BIENVENUE EN FRANCE

Barbara Schudel-Simpson (French and German, 1968) has been an alumni volunteer since 2013, when she became a Country Contact for Exeter alumni in France.

She has organised numerous reunions and events in the Country and in 2020 won the Nicholas Bull Award for the Exceptional Support of the Alumni Community, at the Exeter Alumni Volunteer of the Year Awards.

BIENVENUE EN FRANCE

Barbara Schudel-Simpson (French and German, 1968) has been an alumni volunteer since 2013, when she became a Country Contact for Exeter alumni in France.

Barbara first arrived at Exeter in 1964 to study Modern Languages and still maintains a strong connection more than 50 years later.

She says: “I came to Exeter simply because a friend in the year ahead of me had chosen to go there! We were both at a BFES (British Forces Educational Schools) school in Germany and I had no family in the UK. As my Dad was in the Forces we had moved every two years and had stayed abroad.

“There was no researching on the internet in 1963 obviously, and I had very little information with which to make a decision, but I looked Exeter up on a map and it was in a nice part of the country. I discovered the language department had a good reputation AND the boy/girl ratio was 50:50 which was so unusual at that time! After I’d put in so much hard work getting to university, I wanted a social life as well as a degree!

“When I arrived I found Exeter to be very pleasant and the campus was very picturesque – it still is, but back then there was even more space.

"My family were still in Germany when I arrived in Exeter, which entitled me to a hall of residence and I lived in Jessie Montgomery at Duryard. There was about a half hour walk uphill to all the main buildings – everyone always remembers the walk! At the time everything was very modern and new, in halls I had a comfortable room of my own and there was always plenty of socialising to be had. Plus I had a grant, so I had no financial problems, which was a relief from previous tight budgeting.

“I loved life at Jessie Montgomery with its formal dinners and social activities. Plus we had some of the best groups come to play at the university – dances and concerts were a big part of life. I made so many friends from all different horizons, it really was an amazing time.

“At the end of the first year I spent a semester at a German University and then a whole year abroad as an English assistant in France. These were wonderful experiences, but it did mean that by the time I returned

many friends had graduated and moved on and it was harder to readjust to university life after a year at work.

"After Exeter I did another year as an English assistant near Vienna in Austria. I think I was putting off a decision as to where to work and what to do in life! You didn’t need a teaching certificate at the time so I could take this opportunity in Austria and put it off a little longer.

"When the year was over I could have come back to the UK, where my parents had now retired, and done the teaching certificate; I had the chance to go back to Germany; I had a boyfriend in the south of France; and I was also offered a job as a teacher in Austria.

"But I didn’t go to any of those places, instead I joined the COMEX 3 expedition to India (three months there and back), and put everything on hold a bit more."

Barbara at university

"I left all my things in Vienna so on the way back COMEX dropped me off there and I went in to this empty room after having lived with young people for three months, and I just packed my bags and left.

"I wrote a nice letter to the Ministry of Education saying essentially that my heart had made the decision for me, and I wouldn’t be taking the job. And I came to France to join my French boyfriend and started all over again with studying and training to be a teacher in France.

"Two years later we were married. In 2021 we’re celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary! With our three sons and four grandsons so it was definitely the right decision.

"As for my career, I had to do a Licence-es-Lettres and a Maitrise and become French. I taught as a supply teacher for 10 years, but I eventually got the CAPES and ended my career as an Agrégée - so all’s well that ends well - a UK degree in French and German and a French degree in English and linguistics!”

Left: Barbara graduating in June 1968 with boyfriend Arnold, who had hitchhiked up from Marseille. Right: Arnold and Barbara today. They celebrate their 50th wedding anniversay in 2021.

“For a number of years I became somewhat cut off from the university during my life in France, simply too busy being a working mother I suppose. I remained on the University’s contact list and received magazines etc., but there was no opportunity, as far as I knew, to meet up with anybody - unlike today. Later on, I had wanted to attend reunions but I couldn’t as I was unable to get away from my teaching job during the academic year.

“Once I had retired, I attended a House of Lords Alumni event in 2013 and afterwards was invited to become a Country Contact. I have enjoyed being one ever since! I help to organise reunions and other events in France and through these I have met so many alumni and made new friends.

“It has never felt like a burden. It takes a little time to organise an event but when you’re retired time is your own, you can do what you like!

"Plus a Country Contact is never alone, you have the university officers to help you as well as other Country Contacts.

“When I found out I’d won the Volunteering Award I was so surprised and thrilled. It was such an honour and such an encouraging acknowledgement that I am doing something positive. Over the years, alumni events have been highlights in my life, not only because I met old friends, from my time, but because I also made new ones - our University was the binding factor. On each occasion, I was made to feel that I was ‘family’ and this is reward enough. This is what motivates me - and this is how I hope others will feel, too.

“I am looking forward to a time when we can get back to reunions and meetings. I hope to welcome our alumni in France down here to the south within the next year, but we have to see how things go. I have my fingers crossed!”

Barbara with her Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award

Read more about the Alumni Volunteer of the Year Awards here. If you would like to become a Country Contact, or learn more about volunteering in your Country, please visit the website. And to learn about activities taking place where you live, find your local network here.