Daniyal Liaqat Daniyal: The Real London

If you ask any Pakistani, the most glorious and great city is Lahore. It's called the City of Gardens and the ancient city of the Mughal Empire. I have many fond childhood memories there, and I always miss Lahore. Whenever I have a chance, I go back because it's where my loved ones, friends and family are. The best memories are from my school days. I would wake up in the morning, excited to go – not just for studies but to meet my friends and share stories from the previous day.

I was studying chartered accountancy, but I felt that studying in Pakistan wasn’t giving me enough knowledge to excel in my field, so I wanted to become a chartered accountant in England and Wales. To do that, I needed a bachelor's degree, and that’s why I made the decision to leave my hometown and come to London. It's the dream of many people to come here, and I’m living that dream.

The main reason I chose London Metropolitan University is its accreditation, which is highly beneficial for my field. The course is accredited by many professional bodies, and I plan to pursue ICAEW, the chartered accountancy body of England and Wales.

Another reason is the location – London is a global financial hub. Studying here will give me valuable exposure to the financial environment and institutions, which is crucial for my career.

In my culture, bigger brothers are like fathers. When I first arrived, my brother drove me from the airport and shared tips on how to navigate life in London. He was already living in the UK, and encouraged me to focus on universities here because London offers more opportunities in accounting and finance. A few days after I arrived, he surprised me for my birthday. At midnight, he and his wife brought balloons and a cake. It was my first time being so far from my home, so he wanted to make me feel like I am home here. He’s my role model.

I'm also enjoying the multicultural environment here. I have close friends from Nigeria and Hungary, and we often share stories about our cultures and languages. Studying in such a diverse environment, you get more knowledge about other countries, their people and how their financial environments work. This will equip you with essential knowledge to excel in any field.

I aim to work for one of the big four firms in London. After completing my bachelor's in accounting and finance at London Met, I will be exempt from six to seven papers of chartered accountancy. Once I complete my studies, I’ll apply for placements to gain more experience and exposure in my field.

Aside from my studies, I have a passion for photography. My brother had a photography studio back home. When I was 15 or 16 I started playing with his cameras, and we would take the cameras somewhere and shoot only for fun. Whenever I hold my camera, it feels to me like I am in my own world and I can do whatever I want. In London, on every street, every road looks amazing and aesthetic, and it looks like I'm living in a movie. My brother and I photograph Asian weddings together. Especially since being away from home, it feels like attending one back in Pakistan.

As an ambassador at the University, I’m able to balance both my academic and professional pursuits, fulfilling my passion while continuing my studies.