Janette Wong

Why did you want to study in Birmingham, and what were you most excited about when coming here?

I wanted to experience the quintessential university student life that you often see in movies, and the University of Birmingham immediately stood out to me because it is a campus university. It offers that strong sense of community and traditional campus experience, while Birmingham city centre is only around 10 minutes away. To me, UoB was in the perfect location, and so was Birmingham itself. As the city is right in the middle of the UK, travelling to other parts of the country is generally quicker, easier and more affordable.

As an international student, the opportunity to explore the UK was very important to me because I wanted my university experience to extend beyond studying and include discovering different cities, cultures and places. I was especially excited about being able to take weekend trips and experience more of the country without having to travel too far. Birmingham therefore gave me the best of both worlds: a beautiful campus environment and easy access to both the city and the rest of the UK.

Why did you want to study Law at Birmingham?

As an international student from Singapore, a key factor for me was that the law degree is recognised in Singapore; I wanted to keep the option of returning to practise there. Birmingham’s law programme is highly regarded not only in the UK but also internationally, which made me feel confident that I would be receiving the best quality of education. What also impressed me was the range of modules available, particularly in the third year. I liked that the course was not limited to the traditional core subjects, but allowed students to explore more specialised areas of law. For example, Legal Issues in Health Care stood out to me because medical law is an area I am very interested in pursuing. I initially thought it was a very niche field, so seeing that the university offered it made the programme even more appealing.

Birmingham’s location was another major advantage. Being well connected to London means I can conveniently attend law firm events, networking sessions, and insight opportunities, while still enjoying the experience of studying in a vibrant student city.

What are your favourite places to visit in the Midlands?

Harborne is my favourite place in Birmingham. It has everything from independently run cafés to Michelin Guide restaurants- and, of course, Marks & Spencer. It is only a 15-minute walk from Pritchatts House, where I stayed in my first year. I love that it is a little quieter and more relaxed, while still being just a stone’s throw from the lively student atmosphere of the Vale Village.

A little further from Birmingham, around 45 minutes away by train, is Stratford-upon-Avon. I visit almost every weekend to sit by the river, enjoy the sunshine, and get some reading done. It’s the picture-perfect English countryside, and there is a riverside market every Sunday, which I adore.

What are the main differences between living in the UK compared to your home country, what surprised you?

One of the biggest differences between living in the UK and Singapore is how much more independent I have become. I now manage my own cooking, budgeting, travel and daily routine, and I have really enjoyed having that independence. I also love experiencing the different seasons, as Singapore is warm all year round. Seeing the leaves change in autumn, experiencing colder winters and looking forward to spring has made everyday life feel much more exciting.

University life is also more participation-based than I was used to. Seminars involve a lot of discussion, sharing opinions and responding to other students’ views, rather than simply listening and taking notes. One particularly memorable seminar was in Year 2, where our Professor divided the class into two and hosted a small debate. I feel like this is exactly what Law should be like, where we get to share and hear insightful arguments from the best students..

Describe an average week in your life

I have what I would deem a perfect life. During a regular school week, I would wake up early in the morning to head to the gym. It’s particularly pleasant going in the colder months because the sun isn’t up yet, and the walk feels more tranquil. Then I would head to class and lectures, before meeting my friend at the library to get a little reading done. I am quite an introvert, so sometimes, I would get my work done alone at home. In the evening, I would meet my friend to explore the food spots in Birmingham city centre, especially Chinatown, which I visit often whenever I miss food from home. The Birmingham food scene is terribly underrated because there are some restaurants that I crave, even when I’m back home in Singapore. I also enjoy getting a bit of fresh air by taking walks along the canal that runs through the school, all the way to the city. There are also multiple stables around Birmingham, so I go horse riding every few days, something that is not so accessible back home. On the weekends, I get to fully immerse myself back in nature by going to nearby towns like Shrewsbury for a quick reset. Overall, my week is a nice balance of work, rest, and excitement.

Is there anything you’ve found challenging about living in the UK and if so, how have you overcome this?

Not in particular, although arriving in a new country and navigating unfamiliar surroundings as an international student naturally took some getting used to. The University has a very reassuring security system, including an app that allows students to contact campus security or make an SOS call quickly if they ever need help. Knowing that support is so easily accessible has made me feel very safe and confident while living and studying in Birmingham.

How do you think your degree and studying abroad will support your future plans?

Studying abroad has honestly opened my eyes to so many different things, from how vast the legal industry is to renting my own apartment. Before coming to Birmingham, I was mostly focused on local firms in Singapore because that was what I was most familiar with. Since studying here, I have had the chance to attend law fairs, networking events, socials, and talks where I could speak directly with representatives from international firms. It made me realise how diverse the legal industry actually is and introduced me to areas of law and career paths that I had never really considered before.

The University has also been really helpful in preparing us for life after graduation. The school hosts many programmes and workshops that help with things like networking, improving your LinkedIn profile, applications, and speaking confidently with employers. Having these opportunities has given me a much better idea of what working in law actually involves and what I need to do to get there. Initially, I was very set on returning to Singapore after graduating. However, after living in Birmingham, meeting people here, and experiencing the culture, I am now much more open to staying in the UK as well. I really enjoy living here, and studying at a well-regarded Russell Group university gives me the confidence that I can explore opportunities both in the UK and back home. Overall, my degree has not only prepared me academically but has also helped me see that my future does not have to follow just one fixed path.

What have become some of your new favourite things after living in the UK?

One of my favourite things about living in the UK has been being surrounded by so much literary history. I am a huge literature lover, and many of my favourite authors are British, so being able to visit places connected to them has been really special. I went to the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, which was amazing, and I also love visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born. There is such a strong appreciation here for literature, poetry, creative writing, and culture, and it makes me so happy to experience all of that in the places where so much of it began. I have also really enjoyed browsing second-hand bookshops and finding old, vintage editions of books. There is one bookstore called Blackwell in Oxford where you can find first-edition books, and it was such a special experience to be there. There is truly nothing like grabbing a stunningly written classic and reading in an open field for hours.

Another thing I love is how many artists include the UK in their tours, as this does not happen as often in Asia. I have been able to attend quite a few concerts since moving here, which has definitely become one of my favourite parts of living in the UK. Bonus points as Birmingham has it’s very own concert venue!