It's nearly upon us: the return of the students! Yes, the new influx of 'freshers' (first years) for the University of Southampton will be arriving Saturday September 30th and Sunday October 1st.

However may I take this opportunity to say a big welcome to our new International Students who will be arriving week beginning 25th September. All International students will be living in halls of residence either based at Glen Eyre or Wessex Lane We take in students from all over the world but particularly from Europe and China because Southampton University has a very good reputation internationally. This is of key importance because of the increasing competitiveness of the international student market.

Coming here is a very big step for these students - moving in to a foreign country, speaking a language that isn't your natural one, having to cope with the demands of a degree and indeed making new friends and making sure you enjoy yourself. Not to mention the financial worries - forget top-up fees - international students pay the full whack to study at University in England, which is in the region of £10,000 per year.

We run lots of events for them at the Students' Union and they will be getting a full induction to the University and life here. This is why we ask them to arrive a week before everyone else so that they can get adjusted to life here when it is still (relatively!) quiet!

I hope that the City will welcome these students to Southampton and indeed the United Kingdom.

I will be posting back next week about arrivals of the main bulk of the student body which is when University of Southampton new students arrive.

However Southampton Solent University students will be arriving on the 25th of September so local businesses I'm sure will be happy with the increased amount of customers in the town centre that week!-------