Studying abroad offers fresh possibilities, lovely connections, and most of all, new learnings about yourself. That's something that Mary Divine Grace Pacquiao, more known as Princess Pacquiao, happily shared in an interview. The 18-year-old recently moved to England to pursue her college degree, and boy, was she having fun.
Where and what is Mary Pacquiao studying in the United Kingdom?
It was also the first time we learned about what Mary has been studying in the UK. The daughter of Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao is taking up biomedical sciences at the Royal Holloway, University of London—which is said to be Top 36th in the U.K. international outlook according to Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. Mary refers to her course as "Biomed" and confirms that it can be considered a pre-med course if she'll ever pursue medicine after graduation.
According to the Royal Holloway official website, Biomed or BSc Biomedical Sciences with Integrated Foundation Year is a four-year full-time course. The annual tuition for it is priced at £28,900 or approximately P2,060,025. That fee excludes accommodation, food, books, and other learning materials needed.
In a very candid interview with Dyan Castillejo uploaded last December 2024, Mary opened up about her experience as an international student in London. "It's really good. My course is like, it's getting difficult now. But I'm having a lot of fun. I've made so many friends," Mary said.
She further explained her academic plans, "I'm considering it as my premed [...] It's different from 'medicine, medicine' and I really wanna do like patient interactions."
Mary Pacquiao's Life in London
All of Mary's family and friends are based in Manila. She was also born and raised in the Philippines. Moving to a foreign country at 18 is life-changing for most people, including the young student. Thankfully, she's enjoying her stay in London while studying since she also makes time for extracurricular activities like sports.
Mary happily shared that she joined volleyball and badminton clubs at her university. "I love it," she said about volleyball.
She also explained that she's living independently in the UK. "Yes, I do [my own laundry], and I commute a lot in London. I come to London and then... It's really nice too! Taking the train is really nice," she enthusiastically told Dyan in their interview.
However, Mary also didn't hold back on sharing the downside of commuting in London during the interview. "But when taking the Tube, it's just horrible sometimes, especially [during] rush hour. It's so fully packed, like the subway," she shared. The Tube (also formally called the London Underground) is one of the oldest transportation systems in the world. It goes around Greater London and some counties like Buckinghamshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire.
It was in September 2024 when Manny and Jinkee Pacauiqo went to London and helped their eldest daughter settle in. Jinkee uploaded a clip of Mary and her younger sister Queenie Pacquiao, all in tears at the airport before they flew to London. The two have a visibly good relationship as sisters, so Mary's studying in the UK appears to be the first time they'll be away from each other for a long while.
Recently, Mary went home to the Philippines to celebrate the holidays with her family.
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