Ximing Fan

For international students like me, Loughborough University provides supportive pathways before I am confident to get into my undergraduate life, through the International Foundation Programme to make sure students, like myself, have appropriate skills to go to university. Also, being a top-ranking university for sport studies, the academic excellence is another reason for me to choose Loughborough.

Last but not the least, Loughborough University also takes care of the career and future for each student, alumni network and workshops are useful for all students to attend, plus a placement year opportunity is also available for most courses. 

Before I started my student life in China I have spent my life just in China and never dreamed to see myself at this stage now in a such short period of four years. Loughborough makes me understand that academic excellence can exist with a healthy and colourful life as a student. I have been a member of AU volleyball first team and have competitive training and games almost every week. I have also been attending activities provided by the societies I am interested in. Loughborough also understands the worries and concerns for students, more helpful advices are provided on career by the ‘Place’ office, more study spaces are enhanced by the university and each department respectively for students to have the environment they need for studying. This, actually is already enough to differentiate Loughborough from other universities which cannot put their student at the centre of their attention.

My favourite thing in Loughborough remains at its strength and influence on sport and the sport industry, I find my supervisor and lecturers often on TV or public media to talk about sport as experts and researchers. This can automatically increase motivation to go further and have more ambition as a Loughborough student. This might sound intangible but one can definitely feel it just by visiting the campus, with gyms and sport stadiums locates around campus and students dressed in sportswear to be found everywhere. 

Going to UK from your home country is a big decision, but it is also a signal for you to know it is time for you to learn to take care of yourself, in terms of life, study and safety. Marks and grades are important, but more importantly, international students often cannot learn the culture or be brave enough to leave their safety zone socially. But Loughborough however, as best student rated university across the country, encourage and support students to be sociable and integrating with each other. By visiting our student’s union and attending sport activities such as my lifestyle (which is completely free of charge), you will understand what I mean about the Loughborough experience and support.