Xiaohongshu
Each July a new team of Sabbatical Officers start their year in office, leading Students' Union UCL. The new team are getting settled into their roles right now.
What do they do?
Sabbatical Officers are elected student representatives who take a year out from their studies to work full-time on behalf of UCL students.
They represent your interests at the highest levels of the university, sitting in senior meetings where key decisions are made and ensuring your voice is heard.
They lead campaigns on the issues that matter most to students, organise events and initiatives that build community, and work with university staff to make meaningful improvements across campus - from influencing university policy and advocating for student welfare, to championing academic representation and creating opportunities for students to get involved.
How did they get here?
You voted them in! During our leadership race back in March, over 17,000 of you took part in Vote Week (a record-breaking election!), where you picked the students you wanted to lead the Union this year. Before they got stuck into their roles, we asked each of them what they plan to focus on this year, alongside their all-important advice for new students...
Students' Union President - Christian Kumar Chambers-Gray
I wanted to be a Sabbatical Officer because I love UCL. UCL was built on a simple idea: that everyone, regardless of race or religion, has a right to an education.
That principle still defines us. Our community is rich with diverse talent, creativity, and intelligence, and everyone who joins us should carry that with pride. We should be proud to be part of UCL, and I know UCL is proud to have you.
Students deserve to be heard, and too often they aren't being listened to. Students are going hungry, face higher debts than ever, and have fewer job opportunities than the generations before them. That isn't good enough. You deserve better. It’s a real honour that students chose me to work for you and represent the UCL student body alongside the other five Sabbatical Officers.
What do you wish you’d known about UCL before you started?
How much help and opportunities are sitting there unused. UCL and the Students' Union have so much help on offer for you (that’s what we exist for) hardship funds, an advice service, wellbeing support, volunteering opportunities, jobs, free workshops and the list goes on and on.
Far too many students never utilise it, either because they don't know it exists or because they feel they shouldn't. I wish I'd known sooner that using that support isn't an admission you can't cope; it's just doing what you need to, to get through. If you need it ask early and ask often.
Favourite London area to live/to eat/to socialise?
If you love the outdoors like me, a proper day out, or you're just missing the countryside, my favourites are Hampstead Heath, Richmond, and Wimbledon Village. Also worth a trip: the Walthamstow Wetlands and reservoirs, a personal lesser-known favourite.
To eat: if you like desi food, Southall has the best in London. And a few of my favourite spots near campus: ·
- Breakfast: Fortitude, Granger & Co, Victoria House, Honey & Co
- Lunch: Canopy Market (Coal Drops Yard), Ta'Mini, the International Food Market (TCR), Hiba Street Food
- Dinner: Lina Stores, Norfolk Arms, Parrillan, Apollo - and many more
- For daytime and coffee, take a stroll around Marylebone or one of the lovely coffee shops near campus.
On living here: London can be hard, especially while you're learning to budget. For a lot of people, this is their first time doing it. Bloomsbury is obviously the most convenient place to live, but it's also one of the nicest: beautiful squares, and one of the best central locations where you somehow still don't feel like you're in central London. And living in student accommodation this close to campus in first year comes with a whole host of benefits, make the most of it!
Activities and Engagement Officer - Audrey Lau
I first came to London with no connections whatsoever, rocked up to Freshers’ Week, and was almost immediately inundated with the sheer number of activities on offer. I love our student community so much, and as President of Drama Society I saw a lot of things I wanted to change about the Students’ Union. I saw running to be a Sabbatical Officer as an opportunity for me to make a real difference.
As a Sabbatical Officer, I want to continue to champion our Union as a space led by students and made for the students. I want everyone to feel empowered through our clubs and societies, and for us to make that experience even better than ever. UCL isn’t just about our world-class degrees but also about the connections and skills you can gain through your time here. We’re at a pivotal point in our development as an organisation, and I’m so excited to get started.
Your advice to new students?
Try absolutely everything and anything! We have something for everyone and so many different activities to choose from, whether it’s sports, volunteering, the arts, and more. It can feel overwhelming (you’ll never be spoilt for choice), but it’s never too late to do something new. Consider yourself a sponge..
Recommended must-do things in London?
I love a nice walk along the Thames, going past Shakespeare’s Globe, all the way down to South Bank, and to Waterloo. There’s a second-hand book market that’s tucked underneath Waterloo Bridge (and the National Theatre coffee shop does £5 espresso martinis on Fridays). You should also take advantage of the free museums all over London - the Victoria and Albert Museum will always be my favourite, but Sir John Soane’s Museum is a funkier experience!
What’s your coffee order and where do you go?
I'm partial to a latte from Print Room and sitting in the South Quad (with a sweet treat). My favourite off-campus spot closest to Bloomsbury would be Store St. Espresso. Also, getting a reusable tumbler saves you so much money!
Education Officer - Sarah Jilani
For me, becoming a sabbatical officer was about having the chance to change things for the better at UCL. I’m aware of the privilege that comes with accessing higher education, while also recognising the many pressures students face throughout their university experience.
Over the course of my degree, I’ve had conversations with so many students that highlight shortfalls in the system which are fixable, but not always fixed. For this reason, I wanted to run for Education Officer: to create a more accessible and supportive academic environment.
I’m all too aware of students feeling unheard on important issues such as mental health, divestment, and academic support, and so this role was an opportunity not only to ensure students were listened to, but to help turn their concerns into meaningful change.
Recommended must-do things in London?
Sunrises and sunsets! Whether you’re watching with friends or by yourself, taking a bit of time to watch the city change between day and night can be a really nice way to slow things down amidst the chaos of uni life, and take a moment for yourself! Primrose Hill has a special place in my heart, but there are lots of free, accessible rooftops around which make for pretty viewpoints (I’ve also stumbled upon some accidentally in central London, so keep an eye out)!
