Kaif Kutchwala

Email Kaif: kaif-link@leeds.ac.uk

Hi everyone! My name is Kaif. I am from Pune, India and the DRC, Africa.

I am currently doing a placement as a Junior Software Developer at Trayport, London. I did high school in Pune, India and have completed the following stages of the IB programme: PYP, MYP, and DP.

I chose the University of Leeds because it is known for its excellent engineering courses and the has one of the most beautiful campuses.

In addition, I wanted to study Mechatronics and the University of Leeds was one of the few universities that had a dedicated course for this subject at the time. Furthermore, the course itself was improved to better align with industry needs in 2018 has continually been updated since. This really compelled me to study at the University of Leeds.  

My time at the University has been great. The sheer number of opportunities available to do things that I love doing excites me, even in my third year.

I travelled to Leeds alone at the age of 17 and had to familiarise myself with an unfamiliar environment alone. However, this experience was made much smoother with the help of the numerous services provided to me by the University. Whether it was in the form of arrival packages, or the multitude of events aimed to help students network.

Even within student accommodation, you can organise events as a member of the hall exec team. Every course has their own special yearly event, whether that is the Law Ball or the Robotic Fighting League.

Regarding academics, the libraries provide study and research support, schools assign mentors to students who guide them throughout their time at the University and furthermore, peer mentors are also assigned to students. This ensures that you are never lost and always have a point of reference during your time at the University.

I enjoy coding, I spend most of my time typing colourful text on a black screen. I also enjoy playing basketball at The Edge (the best part is that I get free membership as a resident in University accommodation). I spend quite a few evenings playing games such as CSGO and Valorant.

I believe that the best part of Leeds as a city is its vibrant nightlife, beautiful countryside, and the fact that there is always something to do.

I have chosen to stay at Central Village for the three years I have been at the University. Having the city centre two minutes away whilst living on campus has been very convenient. The prompt service, 24-hour reception and luxurious experience are all benefits of living at Central Village.  

Please feel at ease to contact me for any queries whether they are academic, logistical, placement-related, or general queries, I am more than happy to assist!