Hello, I am Sarah and I am in my second year doing BA Communications. I am an international student from Hong Kong and this is my second year living abroad. Interestingly, I came to Exeter through clearing and it was a rollercoaster ride for me, mentally. I was disappointed that I could not meet the requirements of my first university choice but it turned out that Exeter is a better choice for me. If you are wondering what you need to do to prepare for university, what to pack and buy, etc. You are on the right track! Here is some advice for you as an international student who is about to study abroad:
To start with, make sure you have a final taste of the local food in your area before you leave, as you may not be able to travel back to your hometown that often, you would miss them when you are studying abroad in Exeter. Revisiting your favourite places in your hometown is definitely on your to-do list. Most importantly, spend time with your family, friends and your loved ones and create memories you can look back on.
When it comes to preparing documents, remember to apply for a visa and double-check what documents to bring. You can find a checklist of tasks for international students to complete before arrival on the University’s website. You might have missed your deadline to apply for university accommodation, but not to worry, you can check out the private accommodations in Exeter, there are a wide range of accommodation choices to choose from around the area.
Next, here is a list of suggestions for things to pack or buy:
– Photos of family and friends
You could print out some photos to place them in your room. This could add some personal touches to your place as you will stay in it in the coming year.
– Research the weather
Do some research on the weather in Exeter to decide what to wear and buy some clothes you like to pack in your luggage, yet bring a small amount of clothing would do as you can always buy them online or in-store in Exeter.
– Kitchen utensils and food
I would say a rice cooker is one of the essentials for me! and I did not regret bringing it to the UK. It is also helpful to bring some local snacks and sauces from your hometown as you will be craving them occasionally.
To settle in at university, I would suggest exploring the area to get used to your surroundings. If you are living with others in a flat or a house, try to organise activities together and get to know each other. In terms of language, English may not be your first language so you might find it difficult listening to different accents, or you might find it hard to catch what others are saying during a conversation. From my experience, do not be afraid to ask others to repeat themselves, as everyone should be included in the conversation. Try to practice your listening and speaking whenever you can, and you will soon witness the improvement!
Joining societies or events held by the students’ union is a great way to meet people, so you would not feel too lonely at the start of the term. Apart from that, it is useful to join the induction talks held by your course if possible. In this case, you could know what to expect in the coming year of academic study e.g. what your tutors expect from you, what modules to choose from, the structure of your faculty and get to know your coursemates and tutors.
The final piece of advice I would give is, to be open to embracing new experiences and you would find yourself having a fruitful first year at university!