Starting university in a new country can feel overwhelming -- a new city, new systems, new people. For Tanvi, however, stepping into this unfamiliar space also meant stepping into opportunities. From her very first week at UCL, Tanvi began volunteering with artsUCL, a decision that would go on to shape her student experience in meaningful ways.
We spoke with Tanvi about her journey, her motivations, and the small yet wholesome moments that made volunteering unforgettable.
My first week in London launched everything
Tanvi didn’t wait long to get involved. Having arrived in London on 16th September 2025, she began volunteering just a week later during Welcome Week.
“I would pop into sessions at the Welcome Week stall and help with introductions,” she recalls. “It was all very new, very informal, but that first week really launched my time working with artsUCL.”
Why artsUCL?
Coming from a smaller university in India, Tanvi was struck by the scale and structure of student societies at UCL.
What really drew me in was the ‘zoomed-out lens’ and the idea of a central body supporting and overseeing so many different societies.
“As an artist and an art educator, I was especially curious about how arts programming works in a space like this”, she explains.
Beyond that, volunteering offered her a softer entry into a new city.
I didn’t want to jump straight into part-time work. This felt like a great way to explore the university, meet people, and understand the culture.
A Joyful Experience
Tanvi describes her experience with artsUCL in one word: joyful.
Every event has been different. You meet undergraduates, postgraduates, and even PhD students. You form connections that wouldn’t happen otherwise.
Being part of the team also gave her insight into the work behind the scenes.
You start to understand what it takes to organise these events. And at the same time, you get a break from academics; it’s a space where you can just immerse yourself.
A Highlight to Remember: Theatre Trips
Among many memorable experiences, one stands out: her first theatre trip to Matilda.
“It was my first theatre trip, and it was objectively very special,” she says. “If I had to go back to India that very night, having just experienced that, I would have been completely satisfied.”
For Tanvi, the magic wasn’t just in the performance, but in the shared experience.
You walk to the theatre with a group of strangers, you talk, you connect, and by the end of the evening, it becomes this beautiful ritual from meeting everyone, walking to the theatre, to saying goodnight. It stays with you.
Small Moments, Big Impact
Beyond the big highlights, it’s the smaller gestures that have left a lasting impression.
“One of the other volunteers always brings snacks to share during theatre trips,” Tanvi shares.
It’s become a little tradition. These moments of just showing up for each other, even briefly, can be so meaningful.
She reflects on how volunteering creates “little pockets of connection” in what can otherwise feel like an overwhelming transition.
How Volunteering Shapes the Student Experience
For Tanvi, volunteering has been transformative.
“It pushes you to show up,” she explains. “As a student, you might want to attend events but not always follow through. As a volunteer, you commit, and in doing so, you gain something every time.”
From building confidence to navigating diverse social settings, the experience has been deeply enriching.
You learn how to talk to different people, how to work a room. When you’ve done that in small groups across cultures, it becomes much easier in larger settings.
A Message to Future Volunteers
When asked whether she would recommend volunteering with artsUCL to others, she said, “FOR SURE”.
People often think volunteering is about giving your time away. But in my experience, I’ve always gained more than I’ve given.
She also emphasises how unique this opportunity is within the university experience.
You won’t really get this kind of time and space again. These are formative years, so if something interests you, chase it.
Her advice is simple but powerful: don’t hesitate.
I didn’t even apply through a formal process. I just emailed expressing interest. That conversation led to everything. You might end up sort of securing like a connection, and it can grow to be something really encouraging.
Final Thoughts
Tanvi’s journey with artsUCL highlights something essential: volunteering isn’t just about contributing to a community and finding your place within it.
In a new city, among unfamiliar faces, it’s these shared experiences that turn strangers into connections and moments into memories.
Xiaohongshu
