'My UK studies prepared me for my graduate job'

Lee-Anne, from Zimbabwe, graduated with a degree in media and digital practice from the University of Portsmouth in 2023. She decided to stay in the UK and now works as an international recruitment officer at Portsmouth.

Hear her journey from missing home to finding her own community in Portsmouth, her volunteer work, and why she recommends studying in the UK.

‘The University of Portsmouth offered the exact course I was looking for’

Studying in the UK has been one of the best times of my life so far for many reasons. The UK education system is at the top of my list, as UK degrees are internationally respected and recognised. I didn't have to question whether or not I would get a quality education. That was a given. It's a goal for many people from Zimbabwe to study in the UK.

The University of Portsmouth also offered the exact course I was looking for. I could study both the practical and theoretical side of things within the media world. My course offered the chance to make content, which I loved. And finally, though sometimes people laugh at me for this, the weather was a factor for me. I heard that Portsmouth is one of the ‘warmer parts of England’, which appealed to me. It’s also got a gorgeous coastline. I’m from Zimbabwe, a landlocked country, so it’s been a new and exciting experience being able to live by the sea.

'When I first went to the beach, it was like it was straight out of a movie'

When I first came to Portsmouth, I had never been to the seaside. When I went down for the first time with a friend, we were expecting a sandy beach, but it's a pebble beach. We wondered if we were in the right place. But walking down the pier was breathtaking because the waves would all break in the wind. It was like it was straight out of a movie. The water was blue and shining, as the waves were breaking. Up until now, I have enjoyed walking down the beach because it helps me relax my mind and be at one with nature. Having the seafront about 15 minutes walk away is such a privilege.

‘In the UK, I was exposed to a whole world outside my bubble’

One thing I enjoyed about studying in the UK was the opportunity to interact with people from different cultures, people I may have never encountered had I not come to study in the UK. In my course, we had many international students from countries I didn't know existed. Coming to the UK exposed me to a whole world outside my bubble. When I first moved here, I found making friends fairly easy. I did a foundation year first, and all of us were international students, so we had that in common. In my first year, I stuck with those initial friends throughout Covid. Then, in my second year of university, I made more effort to get out, go to societies, and make more friends. University is a generally friendly environment as many people are in the same boat as you, and they're also looking to make friends if you're open to it.

'My course gave me the confidence to share my ideas'

The style of teaching I experienced was very different from that of back home in that lecturers encouraged us to give our opinions. In the first year, some opinions were maybe a little random. However, as we progressed in the course, we were taught how to think critically and communicate our views and arguments. We were taught how to research where we're getting our information and to cite sources in our work.

We'd also have open floors for discussions. It took me a while to contribute in the classroom because I was a bit shy and wondered if my answers might be wrong. The lectures emphasised that there were no right or wrong answers, and I enjoyed that. I noticed that many of the home students from the UK were very opinionated and open to sharing their opinions spontaneously. I learned from them. Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. And even just listening to other people's voices and opinions was so interesting. Even if I don't fully agree, it's good to be able to listen and understand how others interact with the world around us.

'Homesickness is hard, but there are things you can do to make it easier'

Two major challenges I have faced while studying in the UK and being so far from home are homesickness and loneliness. These are challenges that many international students will face, but there are ways to deal with them positively, and I found that they get better with time. The university has a very welcoming, non-denominational chaplaincy centre. I’ve been there quite a bit, especially during my lunch breaks. They have fairy lights, couches, books and board - a lovely atmosphere.

'Community is important'

Community is important, and actively seeking it out has been very helpful. Portsmouth is a small city, and the campus is in town, which means there are students all over the place, mixed in with the locals. That has helped me immerse myself more in the community. I've joined a local church here in Portsmouth, where I’ve made friends who are three times my age. There are lots of international people there as well. Sometimes, we have 'International Sundays' where everyone cooks food from their respective countries, and we get together and chat. As I'm not near my family, the people around me have become my family, so I want to keep these networks as tight as possible. It's good to talk about how you're feeling if you're missing home. It also helps you get the support you need. It's ok to ask for help.

'In my second year, I volunteered at a local independent cinema'

In my second year, I volunteered at the local independent cinema, Number Six Cinema. They play indie films. I found it with the help of my university—they have a site called 'My Career' where they post work and volunteering opportunities. They also offer to go through your CV and tailor it, and can even set up mock interviews to help you gain more confidence. Volunteering is a great way to give back to my local community and add to my CV. Through this opportunity, I was able to meet and connect with people I would never have been able to otherwise. Many of the people I volunteered with were in the film industry already - some were actors, some were filmmakers. Everyone had their own interesting life experiences to contribute.

‘In the UK, I’ve dived deeper into my passion for content creation’

Being in the UK has allowed me to dive deeper into my passion for video-making and editing. I love creating content. While studying, I worked as a student ambassador and often created content for the university’s social media channels. I have been taking it seriously. I’ve enjoyed upskilling and upgrading my equipment to make more professional content - I now have a microphone for my phone and a light. There are always opportunities to create new content, and I’ve participated in creative campaigns with the university.

'I loved collaborating with my classmates'

What I loved most about my course was the opportunities I had to collaborate with my classmates. Not everyone is so into group projects, but I found identifying my strengths and weaknesses helpful. By collaborating with other creatives, we were all able to give birth to something really beautiful and find ways for each and every one of us to contribute meaningfully and show up as our best selves.

'I have grown in ways I didn't think were possible'

In the beginning, a lot of things scared me. But over time, I learned (and my course taught me) how to solve problems creatively. In my final year, my class had to do a short film project. It was a zero-budget student film, so many issues arose. I was the film director and consistently came up with creative ways to solve any problems. With my team, I managed to keep morale high, learnt so much about resistance and persistence, and applied critical thinking in many different situations.

‘I’m full of gratitude for my graduation day’

One memory I’ll always cherish from studying in the UK would be my graduation in 2023. My sister came from Australia, and my parents came from Zimbabwe. It was like a family reunion. I enjoyed celebrating my accomplishments alongside the people I had started my journey with. Whenever I look back at the pictures I just smile and I’m full of gratitude for that day.

‘In the UK, I'm free to be who I want to be’

The culture in the UK is more open-minded than many international students may be used to. I find it very easy to express myself here because my opinion is welcomed and I am free to be who I want to be. People are generally curious about anyone who is different from them and have lots of interesting questions that come from a place of kindness and curiosity. Being here allows me the space to grow and be the best version of myself. There are so many opportunities for me to try new things and challenge myself.

Be prepared to grow and get to know yourself better. This could be a pleasant experience, but it could also be a little scary for others. When I moved so far away from home without family or friends, I came face-to-face with things about myself that I hadn’t experienced before. Either because I’d been shielded from it or someone else had previously helped me. When you come to the UK, most likely, it is up to you to take care of yourself. It is up to you to ask for help. It is up to you to make sure that you are ok. So be prepared to be alone with yourself.

'I now work in the international office at the University of Portsmouth'

After I graduated, I was looking for a job in the media, but I remember thinking that even if it wasn’t directly in that field, I could still find something that would make me feel fulfilled. I wanted to do something creative where I could work with people one-on-one and help them somehow. I decided to stay in the UK because I want to continue to experience new challenges that will make me grow as a person and in my career.

I saw an advert on the University of Portsmouth’s website, and the description sounded like something that would suit me. I applied and was offered the job. I was so excited. It’s not what I thought I would be doing initially, but I’m happy doing it. There’s lots of interaction with students and potential for travel with my work. My course has given me the confidence and transferable skills to get the job, and I'm hopeful about my future here.