international | Students' blog | University of Exeter

A Beginner’s Guide to Societies at the University of Exeter

This blog was written based on experiences prior to Covid-19.

Hi Everyone, my name is Isla and I am headed into my final year at Exeter University. I’ve been part of 4 Society Committees and attended some amazing society events in Exeter, but when I arrived as a fresher the societies process seemed quite daunting. What societies are there? How can I sign up? How can I afford to pay for society events and membership?

Well, here is my beginner’s guide to Societies at Exeter Uni… (more…)

Isla Zena Lamparelli July 17th, 2020 Freshers Week, Health and wellbeing, International, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate Clubs, fresher, freshers, international, music, societies, Sports

Road trip in Cornwall – The Minack Theatre, St Michael’s Mount and Land’s End

I have almost finished my degree. I’ve submitted my last assignments and finished my lectures. The only thing I still have to do is to finish my dissertation. To make the most out of my last days as a student, my friends and I decided to explore Cornwall a bit more and visit these three amazing places. (more…)

Olga April 9th, 2019 Cornwall, Exploring Devon and Cornwall, International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Lifestyle, Penryn Campus, Undergraduate cornwall, exploring cornwall, international, life in the south west, life on campus, penryn campus, travelling, undergraduate, university of exeter

Not sure what to do in Fresher’s Week? We’ve got your back!

Freshers’ Week is the week that all students, new or returning, look forward to. It’s the week of freebies, refreshments…and the parties. But if you’re an international student coming to the UK for the first time, then chances are you are probably really excited, freaking out a little and kind of confused about what exactly you need to do in Fresher’s Week. But don’t worry. We’ve got a checklist for you! But that’s not all. Keep reading to find out how useful and fun I found the International Welcome Programme!

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Lakshmipriya September 7th, 2018 Freshers Week, International, Life on Campus, Miscellaneous, Preparing for University events, freshers week, international

My grand St. Ives adventure

Being an international student in Exeter means that everything is novel and interesting. It’s a great opportunity to explore lots of new places and there happens to be an abundance of those around Exeter. Cornwall has some of the prettiest places in the UK and one of these is the picturesque little town of St. Ives. It takes around 2 and a half hours on the coach from Exeter to St. Ives, past some very nice countryside views. This little town has lots to offer – from beaches to hiking trails to shopping. Here is my adventure at St. Ives.

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Lakshmipriya June 11th, 2018 Exploring Devon and Cornwall, Life in the South West cornwall, exeter, Exeterstudentlife, international, life in the south west, travelling, university

Why I chose the University of Exeter – BSc Business in Cornwall

More than two years ago, I had to make one of the most important decisions in my life – choosing a university.

I was not familiar with the whole English system, how it works, what UCAS is and what factors to look at while choosing universities – I didn’t know where to start.

As I was looking at Business or Economics degrees, I found out that the University of Exeter Business School was one of the Top 10 Business schools in the UK. I also noticed that the BSc Business programme requires students to do a work placement every year while doing the degree, which I thought was a great opportunity to enhance my employability.

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Olga May 22nd, 2018 Cornwall, International, Lectures and Seminars, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Penryn Campus, Preparing for University, Studying, Undergraduate applying to university, exeter, first year, international, life in the south west, life on campus, penryn campus, preparing for university, second year, undergraduate, university

The best Instagram and photography spots on the Penryn Campus

1. Tremough house

Tremough house is one of the oldest buildings on the Penryn Campus. Some students have their lectures and tutorials in the house which was originally built in the 18th Century.

Tremough house

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Olga April 16th, 2018 Cornwall, Exploring Devon and Cornwall, Higher Education, International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Penryn Campus, Studying, Undergraduate applying to university, exeter, instagrammable spots, international, life in the south west, life on campus, penryn campus, places on campus, preparing for university, study abroad, undergraduate, university

Work abroad – all you need to know

My year in Italy

I worked in Italy, as a Communications and Marketing Assistant at an NGO. The experience wasn’t easy and I still think that studying is more enjoyable. But no one promised me that something would be easy. I’ve significantly developed myself as a professional and gained some important skills, such as flexibility, teamwork, the ability to plan and use my initiative. Also, because I was abroad, I’ve become more culturally adaptable, learnt to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds. Placement is a lot of fun as well – it gives you the opportunity to travel and to meet new people!

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Katya March 9th, 2018 Careers, International, Studying, Undergraduate, Year Abroad Career zone, exeter, experience, Global employability, international, italy, job, opportunities, university, work abroad, year abroad

A week in my life as a Business student in Cornwall

My week of taking over the Exeter student-run Instagram account – @ExeterUniLife.

Monday

“Good ideas start with great coffee”

My first day of the week. I’m really excited to look after the Instagram account and inspired to make the most out of the next 7 days.

I spent most of my day on campus – went to the Finance lecture and seminars and stayed in the library.

