Welcome to Surrey!

The International Student Office team was out in force for the annual meet and greet scheme recently, meeting students travelling into London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Working alongside the team were student volunteers, who were as professional as ever in making the new arrivals feel welcome.

Staff and students were based in Heathrow, Gatwick, and on campus, with regular coach drop-offs between the airports and campus, where staff and volunteers were ready and waiting to greet new students and take them to their new accommodation. With lots of luggage, staff and volunteers enjoy getting stuck in and helping the students with their belongings.

Over the four days of the scheme, the international office met well over 500 students from such far-flung places as Columbia, Australia and Kenya. It can be daunting travelling to a new country to study, and the scheme is in place to make sure all new international students arrive to a friendly welcome.  

This year’s orientation programme included visits to Loseley Park, Brooklands museum, and a boat ride through Guildford. All new international students were invited to these activities, designed to allow students to get to know the local area, and to meet other international students far from home.

At Loseley Park, the students were treated to a tour of the 16th century house and gardens, followed by cream tea and scones – a very English start to their time at Surrey! Other students were taken on a tour of the Surrey Hills by coach with a local guide.

The International Student Office team is proud to work with existing Surrey students, who help make this scheme such a success each year. We look forward to meeting lots of new faces next September!