Why I chose the University of Bristol 

I chose the University of Bristol because it is well-renowned for my course and because I adored the city when I came to visit. There are so many unique aspects of Bristol that make it feel exactly like the major city it is, but so many
aspects that make it feel like a tight-knit community where you will always run into someone you know.

Building community

As a Muslim Kashmiri-Kenyan who grew up in the States but moved to the UK three years before university, I had uncertainty as to how life would be at university with regards to being a person of colour. I have found that the university offers immensely helpful societies and services for everyone and that by using a combination of societies and the many different evenings that the Students Union has, I was able to become a part of the communities I felt resonated most with me.

Advice to myself

If I were to give advice to myself before I started university, it would be to reiterate that you should be yourself. That way, you will attract like-minded people and be able to build the best community you possibly can. As a person of colour at the University of Bristol, I am able to say that I am the one shaping my experience. Community is essential for people of colour, and the university allows you to build the best one for yourself.