Arcadia England

In our latest student blog, Belmont student Sheeva Chourazghi-Azad shares her experience of stepping out of her comfort zone and exploring her heritage while abroad, with the help of UCL Union's Iranian Society.

Ever since I was little I’d always been interested in my culture. My parents are from Iran, and having traveled to Iran multiple times I've learned so much about my Persian heritage. Being raised in Nashville, however, as diverse as it is, there is not a significant Persian population, especially around my age. I didn’t know that when I would study abroad in London I would get to learn more about my culture and cultivate such great friendships. 

Before I walked through the door I remembered this was probably the first time in years I was doing something completely by myself, even at my university in America I’m always with my roommates or tagging along with other friends when I try something new.

My roommates and I all joined different clubs from the University City of London’s website club list. There were so many but I automatically joined the Iranian society and was so excited to get to their first meeting. It was late January and I was already feeling the London fog, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone and head over to UCL’s campus. Before I walked through the door I remembered this was probably the first time in years I was doing something completely by myself, even at my university in America I’m always with my roommates or tagging along with other friends when I try something new. I wasn’t sure if I was up for it, I mean my Farsi isn’t the best and I hadn’t been to Iran in many years but after I walked through the door I was so so glad I did! Since joining the Iranian Society I’ve been able to be around people my age with my culture that wasn't just family, and that was such an incredibly enriching experience. Firstly everyone in the club was just so fabulous, they had the best fashion, they were so funny, and they really made me feel like I wasn’t alone in London. It was so interesting to hear about their life and studies in London too! I went to events like their Quiz Night, Debate Night, Nowruz Egg Painting (which is the tradition for Iranian New Year), and their Game Night, which I was successful at winning musical chairs. Everyone in the club were genuinely such kind and open people and they immediately welcomed me into the organization. 

I think that a really great part of studying abroad is that after the experience you feel like you've gained new knowledge and were able to have new experiences, and I think that the accessibility of traveling and living in a cosmopolitan city have a big part of that. While my semester is coming to an end though, it's made me realize how much people make a place and how impactful it is to make connections with those around you. The friends I made at the Iranian Society all made London feel like home, and I am so thankful to them and everyone else in the society for some great laughs and connections. 

I highly recommend joining a UCL club. Study abroad goes by so quickly, and with the weekend traveling and schoolwork it can be easy to forget to make connections with people in London, but I really do believe it was a big part of the joy I’ve made since being here!

Thank goodness for Chai and musical chairs!