A series of diary entries written and curated by Pinky Ketswaretswe Naicker, Chemistry PhD at Kent.
‘After a grueling 16-hour flight from South Africa, I found myself in a rented Guesthouse in Sturry, Kent, preparing for a new chapter of my life. I had just arrived in the UK, eagerly awaiting the availability of my apartment from October 2024, and readying myself for what would be my first week as a PhD scholar at the University of Kent. This moment had been months in the making, and despite the overwhelming changes—from leaving my home country to stepping into a new academic environment—I couldn’t help but feel excited about what was to come.
The first week at Kent is officially known as Induction Week (see Photo 1 – my very first day). While some of the home students grumbled about the slower start (they were all too eager to dive right into their post-graduate work), I was actually relieved by it. After all, there’s nothing more disorienting than starting a completely new chapter of life with the added pressure of adjusting to an unfamiliar environment. The last thing I wanted was to stumble my way through minor mishaps—like taking a wrong turn to a building and being late for my first meeting—on top of everything else.
Fortunately, the Division of Natural Sciences (NATS) went above and beyond to ensure that our Welcome Week was filled with helpful activities, designed to ease us into the post-graduate experience (see photo 2 & 3 below). As a Chemistry PhD student, I was introduced to the essential systems of the university, from finding library resources and ordering chemicals to navigating the graduate researcher programs. While I knew it wouldn’t be all smooth sailing, the week was designed to make the transition as seamless—well, or at least as manageable—as possible.
A personal highlight from the week? The treasure hunt (Day 2)! It was a great way to explore the university, meet new people, and (thankfully) do all of that without the anxiety of being late for a meeting or getting lost on the way to a venue. I made some fantastic new friends (see photo 4), and we had an absolute blast working together to find clues and solve riddles. (I’ve attached a picture of us in action!) The scavenger hunt was the perfect balance of fun and discovery, and it felt like a great way to start my journey at Kent.
Aside from the academic side of things, the NATS team truly went the extra mile to provide support for international students like me. From visa paperwork to settling into the UK, their help made the transition so much smoother. I was already eager to begin my studies, but the warm and welcoming atmosphere made everything feel even more right.
As the week came to a close, the Drinks Reception at the Grimond Foyer was the perfect way to conclude it all as a big group. It was an opportunity to solidify the new friendships I’d made, and I’m happy to say that some of those connections have lasted. Special shout-out to Caitlin, a PhD student in Biosciences who’s also new to Kent (but hails from Southampton). We’ve been catching up every two weeks since, reflecting on our PhD journeys, celebrating small victories, and of course, venting about the occasional frustrations that come with life as a PhD student. (Trust me, you’ll soon learn that these mini-wins and frustrations are par for the course in this journey!)
I have so much to share, but I’ll spare you the full details for now. Or, maybe I’ll save them for a future post (wink)!
Stay tuned for more of my real-time reflections as an international PhD student at Kent and as a (black) woman in STEM. I’m excited to take you all along for the ride.
P.S. There is an appendix attached (true to any real scientific report). A full photographic spam of week one with my group – the Mad Scientists.
Until next time.’
