Going Global
By: Communications
The process of leaving your home country to travel and study somewhere new can be daunting, but UEA has recruited many International Student Ambassadors to help incoming students ease into life in Norwich.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) has a large community of international students, with more than 3,500 choosing to study here.
The process of leaving your home country to travel and study somewhere new can be daunting, but UEA has recruited many International Student Ambassadors to help incoming students ease into life in Norwich.
These ambassadors work to support their fellow students from all around the world, from talking to prospective applicants to helping new students settle into university life.
Find out more as some of our ambassadors share their stories and journeys to UEA:
Elsa Mounayer
Elsa is a Master’s student from Lebanon studying Organisational Psychology. With UEA being one of only a few universities to offer this course, her mind was ultimately made up after she was chosen for the UEA Lebanon Award. She said:
“I was torn between UEA and another university in London, but choosing UEA turned out to be one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
“I like Norwich because it’s an in-between of having everything you need but also not being as crowded as bigger cities. The scenery here very much feels like home and there is such a sense of community.”
Elsa, who is also a part of the Arab Society at UEA, added: “I feel like it’s very important to be part of a society, especially one that reminds you of home. People from that society were telling me where to buy Arab spices or specific food. It helps with homesickness, and it helps you feel understood.”
Study Organisational Psychology
Yi-Ting Kuo
Yi-Ting is from Taiwan and studying for an MSc in Brand Leadership. This course was one of the main reasons she chose to study at UEA – being one of only a few universities in the UK to offer that specific course.
On her journey to becoming an International Student Ambassador, Yi-Ting said:
“When I first arrived at the University, I created an unofficial Taiwanese Students' Society at UEA. Since I arrived in the UK a month earlier than most, I shared my experiences in the group, such as opening a bank account and setting up internet. Gradually, I connected all the Taiwanese students at UEA – that's when I was sent the International Student Ambassador hiring information, saying I was well-suited for the role.
“The environment here is excellent and UEA’s campus is a great place to relax. The courses can be stressful, but lying on the grass under the sun really helps relieve stress, and everyone is very welcoming. I love my course because the small class sizes mean we all know each other well, and the teachers regularly use their connections to organise industry visits for us (including a visit to Google in London this month), which makes the experiences very fulfilling.”
Kyle Yeoh
Kyle is from Malaysia and is finishing up his first year studying Business Management.
He said: “I picked UEA because I could see they were big on getting students ready for work and had great job prospects. I found out that the University works hard to make sure its students gain practical skills through CareerCentral. I also wanted to be at a modern university that embraced change, creativity, and career-focused learning.”
Kyle, who is part of the archery club, also noted the many extra-curricular activities on offer for students: “I'm incredibly grateful for it because I've met some amazing people through these clubs and societies. I’ve never been the athletic type, but I wanted to try something new while I was here, especially since archery wasn't easily accessible back home.”
On becoming an International Student Ambassador, he said: “It might sound cliché, but I genuinely find joy in supporting others.
“When I first arrived at UEA for my foundation studies, I felt quite lost and had to figure out a lot on my own. Back then, I wasn't aware of the international resources available and had so many unanswered questions that I could only turn to my agent for, who sometimes couldn't provide the answers. When I learned about a position where I could assist fellow international students, especially those from my home country, in transitioning and settling into life here, I knew I wanted to sign up to help.”
“I believe the international team has done a great job in portraying what studying and living in Norwich and at UEA is truly like.”
Henry Esomchi
Henry is the International Student Ambassador for Nigeria and is studying Education and Development at UEA. He said:
“Becoming an ambassador is one of the most important experiences I have had while studying here at the University. I wanted to serve as the bridge between UEA and other international students from Nigeria.”
When asked about his experience while studying, Henry continued: “As the African saying goes: ‘It takes a group of trees to make a forest’.
“I will not say that I am inspired by one person alone, but by collective actions from different groups of people. For example, my lecturers, who are incredibly supportive and provide personalized guidance and encouraging independent research. The access to state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive resources has also significantly enhanced my learning journey.
“Beyond academics, UEA's picturesque campus and vibrant student life have contributed immensely to my overall experience. The various clubs, societies, and cultural events have provided a balanced and fulfilling university life, ensuring personal growth alongside academic success. Overall, my time at UEA has been profoundly rewarding.”
Study Education and Development
Fauziah Isyana Kusumawardhani
Fauziah is an international student from Indonesia who is studying a Master’s in Gender Analysis in Global Development. She made her choice to study at UEA due to the University’s reputation:
“Global Development is renowned at UEA, based on the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 and its incredible lecturers, making it one of the best universities in the UK for Development Studies.
“While I may not be formally involved in any club or society here, I have fostered a strong sense of community with my friends from the Development School. Our cross-cultural 'seminars', movie nights, picnics, and travels within and outside the UK have enriched my university experience. I also deeply appreciate the close-knit Indonesian community here at UEA.”
On becoming an International Student Ambassador, Fauziah commented: “I chose to become one because, as a prospective UEA student in 2023, I realised that I needed a lot of support to understand the country, city, and campus. I needed someone who can help guide me through the UK education system, accommodation, living costs and many other things.
“ I have been in their shoes and want to help prospective international students.”
Study Gender Analysis in Global Development
Alexandra Rosas Ampuero
Alexandra is from Bolivia and is currently studying Drama at UEA.
“I found that UEA was ranked 1st for graduate prospects in Drama, Dance, and Cinematics. After scanning the Drama course profile, I saw I was going to be able to take all the subjects that I was interested in.”
She also spoke about becoming an ambassador, saying: “I thought that it would be nice to simultaneously gain work experience and help people, as I had already experienced the process of moving to another country and choosing a course.”
Alexandra, who will be going into her second year in September, also spoke about how UEA has helped her decide on her career: “It has been a rewarding experience. I came to UEA with a focus on acting and filmmaking, and over the course of my first year, I fell in love with playwriting.
“I explored my ability to write in a way I haven’t done before and realised I could write about many topics that I hadn’t considered. I finally found the career path I’ve been looking for ever since I graduated from school.”
Catalina Monsalve Calderon
Catalina is from Colombia and is studying Law at UEA. She made the decision to switch from her previous degree after visiting the facilities at the university:
“I realised I wanted to pursue law after visiting UEA and speaking to some students – I fell in love with it. In the end, I transferred to study law because I want to contribute to society, and I feel better able to do so with a law degree.
“I chose UEA because I knew I wanted to be in Norwich, which is a very beautiful and friendly city, and the campus is so green which I love. In my course, the mixture of lectures and seminars keep the modules interesting and give me the necessary tools to go and study by myself in my own time.”
When asked about how she spends her free time on campus, Catalina commented: “I love visiting the Student Information Zone to interact with other students, play some board games and have a bit of relaxation in between classes.”