The Essex Problem

We have started the endless round of University visits again. It doesn't seem like four years since we last looked. Somehow, you imagine it will be easier with the second child, as you've looked at them all before but you haven't. We looked at 12 out of 109 Universities for my daughter and my son isn't interested in any of those. It seems such a huge redponsibility: to support them in choosing the place they will live and study for the next three years (at least).

Yesterday, we visited Essex University. It wasn't high on his list because it's tricky to leave home and be independent when you move somewhere that you could walk to in 5 1/2 hours. 

It was a University that the Long Suffering Husband and I had discounted, thinking it wouldn't be good because you never appreciate what you have on your doorstep. We were, however, pleasantly surprised. It felt like somewhere we understood. 

Having lived in Essex all our lives we recognised the quirks and humour of the place. When we took the accommodation tour, we knew about the historical extraordinarily high suicide rate and so were not as surprised by the Towers as other parents. The acres and acres of green didn't make us turn to each other, wide eyed and say, "It's like a huge park." When the information brochure suggested we look for Campus Cat and feed the ducks we nodded sagely. I have a couple of friends who are doing postgraduate studies at Essex and they have often told me about how Campus Cat sits in History lectures about China, doing her Chaiman Miaow impression or how the ducks have been persuaded to spell out 'Happy Birthday' with the clever placement of toast crusts.

I was a bit disappointed not to find Campus Cat but I did see a couple of one legged ducks and every talk we went to mentioned toast.

After one talk I heard some parents say that the lecturer had contradicted himself. They were right, he did but this was entirely due to the Essex problem. 

He was describing some of the reasons to come to Essex. "It's very diverse," he said,"there are people from all cultures here. I always say to the foreign students that they should fall in love with a local girl. If you want to know about a culture, get to know the Phillipino students, see what they eat but they don't. They all stay in their little groups." He also said that living is Essex was brilliant because it was close to London but it wasn't London. I've always thought that was Essex's major disadvantage. The county loses out on funding and culture because, well, why bother when you can be in London in an hour. He said that you wouldn't want to go to a London University because London was horrible but his suggestion for sport Wednesday's was to hop on a train and go and see a show. 

Whether you are from Essex or not, a visit to one of their open days is a must, if only to have a go on the library lift and add to your collection of pens, canvas bags and lanyards. The library lift is an amazing contraption, one that forces you to be brave, and take a leap of faith. 

Where else could you go, where someone could say, "I'll take you up the paternoster," (as happened to my friend in freshers week), without you having to slap them?