My International Development and Politics offer-holder day experience

When I first received my offer to study International Development and Politics, I was excited but unsure whether the university was really for me. That’s why I decided to attend the offer-holder visit day and honestly, it made a huge difference in how I felt about my choice.

Walking around the campus on the day itself was so much more eye-opening than any website or TikTok video could be. I got to see the lecture halls, the library and student common spaces in person, which helped me picture what life there would be like. I had visited other university campuses before, but none of them felt quite right. UOB’s campus was picturesque and seeing it in person made it so much easier to imagine myself studying and living there.

One of the best parts was meeting current students. I had questions prepared beforehand, but at the time I was mainly focused on non-academic aspects, things like social life, sports and what it’s like to just be on campus. Talking to students about their routines, societies and clubs gave me a much clearer picture of what to expect. It was also helpful to meet some of the academics during Q&A sessions. Even though I didn’t know much about international development yet, hearing directly from lecturers and current students gave me insight into what it would be like to study it, which was reassuring.

I also came with my parents, which was useful; they got a sense of what the experience would be like and could help me think through the practical aspects of un life and ask the important questions, such as safety, accommodation prices, etc. Being able to ask questions together and see how the campus worked made the day feel both insightful and exciting.

The visit day also made me realise what I was really looking for in a university experience. Being on campus and seeing everything first-hand helped me understand whether the atmosphere, community and opportunities were the right fit for me. It gave me a clear sense of how I might spend my time, who I could connect with and whether I could see myself thriving there. For me, UOB absolutely did.

So, my advice for future offer holders? Just ask questions and engage. Explore the campus, talk to as many people as you can and pay attention to the aspects that make it feel like a place you could belong. Seeing UOB in person helped me picture myself there in a way that no brochure could and made my decision much easier.