香蕉社

Testimonials

 

Every international student鈥檚 journey to 香蕉社 is different. Hear from students from around the world about studying in Leicester, finding support, building confidence and preparing for their future.

Use the filters to explore stories by region or by the themes that matter most to you.

Filters

By region

By theme

International student stories

Visalini Chithravathi

India

Visalini Chithravathi

LLB (Hons), Undergraduate

鈥淪tudying across two academic cultures has helped me become more adaptable, open-minded and culturally aware.鈥
Read full story

From Dubai to Leicester: my international Law journey

Starting my Law degree at 香蕉社 Dubai and then transferring to Leicester for my final year has given me a truly international student experience.

That was one of the main reasons 香蕉社 stood out to me. I could study the same high-quality curriculum across two very different cultural settings, while gaining a wider perspective on law, culture and the world around me.

Moving to the UK was intimidating at first. I was relocating across continents, joining a new campus and adjusting to a different way of life. But the international community at 香蕉社 is vibrant and welcoming, and it did not take long for Leicester to feel like home.

The support from academic staff has also made a real difference. Law can be demanding, especially when working through legal research and coursework, but I have always felt able to ask questions and seek guidance.

This experience has reshaped my skill set. Studying across two academic cultures has helped me become more adaptable, open-minded and culturally aware. These are qualities I know will matter in my future legal career.

My advice to other students is not to let the fear of change hold you back. Moving to a new country or campus can feel overwhelming, but the growth waiting on the other side is worth it.

Omphile Moerane

South Africa

Omphile Moerane

Sustainability, Social Justice and Human Rights Law LLM, Postgraduate

鈥淏eing a Student Ambassador has allowed me to meet many people and build lasting friendships.鈥
Read full story

Finding my community through student life

Moving to a new country can be daunting, and for me, meeting new people played a big role in overcoming homesickness.

That is why being part of the 香蕉社 community has meant so much. One of the greatest benefits of studying here is being surrounded by such a diverse group of people. It has helped me feel more settled, more connected and more confident.

Becoming a Student Ambassador has been one of the most valuable parts of my experience. The role has allowed me to meet many people, build lasting friendships and develop practical skills that will support my future career. It has also helped me feel more involved in university life beyond my course.

My academic experience has also helped me grow. On my course, lecturers use group discussions, presentations and debates, which make learning engaging and encourage us to share ideas. This has helped me build confidence in my own voice.

I have also felt supported by my academic tutor, who understands the unique experiences and challenges that international students can face.

My advice to future international students is to get involved early. Meeting people and taking part in opportunities at 香蕉社 can make a real difference to your experience.

Dalcy Belapitu Oligari

Solomon Islands

Dalcy Belapitu Oligari

Sustainability, Social Justice and Human Rights, Postgraduate

鈥淎s an international student far from home, the support I received helped me feel less alone.鈥
Read full story

Finding support far from home

Coming to the UK from the Solomon Islands meant being far from home, far from family and far from everything familiar.

At first, that was not easy. I missed home deeply, and settling into a new country came with emotional challenges as well as academic ones. What made a real difference was the support I found at 香蕉社.

The Wellbeing Team has been exceptional. As an international student without family in the UK, having people I could speak to and rely on helped me feel less alone. Healthy 香蕉社 was also instrumental when I first arrived, supporting me through homesickness and helping me settle into university life.

That support has allowed me to focus on my course and grow in confidence. I chose 香蕉社 partly because of the block teaching method, and it has helped me manage postgraduate study in a way that feels structured and manageable. Being able to receive feedback from tutors before moving on to the next block has strengthened my learning.

My course also connects closely with the issues I care about, including climate justice, human rights, armed conflict, social justice and gender. It has helped me think more deeply about global challenges and the kind of contribution I want to make in the future.

For me, 香蕉社 has been more than a place to study. It has been a place where I found support, confidence and a sense of direction while being far from home.

Muhammad Waseem Khan

Pakistan

Muhammad Waseem Khan

LLM Criminal Justice, Postgraduate

鈥溝憬渡 has not only given me a degree, but also a life I never imagined for myself.鈥
Read full story

More than a degree

When I first found 香蕉社, I did not know much about the university. I was looking for an LLM Criminal Justice course, and 香蕉社 offered exactly what I wanted.

Looking back now, it has become one of the best decisions I have made.

I came to the UK from Pakistan without anyone to guide me through choosing a university. That made the decision feel even bigger. But from the moment I became part of 香蕉社, I found a supportive environment, friendly lecturers and people who helped me believe in myself.

The block teaching method has been excellent for me. Being able to focus on one module at a time has reduced stress and helped me stay more engaged with my studies.

