My experience as an international student at LBU: the growth, challenges and memories

Academic highlights

I started my postgraduate journey with full of excitement and anxiousness in a completely new country, without any friends and wondering how this journey would be. The postgraduate academic year started with a bang, diving into challenging modules, coursework and group projects. I was completely unaware of how the marking criteria, references and citations works while doing the assignments. I was really delighted when the university skill learning team stepped forward, taking repetitive hours of classes to teach students how the assignments are done. This made me realise that university is considerate and always ready to offer help towards students.

As a university student, I always try to use the university facilities to the fullest. So, I started digging and roaming around to look for the available facilities. From using library facilities, Global village organising various social events, the joy of using free shuttle bus to attending various events happening inside university. Interacting one on one with professors in seek of learnings, using all the free online resources materials provided by the university to help with assignments. One highlight was completing a research project on sustainability in the hospitality industry, something I never imagined I’d be so passionate about. It wasn’t easy balancing deadlines, but the satisfaction of submitting that final paper made it all worth it. I am truly grateful to everyone who helped me throughout my academic journey including my family, the amazing professors, admin team of school of hospitality and events.

Jobs and Opportunities

As an international student, finding a job in a new country can be difficult. The unfamiliar job market, cultural differences, and navigating academics made it feel overwhelming at times. However, this year, I managed to secure not just one, but two casual roles via the university that enriched my university experience in unique ways. It was really big deal for me to land these jobs which has taught me to grab any opportunities that come my way.

Landing the role of a Global Student Ambassador was a significant milestone for me. This position gave me the chance to represent the university, assist at events, and share my experiences with prospective students. It felt rewarding to contribute to creating a welcoming environment and being supportive for other international students, just as I had experienced when I first arrived. I am glad that I could be helpful to the students and make them feel at ease and comfortable. Also, side by side, as an event assistant, I had an opportunity to work behind the scenes of campus events. From setting up venues to ensuring everything ran smoothly, this role taught me practical organizational and multitasking skills. One of the best highlights was working for the biggest graduation event where I learned how the biggest events are managed internally. It also helped me feel more connected to the university community.

Both roles were casual jobs, but they were more than just work. They gave me a sense of independence, boosted my confidence, and helped me adapt to life in a new country. These experiences have not only enhanced my CV but also shaped my personal and professional growth. I'd like to appreciate and be grateful to every colleague whom I met during this job period.

Friends and memories

From sipping a salted caramel latte while having lunch for less in a friend group I got to know people from diverse countries who later turned into my closest friends. Those fun moments during autumn sitting at Beckett Park for a picnic to roaming around campus in summer to see flowers blooming, taking countless pictures and ending university journey in cold snowy weather. We witnessed these seasons with laughter, shared stories, and we soon realised how deep our friendship has become regardless our barriers in language, cultures and backgrounds that we come from. Those are unforgettable experiences which are going to last a lifetime.

We celebrated birthdays, helped each other through exams, and supported each other during tough times, learning to rely on one another. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how these friendships blossomed, not despite our differences, but because of them.

Personal Growth and lessons learned

As my postgraduate journey comes to an end, this year was full of challenges. Balancing work, studies, and social life pushed me to my limits, but it taught me the importance of time management and self-growth. I also learned to embrace uncertainty. As I look forward to the next year, I’m filled with excitement. Whether it’s pursuing new opportunities, diving deeper into shaping my career or simply creating more memories, I know this year has prepared me for what’s to come. The personal growth that I've felt within myself will really help me to land greater opportunities.