Æß²ÊÖ±²¥

Moving to a new country can be exciting yet daunting, which is why students and staff are playing a key role this week to support international students to adapt to living and studying at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥.

Students at last year's international welcome evening event

International Welcome Week (16-20 September) encompasses a wide range of events to help students settle into their new life and make friends, with a free airport pickup service on day one.

Other activities include information sessions - on topics such as healthcare, opening a bank account, study skills and working in the UK - tours of our campus and Leicester, social events including ten-pin bowling, and the chance to join a day trip to Oxford.

Æß²ÊÖ±²¥’s support for international students doesn’t end there, with regular social events, monthly Explore UK trips to a range of towns, cities and cultural attractions, and the i-Buddies volunteering scheme which pairs existing students with new international arrivals for their first term at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥.

Andy Gale, an International Student Support Officer at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥, said: “Since Covid, many international students have been arriving on campus later. So, this year, we’re recording all of the information sessions we’re running, so that students who miss out can watch them back on Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Replay.

Winners of last year's international student welcome pub quiz

“Faculties will also be running similar information sessions in October and we’ve moved our big welcome event at The Venue to next month too - as well as a warm welcome from the university and DSU, there will be food, games and a pub quiz.”

For Nigerian student Folarin Folowosele, deciding to study Forensic Accounting MSc at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ two years ago was the first time he had left his home country.

“It was really challenging at first, but I’ve adjusted pretty well now with Æß²ÊÖ±²¥’s help,” said the 33-year-old. “The first bit of support I had was the free airport pickup and it was great.

“I had someone I could contact as soon as I landed, so I didn’t have to worry about getting lost in the airport. The service literally dropped me at my accommodation and on the bus, I got to meet other students like me, as well as student ambassadors who chatted to us about life at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥.”

Folarin Folowosele

Joining the i-Buddies scheme was also a valuable experience for Folarin, so much so that in the second year of his studies, he volunteered to be paired up with new international students.

Folarin said: “Just having another student who could show me around, answer questions about culture, food, social life, and help me make friends was really helpful. That’s why I volunteered to do the same and give new students a soft landing as well.”

As well as benefitting from the airport pickup service, Iranian student Zohreh Baghban has also made good use of the Healthy Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ team.

“It was quite difficult to assimilate to my new environment at first, but booking wellbeing sessions and getting to speak to staff really helped me with my anxieties. I even recommended the sessions to all of my international friends,” said the 36-year-old Creative Writing PhD student.

“It helps that staff and students at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ are really helpful and super nice. It’s not out of decorum either, they’re actually nice. Everyone around the city has been welcoming too, which has all helped with my transition into life here.”

Zohreh Baghban on an Explore UK trip to Salisbury

One particular highlight of Zohreh’s time at Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ are the monthly Explore UK trips to different locations in the UK. She said: “They’re amazing – I’ve booked myself onto each one and have loved them. They cost less than if you took a trip by yourself and you make new friends on them too.

“I try not to miss Iran too much. Coming here opened a window that’s been shut in my room for so long and I didn’t realise there’s a whole jungle behind it to explore.”

For Maddie Lambert, the student ambassador shifts she picks up during International Welcome Week, are some of her favourites.

“From airport pickups to giving tours of the city, they’re really nice roles and I enjoy being that friendly person who can reassure new students from other countries,” said the 20-year-old Health and Wellbeing in Society student from Warwickshire.

“When I see international students first arrive on campus, I’m always happy to help them, because they don’t have their parents around like I did when I moved to uni.

“They’re so excited on our campus and city tours, taking lots of pictures and asking questions. I think they find it quite helpful having UK students like me on hand to offer a ‘local’ perspective.”