Hi, my name is Cali. I’m a second year studying BSc Psychology at Streatham Campus at the University of Exeter.
I’m originally from a small town named Redding, deep in the lush woods of Connecticut, USA. If you’ve seen the show Gilmore Girls, I live close to where that was filmed. My town is funny because you could have a farmer and a famous politician living on the same street! Most people are move here from NYC for a more peaceful life.
I longed to attend school in the UK ever since I read the Harry Potter books as a little girl. School just seemed so magical over there, and I knew I would try my hardest to convince my parents to let me apply overseas. But they were very supportive because they wanted me to have a unique experience of travelling and seeing Europe as a part of my education. It’s so cool to take a train to Paris or Milan during my breaks!
The reason I chose to come to the University of Exeter was the beauty of the town itself. The lush green trees on campus reminded me of my hometown, and I loved how close the city is to the beach. I thought it was the nicest campus, and the most beautiful weather.
I would advise other US students to really research what kind of weather they would be comfortable in for most of the year. Some areas of the US stay cold all year round, while others are scorching like the deserts in the West. If you want a more moderate and agreeable climate that’s the best of both worlds, I would suggest studying at Exeter because of the amazing weather!
I chose to apply for the BSc Psychology programme because I had researched it being one of the best psychology programmes in the country. At schools in the US, if you’re not at an Ivy League School, more often than not your course won’t have the highest rating. I was pleasantly surprised to see how highly accredited the psychology programme was at Exeter, and immediately made the University my first choice.
After being accepted to the programme, I also applied for (and received) a Global Excellence Scholarship, which has helped support me as an international student by covering some of my student fees. As a Global Excellence Scholar, I also feel an added motivation to perform at my very highest throughout my experience at Exeter.
What I like most about my course is the broad selection of topics that my lectures cover, from animal behaviour to cognitive therapy to mental health issues. I am so engaged in every lecture because the content was so interesting! And the lecturers couldn’t be more passionate about the content. I also like the various events the psychology department hosts, my favourite being therapy dog playtime in the Washington Singer building!
While moving to the UK didn’t come with any language barrier, the small slang and difference in words did confuse me a bit at first. A funny memory early in my studies was when me and my friends were going out to eat after class, and they wanted to go to “Mackies”. Being an American, I had no clue they were referring to McDonalds, so they all looked at me like I had a third head when I asked what that was. But overtime, I quickly got used to the lingo and now I catch myself calling apartment’s “flats” and even got a slight English accent.
Sometimes studying so far from home can be challenging – for example I was sad to miss Thanksgiving back home during November. However, the University’s Wellbeing Team were able to help me: they suggested that I do some more outdoor activities to take my mind off it, and that’s when I began to start jogging for 25 minutes twice a week!
Being a student at Exeter, you could never be bored with how much is going on all the time! There are so many societies to choose from with wonderful people, and doing ambassadorial work certainly takes up a lot of time. But it is so rewarding to give back to the University in aiding prospective students as an ambassador.
There are also lots of fun things to do in the city. One of my favourite locations would have to be the Exeter Cathedral, because I feel like I go back in time when I go inside the beautifully kept place. I also love shopping at H&M and Urban Outfitters on the High Street, and I always end up eating at Slim Chickens outside of the Princesshay Shopping Centre, or eating delicious Chinese food at Cosy Corner.
There are also lots of fun things to do in the city. One of my favourite locations would have to be the Exeter Cathedral, because I feel like I go back in time when I go inside the beautifully kept place. I also love shopping at H&M and Urban Outfitters on the High Street, and I always end up eating at Slim Chickens outside of the Princesshay Shopping Centre, or eating delicious Chinese food at Cosy Corner.
Although I’m only in my second year, I’ve already had opportunities to plan for life after graduation. I really liked the Create Your Future workshops I did my first year, because it helped me set short-term and long-term goals for my future at Exeter, and in my career. I hope to study until I gain my PhD in Psychology, then I want to work at a hospital to gain clinical experience, and eventually open my own clinic in my hometown. Hopefully, I will get accepted for a MSc Psychology course next year.
Until then, I’m excited to enjoy my final year as an undergraduate. I particularly love the mornings in Exeter – I’m always amazed at how peaceful and beautiful they are. I often wake up to birds chirping, fresh dew on my window from the rainfall the night before, and a bright sky overlooking the beautiful rolling green hills. Also, the people here couldn’t be kinder.