From an uncertain international student stepping off the plane in a new country, to becoming Union President — my journey at the University of Derby is proof of what strong support and community can make possible.
I still remember the day I left Delhi. The goodbyes at the airport were heavy with emotion—hugs that lingered, promises to call often, and the unspoken fear of stepping into the unknown. As the plane took off, I stared out the window and wondered: How will I cope so far from home? Will I find people who understand me? Will I belong?
Arriving in Derby felt like landing in another world. The streets were quieter, the air colder, and everything—right down to the way people queued—felt unfamiliar. Those first days could easily have been overwhelming, but the University of Derby made sure I never faced it alone. Staff and student volunteers greeted me with smiles that felt genuine, not rehearsed. Orientation events gave me not just information, but comfort. Simple things like help with registering at the doctor’s, or learning how to use the buses, made me feel less like a stranger and more like someone who was wanted here.
Academically, the shift was intimidating. In Delhi, I had been used to structure and memorisation. In Derby, the emphasis on independent thinking and critical analysis left me questioning if I was “good enough.” But the support was always there—tutors who patiently explained, workshops on academic writing, and fellow students who reassured me that struggling in the beginning was normal. Slowly, my fear of failing turned into confidence that I could grow.
But perhaps the most important support I found wasn’t academic—it was human. The wellbeing team reminded me that it was okay to miss home, to feel lonely and to sometimes cry. Cultural societies gave me a way to celebrate my Indian roots, sharing food, festivals and stories that reminded me of home. The Students’ Union gave me opportunities to connect, to laugh, to volunteer and to be part of something bigger than myself. Little by little, Derby began to feel less foreign, and more like a second home.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would one day become Union President. When I first stepped off that plane, I was just hoping to survive. But the encouragement I received, the community I found, and the belief others had in me gave me the courage to stand for election. Winning wasn’t just a personal achievement—it was proof of how far I had come and how much Derby empowers it's international students to not just study, but to lead.
Looking back, my journey is filled with emotions—fear, homesickness, hope, and joy. What ties it all together is the unwavering support I received at the University of Derby. That support turned my doubts into determination, my loneliness into belonging and my dreams into reality.
When I left Delhi, I left behind familiarity. But in Derby, I found a new family.