At Newcastle University 66 of the INTO centre's first ever
students graduated, while at the University of Exeter the figure
was 113. The students had taken a broad range of degree subjects
after progressing from INTO Foundation and Pre-Sessional
courses.
Newcastle student Si Quek from Malaysia, who graduated with a
2:1 BA Combined Honours after an INTO Foundation Business, said: "I
think INTO prepared me well for my academic writing and summary
skills. This was particularly helpful in essay writing, especially
in an arts and humanities subjects... Furthermore, INTO prepared me
with library skills and adjusting to university life by having
classes on a university campus."
Ka Chan from China, who achieved a 2:1 BA Hons Accounting and
Finance at Newcastle after an INTO Foundation Business, said: "I
have already forgotten my first year's teachers at university but I
cannot forget the INTO teachers from the first year I
lived in the UK. It is when I felt the most helpless and lonely,
but I have to say that they helped me get through all those tough
times."
Exeter students were equally glowing about their time at INTO
and the University.
Mr Abdulla Al Ali from U.A.E, who graduated from the LLB Law
after the INTO Foundation Humanities, Law & Social Sciences,
said he had enjoyed "every single facility given by the
University", made "really good friends" and loved "the place and
the people."
El-Hanan Lee from Malaysia, who graduated from a BA Accounting
and Finance after the INTO Foundation Economics, Finance &
Management, gave some advice for future INTO students: "Throw
yourself in head first and get out there. Play hard, study hard and
leave with no regrets. Go for the class trips, it's an amazing way
to create friendships and take in what England has to offer whilst
you're at it."
Alongside the first cohort many other former INTO Exeter and
Newcastle students graduated last week. Taken together they offer
compelling evidence that our centres are a conduit to student
success.
INTO Newcastle Centre Director Kevin Conroy said: "Graduation is
of course the pinnacle of our students' achievements and it really
symbolises the success of their study. It has been truly wonderful
to see some of our pioneering students reach this fantastic
goal…and to see them in their gowns, beaming smiles and surrounded
by proud parents, family and friends. These will be long-lasting
memories for our students and for ourselves."
INTO University of Exeter's Centre Director, Penny Foster, said:
"We were delighted to celebrate this major milestone in the life of
our students. The graduation of any student is a most joyous
occasion but how much more so for students who have met the
challenge of studying in a different culture and a different
language. Graduates who I have spoken to said INTO had helped them
at a time when they felt most vulnerable and in need of support.
Good luck to all our graduating students on the next stage of the
journey."
Last week students at both universities attended graduation
ceremonies and there was a reunion event at INTO Exeter - a
fantastic opportunity for students to catch up with their old
teachers and other staff that had supported them.
The students are also looking to the future. Newcastle student
Samir Ismayilov said: "In Azerbaijan military service is compulsory
for males, and it is one year for students with undergraduate
degrees. After completing my military service I am planning to do a
master's degree in the UK at either Newcastle University or the
University of Durham."
Ka Chan said: "I would like to find a job in the UK because I
like this country. However, since some problems of my family, I
have to go back to Hong Kong and may work a few years in China
first."
INTO This Week wishes them all the best for the future. We would
also like to thank the staff at INTO Newcastle and Exeter,
Newcastle University and the University of Exeter for their part in
this success story.