Humans of Portsmouth - Priscilla's Story

My name is Priscilla, and I’m an international student from Zimbabwe. I came all the way here to study International Relations and Politics, and I’m graduating this year. I actually decided to stay on and do a master’s, kind of last minute because I just love this university so much that I thought, why not stay a bit longer?

The main reason I chose Portsmouth was the location. I loved the idea of being near the sea, and being close to London was a big draw, I remember thinking, “Near London? Perfect!”

Also, Portsmouth was one of the only universities offering the exact degree I wanted. I was quite picky about the course content, and this one matched perfectly as International Relations and Politics had everything I wanted to learn.

I really appreciated how clear the course outline was about what we’d be studying. Of course, modules can change a little each year, but it was exactly what I expected, and even better. I’ve always been passionate about history, and I loved that my course combined politics, history, and policy all together. It definitely met my expectations.

In my second year, we studied a lot of history and I’m really passionate about German history and the Soviet Union. That whole year was amazing. The lecturers made it engaging with PowerPoints, videos, and discussions. I think my second year was my favourite overall.

[Do you have a favourite moment or memory from your time at Portsmouth?] Oh, there are so many! But I think my favourite was when I went on placement. It was such a valuable experience, stepping out of the university bubble and into the professional world.

At first, I was nervous but the university was so supportive. The Careers team helped me every step of the way,I was practically there every day applying for roles!

That year-long placement really stood out to me. Seeing the difference between studying and working full-time was eye-opening, and it helped me grow so much.

The biggest thing I learned was more about myself and what I want to do and where my career is going. I developed communication skills, teamwork and confidence. My placement was very social, focused on events, so I worked with lots of different departments and people.

I’m naturally quite bubbly, so I used that to my advantage. It helped me build professional and personal skills. I genuinely think everyone should do a placement, it’s such an important experience.

[Were there any struggles you had to overcome during that time?] Definitely. As an international student, the professional environment was very different from what I was used to. At university, things are more informal and social, but in a professional setting, you really have to bring your best self.

It was a challenge at first to adjust to working with managers and people in higher positions, but it helped me learn a lot about myself and how I operate in that kind of space.

During my placement, I got to work at the House of Lords, and I was asked to plan my own event there from start to finish. It was for the Public Mental Health Leadership Certificate course, a small reception, but I had full responsibility: invitations, budgeting, catering, logistics, coordinating with stakeholders, and making sure everything went smoothly.

It was such a proud moment for me. My manager trusted me to lead the project, and that gave me so much confidence. Definitely one of my biggest achievements!

[I wanted to ask how the Portsmouth Award came about, where did that start for you?] I think I first saw it on Moodle or maybe in an email. I’m the kind of person who loves a challenge, so I thought, “Why not?” A friend and I decided to go for it because we’d both done placements, which helped us fast-track some parts of the award. I went to an information session and thought it sounded great, so I signed up.

The final stage was submitting the full portfolio and a short video or voice note explaining why an employer should hire me, basically summarising my skills and experiences. Then it gets assessed, and if you meet the criteria, you receive your certificate and LinkedIn badge.

It really gave me the chance to reflect on my time at university: my goals, what I’d achieved, what I could improve on. The final submission was a portfolio with photos, reflections, and an updated CV. It was such a nice way to see how far I’d come.

[Did you receive any support with the Portsmouth Award?] A hundred percent. Clare Pitkin from the Careers team was amazing. I asked so many questions, and she always replied quickly and helped me understand what to include at each stage. I never felt lost or unsupported.

[What did the award mean to you personally?] It meant a lot. It wasn’t just a certificate, it was a reflection of my growth. It made me look back at how much I’ve changed and improved my CV, skills, and confidence. It helped me realise what I want to do next and how to move forward in my career.

[So what are your next steps?] I’m starting a master’s in Cybercrime, Terrorism, and Security here at Portsmouth. My dissertation was on that topic, and I loved it so much that I decided to continue. The modules are perfect, and I’m really looking forward to it.

[What was it like moving here?] It was hard leaving my family, especially my twin sister. We’ve been together our whole lives, and she went to university in Canada. It was tough being apart, but we agreed it was a chance for us to grow individually.

Being an international student during the pandemic was challenging, but I’m grateful I chose Portsmouth. The opportunities I’ve had here have been amazing.

[What were some of the challenges you faced?] Mainly loneliness and culture shock at first. I worried about making friends, but living in Rees Hall really helped. The dining hall became a social hub, and I met my closest friends there.

Also, adapting to a new culture and being far from home was hard. It takes about 21 hours to fly to Zimbabwe, so I couldn’t visit often. I didn’t go home for three years, but when I finally did, it was amazing. Seeing my family after three years was incredible, like I never left. I even extended my trip for an extra five days! We travelled, visited my dad in South Africa, and made the most of every moment.

[You mentioned your twin, why did you both choose to study in different countries?] We actually planned to go to the same place at first, but we decided it would be good to grow independently. It was hard at first, but now I’m so proud of her. She’s doing great in Canada, and we motivate each other every day.

[You said your sister is your role model, can you tell me more about that?] Yes! She’s 12 minutes older than me and never lets me forget it. She’s my biggest inspiration because she is determined, smart and supportive. During tough times, like applying for placements or dealing with rejections, she was always there for me. She pushes me to be the best version of myself.

[What excites you most about the future?] Meeting the goals I’ve set for myself, getting a graduate job, growing my career, and being able to give back to my parents. My dad especially has supported me so much. When I told him I wanted to do a master’s, he just said, “If that’s what you want, do it. I’ll support you.” That meant everything.

[What advice would you give to someone moving here alone like you did?] Don’t be afraid. Everyone’s in the same boat, even if it doesn’t feel like it at first. Open up to people because the Portsmouth community is so welcoming and diverse. Once you get comfortable, it gets easier.

I used to be shy, but the friends I met here helped me come out of my shell. So just take that step and you’ll be fine. University has shaped who I am, how I think, how I treat others, and what I want from life. It’s helped me find my confidence and direction.

If you’re thinking about doing the Portsmouth Award, do it. It really makes you stand out. Employers notice these things. I’ve worked in HR, and I can tell you, small experiences like that matter.

I’m also doing an EDI internship through the 10,000 Black Interns Programme, and all of these experiences have built on each other. One opportunity always leads to another. You just have to take that first step.