By Dana Datu, News Reporter
Your vote determines who will champion your academic and personal interests at the university level. Who best represents you? Make sure your voice is heard.
You can vote here until 9 pm Thursday 12 March. Find candidate manifestos here.
Cara Hene
The SU International Students Officer is one of seven full-time, paid positions at Bristol SU. The role focuses on advocating for international students and their interests, championing representation and inclusion, and campaigning against discrimination.
The role was held by Jessie Leung, who is running again this year. She has focused on improving student poverty and on empowering communities through lobbying Parliament regarding international students’ welfare, whilst challenging racist and anti-migrant narratives in Bristol.
This year’s candidates are: Ethan Tian, Jessie Yeung, Mary Okeke, Sagar Dhurandhar, Suwana Amit Rao, Utkarsh Hanumant Chhapchhade and Venkata Rama Krishna Teja Kanchipati
*If a candidate did not attend our interview panel, nor respond to our questions over email, they have not been profiled in this article.*
Ethan Tian
If elected as International Student Officer, Ethan is committed to:
- Organising cultural and social events that foster meaningful connections between international students.
- Enhancing support services around student visas, accommodation selection, and difficulties regarding the transition to university
- Ensuring that international student voices’ are heard and attended to by the University
- Fighting with international students against negative narratives and discrimination.
Mary Okeke
If elected for International Student Officer, Mary is committed to:
- Ensuring that all international students’ voices are heard by the Bristol SU and represented in every decision-making process.
- Countering student loneliness through structured yet relaxed social spaces, community meet-ups, and networking with peers that will connect new international students. She also aims to build on existing programs such as the Language Cafe.
- Collaborating with societies to make university venues more inclusive, especially early in the academic year when students are most isolated.
- Strengthening the practical and emotional safety of international students through providing clear reporting processes for discrimination cases, while actively celebrating international contributions and cultures through storytelling events.
Jessie Yeung
If re-elected for International Student Officer, Jessie is committed to:
- Continuing to secure a dedicated four-person English language support team and creating a new SU job shop webpage to provide new employment opportunities for international students.
- Launching a monthly Free Samosa Social club, which includes relaxed and accessible social activities with free samosas, board games, and social activities for international students to participate in.
- Expanding on community-building initiatives, including International Student Week and the 10th Annual Global Food Fair, while reducing admin pressure on student groups.
- Championing international student rights and safety through challenging several MPs, launching a letter-writing campaign to Carla Denyer, and contributing to government consultations on visas and earned settlement. Jessie has also pushed for anti-racist narratives at a university level by collaborating with senior staff.
Sagar Dhurandhar
If elected for International Student Officer, Sagar is committed to:
- Addressing the challenges international students face, such as building friendships, managing the cost of living, and planning for a life post-university.
- Expanding peer networks to help students settle in academically and socially. Aims to create relaxed social spaces such as coffee meetups, hobby groups, and career discussions.
- Promoting career networking opportunities, part-time guidance, and financial information sessions to help make students feel more confident and connected.
- Ensuring there are clear, accessible systems to report discrimination while amplifying student voices on housing and cost of living. Plans to celebrate the academic, cultural, and economic contributions that international students bring to Bristol.
Sawana Amit Rao
If elected for International Student Officer, Sawana is committed to:
- Advocating for the challenges international students face, such as academic adjustment, visa navigation, and feelings of isolation, to be truly included and heard at the University.
- Creating meaningful social opportunities and cultural exchanges by encouraging the Student Union to provide community spaces with free food giveaways.
- Improving access to clear, reliable information on visa processing to ensure that international students feel supported throughout their time at Bristol.
- Ensuring that any concerns made by international students regarding discrimination, harassment, and anti-immigrant narratives are heard and promptly acted upon.
Utkarsh Hanumat Chhapchhade
If elected for International Student Officer, Utkarsh is committed to:
- Creating a comprehensive International Start Year Guide for students, navigating through health, admin, housing, and well-being issues, in addition to weekly drop-ins to help students with university life.
- Launching a Buddy Connector Scheme which pairs international students with someone new in Bristol, alongside regular meetups with societies and faculties to ensure ongoing support.
- Running Bristol Basic Drop-ins on a weekly or fortnightly basis, providing a dedicated space for students to raise and resolve concerns with the faculty.
- Championing international student safety by directing students to anti-discrimination guidance and proper support systems if needed.
Venkata Rama Kirshna Teja Kanchipati
If elected as International Student Officer, Venkata is committed to:
- Ensuring international students have accessible information regarding visa complications, academic adjustments, personal well-being, and settling into a new country.
- Celebrating diversity and fostering genuine connections through cultural events, networking opportunities, and student-led initiatives.
- Amplifying international student voices by gathering feedback and working with the Students’ Union
Featured image: Epigram / Tom Foley
Who will you be voting for as International Student Officer?
