What's it like to study at Northumbria?
Studying at Northumbria has been a really positive experience, largely because of the welcoming and supportive community. The university feels down to earth and inclusive, with staff always willing to offer support and guidance, not just within the classroom. I've always felt that Northumbria creates an environment where students feel comfortable being themselves and are encouraged to get involved. One of my favourite things about studying here is the campus itself. Being right in the heart of Newcastle means I can enjoy everything the city has to offer, while still being in the campus environment that brings everyone together. For me, it absolutely feels like the best of both worlds!
Best thing about studying Disaster Management and Sustainable Development
One of the best things about my course is how personal it feels. With a relatively small cohort of around 45 students for my undergraduate degree, the lecturers get to know us individually and are always willing to go above and beyond to support us and help us reach our potential. I also really value the ambition they encourage in us, pushing us to challenge ourselves and make the most of every opportunity. This was particularly evident during my undergraduate dissertation, where I was encouraged to be as ambitious as possible. This led me to conduct research on sustainable tourism on the island of Mallorca, which was then nominated by my lecturers to the Royal Geographical Society. Experiences like this show how much the lecturers believe in their students and inspire us to achieve more than we might have initially imagined.
Favourite thing to do on campus / community
My favourite place on campus has to be the Geography Hub, which is my go-to spot for getting work done. It definitely has a nice community feel, bringing together geographers of all kinds - students, lecturers and researchers - in one space, so there is always someone around to bounce ideas off or ask for advice. I also love grabbing lunch at Habita between lectures. Having a space on campus where I can sit down with friends, catch up and take a break together really adds to that sense of community at Northumbria. It's something small, but having somewhere to look forward to going to in the middle of a long day of lectures makes such a difference.
Course & career goals / industry links
Although I'm still exploring exactly what I would like my future career to look like, my course has opened my eyes to the range of opportunities available within geography and disaster management. During my undergraduate degree, I took part in career workshops where I met professionals working in areas such as town planning and environmental consultancy, helping me understand how geographical knowledge can be applied in different careers. Across my Master's, we are having guest lectures from PhD researchers and professionals working in disaster management, giving us valuable insights of the different pathways into the sector. These experiences have made me feel optimistic and excited about my future, discovering where my interests and skills from Northumbria could take me.
A time you realised you were capable of more
One of my proudest moments at Northumbria was walking across the stage at graduation this summer, knowing I had achieved my dream of graduating with a first-class degree. After a rocky start to my university journey, I made the decision to change direction and come to Northumbria to study Geography. I never imagined I would find somewhere that felt so much like home, where I genuinely looked forward to coming in each day and learning something new. At the beginning, achieving a First felt like a goal that might be out of reach, but with the support and opportunities at Northumbria, I proved to myself that I was capable of more than I had first believed. Looking back, I'm incredibly proud of how far I've come, both academically and personally, and it has given me so much confidence going into my Master's, and for my future as a whole.
Support that boosted confidence / ambition
Field trips have been one of the most valuable parts of my experience at Northumbria, helping to build my confidence and shape my ambitions for the future. From the Lake District and the Spanish villages of Valor and Málaga to Amsterdam and Liverpool, I've had the opportunity to explore places through a geographical lens and see how the concepts we learn in the classroom apply to real-world challenges. Beyond field trips, I also volunteered with OnePlanet last year, helping deliver a climate change board game to primary school children to educate them about the positive actions they can take to protect our planet. This was a great opportunity to put my knowledge into practice and engage others with geographical issues. These experiences have shown me how much there is to learn beyond the lecture theatre and inspired me to continue my studies. They played a big part in my decision to stay at Northumbria for a Master's degree in Disaster Management and Sustainable Development. In a few months, I'll also have the exciting opportunity to visit Kerala, India, to explore disaster management in a global context, something I'm really looking forward to!
Advice for someone considering Northumbria
My advice would be to embrace every opportunity that comes your way and make the most of everything university has to offer. Newcastle is such an amazing student city, with so much to explore both inside and outside of university. Northumbria has a really welcoming and supportive community, making it a great place to learn, grow and build your confidence. Most importantly, don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, for me some of the best experiences and opportunities have come from trying something new!
