Feeling the Bristol spirit around the world

Over the last few weeks, University of Bristol alumni from around the world have come together at 25 Global Gatherings held in 23 countries, spanning 6 continents. These events were hosted by alumni, for alumni, giving Bristol graduates the opportunity to meet old friends, forge new friendships and expand their professional networks.

Global Gatherings were held in cities from Amsterdam to Almaty, Bogota to Bangkok, and Cyprus to Singapore, connecting our truly global alumni community and spreading the spirit of Bristol across the world. Thanks to 43 incredible alumni hosts – without whom none of these events would have been possible – alumni came together over food and drinks, to enjoy museum and gallery tours, to learn more about their local history, and to hear from guest speakers.

‘Organising a Global Gathering and reconnecting with the Bristol community was truly fantastic and brought so much joy. We spent the afternoon sharing our Bristol stories and catching up on our current lives. It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon, and it made us all feel incredibly proud to be part of the Bristol family. Moments like these remind us of the value of staying connected.’ – Xiuli Chen (MEd 2009) and Jiyeon Baek (MEd 2009), Seoul Global Gathering hosts

Event attendees across the Gatherings reported feeling a great sense of belonging through spending time with fellow alumni, and interesting new connections were made – at the Johannesburg gathering, one alum even secured an internship! It was wonderful to see Bristol alum of all ages – from those who graduated in the 1950s to our most recent graduates – coming together to celebrate their Bristol connection.

‘It’s amazing how life’s experiences can connect us, even when decades separate us! But if you’ve ever been to a Bristol alumni event, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Titles don’t matter that much – what really connects us are our stories, experiences, and the lessons we’ve picked up along the way. Thank you, Bristol, for reminding me that connection runs way deeper than any achievement or title. It’s about who we are and how we treat each other.’ – Nina Sharil Khan (BSc 1998), Kuala Lumpur Global Gathering co-host

Bristol alumni volunteers organise and host events around the world throughout the year, and there are exciting gatherings in the pipeline for 2025. Keep an eye on our events webpages, or check out if there is an alumni network near you. Events are just part of the programme of benefits, services and discounts available to Bristol graduates: be sure to make the most of them all!