Meet Saba Mohaved Nia: Championing international student voices through the #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador Programme

20 October 2026

👉 #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador Programme 2028/28: apply by Monday 26 October. UKCISA's student network of global future leaders, the programme is an education policy and leadership development scheme for exceptional individuals from around the world studying in the UK.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you enjoy most about student life in London?

I am Iranian, but I was born and raised in Türkiye, and after high school, I came to the UK for my university studies.

I would call myself a foodie and I feel like London is one of the best cities for it, as every day a new place opens and I get to try authentic food from all around the world. I also really like checking out galleries and exhibitions in London, as there is always a new exhibition popping up, which makes it exciting every time.

What inspired you to choose Queen Mary for your postgraduate studies?

International law has always been a particular interest of mine, especially as my research interests in migration, nationality and human rights fall within this field particularly after my dissertation during my bachelor's degree. I also got the chance to visit Queen Mary before joining and I liked the campus environment within London and particularly our Faculty building in Holborn where it is at the centre of many other law firms and we are always close by to events happening around. Another factor was also the extracurriculars offered in Queen Mary like the qLegal programme which interested me in joining as it allowed me to gain work experience in London during my time at university and exposed me to so many other new opportunities by getting to know other professionals.

Queen Mary's prestige and academic team were what inspired me to study there, as I wanted to further explore these interests in an academically strong environment. The London location was also ideal, as it is a hub for many international firms and organisations working in these areas.

What encouraged you to apply for the UKCISA #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador Programme?

I have always taken on representative roles throughout my bachelor's degree, and I wanted to continue doing that. I was the School Representative for my law school at Coventry University, and when I saw the UKCISA post, I thought this was a more elevated platform where I could have a wider reach, put all my combined skills into a bigger role, and grow personally while making connections.

I also had a background in policy and research, which is why I felt that this role was something akin to those areas, too.

What opportunities has the programme given you to make a difference for international students?

I have been involved in workshops, talks with academics, seminars, and more informal settings, such as going around campus and having conversations with students.

I also worked with the Students' Union President and the Wellbeing team to develop a talk circle for international students, particularly those experiencing conflict in their home countries. The idea was to create a space where students could talk to one another, share their experiences, and receive support from the Wellbeing team, especially when dealing with the stress and uncertainty of situations back home.

What has been the highlight of your experience as a #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador?

I think the most rewarding and memorable moment for me was the UKCISA conference, because I could see the impact of ambassadors when talking to educators and people who work in universities. We are often the first point of contact for them to understand the student impact of their policies.

My main takeaway was actually seeing how many people working in universities are genuinely interested in and keen on improving the international student experience. It was encouraging to see so many people passionate about making a difference, and it gave me hope that the challenges international students face are being taken seriously and that positive changes are possible.

What issues affecting international students are you most passionate about, and how has the programme helped you raise awareness?

I think this year, as an ambassador, my passion was more focused on mental health, especially for students dealing with conflict in their home countries.

Over the past few years, many things have occurred, and we have been surrounded by conflicts in different regions. Although the impact of these conflicts on students' mental health is addressed to some extent, international students are already dealing with so much while living abroad, and one thing that often goes unnoticed is the feeling of helplessness and how to manage the stress that comes with it.

The programme gave me a platform to talk about these issues and raise awareness directly among educators and decision-makers. For example, I wrote a blog post for World Mental Health Day to particularly raise awareness of the unseen challenges international students go through and the importance of recognising these experiences when providing support.

What skills and professional experience have you gained through the programme?

I think being an ambassador has contributed to my development in the sense that I got to talk to more and more people, and this time, it was also a different audience.

When you are a student representative, your main role is to talk with students, but what is different with UKCISA is that your main role becomes talking to decision-makers, educators and others working in the sector.

In relation to professional development, having this role alongside my other commitments has also helped me improve my time management and organisational skills.

What has it meant to you to represent Queen Mary and its international student community on a national platform?

Queen Mary has always been a diverse university, and I think it has one of the most active international student communities. That's why it was very important to me to be able to represent that diversity and bring the experiences and perspectives of international students into wider conversations.

For me, representing Queen Mary was also about showcasing what the institution is doing to support its international students and sharing these practices with other universities so that they can serve as examples. Initiatives such as the Wellbeing team's counselling sessions are good examples of the support universities can provide.

I think it was particularly meaningful to be able to represent a community that I am also part of, while having the opportunity to contribute to conversations that could improve the experiences of international students beyond Queen Mary.

Why should other Queen Mary students consider applying for the 2027-2028 #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador Programme?

It's very motivating in the sense that you get to be part of change and see what happens in decision-making, and you get to experience this in a very fun way.

Although the education sector might seem serious, the people you work with are always keen to learn, and there are so many people who are genuinely passionate about making things better for international students.

It's also a great opportunity to improve your public speaking skills and develop other skills, while building your confidence.