Joe Skeet, Student Performance Sport Manager, and Serena Grace, a sprinter who was on the UEA+ Elite Scholarship Programme and was recently awarded a first in BSc Physical Education and Sports Health, visited BBC Radio Norfolk to talk to Chris Goreham about elite sport at UEA, the range&nbsp;of sports clubs on campus, and Serena&rsquo;s Olympic dream.
Chris: Why is Serena here? Well, according to the University of East Anglia, budding professional athletes can follow their academic dreams at the same time. With the Olympic Games underway,&nbsp;UEA is shining a spotlight on the scholarship programme that gives talented athletes, like Serena, the support to combine their sporting development with their academic studies.
So, Joe, people like Serena who have shown great talent in their sport get to a point where they traditionally feel like they've got make a decision. Do you try and go professional? Do you concentrate on your sport and just do that at the neglect of your studies? It's a tough choice, isn't it?
Joe:&nbsp;Yes, it's a really, really difficult choice. Which one do you focus on? You know, it's sensible to try and have a career and education as well. So, we try and be really flexible with that at UEA. All of our scholars get academic flexibility to help them manage that dual career, which is hopefully really exciting, and hopefully something that Serena can attest to as well.
Chris: How have you found it, Serena? Because you've got to that point now, haven't you, where you're promising enough to think there might be a career in sport, but anything can happen in sport, so you've almost got to have something else as well?
Serena: Definitely. I think it's wise to have a backup plan and I've always been quite academic as well, so I have very much enjoyed studying, gaining a degree, and sprinting at the same time. I've been able to develop my academic skills and and do well in it, but also have that community at UEA where I'm gaining that extra bit of support with my athletics.
Chris: I think stereotypically there is a thought that people are very good at sport, and I don't include myself in that, but you've got this sport and that's your main thing, and you don't really care about the studies as much. But from the way you're speaking, that isn't the case?
Serena: I think so. It is very common, like you said. But from my personal experience, I think because in an athletic world, you always want to do so well, you always want to give 100% and nothing less, I then implement that into other areas of my life.
Automatically I'm like, oh, my goodness, I just want to do well in this, that and the other, and just give 100% in everything I do - and I think it has paid off. I've just received a first in my degree at UEA and I'm also doing well sporting wise. So, I want to continue to study but also sprint at the same time.
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-physical-education-sport-and-health?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=BSc_Physical_education_health_sport" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Study Physical Education and Sports Health at&nbsp;UEA</a>
Chris: You must be a nightmare to play Scrabble against.
Serena: I am!
Chris: The bit I would worry about is, if you're in the classroom doing your studies, is there a bit of you thinking, if I'm not out on the track, my times might suffer? How do you get your head around that?
Serena: Yes, 100%. I feel like because I've been at uni for three years now, I've definitely been able to learn how to balance things. Obviously, there's a great support network at the Sportspark with the UEA Sport Team.
So, I know that if I need that extra bit of support, I can either go to my lecturers or Joe, he'll be my first point of contact, and get that support if I need to. Because as an athlete, you do have anxieties. It's not like we're so strong minded we don&rsquo;t face those challenges as well, especially at uni, when you're having exams and assignments, it is going to get stressful. I think that's when it's so important to continue to run, continue to go to the gym, and things will definitely get better.
Chris: How do you aid people with that balance then, Joe? Because it can't be easy.&nbsp; 
Joe: It is difficult. They've got lots of commitments, all of the training, potentially working jobs as well to fund their degrees. We offer direct support through our performance team here, and we also offer, as I mentioned previously, academic flexibility, so there can be extensions if required, or if they're away at a training camp, they might be able to get authorised absences and things like that. We're also keen on sort of supporting athletes with their lifestyle as well.
We know it's difficult juggling numerous commitments and Serena does an excellent job of that - she&rsquo;s one of the busiest people I know! &nbsp;We sit down with them, talk through some of those challenges, and hopefully empower them make a decision that's going to suit their academic and sporting careers. We are very much empowering the athletes to make the decisions that are right for them, because it's their lives, it's not for us to tell them what to do.
Hopefully it comes across that we have a very friendly, very empowering network for athletes to use.
Chris: To prove that it works, Serena, we're lucky to have you in the studio because this time next week, we couldn't, could we?
Serena: No, I'll be away! Next Friday I'll leave to go to the USA, which I'm super excited about. I'm in the period where I'm packing and sorting everything out before I fly. I'm going to Iowa for my full scholarship to pursue my athletic career, but also further my academics, which will be amazing.
Chris: It feels like in the American system they are much more used to juggling education with college sports. The system is huge over there, isn't it?
Serena: Definitely. it's so huge. My future coach in the USA, he is so supportive, and I think that was a key deciding factor for me, to choose a uni where there's a support system, just like UEA, and they have amazing facilities there as well.
I just wanted to get away from this British winter weather really!
Chris: How inspiring has it been watching the Olympics?
Serena: It&rsquo;s been so inspiring. It's a shame that the Jamaicans weren't in the 200 metres, I was really excited to see Shelly-Ann Fraser run because she's one of my idols. It&rsquo;s been amazing watching them, it makes me want it even more. Hopefully, all being well, I can make LA 2028. That's the goal.
Chris: What about this, Joe?
Joe: I can see the determination. I've got to know Serena well over the last couple of years, and she&rsquo;s been sensible in managing all the academics, and she&rsquo;s so driven but so humble with it.
Chris: We&rsquo;ll want to see a Norfolk flag when you win your gold medal.
Serena: Definitely. I'll represent Norfolk all the way!
Chris: If we've got anyone listening who has family members, or they themselves are at a point where they're having to make a decision, how do they find out more about what you offer
Joe: First of all, there's the&nbsp;UEA Sports scholarship website, which details all of the information and lists the support and services talented athletes can access at UEA.
There's also a massive sporting programme at UEA in general for those that want to have a bit of fun and keep fit and healthy. You know, we have 57 sports club, we have an active campus programme where people can get discounted sort of activity sessions. There's dog walking, there's walks around the beautiful county of Norfolk as well. People can visit the UEA Sport or the UEA Sport scholarship websites and explore the whole breadth of what we offer. There's hopefully something for everyone there.
<h2>If you are looking to start university in September 2024 and still thinking about your options, consider joining a UK Top 25 university this September through Clearing.</h2>
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/clearing?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=UEA_sport_Radio_Norfolk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Find out more about Clearing and view available courses</a>

