- Laura Taylor
- BA Dutch and History of Art
- Graduated: 2004
- Account Executive, Barclays
Why did you choose to study Dutch in general and at UCL in specific
I had spent a lot of my childhood in The Netherlands, I always felt most at home there, and therefore wished to become proficient enough in Dutch, in order that I might be able to live and work in The Netherlands in the future.
What did you like most about your degree programme?
The variety of topics covered, particularly as I had the two subjects. From history, to art, to politics, to literature and of course language. There was great scope to cover all interests.
What was it like being a student at the Dutch department?
Good fun. Work was of course taken very seriously, but in a relaxed and friendly environment. I found the pastoral / tutorial side of the Dutch department faired much better than my experience of others.
How has your degree been of benefit to you since you took your degree?
Yes, my degree was of great benefit. I and my husband moved to The Netherlands for his twelve month contract recently, and being able to speak, read, and write Dutch, even though I was personally not working at this time(at home with my two young sons), was invaluable. We plan to return to The Netherlands again at some point in the future. Career-wise, it means I stand out from the crowd. Prospective employers are intrigued by my choice of degree, and this can open the first few doors. Certainly in the industry I am working, Marketing, Sales, PR, languages are very important and employers are drawn in initially by something unusual. Of course, it's up to you to secure that job, but being a bit different can certainly help!