Rebecca Harvey BA Geography, 2013

MSc in Development Studies, at SOAS

Hi, I'm Rebecca Harvey and I studied BA Geography within Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton.

The modules looked (and were) great, the staff were approachable, and the opportunities that arose from the course all attracted me, but it was the University (and its campus) as a whole that made me fall in love with Southampton

Q: Why did you choose to undertake your studies in Geography at the University of Southampton?

I looked at the lists of Universities that did BA Geography, saw that Southampton had great reviews for its teaching, research, social life and career opportunities, and had an open day the next week; and so booked onto it. My parents’ home is 4 hours from the University of Southampton so I really wasn’t sure whether or not I was willing to move that far away, but after spending less than 5 minutes on the campus I had decided I was going to apply, and after meeting the academic staff within the department I decided the University was going to be my first choice.

The modules looked (and were) great, the staff were approachable, and the opportunities that arose from the course all attracted me, but it was the University (and its campus) as a whole that made me fall in love with Southampton and made me choose the University.

Q: What did you enjoy about studying Geography at Southampton?

Everything, but definitely the staff, the content, the ability to do wider study, the interconnectedness of the modules, and the relationships that you build up within the Geography Department. I found third year, although hard, to be the best year simply because everything you have learnt fits together so well and you come out with this well rounded knowledge of the world because the modules are designed to overlap and fit together perfectly.

I also loved the social side, GeogSoc is definitely a MUST for any geography student, and so are the trips in first and second year. The second year trip to Amsterdam was probably one of the biggest highlights of my whole time at Uni because I got to be in an amazing city, with a load of my friends, researching a project that was tailored and adapted to my own interests.

Q: What have you been able to achieve as a result of studying at the University of Southampton?

By studying at the University of Southampton I have achieved so much more than I thought I would. I have developed a passion for what I’ve studied, found the motivation and support to work towards a career in International Development, grown more confident in my own abilities than I ever imagined I would and have been lucky enough to conduct first hand research into a rural community in south west Uganda for my third year research project.

Studying at Southampton gives you more than just academic knowledge (although it gives a lot of that!), it honestly does give you the ability to go out and face the world and realise your dreams.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

I have a lot of plans, most of which involve travel, but for now I’m studying an MSc in Development Studies at SOAS with the intention of getting a job working in International Development.