Meet the international student making a difference in Bristol and Tanzania

A student at UWE Bristol is playing a starring role in a campaign to highlight the important contribution international students are making to the UK and its communities.

Business student Sadock John, from Tanzania, is part of Universities UK International’s #WeAreInternational: Transforming Lives campaign. He features in a campaign film released today [14 May] in which he discusses his voluntary work at a Bristol football club.

Growing up as the second youngest of six boys in a single-parent household in Tanzania, Sadock was always seen as the head of his family. He is now using the skills learnt through his degree to give back to Bristol, coaching young people at Bristol Central Football Academy, and to Street Child United, the charity that supported him to study in the UK.

After participating in the first Street Child United world cup in South Africa, Sadock has been involved with the charity ever since, and took up a place at UWE Bristol with the support of the charity. Sadock, studying for a degree in International Business, said: “The caring and supportive environment at the University really makes a difference. I’m now the one being supported and have people who check in on me. It’s been life changing.”

Sadock believes the skills he has learnt at university have given him the skills and confidence he needs to make a difference. He has founded a charity helping street-connected children in Tanzania to fight barriers and discrimination. Sadock said: “I want to help young people in my country to get off the streets, to give them the opportunity to live the life they deserve.”

Professor Sir Steve West, Vice-Chancellor at UWE Bristol, said: “We are enormously proud of Sadock for his voluntary work coaching youngsters in inner city Bristol. He is a fantastic example of the type of contribution and impact that international students make to communities across the UK, and is a credit to his country.

“In addition to the significant contribution they make to our economy, international students offer huge cultural and social benefits to the UK and bring diversity to our campuses. With a thriving community of students from over 140 countries worldwide here at UWE Bristol, we’re proud of our international profile and our role in supporting people from across the globe to transform their lives.”

As well as making a difference in their local communities and beyond, international students bring a £41 billion annual contribution to the UK, meaning on average, each of the 650 parliamentary constituencies in the UK is £58 million better off – equivalent to approximately £560 per citizen. In the South West alone, international students contribute £2.16bn to the regional economy.

Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, said: “It’s never felt more important to acknowledge the important contributions that international students make to their university and local communities, and to the UK more broadly. It’s not just about the economic side of it – international students give back through cultural exchange, volunteering, and so much more. We’re proud to be sharing their stories through the latest phase of the #WeAreInternational campaign.”