Meet the ñޘdolphin doctorñޙ student living her dream thanks to Clearing
Tsian Deslandes moved from Trinidad and is using her experience to reassure others
Tsian Deslandes working in the Confirmation and Clearing call centre
Tsian Deslandes was born in England, grew up in Trinidad and told her mum she would be a ñޘdolphin doctorñޙ from the age of three.
But, with caring responsibilities and unsure of her academic ability, she wasnñޙt sure if she would be able to pursue higher education.
After a call to the ññޙs Clearing hotline, she was accepted so began to plan her future halfway across the world.
Now in her first year of
BSc (Hons) Ocean Science and Marine Conservation , she describes the ñޘbest decision she ever madeñޙ and is helping students secure their own future by answering the phones in this yearñޙs Confirmation and Clearing call centre.
Coming to university is a big life experience for anyone, but for Tsian Deslandes it was huge.
Within two weeks sheñޙd gone from working in a shop in her home of Trinidad to studying at the ñ.
Supporting her single mum to look after her grandma, and not convinced she was clever enough to go to university, she completed her A levels and was working out what to do next.
But her mum encouraged her to consider Clearing and, after a phone call and emails to confirm her place, there was nowhere else Tsian wanted to go.
She said:
ñޜI grew up by the sea and told my mum I wanted to be a dolphin doctor, so I wanted to study by the sea too. I remember a ñ international representative handing me a prospectus when I was young. It looked wonderful but, frankly, I didnñޙt think I was clever enough for uni, let alone come to one over in the UK.
ñޜMy mum is my absolute inspiration and when she mentioned Clearing, I thought ñޘwhy not?ñޙ letñޙs just pick the phone up and see what happens. Never in a million years did I think Iñޙd be accepted and moving halfway across the world within a fortnight.ñޝ
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Tsian with her mum, grandma and sister
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Trinidad and Tobago
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Tsian, aged 8, swimming with a dolphin
Tsian was accepted onto
BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability , and was looking forward to her learning experience. Then just over a year in, she decided to transfer to
BSc (Hons) Ocean Sciences with Foundation Year to help truly pursue her dream.
She said:
ñޜLong-term, I want to work in protection and restoration of sea animals, alongside improving access to the sea and its benefits for disabled people. My cousin has non-verbal cerebral palsy and sheñޙs my inspiration for the goal.
"Having a foundation year has enabled me to learn the academic skills that underpin the learning, and the whole course has been just what I wanted to do.ñޝ
In addition to the academic requirements, Tsian had to adjust to a new city in a new country, and passes on her advice to those worried about fitting in.
ñޜI just threw myself into University life. The best thing you can do is get out there and meet people.
"I went to international welcome week, found friends, and theyñޙve become like my family. Within my time at uni Iñޙve also been Chair of the Studentsñޙ Union Tropical Island Society, and Chair of the Environmental Society, where I organise beach clean ups. Itñޙs certainly been busy but surrounded by great people, itñޙs been brilliant.
"Even on a day when things get difficult, I just walk up to the Hoe, itñޙs the most wonderful setting and helps me stay connected with the ocean."
On a boat trip in ñ during welcome week
Working in the Confirmation and Clearing call centre
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With best friends from uni, Kelsey and Anais
Tsian concluded:
ñޜI also think one of the best things Iñޙve done is become a Student Ambassador, and through this role I support new and prospective students ñޓ which Iñޙm really looking forward to doing through the Confirmation and Clearing Call centre.
"People are so nervous when they phone up, and I remember that only too well, so I just imagine Iñޙm talking to myself when I speak to them.
"Wherever youñޙre from, uni is a big leap, youñޙre going to be afraid. Half of my heart is in Trinidad, half is at home, but get the right people around you and it makes it 10 times easier. People are friendly here and I feel so supported, so just give us a call, you never know where it might lead.ñޝ
Faculty of Science and Engineering
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