I balance my studies with my job as a member of the Campus Life team, organising events for international and home students such as the Freshers and Welcome programmes.
As a Nursing student I undertake regular placements, which can include weekends, and the team’s flexible in allowing me to work around those. I do a bit of everything and the team is always trying new, innovative things to ensure we give students a warm welcome.
I grew up in the South of France so I have been in the position of being a new student in an unfamiliar place myself. I wanted to study in English and applied and was accepted everywhere but I had heard how friendly Scottish people are and I really like the programme at GCU, which is very well balanced so I chose here.
I didn’t know anyone when I arrived and it was my first time moving away from home but all the events to welcome students to GCU encouraged me to get out there. I used to be shy but I have really opened up.
We see people arriving looking lost and it can be daunting to make friends. That’s why the events we run throughout the year are so important – it’s an effortless way to make friends and get to know the culture. As GCU has such a huge, diverse international community it is an amazing place to really get an understanding of cultural backgrounds from so many people. I have learned so much from people from countries I may never visit so it is wonderful to learn about traditions and celebrations from around the world.
Most of my family studied in the US, places where the sun’s shining like Texas, Arizona, Ohio, so they were astonished when I picked Glasgow. But the weather doesn’t matter when the people are so warm. I have never come across such nice, helpful people in my life. In my first few days, I was standing with a map and a woman said “What are you looking for?” and took me there. Now I do that all the time, too!
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