Bachelor Exchange Student
Where do you come from? (Country and university)
I’m originally from Bristol in the United Kingdom and study at Coventry University.
What studies have you already done, and what exact programme are you doing at TBS?
I’m studying Business & Management at my home University in Coventry. At TBS the programme I am studying is the Bachelor in Management, B2 Business.
Why did you choose TBS over other schools?
I chose TBS because it was a new opportunity offered to Coventry University Business students as we have recently just partnered with TBS. With the semester abroad offered, this was incredibly appealing so I could gain some international experience in my studies. I knew how highly accredited TBS was so it was an opportunity I just couldn’t miss. Additionally, the south of France is a beautiful area and I knew how much fun I’d have with Toulouse being a well-reputed student city.
How has your integration into TBS gone? What do you feel after your first few weeks at TBS? Are there any services/support which helped you? Any events you particularly enjoyed? Any difficulties you experienced?
My integration into TBS so far has been great. I have met some life-long friends from cultures all over the globe. The Welcome Team here have put on multiple events at bars, clubs and pubs to get everyone socialising as being in a new country is of course very daunting. My first few weeks were incredible because of the new challenges ahead and I knew I could just enjoy every moment with it being a new experience.
The TBS International Student Services have been most helpful with all queries and I would not have managed without them regarding all the practical living arrangements and just in general with all the necessary steps to be taken to live here. They have meant that my integration was as easy as possible and that I could settle quickly.
Being from the UK and only speaking English, the difficulty that I’ve faced has definitely been the language barrier but that’s something everyone has to just get stuck in with and practise. Additionally, being a different country the culture is very different to where I am from, so some processes regarding living arrangements took much longer than I thought, but nothing that wasn’t manageable.
I travelled to Barcelona for a weekend and this has been a highlight for me. But just walking around Toulouse especially with the weather I have been so relaxed and happy to be here. Even sitting down by La Garonne reading/studying soaking up the sun brings joy.
So far, what do you appreciate about Toulouse: the people, the town, the School etc.?
I appreciate a massive amount about Toulouse but the biggest selling point about Toulouse is that there are so many amazing cities, towns and countries nearby and easy to get to- Carcassonne, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Barcelona, Andorra and so many more. It is essential to travel around France and Europe, even if it is just to 1 or 2 places.
The people I have met as I mentioned are going to be life-long friends, and the amazing thing about coming abroad especially here in Toulouse is the diversity of students, and not only is this interesting for general conversations, the help and different perspectives on studies is what really counts. Group work is a big thing at TBS and getting a difference of opinion and input from someone who has potentially come from the other side of the globe is something that is incredibly valuable and beneficial to anyone.
Can you give us a small anecdote concerning your time so far at TBS? It can be informative/funny/whatever you wish.
As a summary, Toulouse has not disappointed me and I have created memories I’ll never forget purely because of the people I have met. People who you are surrounded by make the time spent abroad worthwhile and make you feel less homesick or worried. All my studies have been interesting due to the different perspectives of others and the altered teaching methods to what I’m used to. I feel I have gained a lot more interpersonal skills and confidence around people, because studying abroad takes an individual out of their comfort zone. This has meant I feel like when I return to the UK I will have such an advantage in my future studies and working career.
What advice would you give to a future incoming international student?
My advice if you are considering travelling abroad- JUST DO IT! You will regret not taking all these awesome experiences we get given now as students. These opportunities might not always be around so make the most of them even if you are scared. If you have already decided, the whole process is exciting and motivates you. It’s great to be outside of your comfort zone to accomplish these challenges and take them into your future life, I couldn’t recommend Toulouse more as the place to be!
