“Kings gave me a lot of opportunities.”
Meet Brenda, a former Kings Brighton student who is now studying Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science at the University of Bath — a course she has dreamed about for years.
Originally from Singapore, Brenda was inspired to study in the UK after growing up watching English films and imagining what life here would be like. She saw the UK as a place full of opportunity and wanted to experience it for herself.
Discovering life in the UK
Like many international students, Brenda experienced a few cultural surprises when she first arrived. One of the biggest was the way people greet each other.
In the UK, phrases like “Are you alright?” or “How are you?” initially confused her — she thought people were genuinely worried about her. She also quickly noticed how often people say “cheers” or “thank you”, something she found really warm and welcoming.
Making the most of opportunities at Kings Brighton
At Kings Brighton, Brenda found an environment that encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and try new things.
She joined the Student Council, where she helped organise activities and played a role in planning Kings Brighton’s first-ever prom. Experiences like this helped her build confidence, leadership skills and independence.
Kings also helped Brenda develop her public speaking skills by giving her opportunities to present in front of others — something she knew would help her in the future.
Choosing the University of Bath
When it came to choosing a university, environment was very important to Brenda. She chose the University of Bath not only for its academic strength but also because it is a welcoming and supportive place to live and study.
At university, Brenda has continued to try new things. She discovered fencing — a sport she never had the chance to try back home — and has really enjoyed being able to explore new interests alongside her studies.
Advice for future students
Brenda encourages new students to actively look for opportunities, whether through sports, societies or leadership roles.
Her biggest piece of advice is simple:
Whenever you feel doubt or uncertainty, take on the challenge.
For Brenda, taking on challenges at Kings helped prepare her for university life — and set her on the path to achieving her dream.
