Meet the i-Team 2025!

Hi all! It's that time again! We hope you're excited for the year ahead, and we're especially excited for you to join us in Oxford this coming year. In the meantime, meet the team behind the international events at OICCU!

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Abel Johan (International Secretary)

Hi! My name is Abel, and I'm going into my third year studying Engineering at Trinity College. I'm from Indonesia, and I've also lived in Singapore for 4.5 years before coming to Oxford. If you're an incoming fresher, congrats on the offer and welcome to Oxford! The first few weeks might seem daunting, especially if you come from halfway across the globe like me, but even for most domestic students it'll be their first time living away from family; not to mention everyone here is very friendly and willing to strike up a conversation. I'm so excited to meet all of you and see what God has in store for you! Feel free to hop by our regular International Cafe meetups every Friday evening at the Formosan Tea Bar (as an Asian, bubble tea will always be something I highly vouch for).

Catherine McMullan (iRep)

Hello! I'm Catherine, a 2nd year historian at Trinity, and I'm so pleased that you're coming to Oxford! I'm from Northern Ireland, and coming to university was my first time living away from home. This is definitely difficult but something that everyone experiences so you won't be alone! Myself and the other i-reps would love to meet you and help you settle in, whether you're a Christian, sceptic, or anything in between. The best thing to do is not to worry because 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'! I can't wait to see you around Oxford!

Kelvin Moy (iRep)

Hey guys! Well done for getting into Oxford! I'm Kelvin, a third year chemist at Hertford (yes, I know Kelvin is such a cool name for doing physical science) and I'm one of the iReps this year :) Like many of you, I'm an international student (from Hong Kong!) and it was also my first time living away from home. Just want to tell you that as daunting as the whole Oxford experience sounds (living abroad, cultural differences, imposter syndrome...), you'll absolutely fall in love with this place and its lovely people! Most people face the same problems as you do and you've got all sorts of amazing communities to support you! (Shout-out especially to OICCU and various church communities!) I'm looking forward to meeting you all! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything, or if you just fancy a chat with me about my favourite element of the periodic table 😁

Isaac Tan (iRep)

Hi! My name is Isaac, and I’m going into my second year studying Law at Merton College. I’m from Singapore, but I spent my first two years growing up in Shanghai. To all freshers, congratulations on making it to Oxford!! Coming from a foreign country, I completely understand the feeling of fear and apprehension when moving to Oxford. Oxford can feel like a big place, and at the start, not entirely as comfortable as home. But that is why it is so important to reach out to people around you and find support networks that will make Oxford feel like a home away from home. Personally, I have seen many people find such networks within the Christian community (especially at OICCU events!) so please come down and don’t be a stranger!

Abigail Sleep (iRep)

Hi! My name’s Abi, and I am a second year classicist at New College. I have lived just outside London since I was about one, but I was born in Sydney. Welcome to Oxford and really well done for your offer! Whether you’re moving an hour away or half-way across the world, university might be a big and daunting change- but with everyone in the same boat and so many exciting events going on, there are hundreds of opportunities to make friends and settle in a new (and very friendly!) city.

We're very excited to meet you all, and we hope you can join us for iWelcome Week before the start of the term! Before that though, enjoy the rest of your summer!