Emma Hett BSc International Relations2012

The University of Southampton is one of the best universities in the UK, especially in the field of IR.

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

International relations (IR) has always interested me since I was a young girl. My parents travel around the world and we were always on the move living and visiting new countries. I knew that I wanted my degree to encompass the organisation and way countries interact with each other and the reasons why they do that. The University of Southampton is one of the best universities in the UK, especially in the field of IR. The lecturers are very well educated and have great experience. There is a lot of support here for overseas students, which was important to me. The facilities are second to none and the opportunities are endless.

I would definitely recommend both the University and my course. If you are interested in IR or politics, this course is for you. Regardless of what course you do, Southampton offers so much. There are loads of clubs and non-academic things to do. There are great sports facilities here, a wealth of knowledge for post-degree/career information and also so much fun. I have yet to meet someone who is unhappy here; you just don’t have the time to be! There is always so much going on and happening that feeling down or homesick just doesn't happen!

Q: How did you find the course at Southampton?

I found out about my course through the UCAS website and looked at several universities in the UK. Southampton offered the best course in international relations and it looked to be the most interesting too. It also appealed as it has a lot of support after you finish your degree with finding a career path and placements.

There is a huge amount of support offered by my lecturers and tutors. Not only are the lectures informative and easy to understand, but usually there is the opportunity to ask questions in them if you are unsure. There is also the option of emailing a tutor or lecturer to ask them a question and they usually answered within 24 hours. The tutorials are also really good for support and the tutors are always helpful.

Q: How did you find being an international student?

I moved from the Republic of Ireland, after taking a gap year, to Southampton. The International Office has been great. We had a separate move-in date and there were activities organised for us when we arrived to introduce us not only to Southampton but also to the UK. Choosing accommodation and any problems with accommodation have been sorted immediately and always with a smile. The Students' Union is great fun to be a part of. Not only do they organise lots of things to do, both during the day and in the evening, they made Fresher's week a week to remember, offer support for new students, organise a cinema and a club twice a week and make living in Southampton so enjoyable. I got stuck in Ireland after the volcano incident during the Easter holidays and when I arrived back I went to the office. Not only were all my essays automatically given extensions but I had a meeting with my tutor within 24 hours to discuss everything I had missed and how best to catch up. They could not have been more helpful and everything was set up to help us, not to penalise us.

Q: What do you feel you have achieved from studying here?

I love everything about this University. I really can't say enough. In my eyes it is the best decision that I have made to move out of my comfort zone, do a course that is not well known, move countries, leave my family and friends and to come to Southampton. It was the best decision I have made to date.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

I would like a job that I can travel with and something that is not at a desk, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5. My current aspirations are working with the Foreign Office and after a few years' experience with them moving on to work for the UN. I am also considering working for an NGO and taking a year or two after my degree to go travelling and be a freelance journalist.