Vartika Khandelwal, #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador and Vice-Chair of the UKCISA Student Advisory Group, shares her story and discusses her experiences with the graduate route and studying in the UK.
“I am pleased to offer you a place in our 2022-23 cohort of MSc Investigative and Forensic Psychology at the University of Liverpool,” read the email that changed my life. The University of Liverpool had been my dream university for quite some time as it is the only one in the world that offers a BPS-accredited course. The most attractive part of coming to the UK was its booming opportunities in investigative psychology, with the option to take the Graduate route being a close second, as it would allow me to continue my personal and professional pursuits after attaining my degree. And so, I packed my life into two suitcases and flew across the world to start afresh in a new country.
I take great joy in helping my community, and I knew as soon as I stepped foot in the UK that I wanted to continue this work in my new home. I saw my Masters and the subsequent years on the Graduate route as the perfect field to experiment with how I could harness my experience to make the UK a better and safer community. As soon as I started at the university, I started working with children from ethnic minorities and disadvantaged backgrounds based in my local area, Merseyside County, to assist them in considering higher education. Additionally, making the most of my degree, I also started volunteering with the Merseyside Offender Mentoring Service to rehabilitate recently released offenders to prevent chances of recidivism.
"Thanks to the flexibility that the Graduate route affords, as well as the lack of a salary threshold, I have been able to take up a truly fulfilling role in the charity sector that builds on the foundation formed during my degree."
My degree opened avenues for me, and with my newfound knowledge in investigative psychology, I set out on a mission to assist the technology sector in coping with the devastating effects of cybercrimes. I took on a voluntary position as a Cybercrime Helpline Responder at the only charity in the UK that helps cybercrime victims, The Cyber Helpline. Over the course of one year, I have now empowered more than 500 service users to be cyber aware and lodge reports to the cybercrime police, Action Fraud.
My dissertation project was another opportunity to use the skills and knowledge gained in my degree to make an impact, this time cross-culturally. Through seven months of rigorous research, I was able to analyse the decision-making processes of the Spanish Police (Guardia Civil) and make practical recommendations for improvements that significantly increased their decision-making efficiency. A distinction in my Masters was the cherry on the cake and reassurance that my work had borne fruit.
Thanks to the flexibility that the Graduate route affords, as well as the lack of a salary threshold, I have been able to take up a truly fulfilling role in the charity sector that builds on the foundation formed during my degree. Working with the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), I use my expertise in cybercrime and psychology to help keep children safe, attending to calls and chats, and dispatching emergency services to those in distress. Whilst demanding, no role has given me such a profound sense of achievement and satisfaction, as I save many lives each week. I have been able to use the expertise from my degree to go above and beyond my role and have initiated training on our response to the rise in cybercrime and AI-generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
"Without the Graduate route I would have been unable to take up such meaningful work, and I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to build on my past experiences protecting and uplifting communities in the UK."
Inspired by all these experiences I’ve been able to have here in the UK, I wanted to ensure that other international students would be able to take advantage of the same opportunities. I became a #WeAreInternational Student Ambassador at UKCISA, which has allowed me to advocate for policy changes and feed student voices into the dynamic policy environment surrounding international students. Whilst speaking at various conferences, I find that audiences are always amazed by the struggles of navigating the UK as an international student, and they value my feedback which can hopefully lead to ground-level changes. I take great pride in my role with the International Student Employability Group (ISEG), which focuses on the issues international students face in navigating employability after their degrees. UKCISA is doing commendable work to aid international students in these uncertain times.
In summary, without the Graduate route I would have been unable to take up such meaningful work, and I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to build on my past experiences protecting and uplifting communities in the UK. I also feel a strong affinity to the city of Liverpool and its people – it truly feels like home and there is so much the city holds for everyone. While the city has a reputation for its football and accent, the true scouser spirit lies in their warm and friendly demeanour that makes me feel welcome in my new home. I am honoured to have contributed to this city and the UK. Thanks to the Graduate route, I have been able to make a difference, ensuring that the community around me is a better and safer place.
