Alena
Studt

Alena Studt, BSc (Hons) Equine Behaviour, Health and Welfare

"There were many reasons for why I chose to study at NTU. I think the course content and the campus played an important role in my decision-making, Brackenhurst is such a beautiful and very welcoming place. When I first arrived at Brackenhurst, I felt like I had been here before and it all felt quite familiar, after a couple of days, I quickly realised that this was due to the people."

"Everyone who studies at Brackenhurst shares something in some way and I think it is this connection that makes Brackenhurst so special to me. Another important factor was the course itself, which quickly caught my attention. It is exactly what I am interested in and you constantly expand your horizon and learn new things, which is super exciting!"

"Expanding your own horizon each day is something I enjoy a lot, because for me personally there is no end when it comes to learning. There are so many new and interesting things you come across and you think “oh wow – I would not have expected that” and then you are keen to discover this new area. That’s exactly what makes the course so interesting and enjoyable for me."

"The lecturers are all extremely supportive, approachable, helpful, and very friendly. When you come from a different country, you of course have some expectations, and I can say that these have been exceeded. The lecturers are super experienced and manage to keep a nice balance between being a lecturer and offering support with personal problems that you might encounter during your time at university."

"The tutors are brilliant too and the tutor meetings are very helpful during your studies. They are also quite helpful for general feedback and knowing if you are on the right track, what I think is beneficial. It is good to know if what you are doing is enough or not, in order to improve and achieve the best you are aiming for."

"The facilities at Brackenhurst are great, especially the Equestrian Centre which is amazing and where I spent quite a lot of my time during my first year. The mechanical horse is something that not many other students have, and it is a good way to improve and or learn. There are quite a few facilities at Brackenhurst, so it is difficult for me to say which one I have used the most, but I guess that it is the dining hall. The food there is just delicious and the dining hall itself gives you a feeling of an older, forgotten era, very beautiful – and definitely worth a visit."

"Do not forget your rain hat and waterproof boots or wellingtons! And be prepared to walk a lot between Bramley (where most of the lectures take place) and the Equestrian Centre. You will learn a lot and question yourself, because this course works closely with scientific research why it is important being open-minded and being willing to learn, adapt and to consider changing old habits or patterns."

"Horses are more intelligent than most people would think. I think one of the most valuable things I have learned so far is that we should question some traditions in the Equine industry and go out into the world and try to change things. Another important factor I have learnt is that we should adapt to these changes and not the horses. It is us who should try and learn as much as possible about horses, expanding our own knowledge when working with them or questioning people’s practices."

"I can highly recommend studying at NTU, the Brackenhurst Campus is a fantastic place to study. Everyone at NTU has been extremely supportive and especially the lecturers and personal tutors, thank you for that!"