Making a difference: My journey with the migrant justice action group

Democracy in Action is an award-winning module on community organising, currently offered to students in their final year at the University of Essex. Students from the 2023/24 intake share their experience in a series of blogs.

Here, Virginia Carnabuci, who has recently completed her BA Criminology (including a year abroad) tells us about her journey on Democracy in Action.

I participated in the Democracy in Action module in 2023-24 at the University of Essex. I joined the Migrant Justice Action Group, a dedicated team of students committed to making a difference in the lives of international students at our university. What started as a focus on care worker visas and exploitative contracts soon evolved into addressing the pressing struggles faced by international students at the University of Essex.

Listening and learning

Guided by the principles of Citizens UK, our first step was to listen to the community around us. We conducted listening activities across campus – in the Squares, classrooms, at the Divine Assembly Ministry Food Bank, and even at bus stops – to understand the issues affecting international students. Citizens UK taught me the value of truly listening to others, allowing us to address real and concrete life issues instead of abstract theories and ideals.

The stories we collected during the first half of the academic year revealed the significant challenges international students face, particularly with food stability and hate crimes. These insights shifted our focus to highlight these critical issues.

The challenges international students face

International students make up a third of the University of Essex population, and they encounter numerous struggles:

• High tuition fees: the cost of education is a substantial burden

• Restrictive work hours: visa limitations prevent many from working more than 20 hours per week during term time

• Fluctuating exchange rates: economic instability in their home countries further exacerbates financial challenges.

• Hate crimes: many students have been victims of hate crimes, adding to their sense of vulnerability.

Engaging activities and impactful stories

One of the most engaging activities of our campaign was a focus group where international students from across the university were invited to share their experiences. We heard many stories of students relying on food banks weekly and facing repeated hate crimes in Colchester. Hearing these first-hand accounts was particularly impactful and motivated us to present these findings to the Student Union and representatives from the Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner’s (PFCC) office during our final year presentation.

Personal and professional growth

Participating in this module has been incredibly rewarding. The direct engagement with the community and hands-on research provided me with invaluable practical experience. I feel more confident in my ability to advocate for people’s needs and effect change. I am also deeply grateful for the connections built within the classroom, the community, the Student Union, the Divine Assembly Ministry, and the PFCC office.

A call to action

Being part of the Migrant Justice Action Group has been a cornerstone of my final year at the University of Essex. I am hopeful that our efforts will lead to tangible changes, making our university a safer and more supportive place for all students. I encourage everyone to get involved, listen, and take action. Together, we can create a more inclusive and just community.

Special thanks

I want to dedicate a special thanks to the teaching staff of the module, the rest of the Migrant Justice Action Group, and Elizabeth at the Divine Assembly Ministry. This experience would not have been as rewarding without their help and support.