Back to where it all began: Three friends return to Portsmouth after three decades

Last month, the three alumni returned to the city where their friendship began over 30 years ago. Although life has since taken them across continents — to Germany, China and beyond — their connection to one another, and to Portsmouth, remains strong.

For one long weekend, they stepped back into student life, renting a house in Southsea just a short walk from the streets they lived as students. They revisited the familiar landmarks that shaped their university years: lecture theatres where their career ambitions first took root, the Park Building computer room where Hagen sent his very first email — to the woman who would later become his wife — and the steps of Portsmouth Guildhall where they celebrated graduation all those years ago.

Hagen, Heiko and Niklas outside the University Library

Our 30-year reunion since our paths diverged in Portsmouth felt like a journey back in time. We rented a house in Southsea for a long weekend, just a short walk from where we had all once lived as students.

Revisiting familiar places like the library, Park Building, and St. Michael’s revived long-forgotten memories, while other landmarks had changed—our old students’ union replaced by the striking, ultra-modern Ravelin Sports Centre, and Milton Campus transformed into residential housing.

Returning felt like coming home—to a place that shaped us and gave us such meaningful experiences and lasting memories. Portsmouth will always be a part of us!

Hagen, Heiko and Niklas, University of Portsmouth alumni

Life beyond university

Since graduating, each has followed a different path. Hagen earned a BSc (Hons) in Applied Physics in 1996, Heiko completed a Diploma of Higher Education in European Business Administration in the same year, and Niklas graduated with a BA (Hons) in Financial Services in 1999.

They have built careers spanning industries and countries, become entrepreneurs, raised families and embraced opportunities around the world. All the while, their shared memories of Portsmouth continue to connect them.

For Hagen, Heiko and Niklas, Portsmouth is more than the city where they studied. It is where lifelong friendships were forged, futures began to take shape and memories were made that still bring them back, nearly three decades later.