Diana
Diana is studying for MSc Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture at the Streatham Campus in Exeter
Why did you decide that Exeter was the best place to study your particular subject?
Exeter gave me a great opportunity with the Ayudar scholarship.
Describe your typical day at Exeter
Classes, working in the library, catching up with friends, preparing group activities in an Amory room, having fun at the RAM bar, great food on Fridays with the food market, ice cream in summer.
What are the best aspects of studying within your department?
The staff are amazingly supportive, very aware and understanding with your limitations and struggles as international students, but we always had everything we needed in order to meet our goals. I personally had a great tutor that helped me enormously.
How would you describe the vibe on campus?
So many people, so diverse. During special events like the Chinese New Year or Holi or Diwali and particular cultural celebrations it is so vibrant and fantastic.
What activities are you taking part in? Which facilities/activities do you enjoy the most?
The cultural events.
What particular skills are you gaining from this experience (personal and professional), will this help you in your choice of career?
I am particularly proud of my research skills, which I totally developed during my MSc and that allowed me to start a PhD here in Exeter as well.
What’s the best thing about living in Exeter?
I love the city and the charity shops, the Gandy Street shops, the library and RAMM and their activities, the local pubs, my neighbours in Exwick and community activities, the local residents are very nice and kind people.
Would you recommend Exeter to your friends?
Definitely, I do it all the time and post the opportunities to study here on all my social networks
Was there anything about your experiences at Exeter that surprised you?
How green it is.
What advice would you give students planning on coming to the University of Exeter?
Do not miss the freshers week, keep a close and good relationship with your tutor, the coffee at Queens building is the best, and this is very important: Exeter is a little Hogwarts, you never know when you will get lost in these buildings, it happens all the time to everybody even the ones that have been here for years, so always go with a spare time for any activity.
Was the University supportive during your time here?
Yes always.
What was the impact of the Ayudar Scholarship for you?
I could not have done it without the Ayudar scholarship, the fund also helped me with my research project, I cannot be more thankful.
What have you done since leaving the University?
I started a PhD in History here in Exeter.
How did studying at Exeter help with your chosen career/ further study?
My current research project is called “The Food Question”, I am applying all the acquired knowledge and skills on food security to a historical study of the food security in Colombia in the twentieth century, I am conducting an interdisciplinary investigation using Food security theory and environmental historical methods of research. In other words, I am applying all I have learnt in my MSc to review the history of peasants and the peasant landscape in Colombia with a food security perspective with a methodology proper of environmental history studies.
