Alumna shares memories of Exeter

“Life in Exeter from 1977 to 1981 was probably very different in many ways to life here as a student today. First of all, there were only about 5,000 students. It felt quite close-knit, with lots of people knowing others and on the combined French and German course we were kept very busy.

“We seemed to have lots of contact time – lectures, tutorials, seminars, language classes, language lab. It felt we were forever in Queen’s. I still have the piles of French and German plays, short stories and novels we had to devour term after term. In fact, I still re-read them (or sometimes their English translations).

“Devonshire House had the feel of a 1960s coffee bar, with coffee served in small glass cups and pasties were served in the Ram. The Roborough (reading room) was the social hub for many but the German department favoured the German reading room in the (Old) Library. At that time most modern language graduates automatically went into teaching it seemed, but I knew I wanted to combine my love of languages and travel with a business environment.

“I started off gaining practical experience of the travel industry by accompanying mainly US and other English-speaking overseas visitors on coach tours of ‘Eastern’ Europe, crossing the Iron Curtain and giving them a glimpse into the GDR, Czechoslovakia and Hungary. From here I progressed into a large tour operating company where I gained a tremendous amount of experience in a very short time, being offered roles encompassing hotel contracting, operations, general management and product and marketing.

“However, working for myself beckoned and by the end of 1988, so seven years after leaving Exeter, I had set up Expressions Holidays with £100 and started trading early in 1989. So, with a 12-page brochure, no website of course, but trusting to classified ads in the broadsheets, and quite a bit of PR, the company started to grow organically. Clients came back and recommended us. So, by about 2008 we had a turnover of over £7m. During the recession we downsized on purpose, as clients did cut down on luxury holidays, moved out of London (we’d been based in Belsize Park NW3), and relocated to Devon.

“We employ graduates, often with languages in a sales roles, and often from Exeter. That, too, has changed. We find so many now that want to remain in Exeter after they’ve graduated, having been seduced by the sense of well-being they derive from the city and its surrounds.

“COVID-19 has been an immense blow to 30 years of successful trading. We have managed the transition and await better times that we are confident will come, in one way or another, but perhaps differently. Our portfolio means we have versatility and can offer top quality product, with personal service, to whatever destinations open up first. Being of a resilient nature, it means we have to look forward, think of being a start-up again, but with heaps of experience and a database longing to experience the true joys of authentic travel.

“The final, really important, thing to note is that the friendships forged in that first year in Birks have stayed firm since then. We might have more contact with some than others, but when we do have the chance to meet or talk, it’s just like yesterday.”

Marcelle during her time in Germany during her year abroad:

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Images (c) Marcelle Hoff‌