“It's a hidden gem” – meet the international student championing Plymouth

Sumalka Mendis is passionate about her city and ensuring that everyone, from local to international, can benefit from education within it.
Sumalka Mendis

With a degree in marketing, you’d expect Sumalka Mendis to be good at selling something – but first-hand experience makes her description of Plymouth all the more compelling.

Plymouth is an amazing city. You can walk everywhere in the city centre, it’s got a friendly feel, there’s a real sense of community, it’s big enough to be vibrant but small enough to care.

I’ve got friends elsewhere in the UK who don’t have anything like the amazing scenery and atmosphere we have here. Honestly, I feel so lucky.
Sharing her journey and love of Plymouth, the native Sri Lankan has converted her personal Instagram profile to showcase and support the city’s local independent businesses – and @lankangirlinplymouth currently has more than 10,000 followers.

So why Plymouth?

Upon achieving a first class honours in her undergraduate Marketing degree at NSBM Green University in Sri Lanka – a University of Plymouth transnational education (TNE) partner – Sumalka was awarded a scholarship to complete her masters in Brand and Design Management at the University of Plymouth in 2017.
With ambitions of obtaining a PhD, she looked at options at various institutions worldwide, but decided on Plymouth as it had everything she wanted. Just last week, she passed her PhD viva in Business and Management – making her the first NSBM student to obtain a Plymouth PhD.
Sumalka Mendis at NSBM 10-year celebration dinner
Sumalka at the NSBM 10-year celebration dinner with staff from both organisations 

With both of my degrees accredited by Plymouth, a few people suggested that I get my doctorate elsewhere to show diversity. But the academics and the support they give here is second to none. I’m working with experts in their field, I’ve loved it and am really proud.

A lot of people also told me that I need to move out of Plymouth if I want to find a job or better prospect, but I took on the challenge and managed to find employment and amazing opportunities in this beautiful city. 
We are often blinded by other people's opinions and we consider them to be the status quo, but if we actually do our own research and look around, we could all be surprised by what we find. 
Alongside a full-time PhD, Sumalka embarked on teacher training, and began a role as a full-time lecturer at one of the University’s partner colleges.

It’s a lot to take on, but I’m so passionate about each job I have.

I feel like education is the one thing that no one can steal from you, it matters. We need to keep building it up.
Sumalka Mendis at computer
Working on her PhD
Sumalka Mendis on campus
Autumn on campus

Supporting others

In addition to her own academic journey, Sumalka is enthusiastic about supporting others through theirs. Previous to her current lecturing role, she worked for the University’s Careers Service and had been a student ambassador in the University’s Marketing team, and she still continues to volunteer as a befriender for new Sri Lankan students in the city.
She also joined the committee of the network Student Action for Refugees (STAR), helping to run its cultural kitchen, and has taken part in international dinners run by Global Plymouth, which take place each month and are open to anyone in the local community. Her dedication saw her win the Student Positive Impact Award run by JP Morgan in 2021.
Sumalka Mendis
Sumalka working as a Marketing Student Ambassador

Education isn’t just about textbooks and exams. Doing things that help others and don’t give yourself any obvious benefit are hugely valuable. I’ve learned so much about so many people, it opens your mind.

In life, especially with the internet at our fingertips, we are subjected to lots of opinions. Education helps you to filter through them and form your own. 
To anyone graduating from University of Plymouth, remember you are not just getting a degree certificate. You are getting a bit of this beautiful city – the nature, the sea and a community that believes in each other. 
Wherever in the world you will be you are a part of a wider alumni community that is spread across the world through all our TNE partners. So when you graduate from the University, you carry a bit of the warmth of Plymouth with you and that's the beauty of our city.
I’m proud of the opportunities I’ve had and especially that I’ve been able to do them here. 
I really believe Plymouth is a hidden gem. The city and the people within it are amazing, and I hope it becomes my forever home.
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