Xiaohongshu
Nominations: Nominations closed
Voting: Voting open
Election
Join the International Students' Network
Network committee members actively support Student Officers that convene their network, and assist with the over-all decision making processes within the network.
The Secretary shall:
- Take accurate notes of forum proceedings and circulate those notes after the forum.
- Support the Student Officer in the production and circulation of agendas.
You must be a student whose normal place of residence is outside of the UK to vote for this position.
For full details about the role please click here.
If you have any questions about this position, please contact [email protected]
Category
Candidates
I hope to make the International Students’ Network a welcoming community where students can connect, share experiences, and support one another. Having moved from India to study in the UK, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new country. I want to help students access useful resources, discover opportunities, and feel that they truly belong at UCL.
As an international student myself, I understand the challenges of settling into a new country, adapting to a different culture, and building a new support network. My experience as a hostel prefect for three years taught me how to bring people together, listen to their concerns, and help create a welcoming environment. I also have experience in event organisation, volunteering, and communication. I would bring these skills, along with my willingness to help, to make the International Students’ Network more connected, supportive, and useful for everyone.
I’m just like you, an international student trying to make the most of my time at UCL. I’m not here to make promises or waste your time; I’m here to make things easier for you. Whether it’s finding the right resources, connecting with people, or raising your concerns, I’ll do my best to help. You bring the concerns, and I’ll take the responsibility to do something about them. Let’s make this community better together.
If elected, I want to achieve three things. First, to help international students settle in the UK by focusing on the small things that trip people up early on — bank accounts, contracts, NHS registration, everyday costs — none dramatic alone, but piling up together. Second, to work with other SU officers to turn concerns into proposals, and to grow my communication skills. Third, to make the Network's work visible: minutes within 48 hours with named owners and deadlines, a shared tracker, and questions carried across meetings — so any student can ask, "I raised this — what happened next?"
First, a record system that works: minutes within 48 hours, a named owner and deadline on every action, one shared tracker, and questions that carry across meetings. Second, a map of who does what at UCL — my year as faculty SU President gave me the title, but more usefully, who to go to for what. Third, I would keep asking who hasn't been heard. When I arrived, nobody told me how to register with the NHS or get a deposit back. These things aren't hard, just invisible unless someone points them out. I can ask them for others, and want that to be a habit of this Network.
As a postgraduate who was Students' Union President in my faculty, the most useful thing I bring is knowing how to put students' words in front of staff so they are actually heard — listening, pulling out what matters, and choosing the right words for the right moment. Second, I care and I have energy. I don't see this role as just sitting in meetings, so if someone brings me feedback I follow it through. Third, empathy. My first weeks at UCL were full of anxiety and small things I missed, so I know what it feels like to need someone to listen. That is what I want to be for others.
I am organised, attentive to detail and reliable, with experience in student leadership, event organisation and communicating with students from different backgrounds. Having studied in different countries, I understand how valuable a supportive international student community can be. I would bring strong note-taking, communication and organisational skills to the Secretary role, while making sure discussions are accurately recorded and information is clearly shared with members.
I want to make the International Students’ Network well organised, welcoming and easy to engage with. I would ensure that forum discussions and decisions are accurately documented and circulated promptly, and support the Student Officer in preparing clear agendas. More broadly, I hope to help create a space where international students feel comfortable sharing their experiences, raising concerns and contributing to the direction of the Network.
I am reliable, organised and genuinely interested in making sure international students are heard. I will take the responsibilities of Secretary seriously, from accurate meeting notes to clear communication and careful preparation. I also understand how important it is to have a community when studying away from home, and I would work to make the Network a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone.
Host events
If elected, I will make the International Students' Network a more connected, approachable community for UCL international students to access information, build connections, and feel supported. As an international student, I understand their struggles beyond academics, such as finding reliable information, building social ties, and seeking help. As Secretary, I will enhance communication clarity and accessibility, support cross-cultural activities, keep students informed about events and opportunities, and foster a community where they feel welcomed, heard, and connected.
As a bilingual international student with Course Representative experience, I have strong communication, organizational and cross-stakeholder collaboration skills. I understand diverse backgrounds and aim to enhance accessibility and inclusivity. As Secretary, I will ensure clear communication and well-organized Network activities with attention to detail.
Vote for me: as a former Course Representative, I have experience addressing student concerns responsibly. As a bilingual international student, I offer a broad perspective to connect diverse backgrounds. Organised, approachable and proactive, I’ll make the International Students' Network welcoming, ensuring students feel heard, communication is clear, and more participate confidently.
