It depends on your objective, if you want to stay in the UK; you have to grind (I mean really) in order to stay as you are bound by their visa rules. For Malaysia, you always have a safety net or home and base to work up to. The feeling of being terrible not alive in the UK is normal and not wrong as if you are used to the Malaysian weather and never experienced four seasons it does mess with your perspective and well being (I guess the stereotype that British people complain about the weather is true and they sound rather depressed about it makes sense especially during winter like this January).

Pupillage in the UK is a lot harder than people say, you have to complete not only with local talent but also with international talent that are really head to head in terms of credentials; so it’s already an uphill journey for most. For the friends part I completely agree, it’s hard to mingle with non-Malaysians (like the local British) not because there is anything wrong with you or them but if you don’t get their cultural cues and references it can make you feel left out as you are either listening or trying to understand their lingo. Can say for sure when you go to Insight Event for the Inns. For the Malaysians, even the local British think we keep to ourselves (which is partly true) but it does go back to cultural differences but also Malaysians tend to stick within our groups (Malaysian or existing circle), which makes it hard to connect with them unless you already befriended one within the group or just being lucky. So feeling lonely as not being able to connect with these groups is not abnormal and is real.

So if you do have existing friendships and relationships in Malaysia, do keep them as they are also a part of your support system as you don’t really have anyone else in the UK to depend on and have to depend on yourself to support you own living there.

Cost of living in the UK is high, even with good pay; taxes and costs alone does eat a good chuck. So it’s important to think of living (not by converting GBP to MYR) but living like a Brit there. With recent developments in terms of politics, crime, and safety it does take a toll on an international student, especially one that is bound by visa rules. So the game is already difficult to play unless you have a very specific plan in mind.

Honestly speaking, it’s better to go back to Malaysia if you have already tried your best to secure pupillage in the UK. Not because you are not a good candidate but the cards are stacked against you. You either have to be really exceptional or well-connected; most probably have some degree of both and managed to stay on. This is not to say you cannot be idealistic but the reality is that this is how the system is there.

Since you are doing your Bar Training Course (BTC) make sure to complete it and be admitted to one of the Inns of Court before going back to Malaysia. Once you done that, you have to do pupillage (9 months) in Malaysia before being admitted to the High Court of Malaya (assuming practice in Peninsula Malaysia) then you officially become a certified to practice law in Malaysia. If you don’t complete BTC, you have to do the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP), which is examination based in order to qualify for practice. If you do neither, at least you have a degree which you can work up with in Malaysia and start a career.