Alin Dinçman joined Birkbeck through Clearing and coming from Turkey she found studying in London really broadened her horizons. This week she graduates with a BSc in Computing.
Alin Dinçman watching a show at the Royal Albert Hall
London is full of surprises: there’s always something that can excite and amaze you in every corner. There’s beauty to be found in every part of the city, with each season eliciting a different feeling. Birkbeck’s lectures are in the evening, so I had my daytimes free to take advantage of everything London has to offer. I made friends quickly with other people my age on my course, and we ended up spending most days together; taking long walks through London, going to operas and plays, visiting free museums and travelling to different cities in the UK, like Oxford. Going to shows in the Royal Albert Hall was one of my favourite things to do – I felt like I was travelling back in time.
Alin Dinçman visiting Wales
It was amazing to study and have my lectures in Bloomsbury; a place that has shaped literature and culture. I loved spotting the blue plaques of notable men and women – when I saw that Charles Dickens, my favourite author, once lived in the area I was so excited. Learning doesn’t stop in the classroom when you go to university in London – the culture and history is so rich, you really broaden your horizons.
Before joining Birkbeck, I’d already been living in London for a couple of years. Coming to London felt like a dream at first – I’d always wanted to study in the UK because of its renowned education system. My family and I moved to the UK from Turkey, and I studied fast track A-Levels, having to adapt quickly to a very different education system. I applied to Birkbeck through Clearing, which was a very smooth, friendly process. Birkbeck really cares about potential students, and I felt like I was entering a big family. The primary reasons I chose Birkbeck were its location, its University of London membership and its fascinating history – Birkbeck is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2023.
I didn’t actually have much of a culture shock when we arrived in London, except for noticing more bicycles! Because I grew up living in different cities in Turkey, and I also experienced living in Naples, Italy, for two years in secondary school, I was quite used to adapting to different cities and cultures. I don’t think London is difficult to adapt to though as an international student: it’s a very cosmopolitan city and you see people from all over the world at every turn. I wasn’t fazed when my family moved back to Turkey in my second year of university, and I moved into a homestay.
Alin Dinçman in front of Tower Bridge, London
I had to return to Turkey halfway through my studies because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I didn’t face any challenges when I studied abroad virtually during the pandemic, and I never felt I was receiving less support – the international office and lecturers were amazing and incredibly supportive. I really felt that Birkbeck always put the safety of its students first during the pandemic which I’m grateful for.
I feel very happy to have graduated from my BSc Computing degree with a First-Class Honours. I achieved what I aimed for – it’s an amazing feeling. My advice to other students would be to socialise with people on your course, and to ask lecturers questions. I would also encourage international students to use Studiosity for their assignments – it’s an amazing service Birkbeck offers, especially if your first language isn’t English.
I am now working as a software engineer in a fintech company in Istanbul. I aim to pursue a career full of creativity, that enables me to work in global companies and travel as much as I can. I hope to live in London again in the future!
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