By Imannur Gül, MSc Diplomacy and International Relations, Class of 2024-2025

After nine months of studying in London, I am back sitting in my cozy place in Berlin Tiergarten, drinking my beloved German  coffee that I truly missed, and thinking about the incredible and unforgettable time I had in London. I wish I could go back and tell the younger Imannur, who was always overthinking how to organize and plan her life, that many of the things she aimed for would actually come true!

Studying in London was one of my greatest goals. Finding a master’s program in Diplomacy, the field I had always aspired to, felt like the perfect match. When I discovered that Loughborough University, ranked among the top ten in the UK, had a London campus offering a Master’s in Diplomacy, I was very excited. And then came another wonderful surprise: I was awarded the Dean’s Global Excellence Scholarship. All of this was a true honour for me.

Now, after nine months, I am back in my hometown and amazed at how fast time has flown. I still remember my first day in London and our first class, when we all introduced ourselves to the lecturer. I was thrilled to meet people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. I already knew that the UK would be the best place for such an experience. Diplomacy means to me, learning from one another, respecting and engaging with people from different cultures and building networks. Loughborough London gave me the opportunity to do exactly that.

I met so many kind and inspiring people and was impressed by the respectful coexistence of diverse cultures and religions in London, something that can no longer be taken for granted in many parts of the world. Furthermore, I also appreciated the support of our lecturers. They genuinely listened to our concerns, treated us as equals, and consistently made an effort to assist us whenever we encountered difficulties.

I had the honour of serving as the Course Representative for our Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs. I thoroughly enjoyed this role and hope I fulfilled it to the best of my abilities. It was not just a title; I attended meetings with university staff, tried to connect students from our department and organised different events for them. Our campus was open 24/7, which gave us the freedom to find a place to study or simply relax at any time. We also had a wide range of course options to choose from, which was very important to me. One of my favourite courses was the negotiation module. If I had the chance, I would take that class again. For me, a Master’s degree means focusing on an area that will shape my professional future, and my lecturers allowed me to do that.

Most of the time, I was free to choose my own essay topic and go deeper into my areas of interest. I had studied at several universities before, but it was the first time I received answers from lecturers so quickly and could easily arrange meetings with them. I felt valued not just as a student but as a true part of the Loughborough community.

Besides all the seminars, I used my time in the UK to visit other beautiful cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Bath (my favourite), Bristol (another favourite), Oxford, and Cambridge. I tried to understand British culture, observe the differences between regions, and experience everyday life in the UK. I think I did quite well. Now that I’m back in Berlin, I still catch myself looking to the right before crossing the street—old habits from the UK die hard. I’m also trying to get used to seeing the driver on the left side of the car again and remembering to stand on the right side of the escalator.

However, it’s now time to focus on writing my dissertation and completing my studies with a good result. London will always have a special place in my heart. I will always remember the amazing time I had, the people I met, and the memories we created—with a big smile on my face.

I’m excited for our graduation and can’t wait to see everyone again. Who knows—maybe one day I’ll find myself in London once more, sitting in my favourite area, Marylebone and reminiscing with friends about our unforgettable time there.

A big thank you to Immanur Gül for writing this blog! To learn more about her experience at Loughborough University London, you can read her alumni profile.