Welcome Week wows at the Home of the Wonderful
By: Communications
New students at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have been enjoying the many activities on offer to help them settle into their first week on campus, with everything from owl encounters to UV Zumba.
There have been plenty of opportunities for newcomers to interact with each other, with different panels, talks, and meet-ups held for all students – including international, commuters and mature – making it easier for everybody to have a chance to connect and make friends.
Image: One of the owls from Norfolk Owls (Credit: Maggie Read)
For those who may be homesick or struggling, there have been events such as Ask Us Anything, with stands from different sectors in the University, as well as Pets As Therapy with two dogs, Bella and Bear, who met with groups of students and were willing to receive hundreds of pets and pats to help make people feel better.
Image: Bear and Bella from Pets As Therapy
There have been plenty of talks to highlight the best parts of the University, with talks on finance, Study Abroad, a student panel, the volunteering fair, and walks around the Sainsbury Centre to show new students the world-class collections.
British Heart Foundation have been selling their donated goods in The Street all week, offering students cheaper alternatives to kitchenware in the Pots & Pans sale and decreasing the amount of waste going into landfill.
An all-day market was set up on The Street, with posters, plants, jewellery, and prints available to buy, showcasing local goods from around Norfolk, letting students from outside the county have a taste of what’s on offer.
Image: Maddie Buck
Maddie Buck, who is studying Children’s Nursing, has been experiencing her first week as a university student. She said: “I decided to come to UEA for a new experience, I want to be able to explore the different sectors of healthcare so I can learn and decide what side of healthcare I want to work in in the future.”
It’s also been a chance for new students to learn about the extra curriculars on offer for them here, with societies and sports showcasing themselves to sign up new students, with societies like Bad Film, Taylor Swift, and nearly 60 sport clubs for people to have a taste of.
Image: A rat from Bert's Amazing Creatures
There were also more furry friends on offer, with Bert’s Amazing Creatures showcasing a wide range of critters, including rats, a hedgehog, an abnormally large rabbit, and cold-blooded creatures keeping the crowds entertained. There were lizards on shoulders, snakes around necks, and a tortoise trotting around.
Quieter events have also been on offer, with crafting, a film night, and clay-making available to those who like a night in. For those who prefer a livelier atmosphere, there was a roller disco, live music, and plenty of club nights, including one with CBBC icon Hacker T Dog.
Image: Samuel Harris-Eze
Samuel Harris-Eze is going into his first year of studying Chemistry and has been making the most of his Welcome Week, saying: “I’ve been to so many activities this week. I’ve just finished going to the Sit and Sketch events with live music, it’s been a really fun week. It’s really helped me in meeting new people – the other day I was using the arcade machine and ended up having a Street Fighter tournament with a group of people I didn’t know.”
Image: Two of the participants at UEA's Colour Run
There was a balance of sporty and active events alongside creative and calm ones, with everything from dog walking and morning 4k runs/campus tours , to soap-making with Soapful Hands, who use a portion of their soaps in the hygiene kits they donate to homeless housing trusts in Norwich.
Students have been able to keep many of their creative endeavours, with tote bags, badges and sketches being made.
Image: Philine Van Klaveren
Philine Van Klaveren, a Dutch student who is studying Intercultural Communications, said:
“UEA offered me great courses that they didn’t offer in the Netherlands. I liked the fact Norwich was smaller, London was too overwhelming – this city makes me feel safer and more included. This week has had so many events, it’s been a great way to get to know people and have the time to settle into the University instead of being thrown into studying straight away. It’s given me time to adapt.”
This week would not have happened without the wider UEA staff, the Public Events & Engagement team who have worked weekends and nights all week, and the Student Information Zone (SIZ) and IT who have been supporting new starters with their enquiries and problems.
The events have been featured both internally and externally, with lots of social media content and appearances on ITV Anglia and BBC National news.
Image: Lucy Kemp
Lucy Kemp, Lead Project Manager for the Start of Year Project, said: “It has been a joy to lead the start of year planning for this year working with colleagues from across the University. This year’s Welcome Week has been bigger than ever before. We have had more events and activities for students over the week which have been hugely varied, accessible and the turn out from students has had us reaching for the emergency chairs!
“Utilising our own space in Congregation Hall has given us more flexibility. We have been able to host smaller, quieter, low stimulus events alongside larger events, which has been welcomed. This kind of project really showcases everyone’s skills, knowledge and experience as colleagues from across the University chip in to make it work.”
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