Ways to work with me
Hello! I am Leïla Benkhelil-Powell, and I am the founder of Thrive at University.
My own journey as an international student began in September 1998, when I moved to the UK to study for a degree in Sociology at the University of Nottingham. I navigated my way successfully through my degree and later went on to complete my MA in Social Policy and Administration. It was then that I began to work part-time supporting international students in education.
Since 2006, I have provided coaching, mentoring, and advocacy services to thousands of international students and vulnerable young people from abroad, at all levels of their educational journey, and in both statutory and voluntary settings.
I am truly passionate about empowering international students to become the best version of themselves, and nothing pleases me more than seeing a young person reach their academic and professional goals. I am 100% dedicated to my students and will always go the extra mile to ensure their success. When they graduate and go on to pursue their dream profession, it is an indescribable victory for me also.
Some of my work has involved advising the police on effective ways to tackle hate crime, case-working on criminal and immigration cases and giving expert evidence in court. I have also lectured university students and trained professionals on my areas of expertise.
More about me
- I am a mum to two wonderful boys and family means everything to me.
- I am multilingual. I speak Arabic, French, and a little Spanish.
- I believe that giving back is hugely important. I have been a McKenzie Friend since 2014, providing advice and moral support to litigants in person who cannot afford legal representation.
Education, training and credentials
- Master of Arts in Social Policy and Administration, the University of Nottingham
- Bachelor (Hons) in Sociology, the University of Nottingham
- NVQ Level 4 in LDSS (Career Advice and Guidance), Consortium East Midlands Training and Assessment Centre.
- Professional Diploma in Marketing, Nottingham Trent University
- More than 19 years of experience as a Specialist Adviser and Career Coach for international students and vulnerable young people from abroad.
- Author of You’ve Got This! Steps to Successful Studying in the UK