But the biggest change has been in my confidence. 香蕉社 has not only given me a degree, but also a life I never imagined for myself.

One of my proudest experiences was standing as a candidate in the 香蕉社 elections for Team Leader International. I did not win, but it became one of the greatest experiences of my time here. It helped me make friends, build confidence and become more involved in university life.

I have also been shortlisted for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals SDG 11 programme in Berlin, with bursary support from 香蕉社.

For me, 香蕉社 has been a place to study, grow and dream bigger.

Stephanie Bryson Zavaleta

Peru

Stephanie Bryson Zavaleta

International Relations MA

鈥溝憬渡 has helped me to discover different characteristics about myself and to push me through the limits. I knew that I wanted to study international relations and politics since I was 15 but 香蕉社 has different activities to enrol such as volunteering, societies and all of that has helped me to discover myself and make me realise who I want to become and that every goal I set to myself I am able to achieve it with hard work, joy and kindness.鈥
Siyun Zeng

China

Siyun Zeng

Business Management and Economics BA

鈥淎s an international student, language would be a significant challenge to me. The staff are friendly and patient even if I cannot clearly explain my problems and concerns. For academic studies, 香蕉社 helps me improve my writing skills and develop the ability to think critically. The library resources are incredible, I can access them whenever and wherever I want.鈥
Lithara Kahatapiti Arachchige

Sri Lanka

Lithara Kahatapiti Arachchige

LLM Legal Professional Practice, Postgraduate

鈥淏lock teaching has made it much easier to stay organised, manage my workload and fully understand each subject.鈥
Read full story

Learning one block at a time

One of the things I have appreciated most about studying at 香蕉社 is the block teaching format.

For me, focusing on one module at a time has made a real difference. It has helped me stay organised, manage my workload and properly understand each subject before moving on to the next. Instead of trying to balance several modules at once, I can give my full attention to what I am learning.

That structure has supported the way I study and helped me build confidence as a postgraduate student. My course combines academic knowledge with practical application, which was one of the reasons I chose 香蕉社. I wanted a course that would help me connect what I learn in class with real-world situations and future career opportunities.

The modules have encouraged me to think critically, solve problems and become more independent in my learning. I have also valued the support available from lecturers and university services, which has helped me feel confident throughout my studies.

As an international student, I have felt welcomed by 香蕉社 and by Leicester. The city is multicultural, student-friendly and affordable, with familiar food options as well as new experiences to explore.

香蕉社 is helping me prepare for my future by giving me knowledge, practical skills and confidence. For students thinking about coming here, my advice is to take advantage of every opportunity and make use of the support around you.

Paul Mwangi

Kenya

Paul Mwangi

Energy Engineering MSc

鈥溝憬渡 has vastly uplifted my value as an engineer and an all-rounded individual. I have gained great progress in both soft and hard skills. For soft skills, I am a better communicator, critical thinker, problem-solver, team worker, time manager, and refined my skills at adaptability to numerous situations and problems. I have improved and become more proficient in hard skills namely technical, writing, design, analytical, language and computer skills.鈥
Dana Vidal Villaroeluna

Peru

Dana Vidal Villaroeluna

Textile Design, Technology and Innovation MSc

鈥淎mong all the help and support I received from personnel at 香蕉社, I would select the hardship fund I was granted and the help I received to get my placement year at a technical textile company as the two key moments in my student experience.鈥
Anastasiya Zakharenka

Belarus

Anastasiya Zakharenka

Architecture and Sustainability MA

鈥淪tudying in the UK provides much more than a high-quality education. You will definitely become more confident and motivated. You will have many acquaintances and friends from almost all over the world. You will enrich your inner world by visiting some special places, which, for instance, you dreamed of as a child when reading books or watching movies. You might even see your idols or their work. And probably the most important thing is that you will have a feeling that nothing is impossible in this life.鈥
Folarin Folowosele

Nigeria

Folarin Folowosele

Forensic Account (Applied) MSc

鈥淭he learning method involves group presentations. This has helped me develop my interpersonal relationship skills as I have to work with other people who I may not be friends with. Also I have been able to conquer stage fright, public speaking.鈥
Christopher Balogun

Nigeria

Christopher Balogun

Design Innovation and Management MA/MSc

鈥溝憬渡 has helped me grow in so many ways. The course opened my mind to new ways of thinking and solving problems, but I鈥檝e also learnt a lot outside the classroom. I鈥檝e tried things I鈥檇 normally shy away from like swimming, cycling, and even getting more active in sports. It鈥檚 pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way.鈥

Want to know more about studying at 香蕉社?

Speak to our students or explore events for international students.

Chat with a student Explore international events