Joe Skeet and Serena Grace visited BBC Radio Norfolk to talk to Chris Goreham about elite sport at UEA, the range of sports clubs on campus, and Serena’s Olympic dream.

A Question of Sport

Gem Standen and Holly Gilman visited BBC Radio Norfolk to talk to Chris Goreham about their experiences as mature students, as well as offering advice for those looking to study later in life.

UEA on BBC radio highlighting opportunities for mature students

PhD student Luke Daly listed for BBC HistoryExtra’s 30 under 30 list, following the success of his debut novel: ‘Medieval Saints and their Sins’.

BBC HistoryExtra celebrates Luke Daly’s expertise in Medieval matters

<h3 class="MsoNormal">Ingrid Ziggi Alexander CBE is a Dominican-British writer and community historian, with a professional background in HR and executive and non-executive roles in both public and private sectors. Ingrid graduated from UEA in 1973 with a BA in English and American Studies. Her website - <a href="https://www.ziggialexander.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ziggi Alexander Connects</a> - showcases the range of projects that she has initiated or contributed to. </h3>
Ingrid recently shared her UEA memories with us: 
Here am I in my young 70s looking back to the early '70s when I entered adulthood through the UEA portal. My memories are episodic. I used to think this was due to being a migrant whose first language is Kw&eacute;y&ograve;l, but it&rsquo;s most likely the result of ageing, compounded by chemo brain. <img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/1200x630/edddf5da64/ingrid-alexander-uea-accom.png" border="0" alt="Ingrid Alexander standing outside Norfolk Terrace" width="800" height="420">&nbsp;
Ingrid Alexander standing outside Norfolk Terrace around 1972.
I do know, unequivocally, my passion for social justice, influenced by the&nbsp;U.S. civil rights movement, led me to UEA&rsquo;s School of English and American Studies. (Plus, my mother wanted me to follow in the tabloid reported footsteps of Princess Anne, whom they claimed would attend.) At first I was disappointed: Huckleberry Finn, Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman did nothing to ease my growing frustrations about the historical and contemporary injustices against people who looked like me. I was saved from being a pain and a total bore by:
<ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -18pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Champagne and cornflakes parties hosted by [Sir] Angus Wilson</li>
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -18pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Pigeon hole 'wanted' note from Drama Soc for a 'black girl' to join cast of The Crucible</li>
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -18pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Getting the part of Tituba and heading to London with a borrowed reel to reel tape recorder to capture the accents of Jamaicans. (What?!!) Yes, I know that Tituba was allegedly Bajan, but in those days, I, too, leaned into the prevailing stereotype that all English-speaking West Indians were Jamaican </li>
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -18pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Causing collective shock at a [Sir] Malcolm Bradbury seminar for stating Moby Dick&nbsp;was rubbish</li>
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -18pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Acting &ldquo;the rebel&rdquo; at 2 sit-ins, the reasons behind which I have long forgotten&nbsp;</li>
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -18pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Learning about the wider world from the frequent political shout-downs till dawn, first in Waveney Terrace, then later in Norwich digs, and</li>
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -18pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Attracting a diverse group of friends. </li>
</ul>
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/1200x630/fea64fcd05/the-crucible-performances.png" border="0" alt="Ingrid Alexander performing in The Crucible with contemporary newspaper review" width="800" height="420">
Ingrid Alexander performing as Tituba in The Crucible at UEA around 1972, along with a newspaper review of the production. By graduation in 1973, I was an almost fully liberated, feminist, anti-racist, lapsed Catholic, with an evenly distributed social conscience and lively campaigning spirit.
Since those heady days I&rsquo;ve collected more degrees and became a PhD drop-out. My first job as Community Relations Officer (Acton) tested my commitment to give back. Burnt out after 3 years, I went to Tokyo to teach English as a Foreign Language, but was back on course after six months, when I joined Brent Libraries. By the end of my careers, I&rsquo;d traversed the public, private, voluntary and charity sectors in a range of roles that would not make sense on paper. I&rsquo;ve recorded it all on a website -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ziggialexander.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ziggi Alexander Connects</a>&nbsp;- because I have had untold adventures, and I continue to write articles and poetry. At the moment I&rsquo;m working on a piece looking at claims that big companies knowingly benefit from prison slave labour in their supply chains.
As I look back on my herstory, the time at UEA stands out preeminent for being the most significant, character-shaping period of my continuing development.

