Ruvimbo Mutyiri

LLB Law

Despite not wanting to leave her close-knit family in Zimbabwe, Ruvimbo knew she needed to leave her home country to go to university and achieve her goals. BCU has offered her a home away from home, where she feels supported by staff, new friends and the community she’s found.

"I have always known that I wanted to go to university. In my mind, the path was clear: primary school, secondary school, university, employment and then, of course, to be famous! I’m from Zimbabwe, and I knew I wanted to study in a different country. The career opportunities in the UK appealed to me, and from the moment I discovered Birmingham City University, it felt like the right fit.

Law was an obvious choice for me. Everyone who knows me knows that I enjoy a friendly debate! BCU stood out because of the way it celebrates student culture, diversity and inclusivity. I did a lot of my research on BCU’s social media accounts to get a real feeling for the student life. Even through my phone, I could see myself reflected in the university community.

One of my biggest concerns before coming to university was not academic; it was being away from home for the first time. I had never lived away from my family before. The thought of moving to a different country felt overwhelming. My dad is my best friend, and even imagining being away from him was emotional. But I reminded myself that I was doing this to grow, to better myself and to make him proud, and that gave me the courage to take the leap.

During my time at BCU, I have received incredible support from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team. Homesickness was something I struggled with, and I wasn’t sure how to process my emotions. Speaking to the team helped me develop healthy ways to cope with being away from home. They created a safe and supportive environment where I felt comfortable expressing myself honestly.

The best thing about BCU’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Team is that you don’t have to be at rock bottom to see them. They validated my feelings and let me know I always had someone turn to. I now have monthly appointments, which have helped me make the most of my time at university.

Living in BCU’s student accommodation has also been a huge part of my experience. It truly feels like a home away from home. The staff create a welcoming environment with regular activities that help you connect with others and feel less alone. Being surrounded by students from different backgrounds has helped me settle in and build friendships that have shaped my university journey.

Over time, fitting into the BCU community has felt natural. As an international student, I was nervous at first, but BCU quickly became a place where I felt seen and supported. Academically, I have done well on my course, but outside of that, I have built confidence through experiences such as presenting on Scratch Radio with my show Enchanted Hour, volunteering at family and employment law clinics and working as a Student Content Creator. That role has brought me so much happiness. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me find my voice.

My degree and my experiences have helped me gain confidence, clarity and certainty about the direction I want to take after graduation. BCU was once just a place I came to study, but it has become a place that has shaped who I am. What I love most is that BCU encourages you to show up as yourself rather than shrinking to fit in."