Having navigated life as international student in London for several years, I understand firsthand the challenges we face. I bring academic experience from King's College and UCL, cultural awareness, and a genuine passion for amplifying student voices. As your representative, I will ensure no international student feels unheard or unsupported
VOTE EMAN ALSHAFI International Student Representative | Queen Mary University of London
"I have been in your shoes and I will never forget what that feels like."
WHO AM I?
My name is Eman Alshafi. I am a Saudi international PhD student at Queen Mary University of London, and I hold two master's degrees, one from King's College London and one from University College London, both in the fields of health and management.
I am not just a candidate. I am one of you. I have navigated the same systems, felt the same pressures, and overcome the same obstacles that every international student faces when building a life in a new country. I did not just survive the international student experience. I learned from it, grew through it, and now I want to use it to serve you.
WHY AM I RUNNING?
Because I know what it feels like when your voice is not heard. As an international student, I have experienced firsthand the financial pressures of studying and living abroad, the challenge of adapting to a new culture and academic environment, the isolation that can come with being far from home, and the difficulty of navigating systems that were not designed with us in mind.
I am running because every international student at Queen Mary deserves a representative who truly understands their reality, not someone who has read about it, but someone who has lived it.
WHAT I WILL DO FOR YOU
I will be your voice in every conversation about student support, finance, and community. I will push for clearer and more accessible financial guidance for international students. I will advocate for stronger community-building initiatives that help students feel at home. I will create open channels so every student can share concerns and be heard. I will work collaboratively with the university to make real, lasting improvements and represent the full diversity of our international student community with fairness and respect.
MY EXPERIENCE
I bring a diverse and well-rounded background built through real-world training, research, and leadership across some of the world's most respected institutions. I completed internships and training programmes at major global institutions during my studies in the UK, gaining hands-on experience in professional, multicultural environments. I have taught and mentored students at university level, developing strong communication and leadership skills across diverse groups. I have led and contributed to research and management projects in partnership with international hospitals and health institutions, and collaborated with professionals, patients, and teams from a wide range of cultures, age groups, and countries. I also volunteered with children with special needs in Saudi Arabia, building deep empathy and a genuine commitment to serving others, and supported international students in the UK in navigating British culture and society.
These experiences have made me a confident, culturally aware, and people-focused leader who knows how to get things done and how to bring people together.
MY PROMISE TO YOU
I promise to show up every single time. I promise to listen before I speak, to represent all international students equally, and to never stop pushing for the support and recognition our community deserves.
Together, we can make Queen Mary a place where every international student feels genuinely welcomed, supported, and empowered.
VOTE EMAN ALSHAFI. YOUR VOICE. YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.