Hey, I’m Pouria, a recent BSc Medical Sciences graduate and a current first-year medical student based at Exeter campuses. Here, I will flash back to the year 2022 when I started my university journey, about how I navigated university life and found my supportive communities from various societies to take part in, such as grand challenges.
My story of coming to the University of Exeter was somehow extraordinary and unexpected. Due to my passion for studying medicine and living in London before September 2022, I am not afraid to say that I wouldn’t have imagined coming this far to the southwest of England to study and make a living; However, I was an ambitious, enthusiastic, and determined person with a never give up attention, whose resilient came from the hardships I have experienced before and during that period in my life such as immigration which led me going through major life transition from learning new language, culture, laws and regulations to getting used to living alone and new living conditions. Nevertheless, I have had a pure soul and a glorious goal to help people, which would, in turn, help me not just to survive and thrive but also feel fulfilled.
Right when I was about to lose hope, an email popped up while I was scrolling on my phone late one winter night at college, my UCAS application had been accepted. I’d secured a place to study BSc Medical Sciences at the University of Exeter. I was so happy that I barely spoke to anyone for a day. But it also meant leaving London, which felt like home, and moving to Exeter. I always joke that I’ve immigrated twice: first from Iran to London, and then from London to Exeter, because honestly, they’re two completely different worlds.
Starting university can feel overwhelming. I still remember walking onto Exeter Campuses for the first time, feeling excited but slightly nervous about whether I’d fit in, especially now that I left everything I had behind to pursue my dreams. Even after 3.5 years, I still feel the heavy burden of that transition from college to university on my shoulders. However, within days of starting university, I realised that Exeter isn’t just about lectures and exams, it’s about the people you meet, the communities you join, and the support systems that help you thrive.
For me, the first step was attending an offer holders’ open day at St Luke’s Campus. From that very first visit, I felt how supportive and welcoming the university is; they even covered my train ticket from London to Exeter, which really made my day! Following that, Welcome Week was an eye-opener, showcasing various societies where I met like-minded students, learned new skills, and connected with people who shared similar passions.
One of the biggest turning points for me was seeing how easy-going and friendly both staff and students were. The campus community genuinely tries to help you find your feet. Whether it was asking about my course, offering advice about halls, or just saying hello in the Cross Keys Café, Giraffe House or even the Forum (Streatham campus), these small interactions made a huge difference. Exeter’s Welcome Week is designed to help everyone feel included from day one. No matter your country, cultural background, or academic path, there’s always someone ready to help you feel at home.
Giraffe House, St Luke’s Campus
Forum, Streatham campus
Joining the STAR (Student Action for Refugees) society as a vice president, which focuses on supporting people from refugee backgrounds, was a turning point for me. Attending my first meeting, I felt an immediate sense of belonging and finally found a place where I could make a meaningful difference and have a positive impact. I quickly found myself connecting with students from all walks of life. It reminded me that university isn’t just about studying; it’s about growing as a person and building relationships that last beyond campus, which ultimately led to great outcomes for us through baking pastries and cakes and selling them to students, visitors and staff. The committee raised a substantial amount of money for great charitable causes. Witnessing the generosity of the University of Exeter staff and student bodies was a powerful reminder of what a dedicated community can achieve.
Our most successful bake sale of the year, raising record-breaking funds for the Red Cross Syria Crisis Appeal, farewell to STAR.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned at Exeter, it’s that there’s truly something for everyone. In my second year, I became General Secretary of Campus Cinema, an experience that allowed me to bring students together through film screenings and discussions. I also got involved with various medical societies, where I could learn from guest speakers, engage in workshops, and meet people with similar career goals. Joining Campus Cinema pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me the chance to try something completely new, despite having no prior experience in event organisation. This experience turned out to be a valuable learning opportunity, helping me develop new skills and apply transferable ones from my medical background.
Below is a picture of Campus Cinema. If you’re a current Exeter student or end up studying here, make sure to visit and support this initiative!
