Student profile
Joy Edogbanya

Joy Edogbanya

"My favourite moments were the unplanned ones, the ones where we just stayed in or had dinners, took a break from work, where we discussed our plans for the future and encouraged each other, knowing those were big dreams, but looking forward to turning them into reality."

Course

Law LLB (Hons)

Entry year

2016

"Coming to the University of Surrey broadened my love of law.

The academics on the course are very on deck with students. They give enough room for us to navigate the law ourselves, explore the extent of our legal knowledge and come to conclusions on our own – but we know they are always there to help. Some of our lecturers are top in their fields, so very knowledgeable and able to give quality legal insight. It also means we are adequately prepared for the legal world. 

Being a member of the Catholic society introduced me to many like-minded people ready to practice and share their faith. It was also nice to know that we were not alone on this journey, sharing meals and growing as individuals. In the Afro-Caribbean society, we drew on similar experiences and worked together to make the future brighter for ourselves. Being a part of these two societies helped me remember, at any point, that anything was possible.

When I first arrived at the University, the first place I went was my accommodation at International House.

"No matter how the day went, it was nice coming back to a set of friends willing to listen and make it better."

Per its name, it was incredibly diverse, even though it was not just for international students. There were five other students living in my flat, and each person studied something different. When we all had the time, we had ‘family dinners’ where everyone came round and we spoke about our days and plans and, where necessary, shared life tips. No matter how the day went, it was nice coming back to a set of friends willing to listen and make it better.

Life at Surrey is very peaceful, but it is not boring. There are many clubs and societies to join, each of which is a little family unit, linking into the bigger family that is the University of Surrey. In about 30 minutes by train, you could be in London. This is particularly interesting because while Guildford is relatively small, London holds the promise of a lot of opportunities, both career and leisure-wise. It makes a nice weekend getaway option, especially after a busy week.

When I graduate, I plan on taking postgraduate studies in law. This has always been the plan, but now I can say it with the certainty of a person who understands the challenge. In my years at Surrey, I have competed in mock trials, and sought ways to advance my legal skills. I cannot wait to see how much more I can grow.

While I cannot pinpoint a best moment at Surrey, I can definitely give a few instances where it felt magical. But I think my favourite moments were the unplanned ones, the ones where we just stayed in or had dinners, took a break from work, where we discussed our plans for the future and encouraged each other, knowing those were big dreams, but looking forward to turning them into reality."

 

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