Anna, Year 3 Student Ambassador
Hi! I’m Anna, I’m 20 years old and from the UK.
Why did you choose to study at the ESO?
I had visited other osteopathic courses around the UK before I went to the ESO open day. I can’t lie, when I turned up to my open day the traffic had been bad and I was late to the start, if I didn’t live so far away I might have turned around at that point! The moment I saw the Boxley campus I knew it was the place for me. All the staff and students were so friendly, I instantly felt at home. If I had to pin-point a moment on my open day that has stuck with me it would be the lunch. I remember it was quite busy with the extra people looking round the school so there weren’t many spare seats but you could see as one person got up someone else would sit down and you could really tell how much of a community it was.
Did you have any specific concerns before joining the ESO?
I think my biggest worry was finding where to live. I joined ESO straight after I finished my A-levels and so ESO not having specific accommodation was a little daunting for me when I’d be moving 6 hours from home. In the end it wasn’t a problem, I met a lot of my classmates at the 1st year applicant picnic and I found two other students that were my age also looking for accommodation, so we decided we’d find somewhere together. The ESO also produces an accommodation list, which helps to find free rooms in other ESO student houses which was helpful.
What do you enjoy most about studying at the ESO?
I love the ESO so it’s hard to say anything specific. I think one of the best things is the community. Everyone is so close and all the years are very happy to help each other if you’re struggling. Also the diversity among the students is amazing, everyone has such a different background and is so enthusiastic.
What is the student life like at the ESO?
Life at the ESO is very fast-paced and it’s a tough course so you need to be dedicated, but if you’re struggling your classmates are always there to help and everyone is going through the same thing.
When you’ve got time off work the Student Association often have events on like themed parties and barbecues. We had a mud-run around Boxley this year, which was really fun and there’s a climbing and surf club who organise trips away.
What are your aspirations once you’ve graduated?
The ESO has so many amazing connections so I quite like the idea of spending a few years working in New Zealand or something like that. Long term I see myself working in a clinic, I love the team atmosphere and I think it’s a good move when you’ve just qualified to keep learning off more experienced osteopaths.
If you could sum up your time at the ESO to date, what would you say?
Fast but amazing. I know I made the right choice for me choosing the ESO, I’ve met so many amazing and like-minded people. I see why lecturers are wanting to come back!