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Seven questions with Soleil Samanor

4 May 2017

This week, we meet second-year student Soleil Samanor, who is studying political science at UCL's School of Slavonic and East European Studies.

1. Why are you interested in Politics and Society in Central and Eastern Europe and what do you plan to do in the future?

As soon as I read the course programme online I knew I had to go for this course. It's so incredibly rich and multidisciplinary. Last year I was given the opportunity to write essays about cheese and dessert names as part of a linguistics module; this year I am studying some economics – how cool is that?

2. What is the most interesting thing you've done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?

It's so hard to choose one as there is always so much going on! But I think I've got to go for the UCL Gliding Society.

Flying is a family passion so I was ecstatic to find out UCL had a gliding society. I'll never forget my first time taking off – I was the first to volunteer but I'd assumed that it was just like flying in a plane so I wasn't especially worried. Then we took off at a 45 degree angle and that was terrifying.

3. Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?

Sushi Tetsu – you won't be disappointed.

4. Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:

  1. Have brunch in the courtyard at Chiltern Firehouse on a sunny weekend. 
  2. Visit Hatchards. It's next to Fortnum's in Green Park. It's my favourite bookshop in London and I'm constantly buying books from there because of the wonderful rare and limited edition prints they have (and the beautiful wrapping they cover them with).
  3. Juicebaby's iced coconut matchas are perfect any time of year (even winter...).

5. If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?

I would reverse the roles of students and lecturers and have the students speak about the issues or disciplines they feel most passionately about.

6. Who inspires you and why?

My friends – they are such smart, creative and fun people and constantly motivate and challenge me.

7. What would it surprise people to know about you?

I have lived in seven different countries.