Ingrid Ziggi Alexander CBE, writer, community historian, and UEA English and American Studies graduate, shares her memories of studying at the University of East Anglia in the 1970s.

Ingrid Ziggi Alexander CBE: Community Historian, UEA graduate

<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66032463 BCX8">
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. &nbsp; &nbsp;
The University of East Anglia (UEA) has a large community of international students, with more than 3,500 choosing to study here. &nbsp;
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. &nbsp;
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. &nbsp;
Find out more as some of our ambassadors share their stories and journeys to UEA:&nbsp;
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/00755c3f86/elsa.png" border="0">
Elsa Mounayer&nbsp;
Elsa is a Master&rsquo;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 <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/scholarships/uea-lebanon-award">UEA Lebanon Award.</a> She said: &nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I like Norwich because it&rsquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Elsa, who is also a part of the Arab Society at UEA, added: &ldquo;I feel like it&rsquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=organastional+psychology+uea&amp;cvid=1999ea6b2ea242ee89d07b027397fb3c&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBggAEEUYOzIGCAAQRRg7MgYIARAuGEAyBggCEAAYQDIGCAMQABhAMgYIBBAAGEAyBggFEC4YQDIGCAYQABhAMgYIBxAuGEAyBggIEAAYQDIICAkQ6QcY_FXSAQgyMDU4ajBqNKgCALACAA&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=U531">Study Organisational Psychology</a>
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/4dab449765/yi-ting-resized.png" border="0">
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 &ndash; being one of only a few universities in the UK to offer that specific course. &nbsp;
On her journey to becoming an International Student Ambassador, Yi-Ting said:&nbsp;
&ldquo;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 &ndash; that's when I was sent the International Student Ambassador hiring information, saying I was well-suited for the role.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The environment here is excellent and UEA&rsquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/postgraduate/msc-brand-leadership">Study Brand Leadership</a>
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/13c754aa44/kyle-resized.png" border="0">
Kyle Yeoh&nbsp;
Kyle is from Malaysia and is finishing up his first year studying Business Management. &nbsp;
He said: &ldquo;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 <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/alumni-and-supporters/careers/about-our-services">CareerCentral</a>. I also wanted to be at a modern university that embraced change, creativity, and career-focused learning.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Kyle, who is part of the archery club, also noted the many extra-curricular activities on offer for students: &ldquo;I'm incredibly grateful for it because I've met some amazing people through these clubs and societies. I&rsquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
On becoming an International Student Ambassador, he said: &ldquo;It might sound clich&eacute;, but I genuinely find joy in supporting others. &nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;I believe the international team has done a great job in portraying what studying and living in Norwich and at UEA is truly like.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/ba-business-management">Study Business Management</a>
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/1e37aa8402/henry-resized.png" border="0">
Henry Esomchi&nbsp;
Henry is the International Student Ambassador for Nigeria and is studying Education and Development at&nbsp;UEA. He said: &nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&rdquo; &nbsp;
When asked about his experience while studying, Henry continued: &ldquo;As the African saying goes: &lsquo;It takes a group of trees to make a forest&rsquo;. &nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&rdquo; &nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/postgraduate/ma-education-and-development">Study Education and Development</a>&nbsp;
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/2a00c9ff1a/fauziah-resized.png" border="0">
Fauziah Isyana Kusumawardhani&nbsp;
Fauziah is an international student from Indonesia who is studying a Master&rsquo;s in Gender Analysis in Global Development. She made her choice to study at UEA due to the University&rsquo;s reputation:&nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
On becoming an International Student Ambassador, Fauziah commented: &ldquo;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.&nbsp;
&ldquo; I have been in their shoes and want to help prospective international students.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/postgraduate/ma-gender-analysis-in-global-development/2023-24/sep">Study Gender Analysis in Global Development</a>
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/f56f6fa7d2/alex.png" border="0">
Alexandra Rosas Ampuero &nbsp;
Alexandra is from Bolivia and is currently studying Drama at UEA.&nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
She also spoke about becoming an ambassador, saying: &ldquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Alexandra, who will be going into her second year in September, also spoke about how UEA has helped her decide on her career: &ldquo;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. &nbsp;
&ldquo;I explored my ability to write in a way I haven&rsquo;t done before and realised I could write about many topics that I hadn&rsquo;t considered. I finally found the career path I&rsquo;ve been looking for ever since I graduated from school.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=uea+drama&amp;cvid=b83f786c385f4b7a8125dde62fa2e146&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDIICAcQ6QcY_FXSAQgxODc0ajBqNKgCALACAA&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=U531">Study Drama</a>
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/b884c08f8a/catalina-resized.png" border="0">
Catalina Monsalve Calderon&nbsp;
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:&nbsp;
&ldquo;I realised I wanted to pursue law after visiting UEA and speaking to some students &ndash; 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.&nbsp;
&ldquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
When asked about how she spends her free time on campus, Catalina commented: &ldquo;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.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/llb-law">Study Law</a>
<h2>If you are looking to start university in September 2024 and still thinking about your options, consider joining a UK Top 25 university this September through Clearing.</h2>
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/clearing?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=Going_Global">Find out more about Clearing and view available courses</a>
</div>

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.

