Settling into Queen’s as a GB student
Settling into university can be a difficult experience, especially if you are new to the area and don’t know anyone. Liverpudlian student Ciara explains what it is like to be a GB student studying at Queen’s and how to have the best time possible.
Attend the GB student Welcome Reception
A meeting was held in the Canada Room of the Lanyon building at the beginning of the year which gave us the chance to meet fellow GB students. There was complimentary coffee, tea, and nibbles for us to eat and we were given a goodie bag each. Every table was assigned a GB student so that we could ask questions about their experience and receive valuable advice on settling in.
Take part in the excursions offered by QUB accommodation
If you’re living in Queen’s accommodation, there are opportunities to explore Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland through excursions. The trips are particularly good for GB and international students who do not often go home at weekends and may be looking for things to do. I was interested in these trips, particularly because I didn’t know anyone when I came and so I wanted to make friends, and also because I was keen to explore NI in all its beauty.
My first trip was to the Mourne Mountains, and although it was cold the view was absolutely beautiful. It was the perfect chance to get to know fellow students and have a digital detox due to the lack of service up in the mountains!
Another memorable trip that I attended was axe throwing in Cityside Retail Park. I had never done anything like this before, and I was shockingly bad at it! However, the instructors were really helpful and made the experience fun and hilarious. A competition was held at the end and extra points were given to those who would shout the loudest when throwing the axe.
Other trips I have attended have been to the Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Tour, the Ulster American Folk Park, Crumlin Road Gaol, Exploris Aquarium, laser tag and the Asian supermarket. As you can see, there's a wide variety of trips and there really is something for everyone.
The trips organised by Queen's Accommodation are also more affordable than if you were to go on the same trip independently because they can subsidise costs by having more attendees. I would definitely recommend these as a way to get to know people and also explore Northern Ireland.
Make sure to explore Belfast itself!
Sometimes university life can get hectic, and we can actually forget to explore the unique and wonderful place that we have moved to. Belfast has an abundance of things to do and see, and a tour bus is a great way to see a lot of the sights in a couple of hours.
However, if you are wanting an activity for the whole day, it is also possible to walk the sights instead because Belfast is quite a compact city. It is very safe to explore during the day, but like any city there are areas where it's maybe not best to walk around alone at night. Belfast is however the safest region in the UK according to UK British Crime Surveys 2019/20.
See what Queen’s societies have to offer at the Freshers’ Fair
Clubs and Societies are a great way to make friends and settle into university life. They give you an opportunity to not only find things you enjoy but also discover what is maybe not for you. I joined the cheer society, and it was great fun but I realised that it was not for me. However, other societies are more suited to my passions and this variety in societies is one thing that makes Queen’s a great place to have your university experience.
Queen’s Film Theatre was also advertised at the fresher’s fair at the beginning of the first semester. If you are under 26 you can sign up for a LUMI card (completely free!) and get your tickets for only £4.50 alongside other benefits. Going to QFT has been a great thing to do with friends or even alone, which I never would have done before coming to Belfast due to anxiety.
While moving to a new city can have its positives such as newfound independence, it can also have its negatives like loneliness. Being able to go to the cinema on a student budget can really break up the routine and allow you to meet new people who share your interest in film, or just provide a great atmosphere that you cannot find anywhere else.
Find out more
Ciara AshleyBA Anthropology | Undergraduate Student | Liverpool, UKI’m a 19-year-old from Liverpool who decided to pursue her degree in Belfast due to its rich history. I am an anthropology student and so I am interested in all aspects of human life. In my free time I love to listen to music, take part in the university-organised trips, and go clubbing on student nights. |
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