The Student Union, a big help at Uni

What I loved most about the SU at the University of Essex was all the different activities available for me to do in my first year. I could do climbing, swimming, roller skating, and more. So much other stuff was available for students, and it was a really safe place where I could meet new people, share food, and have a great time.

If you had questions, it was also a place to go for more information.

I would personally say the SU is part of the reason why I had such a great year.

I never really felt alone; if I didn't know what to do one evening and didn't want to be alone, I would check the SU website to see if anything was up. Usually, something was, whether it was drawing on a tote bag or learning to make chocolate bars or soap; there was always something new to try and discover with new people.

The SU was also open during lunch breaks, so I could use the microwave and find a space to eat in peace.

Some books were also available, and there were even some events where they gave free stuff.

It was very useful, and you could easily see that the main goal was to help students miss home a little bit less and make them feel like they belonged here.

One of the events organised was a day at the aqua park, and as an international student, I am living on a budget. It was a free activity, and it was really nice to enjoy the day with my friends without worrying about spending too much.

Also, some events were specifically designed to talk about diversity and explore new cultures, whether through food or events that were just for internationals. It helped us feel like a community was here for us, where we belonged even though we were not from the UK directly. Some occasions were made to explain the culture and for us to ask questions, for example, about how the medical system would work. I found that really helpful when coming to a new country, not really knowing the unspoken rules or all that stuff.

-Caroline