Hi, I’m Hanna, a Business Management with Marketing student at the University of Surrey. I moved from Copenhagen to Guildford to begin my new life at Surrey. Moving to a new country for university was both exciting and a little daunting, but Surrey quickly became a place that felt like home. These are five of the experiences that have meant the most to me and made Surrey feel like home. I hope they give you a glimpse into what university life here can be like.

1.Living in a Second-Year House:

Moving into a house with my friends in second-year beats all other experiences I have had at Surrey. The experience of living together for the first time was the most fun I have had. Little every-day moments made the experience special, and truly gave me a home away from home. A particular moment for me would be when my housemates decided to make our own Christmas dinner, giving me a true sense of home away from home before leaving for the holidays. From house parties, to love island nights, local pub nights (Woody B), to even hosting BBQs in the summer – doing everything with your best friends made my Surrey experience incredible.

2. Studying through Surrey’s Summer Abroad Opportunities:

One of my top experiences at Surrey came from an opportunity offered by the University’s International Engagement Department. Thanks to them, I took part in a summer programme studying in Brazil alongside 12 Surrey students from all different backgrounds and years. It was a unique opportunity to experience a new academic and cultural environment while still being a part of and representing Surrey abroad. What made it stand out was how supported I felt throughout, knowing I was part of a wider Surrey community. This opportunity was truly an unforgettable experience, and stepping outside of my comfort zone in this way is something I will always be grateful Surrey gave me the chance to do.

3. Celebrating the End of First Year:

Living in first-year accommodation is where everything really started for me at Surrey. Manor Park was a great place to meet other first-years and settle into university life. My flat is where I met some of my closest friends, who I still live with today. One of my favourite memories was celebrating the end of the year with a picnic and cake, which felt like a simple but meaningful way to mark the end of my first year and everything that came with it.

4. Varsity at Surrey Sports Park:

Varsity is an experience I always look forward to every year around March, it brings students together to support Surrey’s sports teams and it really highlights the university’s strong sense of community. For me, anytime we host at Surrey Sports Park, I think the atmosphere is especially energetic, and it’s one of the times I feel most connected to the wider Surrey student community. Maybe the best part may even be the Varsity Rubix night after!

5. PlaySport Thursday Squash at Surrey:

Taking part in Squash Playsport was a great way to try a new sport and get out of my comfort zone. What I really enjoyed about it was how easily it was to get involved, even for beginners. The sessions were welcoming to different abilities and had a place for everyone. The socials and Playsport days were a great way to try out a new sport and meet a new community of people while being active. It was a very inviting and inclusive committee, and added a different balance to my time at Surrey.