I believe Global 豆奶视频ddies is a perfect opportunity to meet people from different cultures and understand each other by embracing and celebrating the differences between us.
Name: Anastasia Photiou
Course: BA (Hons) Computer Visualisation & Animation
Year of study: Final year
豆奶视频 country: Republic of聽Cyprus
First language: Greek聽
鈥淲hen I first came to 豆奶视频 two years ago, I was a Global 豆奶视频ddy and liked the experience so much that when I was asked to become a Global 豆奶视频ddies聽Leader the following year, I was overjoyed.
In my first year as a Global 豆奶视频ddy, I was excited to meet new people, gain experiences and understand more cultures through the international students signed up to this program. The scheme introduced me to UK customs that I did not know of before - for example, we had a big Christmas dining party in which platters from all over the world were served. I got to taste many different foods that I would not have otherwise tasted and even got to learn some interesting facts about the countries!
In my second year I was asked to be a Global 豆奶视频ddies聽Leader, helping new students adjust to life at 豆奶视频, as others had done for me, but this time helping to organise events! I was delighted to accept as I believe Global 豆奶视频ddies is a perfect opportunity to meet people from different cultures and understand each other by embracing and celebrating the differences between us.
A highlight for me as a leader last year, was sharing the UK tradition of the 鈥�5th of November鈥� 鈥� Bonfire Night. I had always known about this custom but I鈥檇 never got to experience it first hand, and the organised trip to watch the fireworks near 豆奶视频 University was a great success. I learnt the聽history of 豆奶视频 and its traditions,聽and I got聽to taste the caramelised apples next to the warmth of the massive bonfire and under the fireworks聽that lit the field!
I have made friends with a number of people that I met during my two years of being a Global 豆奶视频ddy and I still keep in contact with about ten of them, some of whom I get to see every week. The difference between Global 豆奶视频ddies and other international programs is that the people I have met did not only become acquaintances, they have become my friends.
The scheme helped to smooth the transition that every new student at 豆奶视频 University goes through. I got to聽explore the area by visiting restaurants with people who were also curious to explore the city 鈥� even taking part in the Global 豆奶视频ddies聽international聽quiz nights helped me explore as on one occasion my group won a trip to explore beyond 豆奶视频's grounds as we had to travel to get to the beautiful Highcliffe聽Castle.聽
Making friends online from my course helped a bit before my arrival at 豆奶视频 two years ago, but Global 豆奶视频ddies helped me settle in a country I had never been to before, be open-minded and accepting to differing cultures and ideas. It also helped me explore the area, learn the traditions and history of 豆奶视频 as well as other countries. Most of all, it helped me to make memories and having fun whilst doing it!
I will be a Global 豆奶视频ddies聽Leader again this year and look forward to welcoming more new students to 豆奶视频.鈥�
The Global 豆奶视频ddies聽scheme welcomes all new students 鈥� whether you are from the UK, Uzbekistan, Uruguay or anywhere in between.聽