It’s also fun to hire a bike and ride it at this time – one of my favourite ‘ah I’m living and studying in London!’ moments was cycling over London Bridge as the sun was rising one morning!
What do you wish you’d known about UCL before you started?
I wish I’d known that when everyone says university will go by quickly, it really does - so make the most of it! Being at university in central London means there is a wealth of opportunity on your doorstep, so my advice would be to say yes to things you’re unsure about or that scare you, and get stuck in.
You never know what niche society could become your new favourite hobby or what event could open doors you never expected. And if you don’t end up loving it, you may have just added a fun story about the time you tried horse riding (or something equally unexpected) to your university days.
Postgraduate Officer - Anam Choudhary
Throughout my time as a postgraduate student at UCL, I noticed that PG students often felt like an afterthought our needs and experiences are so different from undergraduates, yet we rarely had a strong, dedicated voice at the table. I wanted to change that. Standing as Postgraduate Officer felt like the natural way to channel my passion for student welfare into something meaningful, and to make sure postgraduate students taught and research alike feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported.
What has been the best part of your UCL experience so far?
The people, without a doubt. UCL draws students from every corner of the world, and some of the most thought-provoking conversations I have had in seminars, in the library, over coffee have genuinely shifted how I see the world. The intellectual energy here is unlike anywhere else, and I feel lucky to be part of it.
What do you wish you’d known about UCL before you started?
That it is okay to slow down. UCL moves fast and there is always more you could be doing, reading, or attending. I wish someone had told me earlier that rest is part of the process, and that your worth as a student is not measured by how busy you are. Also register with a GP in the first week. Future you will be very grateful!
Equity and Inclusion Officer - Rawleka Wilson
My journey with Students’ Union UCL started in my first year, when I became a Hall Rep. Since then, I have stayed closely involved in student leadership through roles including People of Colour Officer, Volunteering Officer, and Student Trustee. Over the past four years, the Union has become a source of my most meaningful memories within UCL.
I have seen how much change can happen when students are listened to, and when they receive real, not tokenistic, support. Working alongside Sabbatical Officers showed me that the role is not just about holding a title or sitting in meetings.
What stood out to me was how present they were across campus: attending events, speaking to students, listening to their concerns, and making themselves approachable so students knew who to turn to.
That really inspired me. Becoming a Sabbatical Officer felt like the natural next step because I wanted to continue being on the ground with students, building relationships, and helping make UCL a place where students feel seen, supported, and represented.
Recommended must-do things in London?
My London must-dos are anything that helps you experience the city beyond lectures and libraries. I would definitely recommend trying salsa dancing around Soho or Holborn as it is such a fun way to meet people and do something different in the evening.
I also recommend making the most of London’s theatre and live performance scene. Download TodayTix for discounted West End tickets, and check out National Theatre under-25 tickets for more student-budget-friendly options.
For a chilled day, start at Southbank, walk along the river, browse the book market, watch the street performers, and then continue towards Tate Modern or Borough Market.
I also love Coal Drops Yard and King’s Cross. Beyond Retro is one of my favourite vintage shops, and Word on the Water, the floating bookshop on Regent’s Canal, is a lovely hidden gem nearby.
Finally, try a jazz night or live music evening around Soho, Dalston, or Camden. London has so many ways to enjoy culture without always needing a huge plan.
Your advice to new students?
My advice to new students would be to remember that everyone is figuring things out, even when it looks like everyone else has already found their people. It can seem like friendship groups form instantly, but most people are still trying to find their feet.
Welfare and Community Officer - Vivian Li
I arrived in London last September, and this city felt both exciting and challenging to me. Earlier this year, I faced a difficult housing situation which seriously affected my wellbeing and studies. I actively reached out to the Students’ Union for support, and with help from UCL’s wellbeing and housing services, I was able to get through that difficult period. This experience became one of my biggest motivations to run for this role.
People around me often describe me as gentle, patient and a good listener. I care deeply about how students feel in their everyday lives. After hearing about the difficulties and worries students face from different perspectives, I wanted to become someone who can support them and help solve practical problems. I also hope to help students close the information gap, so they know what support is available and feel confident to raise their concerns.
This is why I wanted to become a Sabbatical Officer: to help build a more inclusive, supportive and affordable student experience at UCL, where students feel heard and know where to find support when they need it.
Be intentional about friendships. If you meet someone you get along with at an event, do not let it stop at exchanging socials. Follow up, ask them to hang out, or suggest trying something new together. Some of my best friendships started from small plans, including an IKEA trip!
Favourite London area to live/to eat/to socialise?
One of my favourite areas in London is probably Notting Hill. I love the colourful streets, cafés and the atmosphere. For food, I really enjoy exploring Chinatown and Soho because there are so many different cuisines and hidden restaurants to discover.
For socialising, I like places around Camden and Covent Garden. Whether it’s live music, markets, theatre shows or just walking around with friends, there is always something interesting happening there.
What do you wish you’d known about UCL before you started?
I wish I had known earlier how much support is actually available at UCL. When I first arrived in London, I sometimes felt like I had to figure everything out by myself, especially as an international student adjusting to a completely new environment. I also wish I had realised how important induction week and student communities are. A lot of useful information about academic systems, wellbeing support, housing and student life is shared very quickly at the beginning, and it can be easy to miss things when you are overwhelmed.
Most importantly, I wish I had known that it is okay to ask questions and seek help. Many students around you are also trying to adapt, even if they seem confident on the outside.
Want to make a difference too?
Each of our sabb officers started as a student who decided to get involved. Whether you want to rep your course, campaign on an issue you care about, or one day take on a sabbatical role yourself, there are loads of ways to shape life at UCL. Find out how you can make change at studentsunionucl.org/make-change.