Student city vibes
Mia Doull had the most amazing experience at Cardiff Metropolitan University, from making new friends and travelling to joining her uni’s gymnastics team.
Mia Doull
Why I chose my host uni:
I chose my host uni because I had never been somewhere like Wales before. I wanted to try something different, learn the lifestyles, meet new people and just experience new things. Cardiff Met also had a range of societies and clubs anyone could join, and the city itself was known for being a student city with loads of parks and activities.
The UK itself is also very close to other countries around it, and trips to Spain or Denmark only took three hours and were super cheap.
I knew people from Wales to be extremely friendly and welcoming, and I found that over there.
How I found applying to my host uni:
I found applying pretty straightforward – you’ll need to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) but you won’t need a visa coming from New Zealand. Cardiff Met has really good correspondence.
I think the hardest thing was probably finding accommodation. It was definitely the longest process, but I found a really nice place at Windsor House with a gym included and right in the city, so it’s possible.
If you’re a design and art student like me, you’ll also need a portfolio to show some of your work.
How I found learning in a different academic system:
It was a challenge at first, but all the teachers were super accommodating, and I was surrounded by other exchange students and Welsh students that were pretty friendly.
Cardiff Met had a range of different workshops, opportunities and trips included within their course. For example, my class got to go to Bristol for a trip to learn about our course, and I know my friends in other courses got to do the same in London.
The curriculum and assessment criteria are different over there, but they’re not that different and it won’t take long to adjust. I recommend having a friend to ask for help with things. But overall, with the classes being in English and the friendliness of everyone, it didn’t take long for me to know what I was doing.
What I gained from this experience:
I went over there with honestly no idea what it was going to be like, and ended up having the most amazing experience. I learned so many lessons and achieved so much. I joined the Cardiff Met gymnastics team and competed in a competition in England. I got to travel to new countries and experience their culture. I gained so many new, amazing friends, a new sense of self (I now have a travel bug!), an appreciation for the little things, and learning how to do everything on my own.
Top tips for other students
- Join a society or club! Cardiff Met is a very sports-based uni, so if you love any sport, you’ll find it has a society, or if you’re not a sporty person, there are still a lot of different clubs you can join
- Societies host events all the time – we went out every weekend and on a Wednesday, we did a pub crawl, ‘dress as your type’, a gymnastics competition and training three times a week where I got to practise my skills and hang out with all my friends! People are so friendly in this context and within the first week of joining I was being invited for a night out
- Another way to make friends is to introduce yourself in classes and meet up with the other international students around you – there were so many internationals coming from other places, so we often hosted international picnics or just met up for coffee. These small things just make your days a little less lonely, because everyone is in the same position
- Although the prices are relatively the same, pounds do seem a lot cheaper but when converted to New Zealand dollars you’ll be spending a lot more than you realise. Say yes to friends, but only spend what you need
- There are also a lot of cheap things you can do instead, for example, walk instead of taking the bus to campus, buy from the local fruit and veggie stalls instead of the supermarket, and try not to go to the nearby Davids Shopping Centre during the weekends (very hard!)
- I also recommend getting a Wise Card, which is an international debit card where you can easily transfer money from your bank to there, and it’s an easy way to track your money, so you know exactly how much you’re spending because of the conversion rate
About Mia and her student exchange
AUT degree:
Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa in Communication Design
Host uni:
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Host country:
Wales, United Kingdom
5 favourite things
Favourite place in my host city:
The parks, especially Alexandra Park in spring with the beautiful flowers. The parks are so massive and full of trees that it’s a nice escape from the city even though it’s five minutes down the road
Best dish/food I tried:
Welsh cakes! A must have. Or a Sunday roast, specifically from Toby Carvery
Most useful thing I packed to take with me:
My warm clothes. It was very cold at first, especially coming from New Zealand summer, which was a shock. But it does get so much better in spring
Favourite thing about my host uni:
The opportunities in societies and clubs. The Gymnastics Society that I joined over there was the best thing I did – a great way to meet new people your age that like the same things you do, and they always have some events on a Wednesday night
Best trip I took outside of my host city:
To Tenerife, Canary Islands. Only a 3 or 4-hour plane ride and one of the most beautiful places, super friendly, warm and a nice escape from the Welsh cold