We plan a million things in life, but it surprises us with a zillion completely different things. I didn’t know until the last week of May 2023 that there was a university named Queen's University Belfast or a place named Belfast and by December 2024 this place holds a significant place in both my CV and my heart! I love this place for not just what it gave to me, but for what it truly is!

A Year of Saying Yes

A year of saying yes! Said yes out of surety, said yes out of self doubt. I said yes to opportunities, challenges, and moments that pushed me out of my comfort zone. People around me always believed I was meant for greater things but I used to constantly question myself. The last 15 months of saying yes to opportunities at Queen's showed me my own potential because of saying yes to things and actually doing them!

Somebody once told me you don’t go back to being the same person after living a year abroad and I now understand that sentiment deeply. Little did I know that my heart will always be split between 2 countries. At no time will I have all my loved ones on the same continent. But I will always have the values and culture of 2 places and people instilled heavily in me for the rest of my life!

Lessons Beyond and within the Classroom

Before coming here, words like "sustainability", "inclusion" and "accessibility" were just mere words to me. I now understand the depth of them and the need for them in both personal and professional life. But my time at Queen's transformed those words into pillars of my personal and professional life.  

The brilliance of teamwork and collaboration lies in complementary thoughts and skill sets and this will not be complete until you make everyone feel included. What fascinated me was how my professors always connected real world problems to these aspects to provoke critical thinking and sustainable leadership. 

Extra-curricular and Co-curricular Knowledge

The lessons I learned in the classroom about sustainability, inclusion, and leadership didn’t just stay within the four walls; they became the foundation for my co-curricular endeavours, where I had the opportunity to apply these principles in real-world challenges.

For someone looking for a fresh start with a career shift, what I got from this place was beyond my expectations. I arrived with academic potential, but I leave as a graduate equipped with not only a degree but also social responsibility, professional and interpersonal skills, a vision, and an unshakable self-belief. The Future-Ready Skills Award is more than an accolade—it’s a testament to my growth and readiness to embrace what lies ahead. To me, the future ready award means as much as the master's degree. 

Working on building a start-up in the Co-founders programme and then Inspire Impact Innovation challenge has given me a brilliant opportunity to apply my learnings in the most practical sense. 

Nothing in life is a transitory phase

I thought this master's degree was just a pathway to the career I want. Little did I know that I would fall in love with the journey and forget the destination. I faced my share of challenges and the journey was not easy, but it was completely worth it. Something that really reassures me in my imposter moments or difficult situations is "Rud atá i ndán duit ní rachaidh sé tharat"!

The ceremony

It was wonderful to see all my peers at one place after months, and I was delighted that my father could join me for the ceremony. I have dreamt of sharing this moment with my father since I flew into NI for the first time and it did come true!

But little did I know, being the introvert that I am, I would have this big a community to cheer for and celebrate with me!

A special thanks to the team for streaming the ceremony online, allowing all my friends and family to join me virtually.

The beauty of a winter graduation is that it also gives a chance to reflect and rejoice at the end of the course and the end of the year along with the festive feels and pretty lights!

Spoiled by Kindness

Queen's and Belfast have spoiled me in the best way possible. The warmth and friendliness I’ve experienced here set a standard that I doubt any place can match. Wherever I go in the world, I’ll probably always think, people here are kind, but not NI-kind.

Gratitude and Goodbyes

Graduation is a bittersweet moment. It brings the joy of achievement and excitement for the future, but also the sadness of leaving behind a place that is close to the heart. I will miss being a student at this institution. I strongly believe the last 15 months will significantly influence what my life will be for the next 15 years. As I leave Queen's, I carry with me not just a degree but memories, friendships, and values that will guide me!

I extend my gratitude to everyone who has influenced and inspired me during my time at Queen's, a phase that has not only empowered me to face what comes next with confidence, but one that has also taught me to slow down and take life as it comes. Thank you, Queen’s University Belfast and Queen’s Students’ Union for being one of the most beautiful stories of my life. I do not know now what the future holds for me, but I will take it as it comes. One thing I am absolutely sure of is that I will be a responsible alumni of Queen's, and never a stranger! Slán go fóill with a heart full of confidence, gratitude and Northern Irish kindness!

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Sai Sree Kurra MSc Management | Postgraduate Student | India Hello fellow students and passionate readers!! I'm an enthusiastic cinephile, cynophile and bibliophile. Watching and occasionally participating in sports gives me immense joy, with cricket being my favourite. I am extremely passionate and devoted to mental health awareness. Volunteering for significant causes makes my heart feel full. Coming to my professional background, I'm an ambitious student pursuing a Master's in Management. Former perfectionist, now striving to balance ambition and passion with compassion and self care. My professional interests include Leadership, Marketing, Strategy, and Business Consulting. As a lifelong learner, I constantly seek opportunities for learning and development and love to challenge myself.