Inaya Iman

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I am from the UK, born in London, with Nigerian heritage. I am interested in politics, philosophy and international affairs. I would like to pursue a future in writing – journalistic and travel, and I hope to use my platform as a writer to share my ideas about bettering the world.

What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds?

I had wanted to get involved in politics for a very long time, so International Relations seemed like a natural step. But, when I saw the opportunity to study it with Arabic, it gave the course an added flair and richness. Arabic is a difficult but incredible language, and I wanted to take up the challenge.

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study?

I think the world is changing very quickly, with new and interesting dimensions being added to the world of international affairs every day. I had never wanted to just go be swept up in the tide, I wanted to ride the wave. Therefore, I feel like Arabic and International Relations gives me the necessary foundation to be part of the world in a well-equipped and dynamic way.

What aspects of the course did you enjoy the most?  

I enjoyed the year abroad the most. It is one thing to just learn a language, but it is an experience to be immersed in the language completely for an entire year. It was a great adventure. My language skills improved greatly and I met some wonderful people. 

What other activities are available for students to take part in outside of their studies, and which ones have you tried out yourself?

I’ve got involved in things that I never thought I would have. There is a good poetry scene here, which I have been involved in. I was inspired to start writing poetry when I came here, which I never thought that I would do, let alone be good at.

There are many extracurricular opportunities available in and outside of the university. Leeds is a major city, so there are a wide range of activities to participate in. In regard to the University, there are hundreds of student societies from Baking Society to the university’s newspaper, The Gryphon, for students to get involved in. There are also various ambassador programmes offered by the University, which provide students with excellent transferable skills and opportunities to participate in exciting projects.