Month: November 2025

Adjusting to UWE as a mature international student

Author Student Communications | Posted on

By Priya Dashini, MSc Health Psychology

I was excited and looking forward to my experience studying in the UK. Before enrolling in my course, I had the opportunity to get on a Teams call with my module leader and find out more about the course. This helped me feel more certain in my decision to move from my comfort zone in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Bristol.

The journey was exciting, but it brought its own set of challenges; the main one was experiencing my first winter in the UK, as well as dealing with loneliness and homesickness. I did not anticipate how isolating and difficult it could be. The familiar faces, comfort foods, and navigating an 8-hour time difference from my home country were overwhelming. I expected to feel adjusted and settled in Bristol within a month, but looking back, that was an unrealistic timeline to set, and it only made me feel even more out of place.

As a mature international student, adjusting to academics in a new country and leaving my role as a full-time counsellor was challenging. In wanting to push myself out of my comfort zone, I attended various UWE events, including the Global café team’s weekly coffee session that occurs every Wednesday from 12:00-13:00. I found the team friendly and welcoming. In attending the coffee session, I connected with other international students, shared experiences and challenges that I encountered and formed a sense of belonging.

In addition to attending my classes, I began following the UWE student union and other relevant social media accounts to stay up to date on free activities for students. The UWE Move App quickly became one of my favourite apps, and I was impressed by the wide range of free sports opportunities available. When looming assignment deadlines began to cause stress, I decided to book a climbing session through the app. This experience proved invaluable for my mental well-being. The climbing instructor was encouraging and supportive, and I enjoyed meeting other students who shared similar interests. I made it a priority to attend several climbing sessions as I was working through my dissertation, and it really helped me feel overall better physically and mentally.

My biggest takeaway for mature international students is not to be afraid to try and explore all the free events and activities available for students. Finance can be a stressor, but there are many free events hosted by the student life team, the global café team, UWE sports, and the student union that will truly enhance your student experience at UWE. In looking for a change of scenery, I love doing assignments at the Bristol Central Library, walking up the steep roads of Park Street, and just reading a book at a nearby café. In my role now as a mature student advocate, I am looking forward to hosting events and activities for students to feel a sense of belonging and have a safe space to engage and interact with other students.

How to join the CHSS Advocate Programme

Interested in being part of this supportive community? Whether you’re looking for peer support, a place to share your experiences, or simply want to connect with others, the CHSS Advocate Programme is here for you.
To join a group or attend one of our meetups, follow the link to our online space and sign up:

For more information, please email the Widening Participation Team: CHSS.WPTeam@uwe.ac.uk

Faith and community at University

Author Student Communications | Posted on

By Bip Hakimzadah

During my time at UWE, I’ve struggled with interpersonal challenges. Whether it be personal, social, academic or anything and everything in between. Faith has always kept me grounded, I think religion is an interesting thing. It’s obviously not for everyone, I’ve seen the struggle of people being hurt by religion and this is by no means to discredit those experiences. In the wrong hands it’s hurtful, but in the right hands I’ve seen it be a truly powerful thing.

In my opinion/experience, faith can provide a sense of hope, a community, a guiding path regardless of exact religion or sect and I think there’s so much divide and polarisation in the world that there’s never been more of a need for individuals to support one another and be allies to each other in this very diverse and interfaith world.

So what can be done to be supportive of one another?

Simply listen – be respectful!

Whether you’re religious or non-religious, hearing people out on why they believe what they do is a big thing. It’s important to not attack their beliefs or belittle them, especially if they’re a different faith than yours. To impose your beliefs or lack thereof on somebody can feel like an attack if not treated with extreme care and understanding. There’s a reason they believe what they do, opposing beliefs doesn’t mean they’re inherently wrong.

Learn!

There’s a beautifully diverse world of religion that every corner of the world has, they’re not only simply groups of beliefs but insight into history, how countries believed what they did fundamentally shaped how they would evolve over time. If you’ve ever been curious about different religions, ask friends, religious groups or just peruse the library. The Frenchay library especially is a goldmine when it comes to different books on religions for the very beginners to those that have been practicing for their whole lives.

Difference is okay!

People have different backgrounds, some religious and some not. For all sorts of reasons people might be atheist, agnostic, or identify with a religion. It’s equally important for everyone to respectful of each other.

Find community, or religious support.

Bristol is a beautifully interfaith hub where I’ve personally seen and spoke to many religious groups, if you’re a part of a faith and you’re new to Bristol – you’ll find no shortage of community. Reach out to them if you can!

