Q&A with Lily Wielar

Lily is an Education Studies BA student, class of 2023. She talks to us about her experience of studying at IOE.

What do you most enjoy about your degree programme?

It’s hard to decide what I enjoy most about my degree as there are so many amazing experiences I’ve had while on the Education Studies course. This year I was able to take the Education Placement module and undergo a work placement with the UCL Volunteering Service. I enjoyed how I got to apply my academic knowledge from the module to a real-world experience and vice versa.

I also love how helpful and engaged our module and seminar leaders are. They are always there to answer questions and frequently send out interesting opportunities for us to advance our learning. 

How do you think the system of learning at UCL differs from that in your home country, the United States?

As an international student, I have noticed several differences in how learning is conducted at UCL. Comparing my time studying at UCL to my experience growing up in the United States, I found there to be two main differences. Learning at UCL is more independent and more specific than learning in the US. As you immediately apply to a course your learning is already tailored to a specific subject, which in my case was Education Studies. I have also noticed that classes tend to be more research based and more of the learning occurs outside of class. This independence allows you more control over your schedule and what you want to learn about.

Finally, I would also say that at UCL there is considerably less testing and assessment. While in the US classes often give multiple tests and assignments throughout a term, most classes at UCL only assign 1-3 graded pieces of work, which also tend to be more writing based.   

Where do you prefer to study?

My favorite places to study on campus are IOE and at Senate House. IOE has great study spaces and I love that there is a coffee shop in the lobby with great student prices. During exam season I also like to use free classrooms in IOE to study with friends.

Senate House is another one of my favorite study spaces and is located right behind IOE. It has some gorgeous and very quiet library rooms as well as a room full of comfy couches for a more relaxed study environment. Senate House is also great if you want to meet with friends who go to other London universities as everyone within University of London can access the libraries.   

What do you do when you're not studying?

Outside of studying, I am part of the UCL Women’s Football (Soccer) Club. As part of a sports club, I get to participate in matches every week and the team also holds socials every Wednesday on sports night. 

I also recently got to travel to Portugal and Edinburgh with friends from the club. I also volunteer every week for children’s pottery classes at a community arts centre near campus. I love getting to work with kids every week and making pottery. When I am not playing football or volunteering, I am usually hanging out with friends at the pub or coffee shops and taking advantage of all the cool things London has to offer.

Have you benefited from any work experience or internships offered by UCL?

As I previously mentioned, through the placement module I was able to work with the UCL Volunteering Service. I got to attend a number of meetings in the Student Union and work on two projects to increase student participation in the Volunteering Service. 

I also have been able to undertake two summer internships through UCL. The summer after my first year I received an internship position through the UCL ConnectEd Learning internship program. I helped create a study skills hub for current UCL students. More recently, I am helping work on a qualitative long COVID-19 research project being run at UCL.    

Have you lived in UCL accommodation?

I lived at Garden Halls which is part of UCL and University of London accommodation. At Garden Halls I was able to meet many of my closest friends. Although I lived there during COVID I had a great time and found that living in halls was a great way to meet people. 

Garden Halls is centrally located and only a 10 minute walk from IOE. Being so close to campus during your first year was really nice and helped me feel more connected to UCL. It is also a catered hall and it provided a great way to meet people outside of your floor and made meals very easy.  

Last updated 27 July 2022.