ABOUT ME:
Hi, I’m Yashil, an international student from Mauritius Island, in my first year on the Accounting and Finance course at the University of Bath. I lived on the west of the campus, in Brendon Court.
WHY BATH?
Bath was the ultimate choice for me: the perfect blend of academic excellence and diversity. A campus university, as opposed to a city university, was a must-have for me. Known for its Georgian architecture, Bath is the only city in the UK to be a designated World Heritage Site in its entirety. Bath is among the safest cities for students. Located on the east side of the most beautiful city, the University prides itself as being one of the most prestigious in the UK. The majority of UoB’s programmes integrate competitive placements, which is crucial for the course I’m enrolled in.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COMMUNITY:
Being Mauritian, I form part of an under-represented segment of the university’s students. However, I never felt lonely at any point. On the contrary, I felt way more authentic, imparting knowledge on the rich history of my country. Everyone has been very supportive, and I easily found my crowd, seeking unity in diversity. That’s the aspect of Mauritius I do not miss – multiculturalism. The international student community here is very united, and consideration is given to each ethnicity/nationality. Cultural festivals are celebrated throughout the year: Holi, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Ramadan, Christmas…
SUPPORT:
From academic help to mental support, students have a lot of options to seek support from. The International Support Service is there specifically for internationals. The SU is a great option as well. Moreover, the university operates a wellbeing app called Be Well which can be accessed 24/7 and is absolutely free. Undergraduate freshers can also rely on their peer mentors and academic advisers for academic support and personal advice. My Student Experience Officer (SEO), for instance, has been very compassionate and welcoming.
International Support Service organises weekly drop-ins at Esther Parkin where you can let your creative juices flow. There are loads of crafty activities to do such as clay sculpting and season specific activities like pumpkin carving. During the vacation period, the university tends to be pretty desolate, and loneliness can easily get through. Winter at Bath and Easter at Bath are exceptionally helpful for those living in Bath during the festive period. I participated in several of those events including a Trip to Longleat, the Christmas Ball and a Self-guided New Year's Day walk.
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES:
Multiple student mixers are organised throughout Freshers' week. One was specifically from my department where I got to meet fellow international students from the School of Management.
If you’re a language enthusiast, you can join PAL sessions or even be a PAL Leader. The university also offers Foreign Language sessions for free. I took Spanish lessons where I met wonderful people and learned more about the Spanish culture as well. Language café is yet another option to explore!
The SU organises activities and trips throughout the year. Wellbeing activities are held every week including dog walks, gardening, and cooking classes. I have been to a few SU trips such as to the Cotswolds Wildlife Park and Wales.
ResLife also organises events fortnightly such as lounge nights, craft nights and game nights.
QUICK TIPS:
I won’t bore you any longer. Here are some last few tips that I can provide from my personal experience:
- Do not overpack - almost everything you need will be available in Bath.
- If you’ve opted for the Heathrow Coach pick-up, account for at least 2 hours from your arrival time to your coach pick up time. Heathrow airport is exceptionally busy around this time with all students throughout the UK arriving and you may need to take the train for terminal transfer. (I had to wait for 1.5 hours queuing up.)
- If you’re not familiar with the British accent, maybe watch a British movie or two, series work as well. Bridgerton seems to be a common favourite!
- All cafes on campus are cashless - make sure you have suitable payment methods to keep you going throughout the first few days.
- Bring something reminiscent of home. It could be anything tactile: a family photo or your childhood teddy! For me, it was my beloved pet’s picture.
- Be wary of scammers - international students are their number one target!
- Lastly, enjoy yourself! Probably the most important one, life at the University of Bath is really a one-of-a-kind experience and make sure you make the most of it.
[credits: Maahi Vyas, Bath CSSA]
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