Why I chose Herts
Hey, my name is Fiona and I spent the last four years studying Human Geography at the University of Hertfordshire. I came to university in 2016 quite shy with little confidence and can safely say my time here has helped me develop into a much more confident, expressive, and accomplished individual. It has been amazing!
The department
From start to finish I felt acknowledged and supported by my lecturers and other staff in Geography & Environment which has helped me in my journey here hugely. I have not once felt forgotten about or ignored, and consistently experienced the staff continuously prioritise student needs primarily and make sufficient time to aid all students in their struggles. University can be extremely challenging, and the support from the department has really helped me excel in my subject.
The field trips
Another reason I loved studying at the University of Hertfordshire was, of course, the field trips. Geography & Environment offers a range of field trips abroad and in this country, which are highly relevant to the course and enrich the learning of all students. I have made some incredible memories on these trips and seen some amazing things, from the Peak District to Switzerland and many more. My most memorable field trip must be the first-year trip to the Lake District. It was then that I realised I would have the best three to four years of my life and would make friends for life. Students are encouraged to interact in field trips like this which really builds the social aspect of the course. Other events such as quiz nights, coffee mornings and arranged social gatherings add to the sociability within the course, and help you develop relationships with students and staff, helping in creating an extremely happy, friendly, and interactive geography community unlike any other within the university. I even got to opportunity to go on a ‘Hillwalking weekend’ with others in Geography & Environment to help relieve the stresses of final year and see some awesome scenery along the way. It was peaceful and stress-free apart from when we had to slide our way down a snowy mountain! All fun and games though, right?
My placement year and future careers
Geography & Environment staff always push you to be the best you can be and support you in whatever endeavour you may choose. From writing references to helping with placement applications, the department really does offer it all. I am extremely grateful to have undertaken a placement year in Town Planning as part of my course, which helped me gain confidence and valuable experience that helps me immensely in the graduate job application process. My placement and range of course material offered throughout my degree has really inspired me and helped me find areas within the field of politics, environment, and planning which I am passionate about.
I would like to thank the Geography & Environment department for all their hard work, support, and guidance over the last four years. I will miss the geography community immensely, however, I leave with the best memories, feeling incredibly lucky to have been part of it for so long. I can safely say I am a more dedicated, inspired, and resilient individual because of my time here.
University is a challenging but amazing time of your life, and I can guarantee it can be made more amazing by studying geography at the University of Hertfordshire.