degree Pathway programme in the UK?

“I personally worried a lot before I started a Degree Pathway Programme as it was my first time studying a science major. If you prepare and go over all topics that matter in your subject every day after your classes, it will be more than enough. The key is to do the right amount every day rather than cramming it.

Before you start DPP, I recommend to focus more on your English than on the academic subjects you will learn during the course. It is important to focus on your classes, as teachers will let you know what you should be more prepared for or focus on.

If you can maintain your academic life adequately, you can still have enough time to experience other stuff. As I also wish I had made more memories during the free time I had, please go visit the city centre, other cities, enjoy your hobbies, exercise, cook nice food for yourself, and socialise with other people. Use valuable time and term breaks to exploit the benefits of living in a foreign country.”

Is there anything you would like to say to your friends and teachers/support staff at Kings?

“I genuinely do not think I could have done it without everyone I have met in Kings Brighton. I am truly grateful that I got to meet all these supportive people and got to know them closely. These people made Brighton feel like home to me. Most of the academic students were younger than me, but they taught me so many things. I was impressed by how all the teachers and staff are passionate about their jobs. Additionally, language course friends from my home country made me overcome my homesickness. A year in Brighton was something I had never had in my life before, and it changed my life entirely. I will never forget this year, and everyone will be deeply carved in my heart forever.”