At Anglia Ruskin University: Embracing Diversity, Support, and Opportunities as an International Student

Hi! My name is Ada, and I am a first-year undergraduate student from Turkey studying BA Media Production at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Today, I will be sharing my experiences about studying at ARU, particularly as an international student, and highlighting ARU’s support and opportunities for students.

Why Did I Choose ARU?
As an international student, finding a university that embraces diversity and provides support for international students was essential for me. ARU’s commitment to welcoming students from various backgrounds drew my attention, and the university’s atmosphere made me feel confident that I would be supported throughout my academic journey.
The diverse range of courses ARU offers also played a significant role in my decision. With so many options available, I was excited about the possibilities for my studies and future career. The courses are also designed with a focus on employability and practicality, which ensured that I would gain the necessary skills for my future employment.

Support for International Students: From Application to Integrating into Life in the UK
ARU is great when it comes to supporting international students, both before and during their studies. The International Office is very active, arranging various webinars and Q&A sessions online to help the students during the application and CAS process. The International Office assisted me with visa applications, accommodation arrangements, and settling in, which I am still very grateful for.
Right before the Welcome Week, they also organise an International Orientation where essential information about living in the UK, both academically and culturally is delivered. It is designed to help students have a smooth transition to life in the UK, as they offer help in setting up a bank account, finding your GP and more. I found the orientation to be a great opportunity to meet other international students and learn about the various resources available to us as well.

Beneficial Opportunities, Communities and Programmes
One of the standout features at ARU is the opportunities and programmes designed to enhance student experiences. ARU Temps, the employability service at the university, is incredibly beneficial when it comes to job opportunities, both inside and outside the campus. It connects students with part-time work and internships, allowing us to gain valuable work experience alongside our studies.
The Students’ Union at ARU offers numerous communities and societies for a wide range of areas too, making it easy to find people with similar interests and build a social network. These communities also arrange different events and programmes for their participants. I was able to participate in the Freelancers programme, organised by the ARU Enterprise Community. This 12-week free programme was particularly beneficial as it provided insights into freelancing and entrepreneurship and made me gain skills that are essential for my future career in Media Production.

Facilities and Labs
ARU contains so many facilities and labs that students can use freely to get experience within their course. As a Media Production student, I find the facilities to be very supportive for especially media related courses. From the Media Services at ARU, the students can book a wide range of equipment for free, including cameras, lighting kits, and audio recorders. This allows us to practise our skills and complete our projects without the additional financial burden of renting equipment. The booking system is user-friendly and ensures that students can easily access the tools we need. There are also Edit Suites and Photography Studios that students can book out for free, and they are equipped with various tools to use as well.

My Experience So Far
My experience at ARU so far has been truly great. As a first-year student, I can say that my transition to both university life and life in the UK was a lot easier than expected thanks to the support from the International Office. I was able to meet so many students from different countries, learn about a range of cultures and make friends from different parts of the world within a short period of time. Everyone I met has been welcoming, I felt safe and accepted from the beginning.
My course so far has been very engaging as well and has provided a comprehensive understanding both theoretically and practically. I have been using the Media services and the studios a lot, and this helped me to be more skilled while using equipment during the class. I have been eager to learn more than ever, and I am very excited for my future modules too. I can confidently say that I am glad I chose ARU considering its support for international students and academic journey.