New to the university in February 2024, figuring things out, I got an email about Freshers Fair. I was excited. Coming from so far away, we wanted to see what the university had to offer.

So I went. As I entered, I saw different stalls, people from different backgrounds, so diverse it reminded me of all the high school Hollywood movies I had watched. It had that energy. I still remember that moment. It was special. It was my international university experience.

I enquired at every stall. I was so interested, it felt like I would be part of every society. I was with the debating, understanding, trying to know more. It was an experience. But just being a visitor was not enough. I wanted to do more. Every stall had something new to offer, and I wanted to be on the other side of it.

This feeling stayed inside me, but assignments, part-time work, and everything else were in the way. Then one day, my friend Yash called me to discuss forming a society. He had a plan and wanted to have a stall at the next Freshers Fair in September 2024. The moment I heard it, the feeling came rushing back. I knew this was my chance.

I went all in. We handled the formalities, found members, and followed Yash’s plan to make it happen. We had to move fast because, to get a stall, the society needed to be recognised by the University of Surrey Student Union. Fortunately, with Yash’s persistence, we got it done just in time. Along the way, we met Noura and Imran. They saw the potential in what we were building and had the same drive for sustainability. They were the ones who kept things moving. We all played our part, balancing different tasks to make sure everything was in place.

There was one day left before the fair. Noura was busy finalising things. She had designed the posters for the event, and she had to print them. Me and Imran were taking care of the logistics but we got a bit distracted and ended up at the barbecue by the Islamic Society. Yash was annoyed at us because we were always the ones joking around. But in the end, we got things done, and everything was set up in time for the fair.

It was an achievement I keep in my personal collection. Getting members, organising, setting up, and then the big day. Few people believed we would make it, but we did. We signed up more members than expected, and for the first time, we saw our society grow into something real. That moment felt different.

With more people on board, the team got stronger. The members who joined us were just as passionate about sustainability. This gave us encouragement. We worked, organised campaigns, collaborated, and then again, it was time for Freshers Fair 2025 in February.

This time, we had a team, a proper plan, and a bigger stall with proven work. This time, we were ready to roll. It was a good experience.

But what really mattered was the effort. I realised that it started with the desire to create a society, but it ended with the effort we put in. Being part of societies is about sharing a common platform for ideas and activities, but these common platforms foster connections. It establishes a common ground between people from Kenya, India, and Saudi Arabia. That is what happened between me, Yash, Imran, Noura, and all the other members of our society.

I am glad i got this opportunity and this is my special achievement at the University of Surrey.