Global Study Lounge: What People Say (Testimonials)

What difference does the Global Study Lounge make to the students and staff who use it?

Students and staff have shared their experiences of the Lounge, from studying and meeting new people to taking part in activities, running workshops, and collaborating with colleagues across the University.

 

What Students Say

Students rate the Global Study Lounge 4.8 out of 5.

Here is what they say about their experiences.

 

"The Global Study Lounge and its mailing list helped me feel more connected and supported at university by providing a welcoming place to study, meet people, and be part of a friendly community. I’d definitely recommend getting involved and making the most of the events and opportunities available - don't miss out!"

Fatimah Al-Shwefi, LLB Law, Iraq

 

"The Global Study Lounge gave me the chance to get involved in more activities than I expected. It’s such a calm, cosy, and open space to spend time in."

Undergraduate Study Abroad Student, Department of Languages and Cultures, Germany

 

"The Global Study Lounge helped me a lot, especially because it kept me up to date with things I might otherwise miss with its signposting newsletters! It’s a fun place where you can meet new people and enjoy a really welcoming atmosphere."

Undergraduate Study Abroad Student, Department of Film, Theatre, and Television, Taiwan

 

"The Global Study Lounge gave me a really good break from my studies and helped me feel less alone at university. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone and meet new people."

Undergraduate Student, Reading School of Pharmacy, Nigeria

 

"The Global Study Lounge helped me learn more about different cultures and hear lots of different opinions and perspectives. It’s a really fun and welcoming place to be."

Undergraduate Student, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, Hong Kong

 

"I enjoy spending time with my friends at the Global Study Lounge, and you can really see how much effort the organisers put into making it enjoyable. There’s always plenty to do."

Rebecca Ugwueze, LLB Law, UK

 

"The Global Study Lounge gave me opportunities to discuss ideas, meet people I otherwise wouldn’t have met, and build confidence in sharing my opinions and speaking with new people. I’d highly recommend it, I already have to others, especially as it gives you many opportunities to use for the RED awards."

Undergraduate Student, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, UK

 

"The Global Study Lounge, and its Event Notices, helped me stay informed about what’s going on at university while also giving me a fun place to spend time with friends."

Jayashree, MSc Digital Business and Data Analytics, India

 

What Staff Say

The Global Study Lounge is also used by colleagues from across the University for teaching, workshops, meetings, events, and collaborative activities.

Staff rate the Global Study Lounge 4.8 out of 5.

Here is what they say about their experiences of using the Lounge and working with the Global Study Lounge team.

 

"The Global Study Lounge is a spacious and welcoming environment with lots of natural light, comfortable working areas, and a layout that really encourages collaboration. I’ve used it both as a quiet study space and for leading workshops, and it creates a safe and supportive atmosphere for people to meet, create, and work together."

Sharla Attala, Department of English Literature

 

"The Global Study Lounge offers a great mix of informal and more formal spaces, making it ideal for teaching sessions, writing retreats, and social gatherings. It’s also a really friendly environment where students can meet friends and develop language skills in an informal setting."

Dr Sonia Hood, Study Advice Manager

 

"The balance between organised activities and self-study space in the Global Study Lounge works really well. The events and mailing list are also a great way of helping students discover the support and opportunities available across the university and in the wider Reading community."

Sarah Mattin, Academic English Programme Director, Global Academy

 

"The layout of the Global Study Lounge is excellent for talks, workshops, and events that combine presentations with group discussions. The international theme of the space also makes it especially suitable for events involving schools and global engagement."

Associate Professor, Department of Languages and Cultures

 

"The mailing list has been incredibly useful in helping students stay informed about programmes and talks throughout the year, helping to raise awareness and encourage involvement."

Dr Alicia Pena Bizama, Life Tools Programme Manager, Student Wellbeing Services

 

"The Global Study Lounge is a fantastic space for students to study and connect, particularly for international students who may feel less comfortable in larger study environments. It offers a relaxed, informal atmosphere that feels very welcoming."

Associate Professor, International Foundation Pathways, Global Academy

 

"The Global Study Lounge is an excellent environment for meetings, workshops, and team events. Its flexible layout, breakout spaces, and collaborative atmosphere make it easy to run engaging and productive sessions for a wide range of groups and activities."

Professional Services Staff, Women’s Springboard Network

 

"The Global Study Lounge fosters huge potential for collaboration across different university teams and language programmes and actively seeks it! It’s a calm and safe space that can be especially valuable for students who may feel anxious or unsure about other study environments."

Lecturer, Department of Languages and Cultures

 

Hear more from our Students

Want to hear more about student life at the University of Reading? Explore more first-hand experiences and perspectives from our students through our blogs, videos, and podcasts.

The UniBuddy University of Reading Blog allows you to discover student stories, experiences and insights from students at Reading.

Watch our International Student Chat to hear directly from international students about their experiences of studying and living in the UK and at the University of Reading.

Listen to the University of Reading Voice Podcasts on the University of Reading Student Life YouTube channel to hear students share their experiences and perspectives.

Explore the University of Reading Student Life blog for more student stories, experiences and insights from life at Reading.