New students from all over the world were given a lively welcome to De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) last night.
Around 70 students arrived from 20 countries including India, Nigeria, China, Venezuela and Mongolia for courses beginning in January.
The students celebrated their arrival during the International Welcome Event at the university’s newest building The Venue@DMU.
Ukrainian student Stanislav Marchenko has just started the International First Year in Engineering and Computing at DMU’s Leicester International Pathway College (LIPC), before going on to an Electronic Engineering BEng said: “I chose DMU because of its ranking.”
An animated Stanislav led all the other students into a dance at the event, and said: “I really enjoyed myself tonight, meeting lots of new people. It’s really good, I’m really happy.”
LIPC opened in the summer of 2014, helping to prepare international students for entry onto DMU degree programmes.
James Gardner, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Strategic and International Partnerships, said to the new arrivals: “My job is to make sure you have the best possible time at DMU.
“We are keen you develop a global outlook and the skills which employers around the world are looking for, so we encourage you to get involved with our pioneering international experience programme #DMUglobal while you are here. We know from past students it has added value to their degrees.
“In the top 25 UK universities for graduate employability, this is great news for you when you leave, and will help you secure graduate-level employment.”
Andy Gale, International Student Support Officer, added: “It’s a cold night outside and we want to give you a warm welcome.”
Arjun Mori, from India on the MBA Global said: “It is a friendly environment, you get the chance to meet people from all over the world and it’s great for business courses.”
Dancers from the De Montfort Students’ Union (DSU) Indian Society performed on stage, as well as lion dancing.
Kherlen Bolorchulurn, from Mongolia, studying MBA Global said: “I love it. I feel like I am in exactly the place I want to be. It’s the best time of my life.
Having just been teamed up with a buddy, she added: “It’s so cool having a buddy, she is very friendly. We are looking forward to getting to know each other. This is the first time in the UK for me and I am the first one in my family to study in the UK. It is a life-changing decision, once in a lifetime.”
DMU’s International Student Buddy Scheme matches newly arrived international students with existing students to help them settle into their new life in Leicester.
Her buddy, Amy Katiti from Kenya, is studying Pharmacy at DMU and said: “The whole idea of helping someone settle is great.
“I am glad to be there for someone in the same situation that I was when I first came, and at the same time, make a new international friend. You get to know more about other people’s cultures.”
Manuel Antonio Pena Morin, from Venezuela has just started a Mechatronics MSc and said: “Not many UK universities offer Mechatronics and it was my dream to work in Europe and live in the UK.
“The support team were really helpful before I arrived, and when I got here, all the staff were very supportive. It’s also really great that there are so many societies and sports to get involved with.”
Posted on Wednesday 3 February 2016