Ivana Atem

How did you know the University of Birmingham was the right choice for you? 

As an international student deciding to pursue law in the UK, choosing the right university required a lot of research and discussion. I knew the University of Birmingham was the right fit for me because it places a strong emphasis on supporting international students. One of my key considerations was finding a university that could provide excellent postgraduate opportunities, and Birmingham stood out for its strong careers network, both in the UK and in Canada. I also attended several online sessions led by the law faculty, and it became clear that this is a place where students are both supported and academically challenged. All of these factors made Birmingham feel like the perfect choice for me.

Student life

My student experience at Birmingham has been really fun and welcoming. Everyone is friendly and always open to a chat, which makes running into friends and course mates around campus one of my favourite parts of the day. My friends and I often head to Cuore after lectures for lunch, which has become a little tradition of ours. The university also makes it easy to get involved in different opportunities, like my role as a student content creator, which has added another exciting layer to my time here. Overall, campus life feels vibrant, supportive, and full of opportunities to connect and grow.

My favourite memory 

My favourite memory so far has to be during Welcome Week. After a law event, my friend and I were walking out and chatting when another student overheard our accents and asked if we were from Canada. We said yes, and to our surprise, she was too! A few other girls nearby overheard and joined in, saying they were also Canadian. It turned into such a funny and wholesome moment. A little group of us from back home all meeting by chance in Birmingham. We ended up going out together that same night, and it’s a memory that still makes me smile.