Desiree Poets

BA International Politics with Economics

Germany

What appealed to you about studying at Aberystwyth?

When I was applying through UCAS I looked up all the possibilities that I had financially and with my grades, and I saw a picture of the town, and I fell in love with it immediately. Then when I looked at the Department I was just convinced that it was a good department, especially as Britain is such a good place to study international politics anyway. Aberystwyth was my first choice from the very beginning because the place is beautiful, the department’s great, and everything I heard about the University was positive.

Can you tell us about your halls of residence and what you like about them?

My halls of residence was Alexandra Halls last year. It’s a really old, beautiful house, it’s by the seafront and I had an amazing sea view, which was a plus. The room wasn’t amazing, but it was ok. Halls of residence aren’t really like a house you don’t have a communal living room, but what you get is really good for the price you pay. I really liked it.

Can you tell us what you do in your time outside of academic life?

In Aberystwyth there are lots of things you can do in yours spare time, even though it’s a small town. People always think it’s going to be boring, but actually I’m always busy. I didn’t expect that when I arrived, but you meet a lot of people because it’s a small town, and we go out a lot, there are a lot of pubs. There are also a lot of sports possibilities. The gym is amazing at the University, and you can go running in town, which I do a lot. It’s a really good place to work out on, and there are a lot of hills so you have to get fit! There are a lot of societies you can join. I would definitely recommend that international students join the international student’s society, because you meet a lot of people there’s always something to do here.

Can you tell us about the summer placements you did in Germany?

Because I find it difficult to work and study at the same time, you don’t want to compromise your grades, I decided to only go for work placements in the summer. You have to apply early, because they have a lot of people applying – and this time I decided to go to Siemens in Germany, and work for Market Analysis in the Energy Market, because I’m minoring in Economics and international politics, I thought that would be interesting. I looked at the world market. It made me more confidence, and I learnt new skills. I was in Germany and so had to travel a little. It’s always good to do summer placements if you have the time, and it was good money.

How do you think studying at Aberystwyth in the UK will help you in terms of your career?

Aberystwyth international politics is very well-known in the UK, and it’s very famous in the United States as well. When I was applying, I thought that if I was going to do a course, that I should go to the best university for it. So I was looking at the UK as it’s in Europe and was cheaper for me, the course had a good reputation here. It’s the best place to go if you want to study international politics and this was the first department in the world to have this course. Everywhere you look it up, everyone says positive things. It’s a great place to come to, and it’s a very unique experience. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What swayed you to choose Aberystwyth rather than somewhere else?

First of all, the town’s beautiful. Then when I started applying, as an international student you can have difficulties with all the paperwork, and when I called there was always someone to answer the phone who would always know the answer and they would always help me immediately. I thought to myself that if I go there, I’m not going to be alone, I’m always going to have someone to talk to, and that’s what made me decide to come here.

What kind of ambitions do you have for the future?

Because I study international politics and economics, in the future I would love to work with development programmes and I have found that in this department I can do exactly that, because I can combine whatever modules I want. For example, I’m now specialising in the Third World which means I’m learning a lot about Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and I study economics as well. So it’s going to guide me to exactly where I want to go. It’s perfect.

What are you learning whilst at University?

I’m learning a lot of things! First of all you have to manage living on your own, and with other people so you have to learn to clean, and study, and manage your own money. You have to think about what you’re going to do in the summer, because you have three months, which you don’t want to spend watching TV! So you have to plan for the near and farther future. You have to study and look after yourself, and often you have to help your friends a lot! I’m learning a lot about myself, because once you leave your parents’ house you start to see who you actually are. I’ve made a lot of friends and I’m much more certain about what I want to do with my future, which is really good.