The #WeAreInternational Awards celebrate institutions, teams, staff, and students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to delivering a positive experience for international students.
Risha Haria has been shortlisted for a Student Leader of the Year Award. This award recognises international students who have powerfully amplified the student voice to drive impactful changes for the international student experience.
Risha exhibited outstanding leadership as Chair of Loughborough’s International Students’ Network (ISN) in 2024/25, revitalising it into a vibrant, inclusive community that champions international student voices. She led impactful initiatives including careers and wellbeing events, a widely attended International Student Week, and the creation of a self-care guide in collaboration with HeadsUp.
Risha worked across the University to expand ISN’s influence, address accommodation challenges, and celebrate cultural diversity, most notably partnering with the International Student Experience team to deliver Loughborough’s first Songkran Festival.
The Careers Network team has been shortlisted for an Outstanding Student Support Award (Careers and employability). This award celebrates a team that enhance the employability of international students and recognises efforts to provide specific career services and tools, embed professional experience opportunities, and inform employers about the benefits of hiring international graduates.
The University’s Careers Network offers tailored, industry-leading support for international students before, during, and after their studies, helping them thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Through cohort programmes, personalised coaching, exclusive internships, and employer networking, students gain vital career skills and confidence.
Our Talent Match (TM) programmes offer exclusive paid professional short-term work experience, developing employability skills and enhancing graduate outcomes specifically for international students. In doing so they enhance visibility with industry partners, helping to break down barriers and showcase international student talent. Since 2023, the Careers Network has created 330 roles, with 92 international students securing internships leading to several instances of permanent hire.
The winners of the #WeAreInternational Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday 19 November.