When I first told my family I was leaving Pakistan’s bustling metropolitan life for a small city in the North East of England, the reaction was a mixture of shock and confusion. Why trade a city of millions for Durham? At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure myself — I came for the academics, drawn by Durham’s School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) reputation and diversity. What I didn’t realise was how much more I would gain from this place. I arrived with two large suitcases carrying my life; I’ll leave with far more than I ever expected.
Settling into college life
Durham may be small, but it has a way of expanding to fit you. Coming from a city where 35°C summers are the norm, my first Northern English winter felt like a personal challenge — one I’m proud to say I survived. I was in Hatfield College on the Bailey, which made me feel close to the heart of the city. Weekly formals, late-night conversations, and meeting people from every corner of the world grounded me in a way I didn’t anticipate.
Getting my first job at the Hatfield café was another turning point. It wasn’t just about earning money; it was about becoming independent in a new country. Every shift made me feel like I was accomplishing something meaningful, building a life that was truly mine.
First Impressions of SGIA
The core reason I chose Durham was SGIA. I still remember the disbelief I felt when I received my offer — it felt surreal that a department so well-known and globally respected wanted me. Walking into the Al Qasimi Building for the first time felt like stepping into the centre of something bigger than myself. The walls lined with framed photos of student trips — including volunteering in Cape Town — made me realise how many opportunities existed beyond the classroom.
Then I saw the display showing the 50+ nationalities represented in the department. For someone who had travelled continents alone, that moment mattered. It made me feel less like an outsider and more like someone joining a global community. SGIA doesn’t just teach international relations — it lives it.
A cultural exchange
My first seminar was for Comparative Politics in my first year, and I remember walking in with nerves buzzing. Coming from a very different educational background, I worried I wouldn’t fit in or keep up. Instead, the seminar felt like a cultural exchange. People shared perspectives shaped by their own countries, histories, and experiences. There was no judgment — only curiosity, acceptance, and genuine interest.
That atmosphere is what makes SGIA special. The diversity isn’t just demographic; it’s intellectual. You learn as much from your peers as you do from the readings. Discussions feel alive, shaped by real stories and lived realities rather than abstract theories.
Support that makes a difference
One of my biggest fears before arriving was whether I would be able to adapt academically. I didn’t realise how accommodating and supportive the faculty would be. SGIA offers peer mentors, academic advisors, and generous office hours — all of which I used, especially in my first year. No question was too small, no confusion too embarrassing. That support allowed me not just to adjust, but to excel.
There’s something empowering about knowing that the people teaching you genuinely want you to succeed. It makes the transition from one educational culture to another feel less daunting and more like a shared journey.
Being a woman of colour in politics
As a woman of colour and an international student studying politics, I carried quiet worries with me. Would I be taken seriously? Would my voice matter? Those fears dissolved quickly. Seeing women and men — from so many backgrounds — in positions of academic leadership was inspiring. It made me feel like I, too, could excel in this environment.
What struck me even more was learning that SGIA was the first Politics department in the entire UK to receive an Athena Swan award, and that it now holds a Silver Award. Knowing that the School has been recognised nationally for its commitment to gender equality made everything I was experiencing make sense. I felt comfortable sharing my opinions in seminars, never feeling undervalued or out of place. That sense of belonging is part of what motivated me to become an ambassador for the School of Government and International Affairs — a role that still feels surreal and deeply meaningful.
Looking back — and forward
Now, when I look back at my time here, I can say with complete honesty that choosing Durham was the best decision I’ve ever made. If a girl who moved continents to a town she had never visited — where no one spoke her language and everything felt unfamiliar — can feel this safe, supported, and at home, then the community here is truly larger than life.
Durham has given me more than an education. It has given me confidence, independence, friendships across continents, and a sense of belonging I didn’t know I needed. And yes — British food really isn’t that bad.
Discover more
Take a look at our School of Government and International Affairs
Create your own personalised prospectus
To find out more about student life in Durham, follow our students on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube
