The Harper Adams Experience 2014 - video and pictures

Posted 10 July 2014

Watch the video on our YouTube channel.

More than 200 teenagers immersed themselves in the world of Harper Adams University this week, during the annual residential taster course.

Rebranded for 2014, The Harper Adams Experience plunged prospective students into university life for 24 hours.

“It gives them a much better idea of what studying at Harper Adams is like than any of our open days or campus tours afternoons,” said Helen Foster, one of the HAE 2014 organisers.  

“The Harper Adams Experience began late on Sunday afternoon, straight after our summer open day, with a series of social events, from an ice breaker, to dinner in the student dining hall, to a beach party in the Students’ Union bar.

“We had loads of fun attractions – a bucking banana, mocktails, flash-cab, popcorn and candy floss stalls, coconut shy and, of course, our student DJs recreating the atmosphere of the legendary Harper Adams SU club nights.

“They then stay overnight in the student halls of residence before getting up bright and early on Monday morning – some very early to watch milking at our dairy, having breakfast together then trying out course-related activities arranged by our academic staff, assisted by student ambassadors.

“It helps them to decide whether they like the course areas, whether or not they think Harper Adams is right for them, and hopefully make new friends.”

“I signed up because it looked like a really good experience,” said participant Hannah Durling. “I wanted a taster of what university life would be like, to meet new people, and to look at the courses at Harper Adams. It has definitely made we want to come here more – Harper Adams will be one of my top choices!”

Liz Broom added: “It looked really fun, my friend was going as well, so I thought I’d go along because Harper Adams was one of the places I was thinking about applying to. It has definitely confirmed to me that it would be a really good place to come and study”.

“I came last year and met some people, then I realised they weren’t going to be in the same year as me, so I have come this year to meet more people,” added Ed Bullock. “I loved it so much last year, I came again! I’m interested in studying agriculture – maybe with a specialism. My favourite part has been the activities and the party.”

For Sam Duchesne, whose sister Beth has just completed a Harper Adams degree, the best part was “looking at the tractors and testing their power”.

The Harper Adams experience confirmed to Martha Guise that the university is right for her: “I want to do agriculture. I think the best part was the social aspect and I realised that you don’t have to be in a classroom the whole time to learn. I definitely want to come to Harper now!”

Megan Pemberton: “It has made me a bit more confident about going to uni, now I know what the accommodation is like and what it will be like on a day-to-day basis. It made me realise that I want to be on a campus, in a smaller environment rather than in a big city. I really want to come now!”

New activities for 2014 included extended campus tours, to help those who had never visited the university before, a student life talk and a student panel Q&A. HAE participants were able to submit questions on paper to be put to a panel of student ambassadors. Topics included opportunities for nights out, sports clubs, study hours, and top tips for first years arriving on campus.

Use the hashtag #HAE14 to find out more about The Harper Adams Experience.