I’ve always believed that when people are given the right opportunities and the right environment, they thrive. Growing up, I naturally found myself acting as a bridge, giving my time, organising spaces, and helping others connect so they could grow and feel supported. Creating opportunities for people to come together has always felt meaningful to me, and it’s something I carry into every new environment I enter.
Coming to Exeter for my MBA didn’t change that instinct; instead, it gave me a new opportunity to live it out in a different way. When I saw the role of Postgraduate Events Organiser, I immediately recognised it as a chance to continue doing what I care about most: building community. With a background in project management within a Pan-African non-profit, I had previously supported the planning and delivery of several events and initiatives. Through that experience, I saw how thoughtfully designed events can bring people together, spark friendships, and create a genuine sense of belonging. That understanding made the role feel especially meaningful, as it contributes directly to the Students’ Guild mission of helping students love Exeter through student leadership and shared experiences.
Arriving in Exeter as a postgraduate student also helped me understand the importance of this work on a personal level. Moving to a new city, in my case a new country, can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you are an international student, an exchange student, or someone relocating from another part of the UK, adjusting to a new environment takes time. Alongside learning a new campus, building routines, and managing academic expectations, many postgraduates are also navigating life away from familiar support systems.
For me, one of the biggest challenges was balancing academic commitments with social opportunities. My programme runs from 9:30am to 4:30pm most days, and I quickly noticed that many society events clashed with my schedule. I genuinely wanted to participate in extra-curricular activities and meet new people, but timing often made that difficult. That experience made me realise how easily postgraduate students can feel disconnected, not becausethey lack interest, but because their schedules and responsibilities differ significantly from undergraduate life.
This is why postgraduate specific events are so important.They create intentional spaces where students can connect in ways that recognise their realities. When events are designed with flexibility in mind, more students can participate, unwind, and feel included in campus life. These gatherings help transform Exeter from simply a place of study into a place that feels welcoming and familiar.
As Postgraduate Events Organiser, my goal is to design inclusive and engaging experiences that fit around busy postgraduate lives while encouraging meaningful connection. These events provide opportunities for students to meet others navigating similar academic pressures and life transitions, making conversations easier and friendships more natural. They also offer moments to pause, relax, and recharge, something that is incredibly valuable during demanding academic periods.
One example that stands out was our Christmas Movie Night on 20 December 2025. The event was created especially for postgraduates who were not travelling home for the holidays. With deadlines approaching and winter settling in, the evening offered a chance to step away from academic stress and enjoy a classic festive film together, complete with seasonal treats and a cosy atmosphere. The warmth and laughter in the room showed how powerful simple moments of connection can be, particularly during a season when many students might otherwise feel far from home.
Experiences like this reinforce why PG specific events matter. They bring postgraduate students together across disciplines and backgrounds, creating opportunities to connect with people who share similar journeys and experiences. There is something reassuring about meeting others who understand the pace and pressures of postgraduate life, and these shared moments often become the foundation for lasting friendships and support networks.
At its heart, this role is about community, creating spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and connected. If even one event helps someone feel less alone, discover a new friendship, or feel more at home in Exeter, then I am building something truly meaningful, one event at a time.