Meet the ‘dolphin doctor’ student living her dream thanks to Clearing

Tsian Deslandes moved from Trinidad and is using her experience to reassure others
Tsian Deslandes, aged 8, with a dolphin. She is now studying Ocean Science and Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth
Tsian Deslandes working in the Confirmation and Clearing call centre
Tsian Deslandes working in the Confirmation and Clearing call centre 
Tsian Deslandes was born in England, grew up in Trinidad and told her mum she would be a ‘dolphin doctor’ from the age of three.
But, with caring responsibilities and unsure of her academic ability, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to pursue higher education.
After a call to the University of Plymouth’s Clearing hotline, she was accepted so began to plan her future halfway across the world.
Now in her first year of BSc (Hons) Ocean Science and Marine Conservation , she describes the ‘best decision she ever made’ and is helping students secure their own future by answering the phones in this year’s Confirmation and Clearing call centre.
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Coming to university is a big life experience for anyone, but for Tsian Deslandes it was huge.
Within two weeks she’d gone from working in a shop in her home of Trinidad to studying at the University of Plymouth.
Supporting her single mum to look after her grandma, and not convinced she was clever enough to go to university, she completed her A levels and was working out what to do next.
But her mum encouraged her to consider Clearing and, after a phone call and emails to confirm her place, there was nowhere else Tsian wanted to go.
She said:
“I grew up by the sea and told my mum I wanted to be a dolphin doctor, so I wanted to study by the sea too. I remember a University of Plymouth international representative handing me a prospectus when I was young. It looked wonderful but, frankly, I didn’t think I was clever enough for uni, let alone come to one over in the UK.
“My mum is my absolute inspiration and when she mentioned Clearing, I thought ‘why not?’ let’s just pick the phone up and see what happens. Never in a million years did I think I’d be accepted and moving halfway across the world within a fortnight.”
Tsian with her family - Marlainer (mother), Lesley (grandmother) and Raphaela (sister)
Tsian with her mum, grandma and sister
Trinidad and Tobago, Tsian's home
Trinidad and Tobago
Tsian Deslandes aged 8, with a dolphin
Tsian, aged 8, swimming with a dolphin
Tsian was accepted onto BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability , and was looking forward to her learning experience. Then just over a year in, she decided to transfer to BSc (Hons) Ocean Sciences with Foundation Year to help truly pursue her dream.
She said:
“Long-term, I want to work in protection and restoration of sea animals, alongside improving access to the sea and its benefits for disabled people. My cousin has non-verbal cerebral palsy and she’s my inspiration for the goal.

"Having a foundation year has enabled me to learn the academic skills that underpin the learning, and the whole course has been just what I wanted to do.”
In addition to the academic requirements, Tsian had to adjust to a new city in a new country, and passes on her advice to those worried about fitting in.

“I just threw myself into University life. The best thing you can do is get out there and meet people.

"I went to international welcome week, found friends, and they’ve become like my family. Within my time at uni I’ve also been Chair of the Students’ Union Tropical Island Society, and Chair of the Environmental Society, where I organise beach clean ups. It’s certainly been busy but surrounded by great people, it’s been brilliant.

"Even on a day when things get difficult, I just walk up to the Hoe, it’s the most wonderful setting and helps me stay connected with the ocean."
Tsian Deslandes during international welcome week
On a boat trip in Plymouth during welcome week
Tsian Deslandes working in the Confirmation and Clearing call centre
Working in the Confirmation and Clearing call centre
Tsian Deslandes with her two bets friends from uni, Kelsey and Anais
With best friends from uni, Kelsey and Anais
Tsian concluded:
“I also think one of the best things I’ve done is become a Student Ambassador, and through this role I support new and prospective students – which I’m really looking forward to doing through the Confirmation and Clearing Call centre.
"People are so nervous when they phone up, and I remember that only too well, so I just imagine I’m talking to myself when I speak to them.
"Wherever you’re from, uni is a big leap, you’re going to be afraid. Half of my heart is in Trinidad, half is at home, but get the right people around you and it makes it 10 times easier. People are friendly here and I feel so supported, so just give us a call, you never know where it might lead.”
Close-up view of huge ocean waves