Libby Roper BSc Anthropology, 2013

Hi, I'm Libby Roper and I studied BSc Anthropology within Social Sciences at the University of Southampton.

Southampton stood out for me, as the course not only seemed to touch on all the areas that had first sparked my interest in Anthropology, but also provided the opportunity to learn about other areas, such as Criminology and Sociology.

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

Once I had decided that Anthropology was the right course for me, I started looking at the universities which offered it as a degree course. Immediately Southampton stood out for me, as the course not only seemed to touch on all the areas that had first sparked my interest in Anthropology, but also provided the opportunity to learn about other areas, such as Criminology and Sociology.

Q: What did you enjoy about studying Applied Social Sciences at Southampton?

I liked the way the course was structured, starting, in first year, with a wide variety of interrelated subjects and then following through into second and third year; becoming more specific into the areas I wanted to study. The staff in the anthropology department were very approachable, efficient at dealing with queries, and always made lectures and seminars interesting.

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

Studying at Southampton has increased my confidence and has allowed me to develop my verbal and written communication skills. Learning the skills required for independent study and time management as well as getting the balance right between hard study and having fun are essential both during and post university. I was also part of the pop and gospel choir Jazzmanix for all three years and found that was a great release from any pressures of work and allowed me to perform with a very talented group around Southampton and on our tour to Barcelona.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

To be perfectly honest, I'm not entirely sure! One of the great things about Anthropology is that it is a very open subject that can lead to all sorts of areas, a prospect I find very exciting. At the moment I'm doing temporary work and volunteering at a local charity shop and then looking to work with charities and events organisation.