As an East Asian postgraduate student, I want to represent the international student community, particularly East Asian students, whose voices are too often overlooked. Postgraduate international students in particular tend to be left out of wider conversations, and my own position gives me a close view of the challenges they face now and may face in the future. I would like to listen to this community, learn about their ideas and priorities, and make sure their needs are properly discussed and addressed.
I will bring international experience from NGOs and student-led communities across Myanmar, Thailand and the UK. This has taught me to relate to people from different cultures and backgrounds, and I am confident I can connect with international students from all walks of life. As an attentive listener, I will make sure the student body's voices are properly heard. I will also bring fresh ideas for events and campaigns that are relevant to as many students as possible, so that nobody is left out.
I am an East Asian postgraduate student who understands the challenges international students face, and I will make sure their voices are no longer overlooked. With experience in NGOs and student-led communities across Myanmar, Thailand and the UK, I can connect with students from all cultures and backgrounds. I will listen closely, turn your ideas into real action, and organise events and campaigns that include everyone, so that nobody is left out.
I want to create a platform or newspaper that responds quickly and provides information specifically targeting international students' needs and concerns, such as career options in the UK and abroad, CVs, academic resources, and extracurricular opportunities.
I want to arrange a communication platform for international students who feel overwhelmed by studying in a new community where everything moves too fast and feels disconnected.
Some concerns only international students can understand; I want to create a space where international students can network within and across years and courses.
Personal Experience: When I was 16, I came to the UK to study and felt more lost than ever. I believe this experience helped me develop suitable, effective solutions and programs to support the concerns and struggles international students may face.
A History student: I am skilled in research and analysis; I can summarise historiography into a coherent analysis, and I can also turn different opinions and concerns into effective actions.
Current role as a freelance scriptwriter: As a creator, I understand needs, wants, and trends, and can skilfully turn them into action.
I want to change things up. I want to become one of the people who seek and implement improvements and changes. I want to listen, make sure all voices and concerns are heard, and turn words into practical action. It’s my last year as an undergraduate, and I want to give something back to the community.
I hope to amplify diverse international‑student voices and strengthen transparency within the network. I will listen broadly across forums and meetings to identify shared priorities, and advocate for these at Equi‑tea sessions and Policy Zones. Working alongside network officers and staff, I will maintain accurate meeting records, support meeting administration, and provide regular updates so international students understand what feedback has been raised and what outcomes follow. My goal is to ensure international‑student experiences genuinely shape Students’ Union work.
As a former volunteer representative of UCL SU, I have the experience of collecting feedback from different students. My educational background has cultivated my empathy for the diverse life experiences of international students. I previously served as a minister in a high school, which honed my practical skills in preparing agendas and disseminating the latest information. I work constructively with students and staff. I am organized and reliable in my work. I can handle more workload each semester and transparently record and magnify the priorities of international students.
I bring hands‑on experience collecting peer feedback, alongside practical administrative skills from my previous secretary role. I will listen broadly to our community, faithfully represent shared priorities in SU spaces, keep thorough meeting records and deliver transparent updates. I am reliable, collaborative and ready to put in the required hours so international student perspectives do not go unheard.
8000km was a long way to carry a suitcase, and an even longer way to carry loneliness. As Secretary, I will build an inclusive community and ensure no student's voice gets lost:
- A monthly potluck social of one family recipe per country
- Dear Network,: anonymous questions, answered within 48 hours so absent members still have a say
- Push UCL Careers to host international job, internship and visa planning in Term 1
- Gather data on rental challenges to lobby for better guarantor guidance and student housing support
- Support peer-led workshops for students adapting to UK academic writing and seminar styles
My grandfather mispronounced ‘cornflakes’ every morning, smiling as if tomorrow he’d get it right.
I come from that quiet courage: the first in my family to attend an English-medium school, learning the world in a new language. I pair strong organization with public speaking experience—as STEAM Club President, Wellbeing Club VP, Cultural Club Co-founder, and founder of a non-profit that fed 950+ people, alongside receiving multiple international awards from essay writing to biology.
I am meticulous with notes, keep every promise, and always follow up. Who notices when a student goes quiet? I do.
Do you remember your first week? The unfamiliar accents, the strange streets, the longing for one familiar voice? A Network is only as strong as its notes, its follow-through and its heart. I’ll make sure every voice is heard, written down and acted on, from the loudest to the quietest. I’ll chase every concern until it’s answered. I’ve learned to wait in Dhaka’s traffic, and to help them forward. You won’t be a name in the notes; you’ll be a person miles away from home, but right where you belong.
Vote for me, and I’ll make this the place where you always feel remembered.
