Arrivals day is always a bit hectic, but with three sessions already under their belts, the staff at Lady Margaret’s were well prepared to handle any niggles the day could throw at them. 

As buses and cars began to draw up outside the college gates, the campus slowly filled with students, parents, and younger siblings who’d come to see them off.

Once everyone had checked in and collected their keys, our counsellors helped with getting luggage to the students’ rooms and making sure everyone got to know their neighbours. Though there was a little nervousness at first, soon students were beginning to come out of their shells and there was a warm friendliness in the air as our students congregated on the lawn for refreshments.

After everyone had grabbed something to eat or drink, it was time to head inside for some induction talks. They covered everything, big and small, from campus and timetable information to a quick reminder to always show their international peers respect and apply themselves fully in classes.

The rest of the evening took a much more casual turn, with icebreaker games like splat and the name game helping students get over any last shyness and have some fun. As everyone grew more comfortable, a couple of board games, football matches and even some rounds of Twister kicked off too. 

By the time curfew arrived, It was clear everyone was starting to feel relaxed and at ease on campus. The students headed off to bed tired after a long day of travelling and getting to know each other, but filled with excitement for the two weeks ahead.