UDA SOCCER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE
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UDA  NEWS

Meet Zach Gibson

10/28/2021

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​How have you settled into life at Gloucester? How have the academics, accommodation, and student life been thus far?

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Photo Credits:  Kieran Riley Photography
“I have settled well into life at Gloucester. I was happy to have in-person classes again. The personal tutor provided a lot of activities for us to get to know each other which was amazing and really helped the process of getting to know everyone in the Sports Business Management Course.

​The accommodation seemed a little small at first but then after time you get used to it and get to meet a lot of new people. I have made a lot of friends from my class and my accommodation who I hangout with almost everyday.”

Tell us a little about your academic course - what you are studying? what has been of interest? what classes have been like for you?

"I am studying Sports Business Management. The sports module has been of huge interest to me because we talk a lot about how we define sport. Classes have been very demanding but at the same time very informative."
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​How has the training been going for you? What have you learned? What do you need to work on? What has surprised you?

"Football life is great as you get to practice a lot and there is a lot of emphasis on the individual which leads to personal benefit. The training has been intense and hard in the cooler weather but very good. 
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I have learned a lot more about myself and what I need to work on, such as my off ball positioning. I have been surprised by the facilities, they are very good for football.”

Tell us a little about the first game you played in England. How did you find it and was it what you expected?

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"The first game was challenging because we haven't played as a team much and there wasn't much chemistry at first. We grew into the game and took a 2-0 lead but we let the other team begin to take control, and we eventually ended up in a draw."
Left: Zach and some teammates at local professional club, Gloucester City FC as invited guests.

Have you had the chance to visit any places since you have been there?

“I had the chance to visit London and Bath which were beautiful.” ​
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We wish you the best for the rest of the term, Zach and we can't wait to watch you grow on and off the pitch!
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Staying Connected: Advice for International Students and Families

10/27/2021

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Moving to a new location to complete university can be exciting, but also intimidating. Even seeing your child explore a different part of the world or country is something to look forward to, but it’s impossible not to worry about them or your family far from home.

If you are in the process of sending your child off to study abroad in the UK, are a few states away, or are even a student living abroad or away from home, we have compiled some resources for you.

Traveling to a new location is stressful for everybody, which is why as part of the UDA family, we make sure our students receive assistance while settling into a new place. From helping with travel arrangements, banking, to setting up phone plans, we make sure your studies go as smoothly as possible. We’re here to support you! Learn about our staff and how we assist our students. 

When you’re away from home it can be hard to know how to stay connected with family and friends.

Here's some of out best advice:​

DECIDE ON A TIME
Once your schedules are stable, decide on a time that works for everybody to communicate. Decide on your method of communication — is it best to video chat, or call?

KEEP ONE ANOTHER IN THE LOOP
Share pictures and videos of your lives. Whether you’re a parent at home or a student at university, your family members want to know what you’re up to. These could be photos of your latest grocery store run, or your favorite hike — either way, they want to see it!

KEEP YOURSELF BUSY
Students: Studying at university is a great opportunity to explore a new location while learning, so make the most of it! Go explore a new park or grab dinner at that place you’ve always wanted to try. If you’re looking for things to do in and around UoG, here’s a guide for your weekend. 

Parents: This may be one of the few times you get to experience life without an extra person at home. Take this time to pursue things you have wanted to try, even if it is just resting! 
​

If you have any questions about the application process, travel plans, or life at your university, please contact us.
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Insight From An International Student

10/22/2021

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Hear from our Journalism Intern, Bijeta, about her experience as an international student. She shares what she's learned along the way so that you can gain insight into the student experience while parents can get an understanding of what their children may be involved in when away from home.

​what was it like for your parents when you left to study?

They coped better with me leaving because they were more prepared; I was the second one to leave home, so they knew what to expect then. My sister had left for the U.S. a year ago, which was difficult for the entire family but especially our mom. One time, she cried when we bought some avocados and my sister — who loves avocados — wasn’t there to enjoy it with us. She was more composed when I left, but she once mentioned that she intentionally keeps herself busy to cope with our absence. Although my parents both admit that they miss us often, they have accepted that we will not be around all the time.
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How do you keep in touch, and how often?

We keep in touch through video calls and texts mainly via Messenger. The frequency of our calls depends on how busy everyone is, but I text them at least once every two days to let them know I’m doing okay, which they appreciate. I also let them know if I’m busy or traveling so that they don’t have to worry about my lack of communication. We usually call once or twice a week now, but we used to talk more often when I first left home.

TIP: I recommend keeping in touch with your family at least a few times a week, just to let them know you're thinking about them. It doesn't have to be anything major, it could just be a weather update, or what you're working on in a certain course.

do your parents worry about you? what do you do to ease their concerns?

They don’t worry about me as much as they used to anymore, because they now understand that I will be fine on my own. However, my mom still gets concerned if I don’t reply to her messages or don’t respond as often, so I make sure that I talk to them and tell them about my life as much as I can. A lot of my friends are also international students and I have witnessed varied levels of concerns from parents.

TIP: The best thing for us as students to do would be to understand our guardians, communicate with them, and keep them updated on our lives to let them know how we are doing.

My parents also tell me that keeping busy has helped them not worry so much about us. My mom recently joined a university to get her Master’s degree, and she often tells me that this has been the perfect time for her to pursue education. 

TIP: We have a family group chat where we keep everybody updated on what is happening here as well as back home, so I think the best way to ease concerns for everyone is to keep in touch with family and keep yourself occupied.

how often do you go home?

I try to go home once every year, but that wasn’t possible due to the pandemic. I’m fortunate because the longest I have not been home is a year and a half, but I know that some of my international friends have not been home for much longer.

how did you deal with being away from home?

It was difficult at first — I missed the comfort of home, my family, the food...everything. Being in a new environment was not easy, especially since I could not fly back home for months. But I started making friends here and kept myself busy. I started working so I was alright after a couple of months. I still miss home and my family, but I also appreciate my life here.

TIP: Find something to keep yourself busy — Whether that’s a new hobby or a campus club, having something to do can be the best way to combat homesickness or when missing a loved one. ​

Traveling to a new location is stressful for everybody, which is why as part of the UDA family, we make sure our students receive assistance while settling into a new place. From helping with travel arrangements, banking, to setting up phone plans, we help make sure your studies go as smoothly as possible. Learn about our staff and how we assist our students here. 

If you have any questions about the application process, travel plans, or life at your university, please contact us.
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  • Home
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