Hi, I’m Parakh, a BSc Accounting and Finance with Industrial Experience student at the University of Exeter Business School, originally from Dubai but Indian by nationality.
Moving to the UK for university wasn’t just a decision about academics. It was a decision about independence, identity, and stepping into something unknown.
If you’re considering studying abroad, you probably understand the feeling of excitement mixed with quiet doubt. Part of you wants growth, and the other part of you wonders, what if I’m not ready?
This is the blog I wish I had read before I came to Exeter.
The Night Before I Left
The reality of moving didn’t hit me when I accepted my offer. It didn’t hit me when I applied for my visa either. It hit me the night before my flight.
My room was half empty. My suitcase was open on the floor. And suddenly, it wasn’t just about studying Accounting and Finance anymore it was about leaving my comfort zone behind.
I remember thinking:
- Will I make friends?
- Will I feel out of place?
- Will I regret this?
If you’re feeling that right now, I just want to say it’s normal to feel that way. Growth never feels comfortable at first.
Why I Chose Exeter and What I Was Really Looking For
On paper, the University of Exeter Business School ticked all the boxes. Being in the 1% of universities globally, having the three largest and most influential business school accreditation organisations worldwide, the AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. Strong reputation within the UK among people and employers, good graduate outcomes and a respected Accounting and Finance programme.
I also received a scholarship for the grades I achieved in my Grade 12 examinations, which made the decision between universities slightly easier.
But what I was really looking for, even if I didn’t consciously know it, was balance.
I didn’t want a university that felt overwhelming or chaotic. I didn’t want to get lost in a city where everything felt too fast. When I saw Streatham Campus, it felt different. It felt contained, green and calm.
It felt like a place where you could grow without being swallowed.
The First Week: Overwhelming in the Best Way
Freshers’ Week (also known as Welcome Week at Exeter) is a strange mix of energy and awkwardness. Everyone looks confident when introducing themselves whilst trying to fit and look like they know what they are doing, but if you look closely, you realise everyone is nervous.
As an international student, there’s an extra layer. You’re adjusting to:
- A new academic system
- A new culture
- A new social dynamic
- Even small things like accents and humour
I remember walking through the Forum for the first time. The glass ceiling. The open space. The noise of conversations and coffee machines.
It felt exciting but also slightly intimidating and that’s okay.
What helped me overcome that feeling was reminding myself that everyone was starting from zero. I began saying yes to small opportunities, starting conversations even when it felt awkward, attending society events even if I didn’t know anyone. Slowly, those small decisions built familiarity, and unfamiliar spaces started to feel comfortable.
Making Friends, The Honest Version
Let’s talk about the part everyone worries about but pretends they don’t. Making friends isn’t instant. There isn’t a magical moment where suddenly you have a solid group, and everything feels settled. It happens slowly.
There were days in the first few weeks where I felt slightly out of place. That’s the part people don’t always say out loud. Missing your hometown friends and family is a normal part of the process.
But then one conversation turns into another. One group project turns into coffee after class. A meetup in Pret turns into a catch-up session in the Ram Bar and gradually, it stops feeling unfamiliar. Exeter’s international community helps a lot. You meet people from all over the world and suddenly, you realise everyone has left something behind to be here. That shared experience creates connections.
Safety is Something You Only Truly Appreciate After You Move
Before coming here, safety was something my family emphasised more than I did, but once you’re actually living abroad, you understand why it matters. There were my reasons for choosing Exeter over other universities, because as an International and an Indian my family was increasingly worried about my safety and wellbeing.
Streatham Campus feels secure, It’s well-lit and there’s 24/7 security. Accommodation is close to lecture buildings and you’re rarely walking far alone at night. If at any moment you feel alone and stranded, you can always call for help on the Safe Zone App the university provides.
Exeter as a city is calm compared to larger UK cities. It’s busy enough to have a life, but not chaotic. That sense of safety gives you mental space to focus on growth instead of worrying. For international students, that reassurance makes a big difference, not just for you, but for your family back home.
Faith, Identity, and Feeling Grounded
When you move countries, small routines become anchors. For some people, that’s sport. For others, it’s food. For others, it’s faith.
The University of Exeter provides dedicated prayer and contemplation spaces on campus. Knowing there’s a quiet place to pause, reflect, and practice your faith adds a sense of grounding.
As a Hindu the university honours the culture and offers a prayer session in the Forum for the holy occasion of Diwali, along with a dance showcase by the Indian and Hindu societies that provided me with a sense of appreciation and identity about my culture. This was followed by Fireworks behind the XFI building that gave me the chance to talk about it to people who didn’t know what Diwali is.
Academics: Where It Starts Feeling Serious
Accounting and Finance at the University of Exeter Business School is challenging but in a good way. The shift from school to university is real. There’s more independence, fewer reminders which come with more responsibility. Lectures introduce concepts. Tutorials practice them and Seminars test whether you’ve actually understood them. In the beginning, I had moments where I questioned whether I was keeping up. That’s another honest part. But over time, something changes. You start thinking more analytically. You start understanding financial statements instead of memorising them. You start asking better questions.
And because I’m on the Industrial Experience pathway, there’s always this awareness that what I’m learning connects to real career opportunities. It doesn’t feel abstract. It feels relevant.
My first Lecture I was so excited for this one, and the Lecturer was so welcoming
Ambition Is Contagious
One thing I didn’t expect was how motivating the environment would be.
It pushes you. There’s a healthy competitiveness. Not toxic but ambitious.
There is always plenty of support and guidance for you whether they are the BFS networking events, the 1:1 mock interviews and the roadmaps they give to break into the industry or The Careers Zone that supports you with CV reviews and mock interviews.
Such events happen regularly. But here’s the truth:
No one chases you to apply. You must take the initiative. That’s where growth happens.
I remember the first Internship I applied for, it was a surreal moment, although (after 3 rounds of assessments) I did get rejected, the process felt like I was growing up and was finally taking the step towards building my life.
Exeter Beyond Academics
Exeter city center is about a 15–20-minute walk from campus. Cathedral Green on a sunny day feels like a reset button. The High Street has everything you need without feeling overwhelmed.
As for nights out we always have Time Piece Wednesdays and Imperial Wetherspoons for when you want to have fun with a couple of friends. Not to forget the late night Efes Grill run after the club to eat a solid doner.
Sometimes I’ll walk across campus after a long study session and realise how different life feels compared to a year ago.
You build routines:
- Gym at Exeter Sport
- Study sessions in the Forum
- Coffee breaks that turn into life conversations
- Quiet walks when your head feels full
At some point, Exeter stops feeling like “the UK.” It starts feeling like your life.
What Changed in Me
This might be the most important part. Studying at the University of Exeter Business School didn’t just change my CV. It changed my way of thinking and living.
Moving countries forces you to:
- Make decisions independently
- Manage your own time
- Handle uncertainty
- Sit with discomfort
And slowly, confidence builds. Not loud confidence. Quiet confidence. The kind that comes from figuring things out on your own.
So… Is It Worth It?
If you’re looking for certainty, studying abroad won’t give you that.
But if you’re looking for growth, it will.
But more than that, it gave me a perspective.
And if you’re standing where I once stood, deciding whether to take that leap, just know this: It’s normal to feel unsure. But sometimes the right decision is the one that stretches you. And Exeter is a place where that stretch turns into strength.