The One Where I Rep Exeter So Hard

British love.

The University of Exeter, probably (read definitely) the best university in the world. True story. Yesterday was the delight that was the University of Ottawa's international student exchange fair thing, not quite sure what grand title it was they gave it in the end. But it was an opportunity to spread the Exeter love. And boy did we get our message across.



No representatives from other British unis saw fit to come and represent, so sorry Birmingham, Reading and Kent but we made sure that anyone who was considering putting you as first choice changed their mind at put Exeter instead. In a way, it was the kindest thing to do. Who in good conscience could let a poor Canadian soul live in Birmingham for a year? The fair was a really bad day for denouncing ethnic stereotypes: the Brazillians were giving out coffee; the French turned up in berets; the Russians had a doll collection; the Spanish fell asleep and us Brits were demonstrably sarcastic. We were just prepping hopefull exchange students for what awaits them in good old England!

As much as we love Exeter, we did have to be somewhat economical with the truth in order to completely sell our uni. For starters, we said that it never rains in the South West. Which is about as true as saying that blue frogs are addicted to crystal meth. Plus we shaved off an hour of the time distance between Exeter and London and said that railway transport in Britain is phenomenal. Look, by the time the exchange students get there, it'll be too late to turn back and go home. The Canadians we met at Exeter pre-departure meeting told us some non-truths, we're just engaging in a circular conspiracy of exchange students.

The main thing I realised is just how much I love Exeter, and I really do mean love it. Flicking through all the promotional literature, I felt a pang of longing to be on the Lopes lawns, or strolling through the Forum, panting my way past Peter Chalk and ambling romantically past Reed House. Exeter is a beautiful place and not just in its architecture and landscaping, but in all the wonderful memories that it holds. I just love it. I just love it!

But NB to The Guardian who provided the quote that Exeter students always have a smile on their face, take your cameras to Cardiac Hill and see what kind of facial expressions you get.

This is me with my permanent smile.