When I first heard about the DEN Conference, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. It was described as an inclusive, student-led space where people would share their ideas and research on topics that mattered to them. That sounded interesting, but I had low expectations—I thought I’d just show up and see what it was about.
However, once I arrived, I understood why people spoke so highly of it. Students from all over the world attended—some had even traveled from Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Vietnam to be in London with us. We also had local students who shared their experiences studying abroad. Being in a space where so many different backgrounds and stories came together was truly amazing. Everyone had something unique to say, which created a really open and thoughtful environment.
One presentation that particularly resonated with me was by the students from Uzbekistan. They spoke about not fully belonging to any one culture, feeling instead that they were made up of several. That struck a chord with me. I’m a second-generation Pakistani who grew up in America, with connections to both the U.K. and Pakistan. I’ve often felt like I didn’t quite fit into any single culture—like I was hovering between them. Hearing someone else express that same sentiment made me realize I wasn’t alone. It’s a shared experience for so many people across the globe, and that was both comforting and empowering.
The entire conference deepened my understanding of what democratic education really means. It’s not just about sitting in a room and listening to someone speak; it’s about everyone having a voice, sharing experiences, and learning from one another. What made it even better was that it was entirely student-led. This gave us the chance to take ownership of the space, which helped build a lot of confidence for both those presenting and those simply participating.
What stood out to me most was the sense of connection. I met people I probably would never have crossed paths with otherwise. We shared ideas, stories, and laughs, which reminded me how important it is to keep learning from others—especially those from different places and perspectives. I also picked up skills that I’ll carry with me in the future, such as collaborating in global settings and communicating more openly with people from various cultural backgrounds.
Overall, I’m really glad I participated in DEN this year, and I plan to continue next year. DEN isn’t just about research or presentations; it’s about connecting through learning and building something meaningful together. I think that’s pretty special.
Noor Kazmi