UK or California, which would be better to live in as a Trans Grad Student?

[Guest Luna_Luv2942]

Next year I will be applying for graduate schools and there are two schools that deal specifically with my field of interest; one in Ivine California and the other in London England. What I would like to ask is which would be better for the needs of a transgender grad student, also which one would be cheaper to live in (I plan to go for my doctorate so I'm looking at 4 years either place). Also anything about laws that focus on transgender people in either place (be it state, city, country laws). Thank you!

[Carolyn Marie]

Hi, Luna. Comparisons are difficult, but the exchange rate certainly is in your favor. But adding in the extra fees for the Uni of California might even things out. UC Irvine, if that's where you are thinking of, is a lovely campus in a lovely setting. UC has outstanding insurance covering transition costs, and Irvine has a medical school, too.

California has some of the best laws to protect trans folks in the U.S. That doesn't guarantee that you will never have a problem, but it might be better than no protections. There are plenty of social activities for trans folks, too, and of course, lots of things to do and see, and I dare say the weather is a sight better than in the U.K.

If you have more specific questions, drop me a PM and I'll try to help.

HUGS

Carolyn marie

[Guest Kelly-087]

California.. Europe as a whole can be extremely archaic, especially medically with transpeople.

[Charlize]

I have to think that California would be less expensive and more trans friendly. London does sound more romantic somehow but being practical would get my vote.

Hugs,

Charlie

[VickySGV]

U.C.I. gave degrees to three of my relatives, and one of my CD friends is doing her doctorate in electrical engineering there now, the place has not done any harm to them and vice versa. Bunch of my ancestors got the heck out of England some time ago, but one of my kids' ancestors actually founded one of the Oxford colleges, so its your call.

[tracy_j]

Cannot really comment on the trans angle although there should be no real issues, but I would look at the financial angle as London is an expensive place to live - at least in comparison with the rest of the country.

[Guest LauraJen]

Cannot really comment on the trans angle although there should be no real issues, but I would look at the financial angle as London is an expensive place to live - at least in comparison with the rest of the country.

I agree with this (and it's a bit stereotypical of me, but the weather comparison deserves a mention). London is a notoriously expensive place to live. It's now much more expensive to go to university here, as well (£9,000 per year in tuition fees, about $14,500 per year). It used to cost just over a third of what it does now under the previous government. As a result of the large increase in fees many students are now considering apprenticeships or getting a degree in another country where it is cheaper.

I know you asked about transgender-related implications of where you end up living, but this is still a pretty serious factor that you need to consider. I don't think I would have gone to uni if the cost went up like it did before I started. There are also things like the Equality Act 2010 that provide rights to trans people in the UK. This page has lots of useful links and information: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/vision-and-mission/our-business-plan/transgender-equality/

[Guest Luna_Luv2942]

I forgot to mention that the two schools I am looking into are UC Irvine and University College London (because they are the only ones that have anything related to my field of interest, more the latter than the former), does anyone have any information on the UCL campus (I've done searches on their website for transgender anything and came up with a lot of nothing)? Also what about public transportation costs? I can't drive and will never drive (due to the my experiences on the roads of San Antonio) so I need to think about other ways of getting around. I know with London they have a good public transit system (in comparison to San Antonio anyway) but I don't know much about Irvine; I also assume that it would be very difficult to get around Irvine if you don't own your own car. What other factors should I consider in my choice of places to go?

[Carolyn Marie]

I don't know anything about public transportation in Irvine in particular, or Orange County in general, but it probably is no better than most of Southern California. In other words, it sucks. But you will be living on campus, and there may be shuttle buses to take you into town, or ride sharing with other students. Perhaps you can e-mail UCI and ask.

Carolyn Marie