A guest blog from Divanshi Sharma, Nursing Adult Student from the University of Roehampton. Divanshi is also a member of the Student Leadership Programme 2024-2025.
As an international student nurse, concerns that has often lingered in my mind are whether my cultural background might affect the opportunities I receive, or how I’m perceived by others. Will I get equal treatment? How will I handle it if I experience racism? More importantly, how will I prove that I am competent and worthy, regardless of where I come from?
Fortunately, throughout my nursing journey, I’ve met many incredible people (lecturers, fellow students, and supervisors) who have made me feel safe and comfortable. However, there have been moments when subtle remarks did make me uncomfortable. Racism, I’ve learned, doesn’t always come in overt actions or blatant slurs but rather in subtle comments, like “Where are you really from?” or remarks about cultural differences that can make you feel inferior, even unintentionally. These small moments may not seem significant but can cause discomfort, making you feel “you don’t belong.” Moreover, what’s even more disheartening is that racism can come from people of the same background, attempting to pull others down.
I always thought of racism as something that would happen to me. But recently, I experienced the other side of this issue. During an interaction with a fellow student, my behaviour was interpreted as discriminatory. This was shocking and upsetting because it never crossed my mind that someone might perceive me as being racist. After all, I had no such intention. The guilt of unintentionally hurting someone overwhelmed me.
I couldn’t understand how my words had been interpreted that way, so I sought advice from my lecturers. That conversation helped me see a broader perspective. The student’s reaction likely wasn’t just about what I said in that moment, it was about a lifetime of emotional baggage.
This situation taught me an important lesson. Even when our intentions are good, people’s past experiences shape how they interpret our words and actions. While I hadn’t meant to cause harm, students’ feelings were real, and I needed to respect that. It’s an uncomfortable realisation to be on both ends of this issue- to feel discriminated against and also be accused of discrimination. The conclusion I’ve come to is that it feels terrible both ways, and no one should have to go through it. But this experience has made me more empathetic and aware of the complexities surrounding racism.
In both situations, peer support has been invaluable. During challenging moments, I have been fortunate to have friends and peers to rely on. Talking through these experiences with others who are on the same journey has helped me make sense of them and come out stronger.
Peer support provided me empathy, a sense of belonging, and, most importantly, hope. I believe it guides you through tough times, offering a nudge in the right direction when you need it most. For example, when I have felt lost and unsure, my friends have helped me book a meeting with the wellbeing team. Having someone who understands or listens to what you’re going through makes all the difference. We share our experiences, reflect, learn from each other, and grow together. And in these moments, I’ve realized that peer support can foster the inclusivity and anti-racism that we all strive for in our profession.