Celebrating Our Final Year Students

Name: Tara Campling Degree: English Language & Communications with Creative Writing & Journalism Year of Graduation: 2020

What is your hobby & what does it entail?

My hobby would be photography as I like taking pictures to try and tell a story.

Why did you choose Photography?

When I was in secondary school, I used to enjoy walking around a local golf course in the evenings to get some exercise. I would always end up taking pictures of this on my phone, and my hobby slowly developed into me taking different pictures at different places, to the point I decided to do this as an A-Level at college.

How long have you been doing Photography?

I would say about 6 years since when I was a year 11 student.

How do you balance Photography and University life?

It is a struggle, as I like dedicating days to going out to take pictures, but it is not easy to do this with lectures and assignments.

What do you enjoy about Photography?

The freedom it gives me. I can escape through it. When I’m taking pictures all that seems to matter is whatever I can see through my lens and the outcome once I press the shutter.

How has Photography helped you?

It has helped me escape when I have needed to, for example when I have lots of deadlines. I enjoy the editing process as much as the shooting process, so I find this a nice break between university work.

Do you have any struggles?

I would love to be able to invest in some more advanced equipment, however, it is very expensive which is a big negative.

What about the future?

I find photography helped me relax at uni. and I hope it will beyond. It’s important to keep in touch with your interests, just as much as it is to work hard.

Don’t forget your hobbies once you graduate and find yourself in the world of work. “ “

Students at home

Name: Scarlett Heselwood Degree: Philosophy & Media, Joint Honours Year of Graduation: 2020

What is your hobby & what does it entail?

Falconry, I basically help and assist in taking care of a private collection of birds of prey. I get to travel around teaching people about the birds. This includes attending events from school events to weddings.

Why did you choose Falconry?

I’ve always been into birds since I was a kid, it’s always been something I’ve been into, wanting to get my own bird. I have a strong interest in birds and wildlife, and I get to talk about my passion with others.

How long have you been doing Falconry?

5 years this summer, I was 16 when I started.

How do you balance Falconry and University life?

It’s very time-consuming, being a Humanities student, I have low contact hours. So, I tend to spend most mornings when I’m not in classes and every other day with the birds. Making sure I get assignments and things started early.

What do you enjoy most about Falconry?

I like the displays the most. I love talking about the birds to people, working with kids and the public. I get to create an impact on people, getting to see the kids happy makes me happy.

How has Falconry helped you?

It’s created a career path for me. I’ve gained skills to start my own business.

Do you have a least favourite part of Falconry?

The cleaning, especially when it comes to breeding the birds. It’s so gross, because you have to leave them to it but it’s a real benefit working with the birds so it’s a trade-off.

Do you have anything you want to share with the Humanities graduates of 2020?

Do your best and try and follow your passions, make goals for them.

Scarlett’s Falconry Instagram Account is @ hawkeye_hack Make sure to go and check it out! It’s really good for networking, it’s also given me a lot of personal responsibility, organisation skills and I gain connections all over the world. “ “

Students who studied abroad

How did you find out about the University of Hertfordshire, and why do you study here?

The main reason why I wanted to study at Hertfordshire was because of the opportunity to study abroad. Since I came here, I have found that the staff are super friendly, with a passion for their subjects.

Name: Andy Goodwin Degree: Major in History & Minor in Media Cultures Year of Graduation: 2020 What are some of your most memorable moments at University?

Are you involved in any student activities? (Active Students or Societies)

I’m a part of a society, Trident Media, in my final year and also the university football team. It’s been a great way to meet new people since most of my friends graduated last year. Prior to joining these societies, I was a part of Motiv8 a company within the Enactus society in second year. If I could go back and restart university, I would join and try new societies as they have been so much fun.

Since studying abroad, it has opened my eyes up to the wider world and made me want to travel even more.

What do you enjoy most about it?

Learning. Acquiring knowledge of the past that I would have not thought to look into.

Why did you choose to study abroad?

I always wanted to study in America. Oklahoma was a chance to experience a new culture. I visited places I would have never have thought about and I met people I don’t think I would ever have met, if I hadn’t taken up this opportunity.

What did you learn and experience during your study abroad?

With my study abroad it offered me a chance to choose subjects that I wouldn’t have ever thought I could do.

Any goals after graduation?

Honestly the main goal is to get a job preferably in the civil service or go into a career centred around research.

My main aspiration before starting was that I really wanted to study abroad and experience a different culture as I have had this passion ever since I was young. “ “

Name: Louise Thomas Degree: BA(Hons) Mass Communication Year of graduation: 2020

Why did you choose to study at the University of Hertfordshire?

I wanted to study not too far from home but I was also attracted to travel abroad. So, I decided to go to Hertfordshire because there is a student study abroad programme.

Why study abroad?

Studying abroad is the best experience that I ever had in my life. I was very immersed in Singaporean culture during my time there.

What were your aspirations before you entered the university?

I always had high ambitions and once here, I managed to get accepted on the study abroad programme which became my goal and gave me lots of motivation.

How was your experience in UH?

I really love the school. The teachers are very open and friendly. I enjoy discussions with my lecturers. As a group, they are a very interesting community and they do their best for the students.

Did you join any student societies?.

Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to join a society because I live in London and there are no late buses. However, I did join the film club that ran every Thursday evening at 6pm and I really enjoyed the wide range of different films that were shown.

What has been the best memory you have from your university life?

My most vivid memory is participating in film production as I worked in a really nice team with some of my classmates. We created fun short films where we were shooting around campus, in different accommodation blocks. We also shot video in the fields at the back of de Havilland Campus. I really enjoyed making films and working closely with everyone in the team.

What are your goals after graduation?

My ultimate goal is to travel, as I want to pursue something meaningful in life. As soon as I graduate, my plan is to travel to Japan or South Korea. I plan to apply to be an English teacher in South Korea for a year as soon as I get a chance.

7 “ I would say that I still consider the people that I met in Singapore to be my closest friends in all the world. “