Last Monday (14 October), I had the honour of being part of the Keynote Panel Discussion at my university's Civil Showcase. The Civic Showcase is held to show persons in the Kingston upon Thames borough what Kingston University students bring to Kingston.
I still can't believe that I was asked to do this, which leads to the title of this hopefully short post. Think of it as a gentle reminder to you, my fellow international students!
Being an international student is not an easy role and I think some of us go to university to 'just get our degree'. We know what is on the line as our tuition fees are WAY higher than that of home students and ensuring we leave with an amazing grade is usually what is on the forefront of our minds.
I want to encourage you that if you are like the international student I sort of described above, please make your time at your university more than leaving with a great degree. You're hurting yourself by not living in the full university experience and getting stuck in.
Get involved in societies (academic or otherwise) that spark your interest including faculty talks led by lecturers who don't teach you. Volunteer, whether it is through long term, short term or one off. Speak up when you need to. You may not be an outgoing person, but you can make a contribution even with a whisper.
I will say something I'm sure you know already; the fact that you are an international student is your unique selling point in so many areas. You have experiences many of your classmates don't have and they will find it fascinating.
Wear your home country's flag proudly in your host country, because you truly never know what your involvement in university activities can mean for your future.
In many senses I may be an anomaly because I genuinely like all of the extra things I do outside my degree. Doing a law degree is tough, and something the attendees at the panel discussion found amusing when I said it. My extra curricular activities are my solace and fill me with joy!
So here I was on Monday, as international student from the west coast community of Anse-la-Raye on the island of Saint Lucia, West Indies speaking on a stage with some of the leaders in the borough.
I take pride in being an ambassador! For my faculty (special shoutout to the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences), the Law Department, Kingston University and my community back home!
Being far from home is never easy, but knowing that I'm representing them well, eases the burden... sort of!
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