Al Hassan Salama and Venaya Binwani, Candidates for BL International Representatives
Role Description: The International Representative (Barts and The London) will gather feedback from and represent international students in the Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry on academic issues and welfare issues affecting them. You’ll support the Vice President Communities and Vice President Barts and The London, and work with the other International Representatives (Humanities and Social Sciences and Science and Engineering) to encourage the students they represent to participate and engage with the Students’ Union.
What's your favourite moment from being a student here?
Venaya: 'I can't pinpoint a specific moment at Barts that would be my favourite. However, I enjoyed moving into Dawson and getting to know all my flatmates; we shared many fun memories during our time there that shaped my university experience. It was particularly crucial as I had moved away from home, and it was important to find a sense of community away from home.'
Al Hassan: 'One of my favourite memories at Barts was celebrating with my cohort and friends after my first-year exams. I felt a sense of community and teamwork as we got through exam season together.'
What's something you've done that you're proud of?
Venaya: 'I am really proud of stepping out of my comfort zone and joining the dance society at Barts. With no previous dance experience, I was anxious to compete in the contemporary squad, but it was hugely rewarding to place second after working for months to perfect our routine. I have especially loved getting to know the girls at BL Dance and being able to learn a new skill.'
Al Hassan: 'I am proud of adapting regarding moving from Dubai to university. Although I found the move initially very difficult, I was able to branch out of my comfort zone and meet many people from Barts and other London universities. I have enjoyed meeting new people from different backgrounds and learning about different cultures at university.'
What is a problem facing students and how do you propose to fix it?
One of the biggest problems facing international students is transitioning from their local country to London. Understanding how complex and stressful the visa application process, house hunting, settling in, and other administrative tasks can be, we want to establish a line of communication between offer holders and current students to make their transition as smooth as possible. We would also like to address the financial stresses that international students may face and provide guidance on how to budget, find part-time work and balance these responsibilities alongside schoolwork. Finally, we would also like to foster a sense of community between international students by hosting bonding and networking events throughout the year.
