I had a friend who attended Brookes
I always heard her speak so highly of the university that I decided to try my luck and applied in 2021 for 2023 entry. The way that my application was processed in such a swiftly manner, I knew Oxford Brookes was for me because I don’t like waiting on emails like these. Also, I was impressed that I got the chance to apply for deferred entry, so that I was able to take my time and secure funding onto the course.It was my first time applying for a student visa so the entire process was new to me. I had a few questions during my visa application process and had to reach out to the team at Oxford Brookes for support. I must say, the level of professionalism in the responses were impressive and I loved how the team broke down every step of the application process for me so that understanding it became easier. Before I started on the course I also emailed Dr Jon Reid to ask about the course, he was one of the few people who actually responded, as I contacted a few Universities with questions about their courses.
I’m a young mom
I had to leave my son to pursue my studies. I became depressed in the first few months of my program and very often I had to leave my classes to go outside and cry and come back. There was this one time that it was so obvious that I was having a hard time, that my lecturer Rachel Faulkner asked me “you’re having a hard time settling in, huh?” Fortunately for me, Brookes provided me with the counselling support that I needed. Also being a part of Oxford Brookes Female Squash Team really helped me to release some of my stress! I came from a country where all of my friends and family were close by so it’s easy for me to visit, but being in England where I do have friends and family but they live far away was a bit weird for me.
I am probably one of the most annoying students ever
I always had a question about my assignments that sometimes I feel as though I was sending emails in my sleep. But because of the understanding lecturers at Brookes, none of my emails ever went unanswered even if I asked the same questions using different words.
I felt that sense of family at Oxford Brookes, the best sense of support. I’d often chat with my tutors, and contact them regularly and receive support and advice for topics and assignments. I was also impressed with the way I had one class per week for each module, which allowed me to accommodate my 20 hour work schedule each week and still gave me a chance to socialise and experience a bit of the UK on the days I wasn't crying to go back home.I must also add that I was fortunate enough to work at Brookes as a Resident Support Assistant at Warneford Hall; it’s like Brookes was made for me!
Coming from the Caribbean Island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Where resources to accommodate children with SEND are almost nonexistent, my time at Oxford Brookes has opened my eyes and exposed me to the amount of work that needs to be done back home to promote an inclusive learning environment. This experience acted as a driving force to pursue my topic for my dissertation. As a “Caribbean Gyal” who faces challenges everyday because a lot of us are not fortunate enough to be able to further our studies after attending our local colleges, I am thankful that I chose Oxford Brookes to be a part of my journey to become a SEND Educator.
It was a hard decision for me to decide that I would not be applying for the Graduates Visa but I do plan to do a program in the near future to gain my UK QTS so that I can teach in the UK or be a SENCo and Dr Jon has been so supportive of my decision since the first day that I mentioned it, that he volunteered to be a referee for my application right away and what makes this better is that my application onto the iQTS course at Canterbury Christ Church University was successful!
I will always recommend Brookes as a first choice for my Caribbean family to pursue studies any chance that I get. Thank you Brookes for EVERYTHING, especially the lifelong relationships that I was able to create with people from all over the world!