FARNHAM town has once again extended a warm welcome to the University for the Creative Arts’ latest cohort of international students, at an event organised by the Rotary Club of Farnham and Farnham Town Council at Farnham Castle.

The students were accompanied by a number of senior staff led by the new UCA vice chancellor Bashir Makhoul, and following an introduction, were invited to take guided tours of the historic 12th century building, and to enjoy food and drink as they met with peers and members of the local community.

The annual international students reception is arranged to introduce these new members of the community to some of the historic context in which they have chosen to study, and on behalf of the town council, deputy mayor David Attfield welcomed the students to Farnham and encouraged them to participate in the life of the town.

For the Rotary Club of Farnham George Alford reminded students that the Rotary movement extends to over 200 countries and so shares their international heritage.

He added a challenge to both students and staff of the university to take part in the club’s charity Cyclathon at the Maltings on March 18. This will raise funds for the international campaign to end polio and several local charities such as Step by Step, Farnham Hospital and Phyllis Tuckwell, and details as to how to take part can be found at www.cyclathon.rotaryfarnham.co.uk

Professor Makhoul, UCA vice chancellor, spoke of the opportunities that university education makes possible as he introduced the event, which was attended by around 50 international students.

He also spoke from personal experience about the important relationships that international students can form in the shared experience of studying in the UK. One of his contemporaries from his student days remains someone with whom he collaborates in writing books, he said.

International foundation in art, design and media student Dylan Jun Yen Khoo, who is from Malaysia, said he chose UCA due to its high rankings and because he is keen to pursue a career in the creative industries. Of his experiences of Farnham so far, he said: “I like it because we get to connect with people and it’s a small community.”

Sarah Orio, a student from the United States studying the graduate diploma: art and design, said: “I did my Bachelor’s degree in graphic design in Spain and one of my tutors had actually studied at UCA and she recommended it to me. I looked into it and really liked it.”

Talking about her experiences of UCA so far, Sarah added: “I really like that they have a lot of everything, so I can try new things, and they have a lot of workshops.”

UCA attracts students from as many as 91 countries worldwide, with more than a sixth of UCA’s student population coming from overseas. The university’s strong links to the creative industries combined with the town’s rich craft heritage make Farnham a unique and exciting place to study the creative arts.