Within the university as well, there’s many societies for religious groups, as well as the wonderful Chaplaincy Team that I’ve had the pleasure of using their services. They’re open to everyone, regardless of faith or lack thereof. There’s a place for everyone here in UWE and Bristol. Whether religious, agnostic or atheist. Everyone has their place, and quite frankly the world is a more interesting place with such an interfaith and diverse community

Chaplaincy at UWE Bristol.

Your harm reduction guide to Cannabis

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Becky Risley

We want to make sure you’re safe, whatever substance you choose to use. That’s why we’ve created a series of guidance telling you how you to look after yourself, before, during and after using a substance.

So let’s get started…

Cannabis is a plant, used for its mind-altering effects. Different strains offer various effects, making it popular for recreational use to feel relaxed, happy, and creative. Cannabis can be consumed by smoking, eating, vaping, or using oils and sprays.

Making you aware of the harm Cannabis can cause is important so you can make informed decisions.

So, if you do decide to use Cannabis, how can you reduce the harm?

Before

Do your research

Understand the effects and risks of using cannabis, especially if your
new to cannabis use.

  • Where possible, try to understand the strain you’re smoking by finding out the levels of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) vs CBD (Cannabidiol).
  • Cannabis with high levels of THC and low levels of CBD will increase the risk of paranoia, agitation and dependency.

Avoid tobacco

  • If you don’t use tobacco usually, starting to use it to smoke cannabis can form a dependency on nicotine, meaning you crave it more often.

Be careful with edibles

  • Eating cannabis is a very different experience to smoking it as it takes longer to hit (up to 2 hours) and the effects will last much longer.
  • The dose can also be much harder to manage so start low
    and go slow.

Think about your mindset

  • How we’re feeling can impact our experience of using cannabis.

And setting

  • The environment you’re in can change your experience of using cannabis.
  • Think about who you are with, or whether you’re ok on
    your own.
  • Will the people you’re with be supportive and caring if
    you need some help?
  • Is this a safe and comfortable environment to use cannabis?

During

Cannabis and alcohol

  • Using alcohol and cannabis together will increase the effects of
    each substance.
  • If you plan on using both substances together start low
    and go slow.
  • It can also make you more likely to white-out. See below
    for more info.

Cannabis and psychedelics

  • Whilst using cannabis and psychedelics tend not to cause physical harm to the individual, the psychological impact can be unpredictable, even in experienced cannabis users.
  • Use with caution and as with everything, start low and go slow.

Whitey/white-out/greening out

  • If you are new to using cannabis, using a new strain or consuming a higher dose than normal, you may feel unwell.
  • You might feel sick, paranoid, dizzy or go pale.
  • To help with these symptoms you can drink some water, orange juice or a sugary drink but avoid alcohol as this will make symptoms worse.
  • You can also try laying down and taking deep breaths to fill your lungs with fresh oxygen.
  • If you’re supporting a friend, ask them what they need, do they need to talk or to be left alone for the feeling to pass?
  • Once you’ve recovered, take it easy for the rest of the day and avoid using any more cannabis or other substances even if you feel better.

After

What to expect

  • The day after using cannabis you may feel tired, lethargic or like everything is happening in slow motion.
  • Cannabis use impacts your usual sleep cycle meaning you don’t wake up feeling refreshed.
  • You might also feel dehydrated so drink plenty of water and rest if you need to.
  • It’s illegal to drive if you’re impaired by THC. Even after the effects have worn off, THC can still be detected in your system and impact your driving.
  • Taking regular breaks from cannabis will help keep your tolerance low and prevent a dependency forming, breaks could be 3-4 days or longer.

Paranoia and agitation

  • Feeling paranoid or anxious after using cannabis?
  • This could be to do with the strain of cannabis, but it could also be how your brain reacts to THC no matter what the dose.
  • Usually, these symptoms will go away within a couple of days… but the best advice is to stop using it.

How to know if you have a Cannabis dependency

  • Relying on cannabis to eat, sleep or get tasks done.
  • Using cannabis when you have planned not to, or having a high tolerance.
  • Daily use.
  • Hiding your cannabis use from friends or family.

If you have more questions, need support or want to make a change to your Cannabis use, just get in touch. You can find out more about me and the UWE drug and alcohol service on our drugs and alcohol webpage.

My career top tip

Author Student Communications | Posted on

by Seif

When I first moved to the UK as an international student, I arrived with big goals, and an even bigger list of people telling me, “It’ll be impossible to get work experience in your first year.”