Going Global

<h3>Margaret Lillias Smith (Maggie) MBE, 27 March 1930 - 6 June 2024</h3>
Music Secretary at the UEA Music Centre from January 1974 to July 1995. UEA alumni remember Maggie who sadly passed away recently. 
<h4>Judy Tryggvason (n&eacute;e Agar):</h4>
A lady of truly indomitable Scots spirit. She kept all us music students (and the staff!) in order. A bar of chocolate helped if you had something tricky to negotiate with her, but for the most part, you knew she was on your side. &nbsp;And on the side of the music. A member of the UEA Choir and Orchestra and awarded the&nbsp;MBE for services to Music in June 1994, she was much more than just the Music Secretary. She was a key player in Norwich's musical life, and a very real part of that UEA Music Centre heritage we all share.&nbsp; Maggie stayed in Norwich after her retirement, and in her own home until her death at the grand old age of 94.
<h4>Paul Newis:</h4>
I always remember her with her binoculars looking out over the grass at a Redwing or Fieldfare or something, shortly followed by a reminder that some piece of work was late and Professor Peter Aston was on the warpath.
<h4>Steve Terry:</h4>
My first encounter with Maggie was arriving late for my audition for the UEA Chamber Choir with long hair, a grimy Belstaff jacket, and oily hands from repairing my old BSA motorbike! &nbsp;I explained I&rsquo;d come for an audition and she looked at me and just said &ldquo;Really?&rdquo;. &nbsp;She later said: &ldquo;Who&rsquo;d have guessed that something looking like that could have such a lovely voice". Vindication!
<h4>Nicci Morgan:</h4>
&ldquo;Write down some thoughts and memories about Maggie Smith,&rdquo; they said. Where to start? A raw barely-eighteen-year-old, I must have looked lost and perhaps even a little vulnerable to her when I first turned up at the Music Centre the autumn of 1975. She didn&rsquo;t know me at all of course &ndash; I wasn&rsquo;t one of &lsquo;hers&rsquo; after all, &nbsp;I was in EAS and just wanted to find out about the choir auditions. &nbsp;And so it began, this friendship that lasted nearly 50 years. The formidable music secretary occupied the front office in the Music Centre in between those of Julian Webb (The Dean) and Professor Peter Aston as determined a gate-keeper as ever they could have wished for. &nbsp;Her big picture window was a constant source of pleasure for her as she was a committed bird-watcher, a small pair of binoculars ever present and within reach on her desk. Equally keen was her ability to see through the youthful insecurities of all of us, and to understand the quirks that each one of us displayed. &nbsp;Even in old age, she could amaze me by remembering names and incidents that the rest of us would have long forgotten. &nbsp;She certainly had a sharp tongue if you crossed her, and yet to me she also managed to blend her unwavering instinct for spotting phoney excuses and laziness at a hundred yards with a kindly nurturing of those students in need of it. &nbsp; Indeed Maggie always showed me great kindness during my years at UEA. &nbsp;I remember sitting nervously with her in her office just before I went in to sit the exam which enabled me to change course at the end of my second term (there was no way that Peter was just going to trust my A level result!) &nbsp;And when I found myself walking on crutches for extended periods of my university days, she often ferried me to and from our concerts in St Andrew&rsquo;s Hall. &nbsp; After surgery at the end of my first year, I needed physio at the N and N hospital most mornings; she was so encouraging, always asking me how it had gone, and on one occasion I remember sitting on the floor of her office to show her the exercises I had been given &ndash; she laughed and said that I would have the strongest legs in the department! I especially remember that she once invited me to have Sunday lunch with her and Frank at their bungalow in Brundell.&nbsp;This entailed Maggie driving all the way in to campus to fetch me on her day off, and then driving me back to Suffolk terrace again in the afternoon. &nbsp;She had left Frank to do the cooking, and it was lovely for me to meet him, and enjoy a Sunday lunch with them in their home. &nbsp;I think she had realised that I was struggling, and this was her way of offering me a little bit of respite, or normality. &nbsp;And it worked a treat: &nbsp;I&rsquo;ve never forgotten it. I think she studied singing with John Aplin for a while, and while she was preparing for a singing exam (maybe grade 7 or 8?) she bravely chose to do a lunchtime concert of her exam pieces in the Music Centre, obviously in front of lots of music students. &nbsp;Her performance of Crabbed Age and Youth (by Maud Valerie White) was amazing and brought the house down! It was one of the highlights of my student days! She and Frank came to my wedding in 1979 of course, and I&rsquo;m pleased to say that Maggie and I stayed in touch ever since. &nbsp;We have exchanged cards and emails aplenty over the years (hers often addressing me as Dear Knickers!) &nbsp; She was an entertaining and gregarious writer of letters and emails, and you could hear her true voice when she wrote. &nbsp;She was as great a lover of extreme punctuation as I was!! I was pleased to have been able to arrange a little surprise party for her (with Frank&rsquo;s collusion) at The Maid&rsquo;s Head when she retired from UEA, and 30 of us had intended to celebrate her 90th birthday with her at The Assembly House in March 2020 &hellip;&hellip; but we all know what happened to that idea. &nbsp;Still, she seemed to take lockdown very much in her stride until her nasty fall in the garden while she was watering her beloved roses&hellip;
I am pleased to say that I managed to travel to Norwich to visit Maggie several times since then, and we spoke on the phone until her hearing made it impossible. &nbsp;Even though she was mostly bed-bound for her final years, she still loved to hear news of people form UEA and watch the birds through the window (especially the &lsquo;friendly&rsquo; goose who visited frequently!) &nbsp;She loved singing bits of Elijah with me on a few occasions, especially Lift Thine Eyes and the subsequent Be Not Afraid chorus. I loved Maggie and was glad to have been her friend in adulthood: I shall miss her. Do you have memories of Maggie you&rsquo;d like to share too? <a href="mailto:alumni@uea.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get in touch</a>.

