Yes mode: Cornwall

Candace Langeveld shares how studying at Falmouth University helped her grow creatively, gain confidence and say yes to every opportunity on exchange.

Candace Langeveld

Why I chose my host uni:

As someone who was not well-travelled at the time, I knew I wanted to study in a place that felt somewhat familiar, and the UK was an ideal choice. It also meant I was close to so many other countries in Europe I wanted to visit.

I chose Falmouth University because of its strong creative reputation and the engaging, real‑world creative briefs. I was particularly drawn to the practical approach to study, which I felt would help me develop both my skills and confidence. What stood out to me was the vibrant student life, with a wide range of events and societies to get involved in. I was especially excited by the live music scene, which is a big part of the culture there.

Finally, the town of Falmouth itself was a major factor in my decision. Its picturesque setting, with beautiful beaches and surrounding nature, made it a truly inspiring place to live and study.

How I found applying to my host uni:

The application process was really easy and straightforward, especially with support from the Falmouth exchange team and AUT. The steps were clearly outlined, and there was great communication throughout, which made the whole process feel very manageable. Falmouth also has a set study plan for creative courses, which meant my two minors needed to be approved by a course advisor to ensure they were cross‑creditable with my degree at AUT.

In addition to my academic transcript, I needed to provide a portfolio and a personal statement. The personal statement covered who I am, why I chose my degree, why I wanted to study at Falmouth University and what I hoped to gain from the exchange experience.

Luckily, the visa process was also very simple. Because I was staying for less than six months, I only needed a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). The process involved downloading an app and following a few straightforward steps, which made it quick and stress‑free.

How I found learning in a different academic system:

There were only two courses for the semester. Both involved a lot of group work, which was honestly so helpful as it meant I had heaps of support and it was also a great way to make friends. There was another exchange student in the same course, which was reassuring as we were both adjusting to a new environment together.

The workload was very manageable overall. At the beginning, there was some content I wasn’t familiar with, but the teaching team was incredibly supportive and hands‑on. They regularly checked in to make sure I was keeping up and understood what I was doing. This made the transition to a different academic system much smoother.

What I gained from this experience:

Learning in this new environment was super rewarding. Academically, I gained new knowledge and practical skills that I’ve been able to bring back into my courses at AUT, especially in areas like pitching and presenting ideas.

Personally, living in a new country pushed me to become more independent and adaptable. I gained confidence in navigating unfamiliar situations and meeting new people. I made amazing friends from all over the world who I’m still in contact with. I also had the opportunity to travel to some of my dream destinations across Europe (Holland, France and Spain), which made the experience even more memorable.