Let’s be honest. At 20, I didn’t have it all figured out. I knew I wanted to study psychology. What I didn’t know was how to adapt to UK weather, or how one phone call could reroute your entire life plan.
At first Surrey wasn’t my frontrunner but sometimes, the best chapters start with a detour. A casual call with my cousin, who was doing her PhD at Surrey, changed everything. No big promises. Just lived experience. about supportive professors, long nights in the library that didn’t feel lonely, and a campus that felt more like a close-knit community than a giant academic machine. That conversation flipped a switch I went from “I need to check more universities” to “I think I’ve found where I belong.”
So, I dug a little deeper and what I found only confirmed that feeling. The course had structure, depth, and a refreshing focus on critical thinking and research (finally!). It was close enough to London for convenience, far enough to breathe. You know a university doing it right when their Students’ Union ranks 5th and students still say, ‘It’s even better than it sounds.
Nothing quite prepares you for the buzz of Freshers’ Week. One minute you’re scanning the crowd, the next you’re signing up for five clubs you didn’t know existed. The academic shift was real. There were moments when I felt like I was falling behind, that I wasn’t built for this. But then I found The Hive, a place full of patient people and practical advice. I found the Wellbeing Centre and attended counselling sessions that helped more than I can put into words. I learned that asking for help wasn’t something to hide it was a strength.
They say culture is what makes you feel at home. When I joined the Indian Student Association as the Creative Director, I thought I’d just attend events next thing I knew, I was planning them. Holi turned into a rainbow of joy, Diwali lit up our campus with celebration, and Navratri filled the room with music and tradition. As Vice President of the Telugu Society, I helped bring Ugadi, our South Indian New Year to life with all the flavour and festivity of home. But the highlight? One World Week. It wasn’t just about showcasing my culture it was about witnessing 100 others doing the same. “You don’t just fit in at Surrey you find new ways to belong.”
Beyond celebrating culture, I found real connection. As a Course Rep, I discovered my voice not just in meetings, but in countless emails, feedback loops, and student conversations. Somewhere in that whirlwind, I was honoured as PG/T Course Rep of the Year and awarded the Silver Award. But the chapter that truly transformed me? Becoming Chair of the Student Equality Network. It wasn’t about leading from the front it was about creating a space where every voice, especially the quieter ones, could be heard.
My journey also led me to the Widening Participation Outreach team, where I became a Student Ambassador. Sharing my story with school students visiting campus helped me reflect on how far I’d come and hopefully helped ease a few nerves, too. With the University’s Advancement team, I supported the Forever Surrey Fundraising initiative, reconnecting with alumni from the ’90s and early 2000s. We swapped stories, and despite the years between us, some things felt timeless: the sense of belonging, the joy of shared traditions, and of course, the lake.
“For over 25 years, the lake at Surrey hasn’t just reflected the sky, it’s mirrored friendships, laughter, and the quiet magic that defines campus life.”
The EDI Award under FABSS came as a surprise. It was the most unexpected full-circle moment. From feeling unsure about whether I belonged, to being celebrated for helping others feel like they do that’s the part I’ll carry with me long after graduation.
If you’re an international student wondering if you’ll find your place here, know this: Surrey doesn’t ask you to fit in. It gives you space to stand out.
