Support to settle into UK student life
Peace said: “I had a warm welcome from day one. The University’s support system for international students ensured I felt supported even before I reached campus.”
Aligning study with ambition
Originally from Nigeria, Peace chose Southampton because of its strong academic reputation.
“It’s place as a Russell Group member and its up-to-date curriculum with trends in the global fashion industry made it the perfect place for me to study postgraduate Fashion Management.
“Moreover, it aligned closely with my ambitions to contribute to the sustainable development of the fashion industry, particularly in Africa and Nigeria,” said Peace.
Moving to the UK
This was the first time that Peace has travelled outside her home country of Nigeria, so arriving in the UK was a significant milestone.
“But I was warmly welcomed by some of the student union ambassadors at the airport and there was a coach to bring me down to my halls of residence in Winchester,” she recalled.
Living in Winchester School of Art’s halls gave Peace a strong sense of community and reassurance during her first weeks in the UK.
She said: “Right from the night I moved in, I have enjoyed 24-hour support from the friendly staff. They helped me to identify and move my luggage to my room. I have always received an immediate response when I needed it, they have made it easy to settle in.”
This support carried on across her studies with staff ensuring she was adjusting socially and academically.
“All staff I have been in contact with are always ready to help, from my course lead, personal academic tutor and teaching staff, to the people in the student hub, library or IT support,” she added.
One of the highlights of her time was attending the International Scholars’ Reception that gave her the opportunity to network and build connections.
“The experience helped me build friendships and professional networks that have continued beyond the event itself,” she said.
Learning through industry
Peace says her time at Southampton’s Winchester School or Art has been inspiring, with excellent facilities that facilitate effective learning. One of the standout projects for her has been working on an industry report.
The report involved analysing how sustainable UK finishing company LaundRe integrates technological services into their operations.
Peace explains: “It was my first introduction to sustainability practices and implementation in the fashion industry. It made me understand that sustainability needs practical implementations and we need to move beyond talking to providing real-life solutions.
“It influenced my final project that was exploring sustainable fashion adoption strategies for micro and small enterprises in Africa. Strategies such as finding solutions to minimise fashion waste and weighing carbon emissions are what companies like LaundRe focus on but they are not inherently operational in Africa.”
She hopes to eventually apply these lessons and strategies to her own fashion.
Feeling at home in Winchester
Outside of her studies, Peace has enjoyed settling into the city of Winchester and adapting to life in the UK.
She said: “Living in Winchester is calming and safe. I love the historical ambience of the city as it makes it easy to connect with the history of England and Britain.
“Living in halls of residence with students from other countries has broadened her cultural experience.
Looking to the future
Once she finishes her degree, Peace plans to work in the fashion industry and gain industrial experience, maximising all of the knowledge she has gained from studying Fashion Management.
“I would like to work on the development of sustainable fashion models that would be particularly applicable to aid the growth of the small and micro fashion industry in Africa and Nigeria. I hope to run my own fashion business incorporating circularity and sustainability to contribute to mitigating the environmental impact of the fashion industry.”