UEA alumni share their memories of former member of staff Maggie Smith, who sadly passed in 2024.

In memory of Maggie Smith

The UEA+ Individual Scholarship Programme gives talented athletes the chance to combine their academic studies with elite sporting development. Here we speak to students past and present about their experiences and goals.

Ready... Study... Go!

Toby Wellard is a final year BSc PE, Sport and Health student, whose passion for mental health and wellbeing has led to an unexpected career path working with professional football players at Norwich City Academy.

From hospital ward to football pitch

Bruce Bartow graduated from UEA with a Masters in Sociology in 1972. He went on to forge a long career in town planning and community liaison in his native Oregon. Before studying at UEA, Bruce was drafted into the American military and was posted to Vietnam. He became an official photographer, and we&rsquo;re pleased to share some of his amazing pictures in this interview.&nbsp;
<h2>How did you come to discover UEA?</h2>
I was born right in the middle of the state of Oregon, USA. When I was in the womb my parents had Native Americans working on their farm and they became a part of my growing up. I&rsquo;ve always been very connected to the land here.
I went to Oregon State College in the 1960s, but I made the decision to go abroad for my postgraduate degree. I didn&rsquo;t like the way education seemed to be structured in the US system and I had grown weary of US politics in the time of the Vietnam war. I was also raised in a blue-collar home and had never left the country, apart from short trips over the border into Canada. I wanted to expand my horizons and I became the first person in my family to own a passport.
I could only speak English, so I looked at universities is Australia, South Africa, and England. I only came across UEA because of a pamphlet siting on my desk &ndash; there was no in-depth research or anything. I suppose I liked the pamphlet!
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/1536x1735/a3ec2c3fb4/bruce-as-child.png" border="0" alt="Bruce as a child" width="375" height="424"> Caption: Bruce as a child wearing moccasins made by Native Americans.
<h2>So, what were your first impressions of the UK and of UEA?</h2>
It was a bit of a culture shock. I vividly remember getting the bus from the airport and being accosted by the ticket inspector. He was just collecting the money for the ticket, but I had absolutely no idea what he was saying. I had become accustomed to travelling due to my time in Vietnam, and so was not fazed, but it was certainly different.
I had no sense of place or history about England, and I just ploughed forwards. I actually came close to leaving at Christmas. I found the style of learning very difficult. In the US, we had learned facts and figures with lots of testing, and now I was being asked to go away and structure my own learning.
Eventually, I started to understand that I could gain the required knowledge from reading books and analysing them. I became very good at skimming books and getting an understanding. I think of myself as a conceptualist- I think in pictures &ndash; and in the end the English style of education made a lot of sense. &nbsp;
<h2>How did you then start your career?</h2>
I had no idea how my career would pan out while I was at UEA, and I had a sort of homing instinct when I finished. I came back to Oregon. I felt, and feel, a deep connection to the land in Oregon. Not the United States, not the culture, not the politics, not a love of country &ndash; just the land of Oregon and its people.
It took me a while to find my feet. I had four years of wandering. I worked in taverns, I worked at a Senior Citizen Centre, and I spent some time trying to write the Great American Novel.
I eventually settled down with my wife. Her mother was a volunteer with the Planning Commission and told me about an opportunity. A whole new system of local planning had come in and the number one goal was to have a citizen committee &ndash; to properly consult with the public on proposed regulations and developments. They needed to do this to get funding from the state. That&rsquo;s where I came in. They needed a good sociologist and I fit right in, and that&rsquo;s been my career ever since.
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/1186x1592/f293f47066/uea-bartow.png" border="0" alt="Bruce's UEA Headshot" width="375" height="503"> Caption: Bruce's UEA-era headshot
<h2>What was the most satisfying element of your career?</h2>
I love working on the land here, and I&rsquo;m proud to have spent time making responsible land use known to lots of people.
We were responsible for a little over 1,000,000 acres in the county state of Oregon with around 80,000 people across two cities, and everyone else spread throughout the forests. The different populations all had their own interests and the state wanted to protect the trees. I became good at knowing what would be acceptable to different audiences and navigating a middle path.&nbsp;
<h2>Between college and studying at UEA you were drafted to the Vietnam war. Tell us about how that came about.&nbsp;</h2>
I got my acceptance to UEA in March 1969 and was then drafted into the military in August. I had to write a letter to the UEA registrar to say &ldquo;Sorry, I&rsquo;ve been drafted, but it'd be nice if you held my position&rdquo;.
I went to Vietnam in February of 1970 and was there until March 1971.&nbsp;
I was trained as an infantry person, and I was fully expecting to do infantry grunt work. For a month, I did that, and every night would end up at the bar. I hated it.
At the same time, I started going into the photography lab. I can&rsquo;t remember what I was developing but I learned a lot about the process. And then one time I was on an infantry mission to a helicopter company doing night patrols. I was getting suited up to go out to the night ambush patrol when a Jeep came in and someone said &ldquo;Pack up all your gear. I need to you to come with me&rdquo;. I learned it meant leaving my night patrol duty, so I jumped on board. It turned out that I had gained a reputation for taking photos while out and about at night, and I was asked to replace an officer who didn&rsquo;t like taking photos. I was dragged out to a dinner and took a picture of officers drinking, eating, and having a good time.
And that&rsquo;s what I ended up doing for the next 7-8 months &ndash; taking official army pictures. I started with a basic camera, but I scrounged some money and got a proper 35-millimetre camera from the next man going to Hong Kong.
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/500x500/27be12df34/now-and-then-orhpanage.png" border="0" alt="Woman from orphanage as a child and as adult" width="400" height="400">
Caption: The commander of the security company at the helicopter base organised food and gift packages for the children of a facility in the&nbsp;Pleiku area (see picture, left). Many years later, perhaps around 2004, I donated all my VN memorabilia, to include negatives, to Texas Tech Vietnam Archives. At one point a woman (see picture, right) living in Michigan by the Great Lakes, contacted me. She was at this orphanage and believed that the last shot was of her. Later she became a boat migrant, finally got into the US. She married an American police officer and had four children. Since she had no photos of her childhood was wondering if she could use mine. I said &ldquo;Absolutely!&rdquo;
<h2>And what happened when you returned?</h2>
For the lack of anything else to do, I did summer school at the University of Oregon, which is where I graduated. And then, out of the blue, a letter came from the UEA Registrar came saying &ldquo;Well, do you still want to come?&rdquo; And I said, &ldquo;Hell yes, absolutely!&rdquo;. And so, I sold all my camera equipment and bought a one-way ticket to the UK.
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/1536x1525/471a481b77/heli.png" border="0" alt="Helicopters in Vietnam" width="375" height="372"> Caption: Bruce Bartow's photograph of helicopters in Vietnam. Bruce regularly travelled via helicopter to take photos.
<h2>Your connection to UEA lives on and you&rsquo;ve previously made a generous contribution to our <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/about/giving-to-uea/student-hardship-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener">student hardship fund</a>. What motivated you to do that?</h2>
As I&rsquo;ve mentioned, when I started at UEA I found things difficult, and I was a bit lost. I appreciated the university and individuals who helped me through the process, and I wanted to say thank you and donate something so that a poorer international student got that love and support early on in their studies. We were selling our caravan at the time, and so I decided to use the proceeds to give back.
All photos credited to Bruce Bartow.
&nbsp;

