Meet Emma

 My name is Emma Tran. I was born and raised in Kristiansand, Agder, Norway. I am Norwegian and I am studying BA (Hons) in Advertising. 

I chose to study at the University of South Wales because of Noroff's collaboration, which made it possible for me to transfer to USW and continue my studies to complete my bachelor's degree. This was an opportunity I needed to take advantage of because marketing is a field I am very passionate about. 

I find the lectures very interesting. I really like that we have a combination of different activities; for instance, we have presentations, workshops, and a lot of creative tasks. The lectures are varied, which makes them engaging because you never know what to expect. Studying at USW is an interesting experience, especially as an international student. It’s fun to see the different cultures on campus since there are many other international students studying here. 

I have really enjoyed the projects at USW because they combine creative and strategic work. I also appreciate that we work on live briefs, which makes the projects more relatable to real-world scenarios and more exciting.

The biggest difference between life in the UK and back home is the people. People in the UK are much more outgoing compared to Norwegians. If I had to give advice to someone who's looking to study in the UK, I'd say try to engage in as many activities as possible, through societies and university events, as well as through programs like Erasmus+ and other clubs. 

Never be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure about tasks or projects at the university. It’s better to ask right away and get everything clarified than to wait. 

In my spare time, I like to visit local cafés and explore the city. Cardiff is a nice place to walk around. I also spend a lot of time at the local gym. I have surprised myself by not being shy about trying new things, like going to events alone without knowing anyone. This has given me the opportunity to meet new people, which is something I wouldn’t usually do in my home country. 

University has taught me to be more independent and manage my time more efficiently. When I finish my studies, I aspire to pursue a postgraduate degree, probably in Austria or Switzerland. Moving to the UK has made me a tougher person, so adapting to change will be easier for me next time.