Hey, it’s Day! I’m currently studying MA Publishing here at the University of Exeter. I’m originally from Washington State in the United States, so I am also an international student. Being alone for the first time in a new country is daunting, but every moment I spend on campus makes it feel more like home. So, why did I choose to hop on a plane and travel around 5,000 miles to the University of Exeter for my degree? Let’s chat about it.
A Course Like No Other
After finishing my undergraduate degree, I pondered going back to school for a Publishing MA for several years, but nothing in the States ever felt quite right. Programmes were usually three-year-long commitments and based in metropolitan areas that were a far cry from the comforts of the small-town lifestyle I was used to. Everything changed when I decided to cast my search outside of my home country, and I discovered the one-year programme here in Exeter on the Streatham campus!
I can’t imagine a better place to study the publishing industry than in a UNESCO City of Literature like Exeter. This city is rich with literary history and culture; did you know that Penguin Books was first dreamt up at Exeter St Davids Station (you’ll find a book vending machine when you pass through!), or that Exeter has its own branch of the Silent Book Club? The opportunity to immerse yourself in the industry here is endless.
The programme itself is perfectly structured as well. The course has a diverse Industry Advisory Board of CEOs, Directors, and Agents to help provide us students with the best, up-to-date information possible. There are even opportunities to attend the London Book Fair or complete a work placement as part of the degree. As a student seeking to be as employable as possible, these supplements to the degree made choosing this programme a no-brainer for me.
During my first term, I took three modules: Editorial Processes and Practices, The Contemporary Publishing Industry, and Publishing Work Placement. While challenging, these modules were wonderfully hands-on and gave me a lot of experience with essential publishing skills and ideas, such as copyediting and conglomeration. Right now, I am taking the second half of the Publishing Work Placement module, as well as Publishing and Production, both of which have been a blast! I recently got to design a full book cover in Adobe InDesign for an assessment, which I think shows the wide scope of skills you learn during the programme.
Based on conversations I’ve had around campus and with my flatmates, I can say that whatever you choose to study here in Exeter, you’ll be getting an incredible education. As part of the Russell Group, the University really cares about ensuring the course content is relevant to what is happening in your industry right now, and will help you to build a network and support system in your field. At the University of Exeter, your education is in safe hands.
The Three S’s: Support, Services, and Societies
One thing I was nervous about before coming to the UK was the actual act of flying into the country itself. I had never been on an international flight or navigated my way through London Heathrow Airport before. Luckily for me, the University was several steps ahead! I used the Airport Collection Service to ensure a comfortable transition from the airport to my accommodation. Having their pre-arranged transportation made all the difference that first day in the UK. I highly recommend it! There were also several events during the first few weeks to help students get used to campus and understand all the different ways to get involved and find a community.
There is no cap on the amount of support you can receive at the University of Exeter. Even outside of your immediate degree, there are tons of services offered to help you figure out how to make the most of your time, whether that be professionally or socially. My favourite programmes are Student Startups and the Career Mentor Scheme, both designed to benefit your employability as an individual with unique strengths, ideas, and interests!
Another great service here at the University of Exeter that caters specifically to international students is the beloved Intercultural Cafe. Every Friday morning at ISCA Eats (only a five-minute walk from my accommodation), you can show up, get a free hot drink and pastry and have an hour of fun! The team running the sessions cares about you and your studies, and it isn’t out of the norm for you to end up on a first-name basis with the staff (shout-out to you, Sue!). I go with a group every week and never regret carving out that time for myself to spend with my friends and celebrate all the different cultures represented here on campus. Some especially memorable cafe sessions include the ones centered on Diwali and National Puzzle Day, and one where we each decorated a pennant to make an international student banner!
There are constant events happening on campus that make it easier than ever to challenge yourself to try something new and make friends doing it. In my first week, I cruised the Jurassic Coast, went shopping on an International student IKEA trip, took a guided tour of the city and attended an English Pudding Night (I fear Sticky Toffee Pudding has become a new food group for me!). The opportunities to meet all the different versions of yourself and explore our corner of the UK are endless.
Another thing that caught my eye about the University of Exeter was the number of clubs and societies that you could join. I’m part of several such societies on campus, and I’m always amazed by how much value I get out of being a part of them! For example, I have a Music Membership which gives me access to all sorts of speciality rooms and equipment on campus. Whenever I want to sit and play the piano, I can book a practice room at Cornwall House. In the mood for a 2 am singing session, or want to learn a new instrument? The 24-hour bookable rooms and large selection of equipment at Kay House have you covered. I’ve even discovered a bookable studio where you can start a podcast or record your creativity and share it with others. The more you look, the more you find! For these reasons, I’m grateful every day that I chose to study at the University of Exeter.
Exeter: Not Just a Location, but a Community
While trying to make my final decision on where to attend university, I remember joining a virtual meeting for prospective students, and I was struck during a campus slideshow by how right it felt to pursue my degree here. There was a genuine excitement and enthusiasm from the International Student Recruitment team that caught my attention and made me want to fly over and see what all the hype was about!
Our Streatham campus is extraordinarily lush with its 300 acres covered in beautiful flora and fauna. No matter the footpath you follow to class or toward the City Centre for shopping, you’ll find the vibrant green leading the way. Funnily enough, the greenery and weather on campus remind me so much of Washington that one morning I almost forgot I was in a different country! This made it easier for me as I transitioned to the UK and began to call Exeter my new home.
I love that on days when I want a change of scenery, I can head out toward the Historic Quayside for a canoe ride or step into a cafe for a quick bite and warm coffee. It is also stunning at night, with the lights of nearby businesses reflecting on the water.
One of my other favourite spots off campus is the Exeter Cathedral (its gorgeous towers are also helpful for navigating!), where I like to sit on the grass and read or enjoy a lunch break. One day soon, I plan on going out and exploring the Underground Passages and the Royal Albert Memorial Art Gallery.
There is so much to do in Exeter, and it is all such a short walk away! There are hardly any sidewalks in my hometown, so living somewhere walkable is exciting and keeps me active. I counted over 10k steps when I went out exploring the other day, so make sure you pack comfortable shoes!
The landscape is beautiful, but so are the people. During one of my walks home along High Street, I passed by a bakery that smelled so delicious I had to walk in. I decided to get two sausage rolls to take away for lunch. While I waited for my order to be ready, I got to chatting with the checkout assistant before she went to package the rolls. When she came back, she surprised me with an additional free pastry! It was such a sweet and unexpected gesture, and I think it speaks to Exeter as a whole. Everyone is looking out for one another to find their way around, get home safely, and have a great time, no matter where you are in the city or where you are from.
So, here it is! I packed up my entire life and flew to a country I’d never even visited before to get my postgraduate degree because I knew that at the University of Exeter, I was promised a cutting-edge course, boundless student life and support services, and a lovely community in which to thrive.