Last week was International Students’ Day (17 November). This date originates from 1939 in Czechoslovakia when Nazis invaded the University of Prague, executing nine student leaders, sending over 1200 students to concentration camps and shutting down all Czech universities. Now, the day has become a global celebration that commemorates the international student community. With over 7000 international students (almost a quarter of the student population!), the University of Exeter works hard to create and safe and welcoming atmosphere. In this article, I will highlight some events/resources offered at Exeter for international students.
Intercultural Cafe:
Meeting every Friday (10-11:30am) at the ISCA Eats cafe, this is a lovely opportunity to meet and chat with other international students.
The Intercultural Cafe offers weekly activities – from board games to pin making and many more! – as well as the opportunity to get a free drink and pastry. What more is there to ask for? Attending can also be good to learn more about the different resources and opportunities available for international students, from visa requirements to study skills.
It’s even open outside of term time, which is great for students who are not going home for the holidays. So, if you haven’t been there yet, why not try it out? UK students are also encouraged to go if they want to immerse themselves in a nice multicultural experience!
Guild Events:
One of the Exeter Student Guild’s core values is to promote diversity and this is highlighted in their events. From Give it a Go Events offering students the chance to visit places in/near Exeter at greatly discounted prices to events tailored specifically for international students, students have plenty to choose from! During Black History Month, for example, the Guild carried out activities like the African Caribbean Games Night as well as a movie night. These events are great opportunities for international students to socialise and try new things for free/cheap prices.
International Societies:
On a similar note, the Guild is also home to many international societies. International students in search of friends from their country/continent will be happy to attend the fun socials offered by societies like Latin American, African and Caribbean, Eastern European, South Asian and Ukrainian Society. From clubbing to talks and chill games nights, there’s something for everyone.
Moreover, there are other societies international students might be keen to join. For dancers and music lovers, there’s salsa, bachata, bollywood, latin orchestra and k-pop to enjoy. It is also important to mention the societies under the “causes” category that might provide an important/safe space for some international students coming to Exeter: Friends of Palestine, Hong Kong Public Affairs and Social Services, and Student Action For Refugees Society.
Overall, Exeter’s diversity is clearly shown in its great variety of societies!
University Events:
Throughout the year, the university hosts several events to highlight its international community and help make students feel more welcomed and less homesick while away at university. Some of these events include Diwali and Navrati, Spring Festival / Chinese New Year, Global Festival (hosted by the Business School in October) and Cultural Festival (hosted by the Guild in May).
These types of events tend to offer a variety of food, dances/performances, stands from different cultural societies and overall an excellent chance for international (and local!) students to mingle and appreciate the diversity in Exeter. Many of these events tend to be free or heavily discounted for students, so if you haven’t attended any yet, you still have plenty of opportunities before the academic year ends!
International Student Support:
At the University of Exeter, there are a lot of resources and support available for international students. The International Student Advice and International Student Experience teams, in particular, are dedicated to supporting them through events (many of which I already covered earlier this article!), a monthly newsletter highlighting valuable resources/opportunities/news, visa advice, etc.
A particular resource they offer that I would like to highlight is their International Peer Mentoring Scheme. This pairs up a first-year international student with someone who has already been through those new university experiences and can thus provide some advice/signpost as needed. For example, many international students might not be aware of the well-being or study skills resources/support the university offers or know of the English Language Skills Development. This latter team offers resources, classes and one-to-one appointments/drop-ins to help improve academic reading, writing, listening and speaking. If you’re an international student, there’s no shortage of help at Exeter University!
Outside the University:
Apart from the resources/events/support provided by the university itself, there are also some things worth highlighting outside of it! For one, Friends International Exeter, working as a charity independent from the University of Exeter, provides weekly socials of various themes (from chatting and international board games to baking and much more!) as well as other events, such as trips nearby/in Exeter for free/very cheap prices.
Similarly, one can see how diverse and multicultural Exeter as a city is just by walking through the city centre. Sidwell Street in particular is a big hub for international students, with a variety of international shops to fit students’ needs and wants. International students in need for specific food products from home might hit gold in these shops!
I hope this article leaves no doubt about the great diversity and intercultural nature of Exeter. Both within and outside the university, its international community shines bright, offering a friendly and helpful community for those far away from home.