After dozens of rejections from part-time jobs, it honestly felt true at times. But I kept my goal in mind: I wanted to secure an internship after first year, no matter how ambitious it sounded.

I applied to every opportunity I could find. Most of the time, the answer was no. But eventually, one “yes” changed everything and I landed an IT internship at the end of my first academic year.

That single experience opened the door to so many others, including becoming a Student Career Coach here at UWE and starting a Learning Experience Analyst internship with the School of Computing & Creative Technologies. None of this would have happened if I had given up early on.

Here are the biggest lessons I learned, which I hope will help anyone starting their career journey:

Build the right mindset
The first challenge isn’t the application. It’s your mindset. Don’t underestimate yourself and don’t let other people decide what is or isn’t possible for you. If you want something, go for it.

Experience is more than job titles
If you’re new and feel like you have no experience, think again. Projects, hackathons, volunteering, competitions and much more all count as experience so get involved! Volunteering especially is an underrated way to gain experience fast, develop real workplace skills and strengthen your CV.

Tailor every application
Treat your CV and cover letter like your personal branding. Tailor them to each role by referring to the job description. One resource that helps me massively is CareerSet, available for free through Career Toolkit, it checks how well your CV matches the role and gives detailed feedback.

Don’t fear rejections. Use it.
You might get rejected a lot. That’s normal. What matters is reflecting on what you can improve each time. Every application and interview is practice for the next one.

If you know your strengths, stay consistent, keep improving and opportunities will come. Believe in yourself, keep going and trust the process. You never know which application will be the life-changing one.

    How can you invest in your Studies?

    Author Student Communications | Posted on

    Have you ever taken the time to think about the considerable investment you are making by choosing to study at university? We’re not just talking about the money (although we know that’s significant) – it’s also the time, energy and effort that you are putting into your degree.   

    We want you to focus on really maximising that investment, and make some choices which will help you get the most out of your time here at UWE. 

    What simple things can you do? 

    • Attendance. Your course is the main reason you are here, right? And you are spending a lot of money for this teaching, so it doesn’t make sense to regularly skip classes. We know there might sometimes be reasons why you can’t make it onto campus, but try to plan your week to give you the best possible chance of attending those lectures.  
    • Engagement. It’s not enough to just turn up to lectures or teaching sessions, you need to really BE there. Be an active participant on your course and you really will see the benefits. What does this look like? Ask questions. Get involved in discussions. Do extra reading. Reply to emails. All of this will drastically improve your learning and help you get more out of your studies. 

    Next steps? 

    Even the most engaged students can always find more ways to improve their studies and expand their learning while they are at uni. 

    • Study support – Independent study can feel hard sometimes, and it’s completely normal to feel stretched and challenged by your course. There’s so much support available to you – reading and writing skills, tips on referencing, how to prepare for assessments. Whatever you need, you will be able to find someone who can help. 
    • Academic personal tutor – Your tutor is there to support and guide you through your course. Make the most of this contact and talk to them about any struggles you are having or any areas where you want to improve. 
    • PAL – Peer-assisted learning is a great opportunity to get help from someone who has been in your shoes. It’s usually a student on the same course as you, but in the year above, and they can mentor you and help with any bits of your studies you feel unsure of. 
    • Student Experience Coaches – If you are feeling overwhelmed, or you want help getting better at managing your workload or being more productive, then why not contact a Student Experience Coach? Book your free appointment on Infohub. 

    Hopefully all that info has given you something to think about. Remember, you only get out of something what you put in (it sounds like a cliche, but it’s so true).  

    You’ve made a huge investment to be here – make the most of it! 

    Invest in your self
    invest in your future

    How can you invest in your Future?

    Author Student Communications | Posted on

    Have you ever taken the time to think about the considerable investment you are making by choosing to study at university? We’re not just talking about the money (although we know that’s significant) – it’s also the time, energy and effort that you are putting into your degree.   

    We want you to focus on really maximising that investment, and make some choices which will help you get the most out of your time here at UWE. 

    Start planning and preparing for your future now, so you’re ready to hit the ground running after graduation. 

    It’s worth remembering that life as a UWE Bristol student gives you access to a huge range of support services and opportunities and it’s worth making the most of these. You’ve already paid for it, so take advantage of it!   

