From a virtual field trip to Vietnam to a Bangkok internship, to private equity events in London
Momina Nehmat, BA International Relations and Politics, University of Westminster, Class of 2023; now working at a global events company specialising in private equity events, London, United Kingdom
Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network.
* * *
How did you first come into contact with DEN?
I was in a module led by Farhang in my first year of university. It was during COVID, so everything was online. Farhang asked me if I wanted to take part in a virtual field trip to Vietnam, and to become part of DEN and help with the DEN magazine.
Which DEN activities have you taken part in?
The virtual field trip to Vietnam in 2021, the annual DEN conferences in 2022 and 2023, and the DEN book in 2023.
Was there a moment at DEN that has stayed with you?
Any conversation I have had with Farhang has stayed with me. His positivity, his encouragement, and his belief in students have always stood out. He has a way of making people feel valued and capable, and that has stayed with me long after graduating.
What aspects of DEN have had the biggest impact on you?
Having my blogs and essays published on the DEN website had a huge impact on me. Seeing my work shared with a wider audience gave me confidence, and showed me that my ideas and my efforts were valued.
How has DEN helped you develop personally?
DEN encouraged me to be open to meeting new people, building connections and learning from different perspectives. It gave me first-hand experience of collaborating with people from different backgrounds and cultures. It also sparked my love of travel and international experiences, something that has continued to shape both my personal and professional life.
Has DEN helped you with employability or professional development?
Yes. DEN helped me land an internship with an NGO based in Bangkok, Thailand. The international connections, the cross-cultural experience, and the published work I had gained through DEN made my application stand out, and gave me confidence during the process.
What is one thing DEN has given you that you would have struggled to find elsewhere?
A genuine sense of community. DEN brought together people from different backgrounds, countries and experiences, and created an environment where collaboration, learning and support came naturally.
What advice would you give to students thinking of joining?
Say yes to every opportunity, and make the most of every experience. You never know where a conversation, a project or a trip might lead, and some of the most rewarding experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone.
What would you say to a colleague at another university?
Every university should have a community like DEN. It gives students opportunities beyond the classroom, helps them connect with people from different backgrounds, and encourages them to develop new perspectives and experiences that stay with them long after graduation.
Should DEN do anything differently in the next decade?
Continue the amazing work and collaboration that defines DEN.
* * *
Photo caption: From a virtual field trip in lockdown to a Bangkok internship and beyond. Say yes.
