My journey with Global Officers Leadership Development (GOLD) Programme began when I was looking for an opportunity to boost my leadership skills. As an international student, I have always loved exploring different cultures and meeting new people. Being a global officer allows me to do just that.
The journey as a global officer starts with attending GOLD’s workshops. Initially, I thought they would be just boring lectures, but they turned out to be highly interactive, encouraging me to think from a global perspective. I was not only able to share my own thoughts but also gain insights into other people’s perspectives.
Workshops are only one part of GOLD—what truly excited me was the opportunity to organise our own global events, starting with Global Hangouts. During our first Global Hangout, we had no idea what to do. Luckily, there were always people to guide us, leading to our first event, which combined Halloween and Diwali. This experience sparked my passion for event planning, and I soon became involved in organizing multiple events.
Throughout my journey with GOLD, I have participated in five events, including three Global Hangouts and two WorldFest events. Among all of them, the last one was the most challenging. It was a sports event, but due to a lack of participants, it was initially at risk of being cancelled. However, by working together, we restructured the event, promoted it effectively, and ultimately made it happen. Without the experience gained from previous events, I don’t believe we would have been able to pull it off. That was the moment I realised how much I had grown through my journey with GOLD.
My experience with GOLD has refined my problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and capacity to bring people together. Along the way, I have also formed meaningful friendships with people from diverse backgrounds—something I never expected when I first chose to study at Kent.
In summary, being a Global Officer has broadened my perspective on global issues, leadership, and sustainability. I have grown from someone who didn’t know how to organize an event to someone capable of leading one. For anyone interested in different cultures, global issues, leadership development, and, most importantly, making new friends, joining the GOLD Programme is the perfect opportunity.
Interested in joining the GOLD Programme? Applications will open in August for 2025-26. Find out more.