Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Buddy Network for new international colleagues
Leeds Beckett is committed to be a globally engaged university. Our international buddy network has been set up to support people joining the university from overseas.
This network aims to make the transition to working in the UK easier by giving you the opportunity to contact a Leeds Beckett colleague who has experienced it themselves and is able to support based on their own real-life experiences.
What do i do next?
If you feel that this could be of benefit to you, please have a read through the profiles below and decide who you would like to get in touch with. Please contact buddies directly (using the contact details below) to introduce yourself. Buddies are happy to be contacted in advance of you arriving in the UK and can help with a range of practical questions that you may have.
Francesco Addesa
"Living and working abroad is at the same time challenging, as it is not always easy to adapt to different cultural aspects, and fascinating, as it helps you open your mind and see things in different perspective. This certainly makes you more complete both as a worker and as a person."
Renan Petersen-Wagner
"My dream was to go abroad for my PhD studies. In 2010 I moved to England, first staying in Durham whilst doing my PhD, and then moving to Coventry for my first full-time lectureship position (Tier 2 visa route). In 2016, I moved to beautiful Yorkshire to take my current role as a Senior Lecturer in Sport Business and Marketing."
Greta Stout
"Having lived abroad in several countries over the years, I am aware of some of the challenges that can be faced, and I feel highly fortunate that I have adjusted well to life in the UK and have now made it my home. I’d be very happy to assist any new or prospective colleagues with any advice or support I can offer."
Martina Topic
"I returned to the UK to work in 2014, having been a City University of London student in 2006/07. The British system of HE will drive you mad at first, but then you will learn to love it! I came a long way from getting offended by colleague’s disagreement on my marks to being an external examiner, course leader, etc"
Ali Sajjadi
"I joined Leeds Beckett in 2009 as a part-time lecturer. Three years later I became a full-time member of staff. I started with a Tier 2 visa, after five years I got Indefinite Leave and one year later I got my British passport. I am more than happy to help new international colleagues who are going through the same journey."
Meri Nasilyan-Lowe
I started my journey in the UK as an international student at Uni of Oxford, then Uni of Manchester, and since graduating in 2017 life kept me here for personal and professional reasons. I have now applied for my indefinite leave to remain (5-year route) and upon grant will start the naturalisation process to citizenship. The path is not an easy one; but it surely has its rewards – an opportunity to make new connections and find new purpose in a new country. Working in HE has enabled me to share my experience as an international colleague, appreciate working with international students, adapt, and develop a sense of belonging. I am happy to offer my support to new or prospective international colleagues.
