By Laura, BA(Hons) Creative and Professional Writing
In this blog, Laura shares how moving from Barbados to study Creative and Professional Writing at UWE Bristol helped her uncover an unexpected passion for marketing. She reflects on developing her voice as a writer, gaining real‑world experience through volunteering, and finding confidence as an international student discovering her career path. Read more.
“When I moved from Barbados to Bristol to study Creative and Professional Writing at UWE Bristol, I didn’t have a clear career path in mind. I just knew one thing: I loved writing. Whether it was stories, essays, or quirky social media captions, if it let me be creative, I was in.”
Fast forward to now, and I’m heading into a career I never expected but absolutely love. Here’s how my time as a student at UWE Bristol helped me figure it all out.
Writing with purpose: more than just words
At first, I thought my degree would be all about fiction, short stories, poems and scripts. And yes, there was plenty of that. But what really surprised me was how much we focused on audience, voice and purpose.
I started noticing the power of words everywhere: in taglines, in tone, in how one sentence could make you stop and think. I realised writing isn’t just about telling stories, it’s about connecting with people, building trust, and shaping how we see the world. That shift in perspective changed everything for me.
Turning workshop skills into real-world wins
By my second year, I wanted to take what I was learning and apply it outside of uni. That’s when I found out about Share Bristol, a community project that had just opened a Library of Things on UWE Bristol’s Frenchay campus.
They were looking for a volunteer social media marketing assistant, and I thought, why not? I applied, waited nervously, did the interview, and got the position.
“Suddenly, everything I’d learned at UWE Bristol made sense in the real world. I was writing posts, planning content, and thinking about how to engage different audiences. I saw how creative writing techniques make marketing feel more human and relatable.”
That experience was a turning point. I knew marketing was where I wanted to go next.
From Barbados to Bristol: finding my feet and my voice
Moving to a new country was a huge leap. I had to learn how to be independent, adapt quickly, and figure things out on my own, from navigating Bristol’s bus routes to balancing uni work with volunteering.
UWE Bristol made the transition smoother than I expected. My lecturers were supportive, my course mates were welcoming, and I quickly found my place in the creative community.
Being an international student taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to thrive outside of my comfort zone. These experiences have shaped who I am, both personally and professionally.
Looking ahead: skills that stick
Now, as I plan for life after UWE, I can see just how far I’ve come. I arrived unsure of my future, and now I’m pursuing a career in marketing, starting with my master’s degree.
My course has given me more than just writing skills. I’ve learned how to think critically, communicate clearly, and create content that connects. These are skills that will stay with me long after graduation, helping me adapt and thrive in whatever path I take.
Start your own story
If you’re thinking about studying at UWE Bristol, here’s my advice: say yes to new experiences. Try different things, meet new people, and give yourself time to explore. You don’t need to have it all figured out on day one.
Sometimes the best part of uni is discovering your path as you go. So, take that leap, start your story, and see where it leads.
Find out more about undergraduate study and volunteering opportunities at UWE Bristol.