Martina Gardeva (Bulgaria)

My name is Martina and I am a Bulgarian postgraduate student in MSc Tourism management and marketing. You might be feeling overwhelmed or even confused about your first week at Bournemouth University because everything is new and maybe you don’t know anybody here. So let me give you some tips about the exciting induction week you are about to experience very soon:

What to expect from the Induction week

During the first week, you won’t have any real lectures or classes. However, you need to attend all the events scheduled for your course. You will get a personalised timetable at the end of August, which will give you details about everything you need to know for your first week here. Usually, you will have meetings with your professors, who will give a brief overview of your academic year ahead. The head of the department will most likely welcome you too. Your unit leader will also explain all you need to know about study related to your course. This will also be the perfect time for you to meet your classmates and make some new friends!

Official enrollment and student IDs

One of the days of your induction week will be dedicated to your official enrolment as a student at BU and you will also have a photo taken for your student ID card. You can use it in the library, at the gym and anywhere in town to get student discounts.

An unforgettable experience

During the last day of my Induction week, our teachers had planned a special field trip for us and we had the chance to go to the amazing office of a new and innovative start-up company and had a delicious lunch at the Urban Reef. We also met some of the board members of Bournemouth and Pool Marketing Tourism board and had the unique opportunity of listening to their vision about the future of the coastal towns. The day ended with a nice afternoon in the Real Greek restaurant where we met with the other students from our faculty. It was a truly unforgettable experience!

Meet SUBU’s clubs and societies at the Fresher’s fair

The famous Freshers’ fair will be held on the 22^nd of September this year. You will have the chance to sign up for different clubs and societies, join sports teams and also enjoy lots of free food and free stuff, for example, I got a “made by me” t-shirt from Asos’s.  There are also lots of parties during the week, including the one in the Old Fire Station, the uni’s famous club! You will also have the chance to try different activities such as salsa, karate, women’s football and so on, all for free. You can sign up for the first of many Jurassic Coast trips too. Take a look here for more information.

Whatever you end up doing, I am sure you will love it and have the chance to make amazing new friends from all over the world!

Martina Gardeva, Bulgaria, MSc Tourism Management