If you’re thinking of studying in the UK, why not come to the West Midlands? Situated at the heart of the country, the West Midlands is a lively and culturally diverse region. Traditionally an area of manufacturing and industry, the area also boasts a number of colleges and universities. It has lots to offer to international students.

Travelling to the West Midlands is easy: Birmingham boasts one of the busiest airports in the country, serving passengers from all over the world. Or, if you’re flying into Heathrow or Gatwick airports, you’ll reach the West Midlands in under two hours by road or rail.

Many people think only of London when they think of England, but you’ll be amazed at how much there is to see, do and enjoy away from the capital. In fact, many students seem to prefer studying out of London, for all sorts of reasons. Finance is one important factor: accommodation, transportation, food and entertainment all tend to be cheaper out of London, and cities in the West Midlands have some of the cheapest housing in the country. Also, students sometimes prefer to be in towns or smaller cities where they don’t feel so anonymous; where they see their friends as they walk around, and don’t get constantly mistaken for tourists!

In terms of recreation, the West Midlands has a wealth of attractions to keep you interested and busy in your free time. Let’s start with Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of England’s most famous writer, William Shakespeare. You can visit the cottage he was born in, then take a boat ride along the River Avon and cruise past the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Another venue of great drama is Warwick Castle, where many a bloody affair was plotted. It is described as ‘the finest medieval castle in Britain’, attracting thousands of visitors every year and like any true castle, it also plays host to a number of ghosts! If you’re interested in engineering and technology, visit the Ironbridge Gorge Museum, birthplace of the industrial revolution. You’ll get a fascinating and interactive glimpse into Britain’s industrial heritage. And if you love being turned upside-down and inside-out you’ll only have to travel one hour out of the West Midlands to Alton Towers, the most popular theme-park in the UK.

These are just a few of the attractions on offer in the area, and you’ll find lots more; premiere league football clubs, sporting events, cathedral towns, theatres, rock concerts, the list is endless. Just be prepared to get up and go when you get here to get the most out of the region. And when you do feel like a visit to London, it’s only one and a half hours away, but you’ll probably find enough to do here!

Studying in the UK can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but only if you are determined to make the most of your time here. Contrary to your expectations, you will find that English people are usually friendly and happy to talk to you - but they generally won’t make the first move! So be prepared to talk to people, to show an interest in their lives, and then you’ll find that people open up to you very quickly.

In the West Midlands, there are a wide variety of local speech accents, some of which may take some getting used to! In Birmingham, the inhabitants are known as "brummies", and their sing-song way of talking can be hard even on other English ears! Further west, the people of the Black Country have their own dialect, using completely different words, so don’t panic if you encounter someone from here and can’t understand a word they say! The same is true for all parts of Britain - there are always local accents and dialects, and by the time you go home you may find that you have adopted a new accent without even realising it!

In the West Midlands, there are many different ethnic groups and this means that there is a wonderful range of different foods available. Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Japanese - not to mention fish and chips! There’s even a cuisine known as ‘Balti’ which started in Birmingham, it’s cheap, fun and spicy, so you’ll enjoy a visit to a Balti House!

The West Midlands has a lot to offer both academically and socially. The fact that it is home to some top universities: Warwick, Coventry, Birmingham, Aston, shows that it is a region with not only a history but also a clear future in innovation, technology and commerce. You’ll find many other students from around the world here, so you won’t feel lonely. Come and talk to representatives from these universities to find out more about studying in this part of England.

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education