International students pay tribute to Cumbrian kindness

On November 23, people travelled from across the world, or watched online, as their family and friends crossed the stage at Carlisle Cathedral to collect their degrees.

Upon speaking to numerous families from a vast range of continents on a typically wet and windy day in the border city, there was a common consensus among students young and old that Cumbria had become a second home for them. 

All paid tribute to the friendliness shown to them by the people of Cumbria, as well as the help and support they had received from lecturers and tutors during their time at the University. 

Sylvester Suaray, from Sierra Leone, was especially grateful as he earned a degree in leadership and sustainability, graduating alongside his friends Aderoju Debo and Sid Ahmed Hamdani, from Nigeria and Algeria respectively.

He said: "The journey today has been a short one but the journey from where I started has been a long one from Africa. I came here to gain knowledge in Cumbria, which is a wonderful place. It is a great achievement for the nations we are coming from.

"It is a great, diverse university. Cumbria is a great place, everyone smiles at you as you walk by, which is what everyone wants. I hope people come from across the world to experience Cumbria's open and welcoming atmosphere."

Leslie, from Hawaii, has family connections to Cumbria (Image: NQ Staff)

Leslie Harper, who lives in Hawaii, studied at the University of Cumbria as part of its partnership with the Robert Kennedy College, and was joined by his wife, while other family watched on from the USA and Canada.

He said: "This is a special place for me, because my great, great grandfather owned a riding training facility in Millom. This has been my ground and my home territory for generations. It has been very unique and very special. I've soaked it all in and enjoyed every moment. Carlisle is a great city, the hospitality is wonderful and in spite of the wind, it has been a perfect day."