There is so much exciting stuff happening on campus this month I don't know where to begin! I'm so looking forward to Diversity Week with some great activities going on. This month there are also some traditional activities going on across the UK - Wales will celebrate it's national Saint's Day on Tuesday 1 with a wave of leeks, daffodils and singing; the country will go green and drink a pint of Guinness for Ireland's Saint Patrick's Day on the 17 and we will honour our Mums on Sunday 6 when it's traditional to call home, send a card and a bunch of flowers. Feel free to join in the celebrations!

Huge congratulations to the Chinese Student Scholars Association and to everyone who volunteered and came to the Chinese New Year Celebrations on campus. We think more than 3000 people enjoyed the weekend, making it our biggest yet.

All the best,
Zoe Rutterford
Student Support Officer: Transition and Integration

Mental Health Week is the University and Students’ Guild’s annual campaign aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues, how to recognise it in yourself and others around you, as well as the support you can get whilst at University.

There are a whole host of workshops to get involved with including mindfulness, meditation, sports, and budgeting. Or why not just drop by the Mental Health Fair in the Forum Street on 3 March (11:00-15:00).

Find out more and get involved on the Students Guild website

Hosted by the International Students Council, Diversity Week is an amazing week of activities, exhibitions and performances.

This year it includes:

6 March -  Sport Day
7 March - Information Point
8 March - Model UN (MUN)
9 March - International Food Fair
10 March - Diversity Week's Got Talent

Come and watch, eat and support. And don't forget the glittering Diversity Ball on Friday 11 March. Tickets sell out fast and include food and a fabulous cabaret performance.

Check out  facebook  for more details.

• Do you love Exeter?
• Do you want to help new students settle in?
• Do you enjoy talking to people?
• Are you friendly and enthusiastic?
• If so, the WELCOME TEAM 2016 NEEDS YOU!

The Welcome Team are a group of very special student volunteers who help new students to settle in at Exeter during Freshers’ Week and beyond!

Quick Facts

• Freshers' Week is 12 -20 September 2016
• You must be studying at Exeter and a currently registered student during Freshers' Week 2016.
• You must be available on Streatham campus for training on Thursday 10 September 12-8pm
• You are responsible for organising your own accommodation.

Every year students contact us in the summer to be a part of the team and it is too late! Don't delay, apply today.
Click here for online applications. Applications close 28 February.  

Do you love Exeter? Do you want to help new students settle in but you don't want to commit to the Welcome Team? Global Chums is the campuses largest mentoring programme for non UK students. This year we are looking for over 100 mentors to participate in the programme.

Quick Facts

• Programme lasts for 6 weeks at the beginning of term 1 and term 2
• You must be a registered student to be a mentor
• You must attend one training session

Applications for mentors open on Tuesday 1 March. Click here for more information

We would like to remind students living off campus about the Student Community Warden scheme. The Wardens are students who are employed by the University to help support students living in private accommodation. If you have problems with rubbish and recycling, have a query about your accommodation, or would like to ’security mark’ your valuable items – the Wardens are here to help.

Help with Rubbish and Recycling

Living in private accommodation? Confused by Exeter’s Refuse collection rules? Unsure what to recycle?

The rules regarding how much rubbish you can dispose of has changed and we understand that some students are still confused by the new system.

We are keen to support students to recycle as much as they can. If you have any queries or would like to arrange a time to chat with our friendly Student Community Wardens, please email streetwise@exeter.ac.uk

If you simply need to check when to place your rubbish/recycling outside – look for the bin icon on the iExeter App and add your postcode. Your bin collection cycle will then be ready for you to view at the touch of a button.

Want to become Student Community Warden?

Student Wardens help support students who live off campus and help promote good community relations, they also instigate their own community projects. We would particularly welcome more applications from international students studying at Exeter.

Email Rory Cunningham for more information.

Do you have friends at home who are interested in studying at Exeter but can't commit to a full degree programme or a semester here? Why not recommend our July Summer School? It's the perfect time to experience Exeter and there are lots of exciting study options. Click here for more information.

If you are planning to travel to Europe over Easter you may need to apply for a Schengen visa. This type of visa allows you to visit certain countries within Europe and travel between them using only one visa. 

Occasionally, students loose passports and visas when they are travelling. We hope this doesn’t happen to you but in case it does you can find out how to replace them here

Essays due? Can't find the book you really want in the Library? What do you do next? The answer lies in knowing how to use ALL the resources the library has effectively. Have a look at the Library & Research Skills module in ELE.

Now is a great time to start building a strong base of transferrable skills valued by employers across the world. The Exeter Award provides you with the perfect opportunity to do this! Sign up to skills training and events to get ahead of the competition.

If you would like to learn more about potential employers, or to simply find out more about a specific industry, click here for a list of events coming up. You can also check out the Global Employability website for more advice on working during or after your studies.

Get your skates on and get ahead of the pack!

Wouldn’t it be great to get that Exeter Award in the bag before summer?If you are leaving the University this year it will help you get ahead of the 300,000 other graduates entering the job market. On the other hand, if you are a returning student, wouldn’t it be great to sign up for the Exeter Leaders Award?
Staff are waiting to mark your Exeter Award application form, and
Interview Experience sessions are available to book now... the rest is down to you.