As part of the DEN International Student Conference, students from Westminster International University in Tashkent share their experiences, perspectives, and expectations as they prepare to engage with peers in London. In this profile, Orasta Jumaeva, a second-year Commercial Law student, reflects on the challenges of rapid change in Uzbekistan, the gap between policy and practice, and her interest in engaging in open, critical discussions on global issues during her visit to London.
My name is Orasta Jumaeva, and I am a second-year BA Commercial Law student at the University of Westminster, originally from Uzbekistan. I have travelled outside Uzbekistan to several countries, which has given me exposure to different cultures and perspectives.
In Uzbekistan, one challenge I notice is that a lot of things are changing very quickly, especially in business and development, but people don’t always fully trust the systems behind those changes yet. There is still a gap between rules on paper and how they are applied in practice, which affects both opportunities and confidence in the system. This is particularly visible in areas like business regulation and access to reliable information, where formal improvements do not always translate into everyday experience.
I see London as a fast-paced global city where different cultures and ideas constantly interact, especially in business and law, and I expect the University of Westminster to reflect that through a practical and internationally diverse learning environment. From the Democratic Education Network, I expect open discussions where students share real experiences and challenge each other’s perspectives. Before the visit, I’m most curious about how people from different backgrounds think and respond to the same global issues.
I would like to contribute by bringing a more real perspective, not just how laws and policies are supposed to work, but how they actually play out in everyday situations in Uzbekistan. I am not interested in just presenting something polished, I would rather take part in real discussions, ask questions, and challenge ideas when they do not fully make sense. I am especially interested in topics like education and environmental issues, and I am curious about how different countries deal with fast economic change and whether the solutions people suggest are actually realistic or just sound good in theory.
I would prefer to stay within London rather than travel outside. While in the city, I would like to visit museums and explore areas like Chinatown and Notting Hill, as well as places related to Harry Potter such as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter or Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station to experience a different side of the city.