My name is Eric Zhong, an Illustration undergrad at Camberwell. As an international student from China, I have experienced firsthand the challenges faced by people studying abroad in the UK. From my own experience, and from talking with students from different backgrounds, I have identified what I think are three main problems:

1. International students sometimes find it difficult to integrate into university life, preventing students from engaging in cultural exchange, which should be one of the biggest advantages of attending an international university.
2. Everyone’s tuition fees are increasing yearly.
3. It isn’t easy for international students to start careers in the UK, affecting diversity in the creative industry.

If elected, I will tackle these problems by:

1. Organising more international activities, such as online mixers, and language and cultural exchanges. After Covid restrictions have eased, this can also take the form of in person meet ups. I hope to increase funding for international and cultural societies, as well as ensuring that international students are treated fairly, in class and elsewhere.
2. Campaigning against increases in tuition fees.
3. Improving support for international students starting careers in the UK, helping them with things like work experience and visa applications. I will work with other universities to address difficulties faced by international students on a nationwide level, including campaigns to challenge unfair government policies.

I want to help both international and local students by encouraging cultural exchange, enriching the university experience for everyone and creating a more diverse creative industry.