Lloyd Spence - Caller Profile

Why did you choose to study at Aberystwyth?
There were a number of reasons I guess.  I wanted to go to a university that was far enough from home that I wouldn't have a reason to go back and forth a lot.  Also, the Welsh Assembly was offering incentives for Welsh students to go to Welsh universities and so Aber ended up as one of my five shortlisted universities.  Then my brother, who is an Aber grad, told me that I definitely had to go to Aber because it would be the best time of my life and I guess that made my mind up.  I am now in my fourth year here and, for once, he was right.

So what is it about Aberystwyth that you like so much?
It's difficult to explain really.  There is just something about the town that grabs on to you and pulls you in.  There is a brilliant sense of community here and everyone is really friendly.  Because there are so many students crammed into such a small town, it is almost impossible not to make friends and you sometimes find it difficult walking down the street without bumping into someone you know.  
The locals are great as well.  I imagine it must sometimes be annoying having a huge influx of students every year, yet they are always so friendly and welcoming.  They are always willing to stop and chat or help out and I think that goes a long way to explaining why the atmosphere here is so cheerful.  

What is it like to be part of the Annual Fund?
I really enjoy it.  This is the fifth time that I have been part of the call team so I guess I'm something of a veteran.   I think getting to talk to Alumni is really interesting and you definitely hear some great stories about their time at Aberystwyth.  Everyone I have spoken to seems to have very fond memories of the Uni and the town and a lot of people appear genuinely interested in what the callers have to say which is really nice.  
Being part of the team is also fun because there are always a few characters.  It also is a good way to meet a load of new people and having a call team that really gets on with each other can be important for morale.  It's also nice having people to go for a drink with after a night of calling.

What do you make of the response you have had from the Alumni?
Incredible, in a word.  I am extremely proud of being an Aberystwyth graduate and to know that there are so many others who feel exactly the same is really uplifting.  If you look at some of the things we have been able to achieve in the last few years and then realise that they have only been possible because of the support of the Alumni, it is amazing.  
I also love that many of the people we talk to will have had long days at work or looking after children and yet are still happy to pick up the phone and have a twenty minute conversation with a current student.  It really does make a massive difference and you can always tell when one of the callers has had a nice chat with an alumnus or an alumna because the mood in the room goes up a notch and everyone is so much more cheerful.

Brilliant.  Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yeah, on behalf of the students of the University I would like to thank the alumni that have supported the annual fund.  It has made a huge difference and hopefully this year will be no different.
I would also like to personally thank all the alumni that I have spoken to.  I have been given career advice; been told some hilarious stories; and heard some inspirational stuff and I am sure the rest of the call team feel the same way.  It is always a pleasure.