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I’m William – British and French by nationality, Cambodian by ethnicity, and raised in Germany.
Growing up, I often felt disconnected from the society around me because I didn’t speak
German fluently. I was surrounded by a culture that wasn’t fully mine, and it was frustrating not
being able to express myself or fit in completely. I yearned for a place where language wouldn’t
be a barrier to belonging. For a long time, I dreamed of moving to the UK, hoping that speaking
English – a language I was comfortable with – would make it easier to find my place.

When I finally came to Leeds for university, I expected to feel at home. Legally, I was British, but
having lived my whole life abroad, I quickly realized I didn’t feel British in the same way many of
my UK-born peers did. In my first year, whenever I told people I was British, I would get puzzled
looks; because of the color of my skin, many assumed I must be “from somewhere else.” It was
a jarring reminder that people often confuse nationality with ethnicity. This reaction left me
feeling isolated and unsure of where I fit in, and I struggled that year to find a group where I truly
belonged.

In my second year, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and join the university’s rocketry
society. Surrounded by like-minded, hard-working engineers building model rockets, I finally
found a community where I felt welcome. It wasn’t a culturally based group, but it was a space
where I could be my best self and bond with others over a shared passion. Being part of the
rocketry team was incredibly important for my self-worth – I suddenly had a place in the
university where I mattered. I attribute a lot of my personal growth during that year to the
confidence and support I found in that society.

As much as I loved spending time with my fellow engineers, I realized something was still
missing. I didn’t want my identity to be defined solely by engineering or academics. I longed for
a sense of cultural community – a “home” culture I could connect with on a deeper level. I
wanted a space where I could celebrate the other parts of my identity, not just my interest in
science.

Even today, I’m often asked the inevitable question: “Where are you from?” It’s a simple
question with a very complicated answer in my case. Over time, I’ve learned to simplify my
response by saying, “I’m an international student,” because it’s easier than detailing my
British-French-Cambodian-German background. The truth is, I come from many places, and that
used to make me feel like I had no clear home.

On top of that, I’m also neurodiverse, which means I sometimes need more time to pick up on
social cues, share jokes, or open up to new people. This aspect of me has made me even more
aware of how important shared culture and understanding can be in making connections.
Finding common ground – whether it’s a language, a tradition, or even a love of the same food –
can bridge the gap when other social cues are harder for me to navigate.

Throughout my time in Leeds, I began joining various cultural societies on campus. Each one
offered me a new perspective and a chance to celebrate a different part of global culture.
Through these societies, I witnessed firsthand the richness of diversity at our university. I
learned dances from other countries, tasted foods from around the world, and most importantly,
met people who, like me, had layered identities and unique journeys.

Now, I am truly proud of my layered, intersecting identities. I no longer see my mixed
background as a drawback; instead, I see it as a strength. This intersectionality – being a mix of
nationalities, ethnicities, experiences, and even neurodiversity – is exactly what makes
communities like Leeds so vibrant and rich. Embracing every part of who I am has been
challenging at times, but it has shown me the beauty of a diverse community and my own place
within it.