Right at the beginning of my journey here, being a passionate and sprouting BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design student, the thing about AUB that really sealed the deal for me was the campus design – everything about it just felt right. From the clever integration of colour and sustainable features to the little pockets of quiet and natural ambience away from the main courtyard; everything combined felt akin to an adventure I’d never want to stop going on, with so many corners of campus to explore.
The chill music on most days ringing through the open space makes my time on campus that much more enjoyable. It also helps that the graduate artwork is everywhere – impossible to miss, and inspirational to walk past even on a grim day when heading to my part of campus first thing in the morning. It’s a welcome kick-start to my day, reminding me why I’m here, what I came here to achieve, and how each day I come in and engage is watering that seed.
My course tutors are not only well versed in their subject but their passion is infectious. When I ask for advice in tutorials, despite finding the material new and confusing, the tutors are insightful and attentive, genuinely interested in my ideas. Their advice helped me see things from a different angle, like light through a prism, igniting a burst of colourful ideas and approaches in design that have shaped me both as an architect and as a person. From being a bit of a hermit artist before, too shy to show my work to others and learn from their critique, I would say I have come quite far in now being able to present with more confidence and faith in my ideas. Hopefully the future holds more ticks in graduate trait boxes for me, as I constantly work to improve myself both as a designer and as an individual.
Hailing from Hertfordshire, I admittedly hadn’t even heard of Bournemouth until I applied through my art teacher (which is shocking considering I did A-Level Geography!) But it turned out to be a smart decision, because a few months later I was meeting people who I never thought I’d meet, experiencing things I never thought I’d be brave enough to try. If anything, I feel like I owe some of this new chapter of my life to him, as I don’t know which university I would’ve ended up in otherwise.
I have always tried to sprinkle a bit of my hometown as inspiration for my work and my lifestyle in Bournemouth, despite the two being quite different from one another, such as trying to sustain a healthy diet, like I could with the local produce available to me in my village back home, and drinking lots of herbal tea too. This aided in making the first year uni experience much more soothing and calming when the stress built. But it didn’t stop me exploring new things in my new town.
Among my favourite spots in Bournemouth town, aside from the ice cream stands at the beach and the vista from the cliffside, are the doughnut stand near the pier, bubble tea at Tealith, Trove, the rock shop, the gardens, Franco Manca and the Flying Tiger shop. The craft fairs and society meets were highlights of my time on campus this year outside of the lectures and studio time. I’d say one of my greatest memories was winning my last debate with the Debate Society in October – receiving so many compliments I didn’t think I was deserving of at the time – and when life threw its curveballs at me a few days later, and bereavement hit like a tsunami, even though I haven't been able to return to the society this year, it’s a memory and an experience I hope to relive soon.
Wrapping up the year, much of which was filled with challenges both academic and aside – it was a rollercoaster of bereavement, homesickness and many moments of questioning my future – but by the end of it, each experience helped to mould me into the person writing this now – someone who undoubtedly grew from being too afraid to go anywhere alone to yearning for my next solo adventure.
There is no straight path to success, nor is there one to a fulfilling life. While I had not expected to experience so much both good and bad this year, there is a reward that has come out of all of it, being that I now know a bit more about who I actually am, and where I am going – an ex-dilemma that once used to follow beside me like a shadow now feels a little less scary to face. And I would hope the same for anyone – to start university with a million questions but a drive to make it through, and to finish each year with answers, a clearer sight on themselves and the path ahead.
So, if you're reading this and are about to begin at AUB soon, know this: everyone, like you, is on their own journey, and maybe like yours, it's not always a simple one. Be thoughtful and considerate to your fellow students, and spread some goodness around in every way you can. Give people the best impression of you that you can, even if you aren’t always getting it right. The effort pays off eventually, and by the end of your time here, you’ll have undoubtedly grown from a sapling to a capable, strongly rooted graduate with a world ahead to conquer. If you’re anything like me, I hope you too will find a lesson to learn in every experience, and will carry this through your studies with confidence.
