Meet Anak: A student partner from Indonesia

From Surabaya to Southampton: Finding my community

“Coming to the UK has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, even so if I had the choice to experience all again I would. Joining the double degree programme wasn’t just about the academic prestige but the experience and Solent University provided exactly that.”

Studying architecture at Solent

“My tutors were incredibly supportive, always ready to guide me. Every day, I left class with new knowledge that shifted my perspective on architecture. At Solent, "no man left behind" wasn't just a slogan; it was a reality. Solent’s industry connections allowed for company and site visits where I could see how the field works first-hand, and their support helped me build a portfolio that truly prepared me for the professional market. As my tutor John always said, “One step at a time” and now, I am graduating feeling confident in my capabilities as an architect.“

Life in Southampton

“Southampton became a second home. Instead of travelling abroad, I chose to immerse myself in the local community. I made friends from all walks of life and tried things I never imagined, from skateboarding to competitive gaming.”

Making Esports history

“As a lifelong Splatoon fan, I joined Solent Video Games (SVG) and helped rebuild the university’s Splatoon team. After years of practice and perseverance, we achieved something incredible: Solent won 1st place in the 2026 NSE Splatoon championship, breaking another university’s three season winning streak. It felt like a real life sports anime moment.” 

Finding my communities 

“I discovered WeSkateSoton, a welcoming women led skateboarding group that helped me find confidence on a board. And my love for Pokémon led me to the local TCG scene at Board in the City and Monster Collectables, places that became my third home.” 

A note to future students

“As I look back, my ending statement is simple: you can be yourself and still have fun. There is always a home for you here in Southampton. As cheesy as it sounds, that sense of belonging is the reason I made it this far.”