An interview with UEA graduate Bruce Bartow. Bruce talks about his experience being drafted into the military for the Vietnam war, his career as a town planner in Oregon, and coming to England for the first time to study Sociology.

The Vietnam War, helicopters, and town planning: Bruce Bartow’s Alumni Story

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The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024 measures the percentage of graduates in professional work or further study 15 months after graduating, with 81% of UEA&rsquo;s 2021/22 cohort in this category - we caught up with five of them to talk about their careers so far.&nbsp;
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Elise Harrison. BSc Psychology with a Placement Year. Clinical Associate Psychologist for the Norfolk &amp; Suffolk NHS Trust<span class="EOP SCXW92896449 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp;
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Elise graduated with a first-class degree in&nbsp;BSc Psychology with a Placement Year in 2022, before completing a Master&rsquo;s apprenticeship, which was fully funded by the NHS. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Talking about her time at UEA, Elise said: &nbsp;
&ldquo;Completing my placement year during my undergraduate degree was a real advantage. Until then, I hadn&rsquo;t had proper hands-on experience, it was through this that I later gained employment. Having that firsthand experience at an undergraduate level boosted my employability. &nbsp;
&ldquo;All of my professors had relevant clinical and academic experience in clinical psychology. They had vast experience working in the NHS which meant they had direct knowledge of how to put theory into practice and, most importantly, the knowledge to help us do that as well.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Having made the decision to stay in Norwich, Elise now works full-time as a Clinical Associate Psychologist for Norfolk &amp; Suffolk NHS Trust, delivering psychological informed therapeutic interventions to adults with complex needs using multi-disciplinary approaches. &nbsp;
Elise said: &nbsp;
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m now working with patients who I worked with during my placement year, supporting them in their mental health as a professional. I have been able to see their recovery journey and have gained new skills, knowledge and understanding of their difficulties from different perspectives. This is something I hadn&rsquo;t anticipated as being one of the benefits of staying in Norwich.&rdquo; &nbsp;
Talking about her motivations to study Psychology, Elise said:&nbsp;
&ldquo;I always get emotional thinking about it, but it&rsquo;s the motivation to help people. Everyone deserves help, and a life worth living. Services unfortunately aren&rsquo;t set up to support everyone, so knowing that my role can help at least some, it&rsquo;s a good feeling.&rdquo;&nbsp; <a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-psychology">Study Psychology at UEA</a>
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Rohnjose Saji. MSc Data Science. Insight Analyst with JLL Real Estate&nbsp;
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Rohn came to UEA from India in 2021 to continue his studies, having already completed his undergraduate degree in Mathematics, and obtained a Master's degree in Data Science.&nbsp; &nbsp; Rohn continues to show appreciation for his time at UEA, saying: &nbsp; &nbsp; &ldquo;UEA&rsquo;s environment really pushes us to become something in life. In my personal opinion, that was really helpful. If someone wants to study, if they want to achieve something, UEA is the best place.&rdquo; &nbsp;
After graduating and applying for more than 1000 jobs, Rohn landed a dream position in Norwich as an insight&nbsp;analysist with JLL, a global real estate services company with offices in 88 countries. Rohn offered his advice to current students entering the job market, saying: &nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Start making friends wherever you are. I got a promotion within six months of being in the company and I really believe that all these things happened because I had good connections. Whether it&rsquo;s someone who works in the kitchen, a cleaner or a co-worker in your department, try and talk to them, show interest in who they are."&nbsp;
Rohn also provided an insightful perspective into the barriers of being an international student, saying:&nbsp;
&ldquo;Reaching the UK has been difficult. Leaving my family and a familiar life behind is not easy. I had to learn to live alone and be independent in a way I hadn&rsquo;t needed to before. I took on a part-time job as a carer, alongside my full-time degree, as I hadn&rsquo;t anticipated such a high conversion rate... however, at my current point in life, I can say proudly that choosing to apply to UEA was one of the best decisions I have ever taken in life.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Rohn went on to share how he overcame these barriers with the support of UEA. saying: &nbsp; &nbsp; &ldquo;If I ever had any doubts, I would email my tutor and they would set up a phone call where we would talk it through. It was really helpful knowing I had the support whenever I needed it.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Rohn is clear on his ambitions for the future, saying:&nbsp;
&ldquo;Growing up, I really wanted to be the head of a company. Like the CEO of Google, his name is Sundar Pichai. He&rsquo;s from India, he grew up in a village area in local schools like me. I really want to be the head of a big company one day, make my parents proud. If I did something like that it would be in the local newspapers in my home.&rdquo;&nbsp; <a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/postgraduate/msc-data-science">Study a Masters in Data Science at UEA</a> Rosie Almond. BSc Economics, MSc in Experimental Economics, PhD in Behavioural Economic. Behavioural Risk Manager for&nbsp;NatWest<span class="EOP SCXW164352996 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}">&nbsp;
