Safa Zaynab Shah is currently studying our MA Law (Conversion) course part-time. Here, she shares her experience as an online student, her role as the online Student Union (SU) Vice President and her many humanitarian efforts.
By April Baniqued. Published 10 June 2026.
What is your career ambition?
I come from a working-class minority family. I understand the struggles faced by people from similar backgrounds. Whilst my future is still quite unclear, I’m a people person and have often wondered whether a career in politics may be the right path for me. I’m also deeply aware of the social injustices in our society and would like to help wherever I can through the law.
Why did you choose to study at 69传媒?
I came across the University by coincidence whilst self-studying human rights statutes. I didn’t originally plan to pursue another degree, as I have the responsibility of supporting my family of five financially through my full-time job. Upon seeing the chance to take out a student loan to cover most of the fees, I decided it was an opportunity I should at least try. The loan has benefited me greatly. Without it, pursuing a career in law would most likely not be possible for me.
What inspired you to apply for the Student Union?
I decided to run for the position of online SU Vice President to help improve the study-life balance for students. I know that studying online is not easy. It is not the same as being on campus, where students can benefit from a quieter environment. We all love our families but I think we can agree that it can get noisy and overwhelming sometimes. I hope that with this opportunity, I can help ensure students’ voices are heard.
What activities can students look forward to?
I am planning to host drop-in sessions as often as possible. These will allow students to share feedback and relieve their stress. We also aim to have a few workshops in the future. During spring or summer, I hope to do something exciting to mark the final event of the year. It will be open to September-entry students too, of course. It’s still being planned but it’ll be great fun. I hope to see a lot of students there.
Who has positively impacted you?
I’ve been working alongside the SU’s Mature Students’ Officer, Kara Wansbury. I love that we see eye to eye on the same matters. We’ve been working together to help mature students who are struggling to navigate the online system. It’s great to see so many members passionate about their role. The SU truly offers so much support.
Have you encountered any obstacles on your journey?
Yes, there have been so many obstacles. I work full-time and tutor on weekdays outside of work hours. On Sundays, I also volunteer to teach children at my local mosque. I sometimes take on other activities. This includes advocating for the rights of children and women and writing stories for the children I babysit. I also volunteer to help prepare and bury deceased women who have no family or money to arrange a burial. I always try to be a good Muslim and spend so much of my time giving back to society. Sometimes I feel like giving up because it gets exhausting. I tend to remind myself: ‘If not me, then who?’ I’m fortunate to have a loving mother and three siblings who care for me and support me. Many of these women and children don’t have the same privilege. I want to do whatever I can to make a difference, even if it’s small.
Have you utilised the University services?
I’ve dabbled a bit in the pro bono training. I undertook Amicus training for two weekends. It was interesting to see the different perspectives on the death penalty in certain states in America. Pro bono is allowing me to learn a lot and gain necessary experience. Regardless of where I end up in five or ten years, I’ll be able to apply these skills to my future career.
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