My little stash of cinema secrets, perks of being General Secretary
Cultural and religious societies are another brilliant way to connect and make Exeter feel like home. Exeter celebrates diversity in every form, and I’ve personally enjoyed attending cultural events that showcase music, food, and traditions from around the world. No matter where in the world you are coming from, there is an activity for you to do and a society to feel you belong to. Personally, as someone who was born and raised in Iran, I have joined the Iranian society, celebrated Yalda night with others and found new friends eating pomegranate and many other tasty pastries.
Yalda Night magic, where every pomegranate seed glows like a wish, and every Minakari curve tells a story of timeless beauty
Sports are another fantastic way to be part of a community. Whether you’re a beginner or a high-performance athlete, there’s a club for you. I’ve seen students join everything from football and netball to rock climbing and ultimate frisbee. Personally, I love swimming and going to the gym at Streatham Sports Park. Even if you’ve never played a sport before, joining a club is a great way to make friends, stay active, and feel part of a team. Your body is the only place you’ll live in for your entire life, so it’s important to stay active whenever you can.
Sports Park, Streatham Campus
Education and field-specific activities, such as conferences organised by the university, provided me with further opportunities to network and meet like-minded people with similar interests, all aiming to advance healthcare. Conferences so far have been some of my favourite experiences during my time at Exeter. Over the past three years, I have attended many, but the Decolonising Medicine, Health, and Life Sciences Conference stood out the most. It was a productive day filled with thought-provoking discussions, creativity, and academic posters! I enjoyed engaging in conversations with others, questioning, and learning from their expertise and sharing my own thoughts and ideas.
A brilliant day attending a Decolonising Medicine, Health, and Life Sciences Conference in May 2025
University life can be challenging at times. I’ve been there, but what makes a real difference is knowing you’re not navigating it alone. That’s why I was proud to help run and promote a peer mentoring support stall at St Luke’s Campus, aimed at almost everyone, including international and ethnic minority students. It was a great opportunity to speak to students, share experiences, and highlight the kind of support that’s available when things feel overwhelming. From my own experience as someone with English as a second language, I know how valuable peer support can be. Having someone who understands your academic, cultural, or personal challenges can make settling into university life feel far less daunting. On the day, it was genuinely encouraging to see students stop by, ask questions, and connect with others who had been in similar situations. Moments like this really reinforced how powerful peer mentoring can be, not just for academic support, but for building confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.
Such an honour to be able to help run the peer mentoring support stall, St Luke’s Campus.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Exeter is its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and giving back. You’ll meet people from all over the world, and the university encourages cultural exchange and inclusivity. Being part of societies and attending cultural events has opened my eyes to new perspectives. For instance, I joined an intensive, week-long Grand Challenges programme, where our team focused on reducing production costs and increasing capacity for Devon’s local farmers. Working in a multidisciplinary team, we developed sustainable strategies, turned our findings into a professional proposal and academic poster, and pitched our ideas in a formal presentation to key stakeholders, including Devon County Council and local Devon and Cornwall farmers. This experience taught me how to translate complex research into practical solutions and significantly strengthened my skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and communication.
A week-long Grand Challenges project, summer 2023 (Forum, Streatham campus)
Over the year, I have realised that some of my strongest friendships were formed in everyday moments, sharing meals in the Forum, studying in the library, volunteering, or attending society socials. The beauty of Exeter is that there isn’t just one way to find your people. Whether through sport, culture, volunteering, academics, or shared experiences, there are countless paths to belonging.
Looking back, my time at the University of Exeter has been shaped by the people and communities that supported me. From friendly faces on campus to societies that allowed me to grow, Exeter gave me a sense of belonging that I never imagined I’d find in a new city. For anyone thinking of coming to Exeter, my advice is simple:
Get involved, explore what’s on offer, and don’t be afraid to reach out. Exeter isn’t just a place to study, it’s a place to grow, thrive, and find a community that will support you every step of the way. Whatever your background or interests, there is a place for you here, and I can’t wait for you to find it too.