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Rosie Almond is both a former student and former staff member at UEA. &nbsp;
After months of indecision during her A-levels about where to go and what to study, Rosie&rsquo;s academic journey began with an undergraduate degree in BSc Economics at UEA in 2011. Rosie said:&nbsp;
&ldquo;I came to an applicant&rsquo;s day at UEA and I was absolutely made up. From that moment, my decision was made, and I was really hoping I would get in... little did I know, that would be the beginning of 10 years at UEA.&rdquo; &nbsp;
Following her undergraduate degree, Rosie went on to complete an MSc in Experimental Economics and, later, a PhD in Behavioural Economics. &nbsp;
Rosie&rsquo;s first job, while still studying, was as a Student Ambassador, before going on to become an Assoicate Tutor and Research Associate, for which she said:&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;It was a strange but rewarding feeling having my teachers become my colleagues.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Now working as a Behavioural Risk Manager for NatWest, Rosie said: &nbsp;
&ldquo;My degrees have helped me uncover what I&rsquo;m interested in and what my passion is. I have been able to apply my academic research skill set to a number of roles."&nbsp; <a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-economics">Study Economics at UEA</a> Debasmita Goswami. MSc in International Business Finance and Economics. Business and Enterprise Graduate Programme with Rolls Royce Aerospace &nbsp;
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Debasmita graduated with an MSc in International Business Finance and Economics in 2022. When making the decision of where to study her Master&rsquo;s, Debasmita said:&nbsp; &nbsp; &ldquo;Only a few universities offered the course with no prior experience in economics, but UEA is open to everyone, and it had such good ratings.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Debasmita is currently part of a Business and Enterprise Graduate Programme with Rolls-Royce Aerospace, which is helping her gain experience across different sectors.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Speaking about the support she received at UEA, Debasmita said:&nbsp;
&ldquo;The facilities at UEA helped me a lot. CareerCentral played a big role in my job, they provided guidance for my CV and opportunities to practice presentations for interviews.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;One of my professors, Dr Jibonayan Raychaudhuri, supported me a lot. He has been my career coach, from my first interaction before being a student at UEA, all the way until now.&rdquo;&nbsp;
As an international student from India, Debasmita reminisces about the diverse community of UEA, saying: &nbsp; &nbsp; &ldquo;Through UEA, I got to meet a lot of people from around the world. I have made friends and life-long connections.&rdquo;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/postgraduate/msc-international-business-finance-and-economics">Study a Masters in International Business and Finance at UEA</a>
Si&acirc;n&nbsp;Roche. BA(Hons)&nbsp;Politics and Media, MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism. Newsdesk Editor and Newsreader with Bauer Media Group&nbsp; <img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/6c53461ec6/sian-roche-720x350.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="350"> 
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Si&acirc;n completed an undergraduate degree in Politics and Media at UEA before going on to study an MA in Broadcast Journalism, from which she graduated in 2022. When reflecting on her decision to choose UEA, Sian said:&nbsp;
&ldquo;I attended an open day before applying and felt it gave me a really good idea of what UEA was like as a place to be. Meeting students and lecturers was so helpful, and seeing all the accommodation options also helped me make a much more informed decision.&nbsp;
&ldquo;UEA was one of the few universities that let me study the course I really wanted to with no compromise! I fell in love with UEA's campus, the surrounding greenery, the people and the city of Norwich and knew it felt like home.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Si&acirc;n now works as a Newsdesk Editor and Newsreader for Bauer Media. During her time at UEA she hosted her own show on the University&rsquo;s radio station &lsquo;LiveWire&rsquo; and gained work experience with BBC Radio 2&rsquo;s Jeremy Vine show and BBC Norfolk. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Speaking about this experience, Si&acirc;n said: &nbsp;
&ldquo;My Master&rsquo;s degree enabled me to get paid work at BBC Radio Norfolk &ndash; which was a brilliant thing to have on my CV when applying for jobs post-university."&nbsp; <a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/ba-politics">Study Politics at UEA</a>
<h2>If you are looking to start university in September 2024 and still thinking about your options, consider joining a UK Top 25 university this September through Clearing.</h2>
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/clearing?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=Graduate_Outcomes_Survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Find out more about Clearing and view available courses</a>
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With news that 81% of UEA students are in professional work or further study 15 months after graduating, we caught up with five graduates to talk about their careers so far.

