"Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone"

Before coming to the UK, I worked as Government & Public Affairs Manager at Huawei, where I led national initiatives in AI, cloud, digital power, and cybersecurity. I chose Birkbeck for its strong reputation in public policy and the fact that I could choose to study in the evening.

A diverse and international community

One of the biggest highlights of my experience has definitely been the number of people I have had the opportunity to meet at Birkbeck. It has such a diverse and international student community, which means you get to meet people from so many different countries and backgrounds.

For me, that has been one of the most rewarding parts of studying in London. You are not only learning from your classes and your professors, but also from the people around you. Meeting students with different experiences, cultures and perspectives has made my time here very memorable.

Finding accommodation

For me, one of the most challenging parts of moving to London was finding accommodation on my own. With so many areas to choose from, knowing where to live can feel overwhelming, particularly if you've never visited the city before. For students looking for accommodation, university halls such as Connaught Hall or International Hall can be good options, particularly if you want to meet other students and have a more social experience. If, like me, you prefer to live in an apartment or studio, I would recommend looking at areas in Zones 1 to 3.

My biggest piece of advice before arriving in London would be to do as much research as possible about the different areas and boroughs around your university. Ideally, I would recommend finding somewhere to live that is within walking distance of your university, or at least somewhere with an easy commute, since you will be spending a lot of your time there.

Step outside your comfort zone

If you are a student from another country thinking about studying in London, another big piece of advice is to research, plan ahead and be open to new experiences. Moving to another country can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you have to figure out things like accommodation, transport and getting used to a completely new environment. But once you settle in, London offers so many opportunities to meet people, explore new places and experience different cultures.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. One of the best things about studying in London is that there is an endless array of things to do and people to meet. If you can push yourself to be bold and step outside your comfort zone, you could make some memories and friends for life.

What the future holds

My goal is to keep working at the intersection of technology, government, and public policy, helping build digital frameworks that turn innovation into real opportunities for all, especially in El Salvador and across Latin America.