Earlier in the summer I had the opportunity to take part in volunteer work in Uganda with a charity called ‘the Amigos’. It was a life changing experience and it put the long pages of notes on intermediate technology into real life where I experienced the construction and distribution of water filters into the local community. I am so grateful for the opportunity to take part in the trip as it gave me an insight in to how NGOs such as ‘the Amigos’ work. I realised how determined I can be as I had to raise £1500 for the transport and accommodation in order to take part in the trip. To do this, I worked long hours during my school holidays and weekends in a local tearooms where I’ve worked since completing work experience in year 10.
As much as I enjoy all aspects of my geographical and world development studies, I’ve discovered that I’m more drawn to the human side as opposed to the physical. Therefore; since my A level studies I’ve learnt that my passion lies in world development as it combines all aspects of my GCSE and A-level education that I enjoy, mixing the cultural, social, political and economic aspects of the world into one study. Equally, I love the fact that what I study is relatable to every day life as everything revolves around development, from buying Coca-Cola that’s been bottled in a factory in India to the increased recycling systems within Exeter, thus allowing us to achieve the most advanced state possible. I want to continue my studies of international development because it always challenges me since the world is ever-changing and so there will always be new case studies to interest me.
I think that the A levels I am studying at Exeter college have allowed me to develop the skills necessary for the Degree. Through writing a report for my world development coursework I have developed analytical essay writing skills, geographical fieldwork has given me hands-on study experience and from studying French I believe that I have gained a better understanding of international societies and how they differ.
I am proposing to apply and defer until 2014 because I want to take a gap year in order to travel. I am currently torn between where to visit on my travels as ideally I’d go everywhere, countries vary so greatly with culture, lifestyles and landscape and I would love to experience them all. I think that travelling will help me in future studies because I will have the ability to link personal experiences to what I study in my degree. But as much as I’m looking forward to travelling I’m also eager to have the university experience as I think that it’ll be an opportunity to become more independent.