You’re doing an excellent job!

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Huizhi Yang is an international student from China, studying her undergraduate degree in Business Finance and Management at the University of East Anglia (UEA). &nbsp;
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Originally from a small city in Northern China, Huizhi has settled into UK life and is taking advantage of everything that British culture has to offer.&nbsp;
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Huizhi is part of Universities UK International&rsquo;s #WeAreInternational: Transforming Lives campaign, dedicated to highlighting the contributions international students are making to the UK and their communities during their studies here.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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<a class="Hyperlink SCXW132832154 BCX8" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ2gtc-uREM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hear from Huizhi about her time at UEA</a>&nbsp;
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&ldquo;The friendliness of the British people eased my nerves&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Although moving to the UK to study was daunting at first, Huizhi soon felt at ease thanks to the friendliness of British people and the opportunity to make friends with other international students experiencing similar changes. &nbsp;
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 She said: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re all different, but we&rsquo;re learning together in harmony. &nbsp;
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&ldquo;I love the beautiful architecture. Literature. Music and film. This valuable experience has enriched my knowledge. And will be a big asset in my life.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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Huizhi has big ambitions for using what she&rsquo;s learnt during her studies to make a difference, uniting her knowledge of finance with her passion for conservation: &ldquo;My goal is to combine the financial knowledge I've learned at university with environmental protection &ndash; to work in animal conservation or protect endangered species with an organisation like the WWF.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Prof Steven McGuire, Pro-Vice-Chancellor International at UEA, said: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s great to hear that Huizhi has settled in so well to Norwich and enjoyed her time with us. Her story highlights the importance of making new connections and embracing new experiences, and we wish her every success for the rest of her degree and with her future goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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&ldquo;Our international students offer considerable positive impacts to the region, and the work we do across UEA to help them settle in and succeed during their time here is crucial. Their contributions, both culturally and economically, are invaluable.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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As well as making a big difference in their local communities and beyond, international students bring a &pound;41 billion annual contribution to the UK, meaning on average, each of the 650 parliamentary constituencies in the UK is &pound;58 million better off &ndash; equivalent to approximately &pound;560 per citizen. In the East of England region alone, international students contribute &pound;2.30bn to the regional economy.&nbsp;
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/508c5752f6/huizhi-yang.png" border="0">
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Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of UUKi said: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s never felt more important to acknowledge the important contributions that international students make to their university and local communities, and to the UK more broadly. It&rsquo;s not just about the economic side of it &ndash; international students give back through cultural exchange, volunteering, and so much more. We&rsquo;re proud to be sharing their stories through the latest phase of the #WeAreInternational campaign.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-business-finance-and-management">Study Business Finance and Management at UEA</a>
<h2 class="Paragraph SCXW132832154 BCX8">If you are looking to start university in September 2024 and still thinking about your options, consider joining a UK Top 25 university this September through Clearing.</h2>
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/clearing?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=Huizhi_Yang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Find out more about Clearing and view available courses</a>
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Business Finance and Managment student, Huizhi Yang shares her experience of being part of the international student community at UEA. While soaking up British life, Huizhi moves closer to her career aspirations of environmental conservation.

Meet the international student making the most of her time in the UK

Serena Grace is an athletics sports scholar and a final year BSc PE, Sport and Health student who transferred to UEA in her second year. Having secured a full scholarship in the US, Serena Grace’s Olympic dreams inch ever closer.

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