The UK: A launchpad for Filipino students' growth and global excellence

Over the past four years as British Ambassador to the Philippines, one of the most rewarding parts of my role has been meeting Filipinos who studied in the United Kingdom.

- LAURE BEAUFILS

Whether they pursued intelligence and international security at KCL, narrative futures in art, data and society in Edinburgh, corruption and governance in Sussex, or cybersecurity and forensic information technology in Portsmouth, their stories are full of insight, warmth, and inspiration.

These conversations often begin with fond memories of being a student in the UK – foggy mornings walking cobbled streets to class, joining student societies such as Shakespeare companies or cheese-tasting groups, cheering on football teams, or exploring theatres and our countless free museums. Many students recall the thrill of their first formal university event in true British style, weekend trips to Edinburgh or Bath that felt like stepping into a storybook, or the quiet joy of reading at their favourite park bench. Conversations will inevitably turn to our cultural quirks – including the British knack for queuing patiently and saying "sorry" even when it's not our fault, our infatuation with tea (of course! It's a life necessity), our pub culture, and our obsession with the weather (one needs to learn to "layer").

What stays with all students that studied in the UK is how their time in the UK shaped them. They speak not just of world-class professors, but of friendships that crossed continents, the independence they discovered, and the confidence they built. They come home not only with a degree, but with a deeper sense of purpose, and more resilient, open-minded, and ready to take on the world.