I’ve been a student at Queen Mary University of London for the past year, and to be honest, when I decided to change countries, leave a decently paying software job, and move to London to pursue my master’s degree, I had no idea what to expect. It was a leap into the unknown—one filled with anticipation, hope, and no small amount of nervousness. Looking back, I now realize how transformative this journey has been, not only in terms of my education but also on a personal and professional level.
The first real introduction to Queen Mary for any student is the Welcome Week. As I approached the start of my studies, I vividly recall how overwhelming those first days were. Everything seemed new, and every step felt like a plunge into uncharted waters. From navigating London’s complex tube system, deciphering the difference between the northbound and southbound lines, to figuring out how to find my way around the vast university campus, life was suddenly a whirlwind of changes. Every little thing, from locating my classes to finding a comfortable spot to study, felt like a monumental task.
But soon, what seemed daunting began to feel familiar. Once I found my footing, life in London—and at Queen Mary—became much easier to navigate. I grew to love the canal-side views on campus, which quickly became my favourite hangout spot. I came to know the campus like the back of my hand, understanding its various nooks and crannies, and eventually, places like QMSocial became a second home where I could relax and connect with others. QMplus turned into my personal Google—a one-stop-shop for everything related to my modules, assignments, and university updates.
All of these small moments of adjustment and learning began to shape my time at Queen Mary in a positive way. So, when I saw the opportunity to apply for the TELT (Technology Enhanced Learning Team) student ambassador role, I didn’t hesitate to submit my application. Having familiarized myself with most of the university’s digital tools and platforms like QMplus, I thought this would be a role that played to my strengths—after all, I’d been through the process of figuring everything out as a new student myself. Naturally, I assumed the role wouldn’t push me too far outside my comfort zone.
As it turns out, I was completely wrong—in the best possible way.
When I received the offer letter for the TELT student ambassador position, I was excited but also unsure of what exactly I’d be doing. It’s one thing to be familiar with certain tools or platforms as a student, but it’s quite another to be responsible for presenting that information to incoming students. My assumptions about it being an easy, comfortable task were quickly proven wrong. While I was working with information I was already familiar with, the way we were expected to engage with students and present this information required a completely new approach—one that was highly interactive and hands-on.
My first presentation during Welcome Week is a day I’ll never forget. I was standing in front of a room full of new students, people who were exactly where I had been just one year before, and suddenly, nerves got the better of me. As I was talking, I completely blanked out. For a split second, I felt panic setting in, but then I remembered the preparation sessions we had before the main Welcome Week event. Thankfully, we had time to practice our presentations in advance, and even more thankfully, my partner for the session stepped in seamlessly to cover for my stumble. That’s the beauty of teamwork—you can rely on others when you need it most.
With each presentation that followed, I became more confident. Public speaking, something that had always made me a little uneasy, started to feel more natural. Every time I stood up in front of the crowd, answered questions, or led discussions, I could feel myself growing—not just as a student ambassador but as an individual. It wasn’t long before the nervousness I’d felt at the start faded away, and by the end of the week, speaking in front of large groups of students became almost second nature.
One of the most memorable moments of the entire Welcome Week experience happened on a day when everything seemed to go wrong. My partner for that day had fallen ill at the last minute and couldn’t make it in time for the presentation. With only ten minutes to go before we were due to start, the team had to quickly shuffle around responsibilities and switch partners. It could have easily turned into a stressful, chaotic situation, but instead, it turned into one of the proudest moments of my time as a student ambassador. Despite all the last-minute changes, the presentation went off without a hitch. In fact, it was one of the best we had given all week.
This experience taught me the true meaning of teamwork. Throughout the week, every single person on the TELT team was supportive and ready to step in whenever needed. There was a real sense of camaraderie—each of us knew that we could rely on one another, and that if one person needed help, the rest of the team would be there to offer it. It wasn’t just about completing our tasks; it was about ensuring that every presentation, every interaction with new students, was as helpful and informative as possible. We weren’t just sharing information; we were shaping their first impressions of Queen Mary.
Looking back on my time as a TELT student ambassador, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Not only did I get to work with an amazing team, but I also grew personally and professionally in ways I hadn’t expected. My public speaking skills improved tremendously, my confidence in presenting information to large groups soared, and I learned the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges. These are all skills that will serve me well long after I’ve completed my studies at Queen Mary.
In the end, being part of the TELT student ambassador team was far more than just a job. It was an experience that pushed me to grow, to step outside my comfort zone, and to embrace new challenges with enthusiasm and confidence. I’ll always look back on this time with fondness, and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an amazing team. If there’s one piece of advice I would offer to any new student at Queen Mary, it would be this: say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. You never know where it might lead, and more often than not, it will lead to something extraordinary.
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