Wendy Foy is part of a very exclusive group. She's one of only three University of Bath alumni who share a 60th birthday with the University! We catch up to chat about nights out at Bog Island, a career that took her around the world and the friendships that keep her coming back to Bath.
Happy birthday, Wendy! How does it feel to share a 60th birthday with the University of Bath?
It’s nice that we share a birthday. I remember being in my first year and seeing a plaque somewhere on campus commemorating the granting of the Royal Charter on 25 October 1966. I thought of it as a special bond between us! It’s funny to think how new the University was back then, and it’s great to see what's been achieved since.
Take us back to your Bath days. What are your strongest memories?
Mainly just having lots of fun, meeting people from a wide range of backgrounds and having new experiences. And of course, staying up half the night to complete essays, all laboriously handwritten.
You studied MLES German & Russian. Tell us about that experience.
I opted for the course at Bath because it was a ‘modern’ modern languages course and was very varied, covering the politics and institutions of the EU, in addition to the language aspect. The opportunity to travel to the Soviet Union was a big draw as well, as this was very restricted at the time.
Where did your degree take you after graduating?
I initially worked with a large logistics company as a graduate trainee. This included placements in different business areas and locations around the country, and a seven-month stint in Hamburg.
I subsequently joined the Home Office, initially working on passport control at Heathrow. There had been a big recruitment campaign for recent graduates, and being shift workers, we socialised together a lot. I remember thinking it was great, like being at university but being paid!
I remained in the Home Office for nearly 30 years, working in different roles in the immigration field. Five years ago, we moved to the south coast, which prompted a job change, and now I work for a company of immigration lawyers.
What’s been the highlight of your career?
While working at the Home Office, I was fortunate to be seconded to the Foreign Office and did overseas postings in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Living and working in different cultures was definitely the highlight of my career, and I have brought back amazing memories with me.
There were a few hairy moments as well, including the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, getting tear-gassed at a football match in Accra and travelling to and from the embassy under armed guard after the revolution in Libya. Thankfully, day-to-day life was a lot more sedate.
Have you been back to Bath for a visit since graduating?
I’ve kept in contact with a small group of friends and we’ve had reunions in Bath over the years. On our last visit we were amazed by how much the University had grown. We must have looked a bit overwhelmed as a group of students came to check if we were lost and needed help! Recently my stepdaughter bought a home in Bath, which gives me an excuse to go back more often.
What was it like being a student at Bath in the `80s and `90s?
The University was far smaller than it is now and so you ended up with a wide social circle from practically every course. Few students had cars and hitching a ride from the bottom of Bathwick Hill or Widcombe Hill was the norm, to save on bus fare.
The campus food and drink options were limited – for undergraduates, there was a canteen and café, and the creatively named Norwood Bar for nights out! Off campus, the highlight of the week was Wednesday night at Bog Island. Despite sticking to the floor and condensation dripping from the ceiling, it was hugely popular.
What would you say to someone graduating from Bath today, as you celebrate this shared milestone with the University?
Just take the opportunities that come your way and enjoy life. Before you know it, you’ll be in your sixties and reading about the University’s centenary celebrations!
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