    • Careers and Enterprise – Make the most of our free support service. Your time at uni will fly by, and you want to be in the best possible position when you graduate.  
    • Start your Personalised Career Plan – Fill in a short questionnaire so you can receive tailored careers info, resources and events to help you start planning for your future. 
    • Look at LinkedIn courses – these are free for UWE Bristol students and are a great way of building your skills and enhancing your CV. 
    • Work experience and placements – Get first-hand experience to help you work out what career path you want to follow. 
    • Why not travel abroad? – Global experiences are a great way to expand your horizons, meet new people and develop skills you didn’t even know about. 
    • Use social media – Follow @UWECareers on Instagram to find out the latest updates on events, employer drop-ins and workshops. 
    • Innovation and enterprise – Thinking about starting your own business? Get advice and support to develop your enterprise skills. 
    • Volunteering – Use your talents and skills to give something back. 
    • Thinking about your CV? – Start thinking about your future by taking on roles and responsibilities which will not only help you develop and grow, but also look great on your CV. Looking to becoming a student rep, a student ambassador or joining the student consultation panel. 

    Hopefully all that info has given you something to think about. Remember, you only get out of something what you put in (it sounds like a cliche, but it’s so true).  

    You’ve made a huge investment to be here – make the most of it! 

    invest in your self
    invest in your studies

    How can you invest in your Self?

    Author Student Communications | Posted on

    Have you ever taken the time to think about the considerable investment you are making by choosing to study at university? We’re not just talking about the money (although we know that’s significant) – it’s also the time, energy and effort that you are putting into your degree.   

    We want you to focus on really maximising that investment, and make some choices which will help you get the most out of your time here at UWE. 

    Growing as a person is a key part of coming to university. It’s an amazing opportunity to meet new people, find new passions and interests, and expand your horizons to find out who you really are and what you want from life. 

    Make sure you are embracing all these free activities, events and opportunities. 

    • Centre for Sport – The free MOVE programme gives you access to more than 100 weekly exercise classes and sessions, so make the most of this fantastic facility.   
    • Centre for Music – Looking to learn some new skills? Want to make some new friends? Check out the huge range of opportunities available on campus – membership is completely free! 
    • Join a society – It’s so easy to find people with the same passions and interests as you. Take a look at the long list of societies available, and if you can’t find the perfect one for you, you can just start your own! 
    • UWE Events Diary – If you’re ever at a loose end, or simply looking to get out and meet new people, make sure you find out what’s going on at your campus. Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find something that suits you. 
    • Explore Bristol – You’re living in a vibrant, creative, edgy city. Don’t let that pass you by, get out there and explore everything it has to offer. 
    • Go global – Are you interested in travelling the world? University is a great time to look at what overseas opportunities are available to you. 
    • Download the Wisdom app – If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or just need some inspiration to manage your wellbeing, the Wisdom app allows you to access resources and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

    Hopefully all that info has given you something to think about. Remember, you only get out of something what you put in (it sounds like a cliche, but it’s so true).  

    You’ve made a huge investment to be here – make the most of it! 

    Read more: How can you invest in your Self?
    invest in your studies
    Invest in your future

    Join the Student Consultation panel and get your voice heard

    Author Student Communications | Posted on

    The Student Consultation Panel are looking for new members to shape the student experience, share their opinions and make a difference to our student community.

    What is it?

    The Student Consultation Panel is made up of students from across UWE Bristol who have volunteered to provide feedback on university projects. Tell us what you think, help us improve, and enjoy rewards along the way!

    What kind of things will I be working on?

    All sorts! The Student Consultation Panel already has over 250 members who have contributed to various focus groups, campaigns, initiatives and schemes. You can choose to fill in surveys, sit in focus groups, try out systems, apps, and webpages or just give your feedback on our ideas and what you think about them.

    Some projects our panel contributed to in the last year include:

    • UWE Bristol’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy
    • Review of the Wellbeing Service
    • Anti-racism Terminology
    • Assessments
    • Financial Support
    • UWE Bristol app redesign

    Your involvement in the panel helps shape future decisions in campaigns, projects and policies. The more you engage, the greater the prize. Every time you take part in an activity, you will earn points. At the end of the term, those with the most points win Love2Shop vouchers. Being involved on the panel is also great experience of the inner workings of a university, insight, project development and how to enact change. It’s also a great way to meet new people and develop your communication skills. Our panel members have said:

    “[The panel] has offered me a chance to build my professional network”

    “My experience has been wonderful and I have enjoyed every minute of it. It has made a huge difference in my confidence and seeing change happen in my university means the world.”

    “The types of opportunities that you can contribute to vary, so it offers you a real insight into areas of the university and how it’s run”

    If you want to shape your university community, get your voice heard and tell us how we could improve, get involved. To join the Student Consultation Panel visit: go.uwe.ac.uk/scp or find out more by emailing: StudentVoice@uwe.ac.uk

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