Hey, it’s Day! I’m an international student from the United States studying an MA in Publishing on our beautiful Streatham Campus. My programme is one year long, which means I have roughly 365 days to make the most of what Exeter has to offer — and that’s a lot! I’m already a few months into my year here on campus, and I’ve never felt more confident in my decision to pursue my degree abroad.
Why? Well, I’m glad you asked!
If there is one big takeaway I have from my first term here, it’s this: at the University of Exeter, everyone can find what they love, and love what they find. From the remarkably green scenery of the university itself to the endless opportunities to get involved in activities both new and familiar, being a student here in Exeter can’t be outmatched.
Exeter: The Best of Both Worlds
I’m not sure if it’s possible to walk around the Streatham campus and not come across a spot so scenic you want to snap a picture. I love getting to enjoy all the flora and fauna as I make my way around campus. Two of my favourite spots for this are Reed Hall Gardens (one of the most photographed spots on campus!) and the huge green space beside the XFi Centre. There is a bench off to the side of one of the walking paths that is perfect for enjoying the sunshine. Even the wildlife strolls along the footpaths to enjoy the beauty of our campus. I’ve spotted a fox once or twice while walking back to my flat following a stroll along the Quayside! And who can forget all the cats roaming around campus? Spotting Napoleon, our unofficial campus cat, even feels like a good luck charm. If you see him, make sure to stop and see if he wants to lie on your lap for a short cuddle after your lecture.
I love how easy it is to walk around the city for a study break or evening out with friends. The great thing about studying at the University of Exeter is that you get all the bustling fun of city life with the comfort and charm of the countryside. It’s the best of both! On days when I want more of that big city feel, I head to the Princesshay Shopping Centre for some window shopping, or to the British Heart Foundation on Fore St for some unique and budget-friendly finds. One time, I found an amazing trench coat and was trying it on to check the fit when an older woman approached me, saying she was a tailor. She looked over all the measurements and said that if I didn’t buy it for myself, she would! I love looking back on that memory as an example of how kind the community is here in Exeter, even in those big city spaces.
Another one of my favourite places in the city is Exeter Phoenix to catch a live event or take a guided tour of the gallery. For a more leisurely evening, nothing beats taking a walk in one of the many parks, like Duryard Valley Park or historic Northernhay Gardens, or stopping by Eat On The Green to munch on some scones while enjoying an incredible view of the Exeter Cathedral! If you go, I recommend booking a table at one of the green upstairs windows so you can enjoy your meal in a picture-perfect setup. Exeter is an amazing place to live, which has made my transition from the US to the UK much easier.
A Book Lover’s Paradise
As a Publishing student, I can say with full confidence that Exeter is a dream for those of us who love to escape into the pages of a good story. Whether you want to check out a book from one of our key libraries (did you know the Forum Library is open 24/7 during term time?) or shop around at local bookstores such as Bookbag or Book-Cycle, there is always something new to read! The love for literature here is so deeply embedded that you can find a taste of it anywhere. For example, Exeter St David’s Station has a book vending machine to the right as you walk in, celebrating the location’s history as the place where Penguin Books was first dreamt up!
With Exeter as a UNESCO City of Literature, I couldn’t have picked a better place to study the book trade. The hands-on experience we are doing in the MA to strengthen our editorial skills and deepen our knowledge of the contemporary industry is supported by the city’s UNESCO status — I’ve even secured a work placement opportunity with a local publishing house for later this spring (shout-out to the Career Zone for helping me with my CV and cover letter)! Publishing is tricky to break into, but between the city’s deep literary history and support from faculty, it has never felt easier to get my foot in the door.
My course is rigorous but so rewarding. The programme is structured perfectly to help students be as job ready as possible by the end of the year. We’ve had literary agents, editors and managing directors visit to give instruction and give a behind-the-curtain view of what their roles entail. One of my favourite visiting lectures was about the evolution of book genres (romantasy, anyone?), and how that is heavily influenced by the book’s marketing! The University of Exeter is the perfect place to go whether you love reading books or learning about how they are published.
Give it a Go with the ESG
Applying as an international student, it was really important to me to choose a university that would let me explore as much as I could. Luckily, the Exeter Students’ Guild (or ESG) offers day trips through their Give It A Go sessions! Using the FIXR app, I can follow ESG and receive notifications about new activities and trips. My first journey with them was to explore Exmouth through a cruise along the Jurassic coastline. I loved sitting on the top deck of the ship to enjoy watching the waves roll before moving below deck for some hot cocoa and windsurfer spotting. My second Give It A Go trip took me to St Ives in Cornwall, and I loved it so much I’m planning on heading back to experience it in the warmer months. There were a ton of independent shops and art studios to explore, and some treats for anyone who has a sweet tooth like me. Just watch out for those seagulls! If you aren’t careful, they’ll swoop down to steal your meal before you can say pasty! Hopping onto a bus to visit these coastal areas in the greater South West of England is easy and affordable, and I’ve already booked a spot on the next trip to Ilfracombe on the North Devon Coast. I can’t wait!
Postgraduate Support and Societies
I graduated from my undergraduate programme in the US back in 2022, so it was a bit daunting to head back into the academic sphere. I worried about how my student skills would measure up to others in my MA after a few years in the workplace. I was so grateful when I discovered that there is a dedicated support team for postgraduate students. Nervous about payments? Need to chat about taking an extension? The support team can help you figure out the best path to move forward and be successful during your time here at the University of Exeter. Finances were my biggest barrier of entry when applying to schools, but I took a chance and applied for a Postgraduate Taught Exeter Excellence Scholarship and ended up getting it! The postgraduate support from the university helped tremendously to make my dream to study in the UK come true.
There are societies specifically for postgraduate students as well. Whether you are a PGT (Postgraduate Taught) or PGR (Postgraduate Research), there is a spot for you in the Postgraduate Society. There are so many different sorts of events to participate in: book clubs, board game nights, winter/spring balls and themed socials! It feels great to connect with other students who understand the intensity and excitement surrounding your degree, especially in such fun ways. This is true for undergraduate students as well, as there are hundreds of societies on campus. Other than PGSoc, I’m a member of the Art History Society, Exeposé, RAZZ Magazine, Taylor Swift Society (#evermore), and Exeter Student Volunteers (ESV)! There is no shortage of ways to get involved in the community here in Exeter, no matter what degree you are seeking.
Aren’t you glad you asked why I’m loving my decision to study here in Exeter?
Without taking that leap to leave my home country to study in a new one, I never would have known all that I am capable of or found such a fulfilling life here in the UK. Exeter has become my home away from home, and there really is no place quite like it!