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Danae Mauridi, from Greece, shares her experience of studying the UCL Summer English Course.
Where were you before coming to the UCL Summer English Course?
I’m from Athens – but I studied my degree in Architectural Engineering in another city in Greece called Xanthi. It’s a small city, very peaceful with lots of greenery.
It’s quite different studying at UCL – universities in Greece are good quality, but not as well organised. When I arrived here, everything was ready for me, such as the timetable and what I have to do.
Why did you choose to study the UCL Summer English Course?
I had already applied to study at UCL in the Bartlett. I visited in March for a Master’s open day and got to experience the university atmosphere – I loved it! I felt very comfortable here, it felt like home.
I wanted to improve my English before starting my Master’s and do it at UCL so I could get used to the environment.
What have been the highlights of the course so far and why?
The course isn’t just about English, but you do a research project and go on visits too, so I really enjoyed the variety.
It’s a very multicultural atmosphere – it’s interesting because you meet people from all the corners of the world and learn things about their culture and lifestyle that you’ve never imagined.
My favourite visit was Kew Gardens. My final project in Architecture was about greenhouses, so I had already done a lot of research about it. It was amazing to see Kew Gardens in person and see how people protect the beauty of the country.
What skills have you developed on the UCL Summer English Course?
Fluency
I learnt how to speak more fluently and communicate better in English. Every day we practised through games, debates and discussions. It’s not like a traditional class, they’re very interactive.
Before I came here I was afraid to talk with native speakers because they know the language so well. Now I feel more confident and secure. I know I’ll make mistakes, but it’s the only way to improve. Teachers here are also very patient and help you a lot. They’re very supportive if you make mistakes.
Research Skills
Our final project was about Karaoke! We found a common theme across cultures to everyone in class to join in with. We wanted to compare how popular it is across cultures, why is it more popular in Asia.
We learnt how to do surveys, analyse data, how to select it. This was all new to me.
What advice would you give to a student who wants to do the UCL Summer English Course next year?
It’s a good way to start your life abroad - it’s much easier because the course is very structured, and there were only 15 people in my class. The teacher was able to guide us because there weren't so many people, so you feel well supported in a new country.
You learn how to live in London – you get used to how London works. It’s really worth doing, I have no regrets!