Dozens of students enjoyed a day out at Harry Potter studios thanks to DSU’s Give It A Go.
*UPDATE: We're still delivering you magical trips like this one, just not under the Give It A Go name anymore! Find out more by following @LifeDSU on Twitter...*
Dozens of students enjoyed a day out at Harry Potter studios thanks to DSU’s Give It A Go.
Give It A Go, launched at FreshFest ’15, focuses on getting students out of their normal routines and engaging in something different from those events and activities that are often associated with being a student.
Programme co-ordinator Fern Beard said that more than 400 students have already taken advantage of the trips organised by Give It A Go, as well as many more engaging with on-campus events.
30 students made the journey to Hertfordshire and Fern, a big Harry Potter fan, said that the students were just as excited as she was for the tour of the studios.
She said: “The studios were magical. I have been before, but Platform 9 3/4 wasn't there and seeing it all in the snow really was exciting.
“The collection of students that we went with were very excited and we even had a set of twins celebrating their 21st birthday with us!”
One of the attractions that students got a chance to see was the actual set used to bring Diagon Alley to life. You can see a full album of pictures from the day on Give It A Go's Facebook page here.
Fern said that one of her favourite moments of the day was watching the twins open the door to the Great Hall in front of hundreds of people.
First year LLB law and criminal justice student Laura Toher-Hindle, 18, had a couple of favourite moments of her own.
She said: “I massively enjoyed it. It was fantastic to see behind the scenes and become part of the Harry Potter story – an incredible experience.
“I would say I have two favourites; the first was when the door leading to the Great Hall was revealed and we could enter the hall the same way the characters did.
“This was also the first behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Harry Potter Studio Tour so the anticipation was high and it was all very exciting.
“To then walk into the Great Hall and see it all done up for Christmas was amazing – rather magical in fact!
“The second was when I walked into the room with the model of Hogwarts.
“I thought the tour had ended and so was not expecting to turn a corner and see a massive, snow-covered model of Hogwarts there in front of me.
“It was such a surprise that it made me a little emotional!”
The tour ends with a huge scale model of Hogwarts Castle.
Events are now being organised for the start of next term and ReFreshers, and Fern said that now is a great time to get involved, especially as the program aims to cater for as many people as possible.
She said: “We are currently in the process of booking things for ReFreshers and the beginning of next term which include a themed quiz, collaboration with the Blazeit Lazers society to run a trip to Lazer Tag, a trip out to Mecca Bingo, a trip to Cadbury's World and another to the Space Centre.
“Students should get involved because there really is something for everyone, and if there isn't a trip for you, we might be able to make one – you just need to get in contact and if there is enough interest, we'll do it!
“University can be stressful and your time here will fly by – trust me, I'm a third year, so why not see what Leicester and the Midlands has to offer for rock bottom prices, thanks to DSU.”
Laura added: “Give It A Go is such a good idea because it gives everyone so many amazing opportunities to experience some fantastic events that help make each person's time at university the very best it can be.”
For more information about Give It A Go visit their page here or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.