At GSU, our mission is to make sure every student has the chance to shape their university experience and discover their potential. Through societies, representation, volunteering, and leadership opportunities, we see every day how students use these platforms to learn, grow, and inspire change.

One student who embodies this spirit is Ishita Kapoor, a BA (Hons) International Relations and Politics student. Her journey shows how getting involved at GSU can open doors from representing her peers as a Programme Rep, to leading the Model United Nations Society, to championing equality with the Women in Politics Society. These experiences have not only shaped her time at Greenwich, but have also given her the skills and confidence to take her voice to global stages, including the United Nations in New York and much more.

Leading at Greenwich

Ishita’s first steps into leadership began with opportunities provided through GSU. As a Programme Representative, she represented her classmates in academic spaces, making sure student voices were heard where it mattered most.

Her passion for connecting students also led her to take on roles within GSU societies. As President of the MUN Society, she created a space for debate, diplomacy, and peer-to-peer learning. As Social Secretary of the Women in Politics Society, she supported events and campaigns that encouraged students to engage with pressing issues of gender and representation.

These roles weren’t just about holding positions, they were about making student life richer, more inclusive, and more connected. They gave Ishita the platform to grow her confidence, develop her skills, and discover how student leadership can spark bigger opportunities.

Taking Greenwich voices GLOBAL

What started at GSU has already reached the world stage. In April 2025, Ishita travelled to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where she delivered a keynote speech on gender equality at the ECOSOC Youth Forum. Representing both the Indian diaspora and young people worldwide, she joined conversations with world leaders on building fairer, more inclusive policies.

Soon after, she joined the Climate & SDG Synergy Conference in Copenhagen, where she highlighted youth perspectives on climate action and sustainable development. Ishita was also featured in an interview with UN News, where she spoke about the importance of youth in policymaking and the global commitment to “leave no one behind.”

Through these experiences, Ishita showed that the skills and confidence she built here at Greenwich through societies, representation, and GSU platforms can carry student voices to some of the most influential spaces in the world.

Learning by doing with GSU support

Beyond her international engagements, Ishita has embraced every chance to learn and grow. At GSU, she took on the role of Scrutiny Panellist, ensuring transparency and accountability in our elected Student Officer team. This not only strengthened our governance, but also gave her first-hand experience of leadership in practice.

Alongside GSU opportunities, Ishita has built her skills through internships and volunteering. From advocating with MPs at The Borgen Project, to campaigning with Oxfam UK, to working as a Legal Assistant in India, she has put her studies into practice in ways that make a difference.

These experiences, combined with her GSU involvement, demonstrate how student life at Greenwich is about more than study, it’s about building real-world skills that travel with you far beyond campus.

Recognised for her impact

Ishita’s achievements have been celebrated nationally and globally. Between 2022 and 2024, she was recognised as a 4× Model UN Special Mention Awardee, praised for her diplomacy, negotiation, and problem-solving in international governance simulations.

In 2023, she received the Veer Gatha 3.0 Award from the Ministry of Defence, India, a prestigious national recognition for her writing on military valour. Most recently, Ishita was appointed as a Global Youth Ambassador with TheirWorld (2024-26), where she is helping mobilise young people around the world to support SDG 4: Quality Education and contribute to wider Sustainable Development Goals through awareness campaigns and grassroots action.

Each recognition is a testament not only to Ishita’s dedication, but also to the supportive community at Greenwich that encourages students to aim higher and achieve more.

Professional & Leadership Experience

Alongside her studies, Ishita has gained valuable professional experience that has helped shape her career goals. Since 2025, she has been working as a Political Affairs Intern with The Borgen Project (UK/Remote), engaging MPs and government officials to advocate for UK aid and global poverty reduction, directly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

In 2024-25, she served as a Scrutiny Panellist at Greenwich Students’ Union, reviewing the work of elected Student Officers to ensure transparency and accountability, and contributing to stronger governance in line with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Her earlier experience as a Legal Assistant at Civil & Criminal Practice in the District Courts of India (2024) allowed her to draft affidavits, briefs, and case summaries, while honing her skills in legal research and policy analysis.

Looking forward

Ishita’s ambitions continue to grow. She hopes to pursue a career in international development, diplomacy, and policy analysis, focusing on gender equality, climate action, inclusive governance, and youth empowerment. Her vision is to make sure youth voices are not only heard but also given the power to shape the future of international policy.

A Story That Makes GSU Proud

Ishita’s journey reflects what we value most at GSU, students using their voices, shaping their communities, and stepping into opportunities that take them further than they ever imagined. From representing her peers as a Programme Rep, to leading societies, to holding our elected officers accountable, Ishita has shown how the platforms offered through GSU can empower students to grow in confidence and make a real impact.

Her achievements on the world stage including delivering a keynote speech at the UN and contributing to global conversations on climate and equality remind us that Greenwich students are capable of inspiring change far beyond campus.

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Ishita Kapoor as part of our GSU Student Stories series, and we hope her journey inspires others to step forward, get involved, and make the most of everything GSU has to offer.

Want to be featured?

If you’d like to share your story or if you know a Greenwich student doing amazing things, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us via email or via our Instagram and you could be part of our next GSU Student Story.