Attending the 9th Annual DEN International Student Conference was one of the most rewarding and unexpected experiences of my academic journey so far. As this was my first academic conference, I did not really know what to expect. Before the event, I imagined something much more intimidating: formal, overwhelming, and filled with people far more confident and experienced than I. Throughout the weeks leading up to the conference, Farhang encouraged me to become more involved and more vocal during the event, but because public speaking isn’t necessarily my strong suit, I kept turning down those opportunities, worried I’d make a fool of myself.
What surprised me most was how welcoming and supportive the atmosphere actually was. Rather than feeling judged, I quickly realised that the conference was built around collaboration, encouragement, and genuine curiosity. Students from Westminster, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Poland brought diverse perspectives and experiences to the discussions, and every presentation reflected passion, effort, and thoughtful research. It became clear that the conference was not about perfection, but about sharing ideas and learning from one another.
One of the most memorable moments of the day came unexpectedly when Farhang suddenly asked me to cover for an absent chairperson during one of the sessions. I will admit I was absolutely terrified. Being placed into that role with little preparation felt overwhelming at first, especially because speaking in front of others is something I usually avoid. Fortunately, I was chairing alongside another DEN member who was incredibly comforting and supportive throughout the session. Their reassurance helped me feel calm and capable, and for the first time, I felt like I could contribute meaningfully without being pushed too far outside of my comfort zone. Looking back, I am genuinely grateful for that experience because it showed me that I was more capable than I thought.
Another important part of the conference for me was socialising with new people. I am normally quite hesitant in unfamiliar social situations, but I made a real effort to connect with the students from Kasetsart University in Thailand. I am very glad I did, because those conversations became one of the highlights of the day.
Overall, the conference taught me that growth often comes from the situations we fear the most, and that confidence is built by simply being willing to participate; this valuable lesson makes me all the more excited for next year’s conference.
Lydia Solomon