- Pre-arrival guidance on visas, banking, healthcare, accommodation plus welcome socials and shopping trips
- International Buddy Programme pairing new students with peers before and during first term
- Monthly Global Fusion Nights in collaboration with cultural societies with performances, food, and festival activities
- Cultural Boat Party to close International Festival Week in traditional attire
- International Career Hub connecting students with alumni, guest speakers, and visa-aware guidance
- Student voice & support via feedback platform and key discounts on transport, housing, SIMs, and essentials
- Extensive leadership experiences:Academic Rep, Volunteering Rep, Vicepres of PHS society;represented student voices and led impactful initiatives
- Event organiser:Hosted socials, welcome events and global festival celebrations, fostering inclusivity and cross-cultural connections
- Inclusive, supportive & collaborative:Committed to build a welcoming community where every voice is heard, concerns are addressed and international students feel connected, valued, and at home at UCL
- Enthusiastic, approachable & proactive:Ready to listen, support, and empower students to thrive socially and academically
Remember that overwhelming feeling when you first arrived at UCL? I know it well. Moving from HK to London was daunting — the new pace, the people, even the city felt unfamiliar. Over time, I found my home, friends, and a true sense of belonging. Now, I want to give that experience back. I’m dedicated to building a strong, inclusive International Network where every voice is heard, supported, and celebrated. I aim to make your transition, campus life, and experience smooth, engaging, and unforgettable, so every international student feels welcomed, connected, and inspired to thrive at UCL.
I want international students to feel informed, not lost in unfamiliar terminology or scattered messages. I would help circulate clear agendas before forums and concise notes afterwards, explaining decisions and next steps in plain English. I would invite questions in advance so students can contribute without speaking in a large meeting, and help maintain an organised record that members can easily revisit.
As an international UCL student, I bring cross-cultural communication and experience helping students navigate university life. My Arts and Humanities and SSEES ambassador roles have involved student-facing communication, while my student representative work has involved raising concerns with staff. Leading consulting teams has strengthened my ability to bring different perspectives together and communicate complex information clearly.
Being new to a country should not mean being outside the conversation. I would be an approachable, reliable secretary who makes it easier to understand what the network is doing and how to get involved. I know international students are not one uniform group. Whether you speak confidently at forums or prefer to send a question privately, I want your contribution to receive the same care and attention.
I hope to help make the International Students Network a place where students can build friendships, share their experiences and feel at home at UCL. Moving to a new country for university can be exciting, but it can also be challenging to adjust to a different culture, education system and way of life. I want to help create opportunities for international students to connect with one another, learn about each other’s backgrounds and find a sense of belonging, while celebrating the diversity that makes UCL such a special community.
Having grown up in Tunisia and lived in Dubai for 13 years, I’ve experienced life in different cultural environments. Speaking four languages has also given me an appreciation for the ways people communicate and express themselves across cultures. At school, I had the opportunity to meet and work with people from many different backgrounds, which I genuinely enjoyed. My experience in student government also taught me the importance of organisation, communication and responsibility. I would bring an international perspective, enthusiasm and a genuine interest in helping students connect.
Students should vote for me because I genuinely enjoy getting to know people from different parts of the world and learning about their experiences. One of my favourite things about UCL is how international it is, and I love conversations that begin with simply asking someone where they’re from. I want to bring that same curiosity and enthusiasm to the International Students Network, helping students meet people beyond their existing circles and discover cultures different from their own.
- Get the basics right: agendas out in advance, notes circulated soon after each forum.
- Written up for people who weren't there, so nobody misses what was raised because of a timetable clash.
- Keep recurring issues on record: guarantors, vacation housing, visa admin, so they carry forward rather than being re-raised from scratch each year.
- An anonymous form, so things can be raised without having to say them out loud in a meeting.
- A real handover in June. This Network turns over annually, so the notes are the only continuity.
- Work closely with the International Students' Officer.
- I'm an international student. I moved from Mumbai, India last year and did all of it - bank account, GP, first London winter, first UK exams.
- Transition Mentor this year, supporting incoming first-years through arriving.
- Biochemistry Student Partnership Committee: taking student feedback to staff.
- Lead Editor of my school magazine: over a thousand students, deadlines, chasing people kindly.
- I came through the IB, so I know what adjusting to a new academic system feels like.
- Secretary isn't the loudest role, and I won't pretend otherwise. It's the notes, the agendas, and the following up.
- This Network turns over faster than most: a lot of members are here for a single year. That makes keeping a clear record matter more, not less.
- I arrived not knowing anyone, fairly recently, and I remember how much a straight answer helped.
- Raise something with me and I'll come back to you, even if the answer isn't the one we wanted.
- Steady, approachable, organised. That's the offer.