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Olga March 6th, 2018 Cornwall, Higher Education, International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Penryn Campus, Studying, Undergraduate Business school Exeter, exeter, international, life in the south west, penryn campus, preparing for university, travelling, undergraduate, university

Palm trees & Snow #BeastFromTheEast

On the last day of winter, Falmouth and the whole country turned into a Winter Wonderland. As I am from a country (Russia) where snow is something completely normal, I was very excited to see the reaction of people who have never seen snow before. I was one of the of the people in my house who woke up early and saw the magical snow outside my window. (more…)

Olga March 6th, 2018 Cornwall, International, Life in the South West, Undergraduate beast from the east, exeter, international, life in the south west, life on campus, penryn campus, preparing for university, second year, studying, undergraduate, university

Exploring Cornwall – The Lizard point

When you see all those beautiful pictures of nice beaches, turquoise water, massive rocks and sunny weather, you always imagine it’s somewhere far away in a tropical country, but here is an example of what you can see right next to you while studying at the University of Exeter in Cornwall. Incredible, right?! A year and a half ago, I would not believe that I would be able to see this in England. (more…)

Olga February 5th, 2018 Cornwall, Exploring Devon and Cornwall, International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Penryn Campus, Studying exeter, international, life in the south west, penryn campus, second year, travelling, university

Week Nine Wrap-Up: Movies and Music Stash and Moments of Reflection

Compared with the last couple of weeks, I think this week’s recap is going to sound far less exciting. It wasn’t that it was a slow week, far from it actually, but I did more sitting down to hammer away at my papers than spelunking and adventuring. All in all, it was a rather stressful week, but there were still a number of highlights.

I went to see Spectre this week and it was the very first James Bond movie I’d ever seen. It was a decent movie but I’m not sure if it’s really my cup of tea. I also discovered the incredible deliciousness of sweet and salty popcorn. Back home, we just have…popcorn and you can choose to add butter but no such thing as sweet popcorn exists. I was a little excited about this novelty to say the least. My friend who came with me told me that they have sweet and salty popcorn back in Singapore too; I think I need to pitch this to movie concessions when I get back. We’re totally missing out.

Read the rest of Melissa’s post…

Melissa November 18th, 2015 Year Abroad international, study abroad

Time flies when you’re having fun!

My baby helping me out with an essay!

I can’t believe I’ve been in Exeter for about 10 weeks already! Time sure does fly! It’s been a wonderful time filled with mostly highs and a few lows.

When I arrived I searched for a bucket in vain (at home we use buckets at lot for having baths, don’t ask me why it’s just what we do) and had to settle for a mopping bucket and take off the top. While I did find it a bit small it gets the job done.

First up I attended one of the Global café meetings and I was surprised to find that scones were not quite what I expected. Don’t get me wrong, they are quite tasty but in my head a scone felt and tasted like a hard, thick biscuit. I did quite enjoy them especially with jam and tea.

Then I met my Global Chum (Exeter does like Global stuff!) a lovely final year student called Jo. She had just come back from a year abroad (it’s a really cool thing most students can do in different countries) and was really busy but made time out to show me round Exeter and even took me to the lovely Quayside which had unbelievably gigantic seagulls.

Read the rest of Chioma’s post…

Chioma Nwamaka November 18th, 2015 Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Miscellaneous, Postgraduate business school, international, parent, postgraduate, settling in

“Exeter is far!”

Year after year I would defer my admission for my postgraduate degree. I always had a very good reason, it was either I was pregnant, had just got a new job, or just couldn’t afford the fees. So when I got my offer to study at Exeter I was determined it would be the last time I would apply for a postgraduate course. Either I would go through with it, or forget about furthering my studies and focus on other things. After all, I did have a lot to focus on, a great husband, amazing children and a decent job in a top government agency; what more could a girl ask for?

Read the rest of Chioma’s post…

Chioma Nwamaka November 4th, 2015 International, Miscellaneous, Postgraduate international, postgraduate

Week Three Wrap-Up: Windows and Winding Roads and Walter Brennan

As of late, I’ve found that I’m beginning to notice less the stark differences between here and home and rather, more embracing what is here that I would not have, or see, or be able to experience back home. I feel more like I’m a participatory observer versus an outsider looking in, and it’s a refreshing perspective.

Last weekend, I looked outside to see my very first lunar eclipse. I stayed up to see a part of the eclipse and then gave in to sleepiness, but I managed to wake around 3:30am when there was supposed to be the supermoon; therefore, despite my tiredness, I managed to get my eyes open and myself out of bed to look out the window. The entire spectacle happened at much more reasonable hours for my North American friends, but from what I heard, I think I had the better view so I guess you win some, you lose some.

Read the rest of Melissa’s post…

Melissa October 5th, 2015 International, Life in the South West, Life on Campus, Studying, Undergraduate, Year Abroad bill douglas museum, international, life on campus, year abroad

Week One Wrap-Up (September 13 – 19)

I’ve been in Exeter for a week now and while there have been ups and downs (and I don’t mean just the hills), I’d say that things have been pretty alright for the most part.

I was greeted in Exeter last Sunday with a partly sunny, partly cloudy day by the incredible Welcome Team from the University. From making sure that all the confused faces coming out of the terminal at Heathrow found a friendly face with a smile, to ensuring that everyone found their way to their humble abodes for the next 4 or 8 months, the Welcome Team made a fantastic first impression.

Read the rest of Melissa’s post…

Melissa September 20th, 2015 Freshers Week, International, Life on Campus, Undergraduate freshers, international, study abroad