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Why I choose to Study at University of Exeter



Thinking about pursuing a Master’s degree has always intimidated me. I’ve never imagined myself to enrolled in such an advanced education.
The ideas of continuing my academic journey, exploring a new environment, and stepping out of my comfort zone felt overwhelming.
But somehow, I was here, at the University of Exeter. Now, there are a lot of questions running through my mind, like Am I making the right decision? What’s an introvert like me doing here? Am I good enough to be here? Regardless of these questions, there has to be a reason behind this since I am currently here, right?


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To be honest, during my undergraduate degree in Communication Arts, my dream was to be a great and memorable storyteller.
My career revolved around making movies, developing meaningful stories, and grinding my skills to be a part of something big in the industry. Filmmaking always makes me feel excited and enthusiastic; it allows me to explore my passion for creativity more deeply. Therefore, I thought a higher education seemed to be unnecessary. As time went on, something changed. While working in a creative studio, I found myself in a competitive environment where I quickly realized my knowledge was not enough to take my projects and myself to the next level. That’s when I craved more knowledge and decided to search for a place to pursue my master’s degree.


 


In the beginning, I was searching for the best place to study for Master’s and The UK was one of them. Influenced by my aunt and cousin, since they already lived in the UK for many years, I started searching for a place to study related to the digital world. Exploring the internet, finding and researching a university that would suit me. Until my cousin, who is an alumnus of the University of Exeter, suggested me to take a look into this university. After going through the university website, I found myself interested in the Digital Marketing course. It offers a wide perspective on marketing in the digital world, especially about communicating effectively. I’ve also found that the University of Exeter was ranked 153rd by QS World University Rankings in 2024, which is impressively high. Without any hesitation, I decided to apply for this University (This was a very bold move from me… -1 point). 










A few months went by, and I finally stood in the UK. The first thing that I love about Exeter is the environment, which is filled with fresh air, nature, and a glimpse of the city. However, I was scared about whether I could live on my own mentally and socially.
Since I stepped out very far from my comfort zone, I decided to try tons of new things and be open to everyone. I got to meet new people from various nationalities and cultures from the university. With these new experiences, I am curious to meet more people and learn about their lives and cultures.




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Atlas, I am currently studying at the University of Exeter, and I am thrilled about what awaits me in the future. It’s an emotional ride, from my home country to the University of Exeter. What once felt intimidated and overwhelmed now feels like an opportunity for growth, creativity, and exploration. As I en route in my academic journey, I am excited to see how the knowledge, skills, and relationships I hone will shape my future. Although pursuing a Master’s at the University of Exeter was a bold move, it’s still a decision that I would never regret.

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References:


Figure 1: The University of Exeter. Reprinted from https://sidmouth.gov.uk/directory/exeter-university/

Figure 2: Best Country For Master Degrees [Eduopinions] Reprinted from https://www.eduopinions.com/blog/study-abroad/best-countries-for-masters/

Figure 3: University of Exeter. Reprinted from https://www.exeter.ac.uk/about/facts/facts/