John Cole

BSc Countryside Management

Killyleagh, Northern Ireland

"What drew me to Aberystwyth was the course, and where it’s situated, is beautiful compared to any other big city. The best thing I like about Aberystwyth though, are the people, they’re all so friendly, and it’s a small community of students, so most people know each other.

What I like best about my department is the staff, they’re brilliant. Everyone’s so friendly and easy to approach if you need help with anything. The University has its own farms, too, which are close by, which is great. We also have field trips but we never have to travel far as we’re so close to the countryside.

I go to squash club Monday and Tuesday nights, and match is on Wednesday and socials are on Thursday nights. Socials just involve going out in your squash kit, which makes you look like an idiot, but it’s fun.

It was easy to settle in, even with my northern Irish accent, I was worried that people were going to understand me, but after a while you settle in. You have to make friends, and it’s quite easy, it comes naturally and the University helps. The department put on different events for you to go to, to help you relax and make friends.

I first came on a Visiting Day and got to talk to the lecturers about the course, which helped me a lot. I learnt more about the course and what I could expect; we were also shown the accommodation that was on offer plus we were shown around the seafront and the town. I’d really recommend Aberystwyth – it has a brilliant atmosphere, especially for rural sciences and biological sciences – everything's here on your doorstep."