Each year, international students studying at the University of Glasgow are invited to submit an entry in the My Story competition. This year Leonie Lepple who is studying at the University’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies based on its Dumfries campus has been awarded third prize in this International Student Support university-wide initiative.
Jo Purvis, International Student Adviser at the University of Glasgow said: “The My Story competition aims to gather accounts of student’s experiences (socialising, working, volunteering, making friends from different backgrounds or cultures) and getting involved with the community during their stay in Scotland. By sharing student’s experiences of integration and social mixing, we hope that other students will be further encouraged to socialise with students of different backgrounds and to engage with their local community.”
Leonie (25), is a first year student studying BSc (Hons) Environmental Science & Sustainability at the University’s Dumfries Campus. Leonie has a great story to tell having went to High School in Germany and in Curacao in the Caribbean before taking a year out to travel the world. Leonie then embarked on a three year nursing degree in Berlin, then worked for a year in Portugal before she started her studies in Dumfries in September 2016.
In her award-winning storyboard about her experience as a student in Dumfries, Leonie pays special mention to her studies, her friends, her travels and her culinary and cultural discoveries so far. Leonie said: “In such a small town, it is so easy to make friends (Scottish and International) and to learn about our differences and our many similarities. My English is really improving now but the Scottish accent still gives me some challenges! Dumfries & Galloway offers the best surroundings for studying Environmental Science and I just love the regional coastal walks. I live in a motorhome, so this has allowed me to travel to other parts of Scotland and to the Lake District too and I’m now looking forward to experiencing spring in Scotland and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to go surfing in the summer! I’ve also experienced ceilidhs, pies, hot chocolate and porridge and I’ve joined the rowing team – I have a great time with the team in the water, in the gym and in the pub!”
Dr Carol Hill, Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Glasgow, Dumfries Campus said: “It is always fantastic to hear the personal stories of our students and I am delighted to learn of Leonie’s success in the University of Glasgow’s My Story Competition. I would like to congratulate Leonie for gaining third place in the competition and to thank her for taking the time to share her story and fly the flag for Dumfries & Galloway. We are fortunate to attract students from all over the world to our lovely campus in Dumfries which truly enhances the cultural experience of our students wherever they are from. At the last count, we had students studying with us in Dumfries from 27 different countries and they all have a personal story to tell.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about studying with the University of Glasgow in Dumfries can visit www.glasgow.ac.uk/dumfries or come along to any of our forthcoming information sessions: Environmental Science & Sustainability Info Session (Monday 27th March, 3pm) and Health & Social Policy Info Session (Wednesday 29th March, 3pm) – both in the Rutherford McCowan Building, Dumfries Campus. Register online or email: [email protected]. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch and arrange another time to visit.
