- Chris Shephard
- BA Dutch with Management Studies
- Graduated: 2000
- Business Park Co-ordinator/BID Project Manager, Arun District Council
Why did you choose to study Dutch in general and at UCL in specific
Because studying Dutch sounded exciting and a fresh challenge from French & German. I was also keen on a year abroad to broaden my horizons. Naturally UCL was first choice for me because of its history, approach to the world and civilisation and its location.
What did you like most about your degree programme?
A major (in Dutch) and minor (in Management Studies) mix kept things interesting. I also don't think I've ever been so challenged academically!
What was it like being a student at the Dutch department?
Excellent, because it was like a family. Our small class knew everyone and got to know each other well. It was also very relaxed, but help was on hand whenever you wanted it.
How has your degree been of benefit to you since you took your degree?
My degree in general has helped me become a project manager. I find the way I approach situations and communicate with people helps me a great deal, skills which I put down to going to UCL and studying the degree I did. I spend a lot of time with businesses and business people, so having a broad range of skills can really help gain their trust and build a reputation. Revealing that you can speak Dutch can be a good topic of conversation at networking evenings too! I also use my Dutch knowledge in different situations, which can surprise people! For example, my girlfriend runs her own greetings card business which specialises in carriage driving images. We were selling her work at the South Of England Carriage Driving Fair where we had a stall, and this Dutch couple came up and were talking to each other in Dutch. "Ik vind het leuk" the man said about Helen's cards. I knew what he was on about, and we sold quite a few not least because of my chit chat with them, in Dutch of course!
Anything else you want to add about your experience at UCL or your career since leaving UCL?
It was certainly one of the best times of my life, where I learnt a lot. I still keep in touch with a lot of my friends and go back from time to time. I contribute to the UCL Friends Programme so that future students can benefit from grants etc just as I did, which enabled me to finish my degree.
