Roman: An EQ+ Celebration Series Highly Commended Story

Posted on: 24 July 2026 by Olga Chatzidaki in Student experiences

Roman is a mature student, refugee and first-generation university student whose route into higher education has been defined by resilience. Originally from Russia, he is a traveller at heart, always looking for new experiences, cultures and adventures. He has travelled around the world and recently returned from three weeks volunteering in Thailand.

That curiosity is immediately apparent when you meet him: he is fully present, engaged and genuinely interested in the person in front of him. He brings the same openness to supporting students from lower socio-economic backgrounds through upReach, while developing his own career direction through opportunities with PwC and The Walt Disney Company. He is also learning Portuguese and is part of the University Jiu Jitsu club.

What has your own route into university taught you about opportunity?

Navigating higher education as a mature student, a refugee and the first in my family to attend university has come with unique challenges. Those experiences have made me more resourceful and more aware of the barriers that can make university and careers feel difficult to access. They are also a big part of why I care so much about inclusion and about helping other people feel that opportunities are genuinely open to them.

You are a traveller at heart. What do those experiences give you?

I am originally from Russia, but I have always been drawn to seeing more of the world and learning how other people live. I try to collect experiences, cultures and adventures rather than simply visit places. I recently returned from three weeks volunteering in Thailand, which gave me another opportunity to step outside what is familiar, contribute and connect with people from different backgrounds. Travel has made me more adaptable, curious and open-minded, and those qualities shape how I approach university, work and the people I meet.

How do you put that into practice through upReach?

As an Associate at upReach, I support students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and try to help demystify university, careers and professional opportunities. Small things can make a real difference: sharing what I have learned, helping someone feel more prepared, or showing that they do belong in a space that might initially feel competitive or unfamiliar. I want to turn the barriers I have faced into stepping stones for other people.

What are you aiming for next?

I am applying for finance internships and industrial placements as I work towards a long-term career in the corporate financial sector. The experience I have gained through PwC’s Diversity in Business Spring Week and a professional placement with The Walt Disney Company has strengthened that ambition. I want to keep building my analytical skills alongside cross-cultural communication and leadership, and I hope to bring authentic representation and inclusive business practice into the spaces I work in.