A one-day conference for international students, titled “Focus: Chances, Choices, Challenges”, was held at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on Saturday 28 May 2022.
Over a thousand delegates from all over the UK attended the event. It aimed to provide support, guidance and encouragement to those who have come to the UK for their higher education.
The conference introduced the delegates to career planning, personal growth and life in the UK from specialists. It also provided spiritual guidance from learned swamis, including Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami, visiting from India.
Throughout the day, the delegates enjoyed a variety of interesting and thought-provoking presentations from the guest speakers, as well as panel discussions, video montages and interactive games.
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj had also sent special written and video blessings from India for the delegates. The day concluded with a networking dinner.
Nisha Chudasama, a delegate from Liverpool, shared, “I’m so glad that I could attend this conference. It has given me a renewed sense of confidence for my studies and life here. Meeting so many others like me, now my struggles and challenges seem more manageable. I can’t thank BAPS enough for this support system.”
Utkarsh Goswami, a volunteer involved in organising the conference, explained, “We can appreciate how difficult it can be to arrive in the UK from a different country, without family, and not be aware of simple things like how to set up a bank account, getting around, or making the most of your course. We hope this conference will help the students succeed in their education and respective careers going ahead and also contribute to the UK or their home countries in the future.”