Seven Questions with Adelle Yii

What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?
I am a final year Law student and I'm planning to qualify in Singapore after completing an LLM in the UK. Law plays a huge role in society, whether we actively consider it or not, which means that it often has to adapt to our changing needs. There is a lot more to the subject than merely memorising legislation or case law, but plenty of room to consider areas for reform and to explore foreign jurisdictions. 

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?
I took on the role of University Representative for a company called 'The Lawyer Portal', which provides resources for current and prospective law students. The team behind The Lawyer Portal were extremely kind in offering me roles and opportunities beyond my job scope. 

I had the opportunity to speak at various conferences, sit on panels and was even interviewed by The Guardian! This exposure gave me the chance to meet many new people with eager minds to pursue Law at an early stage, and to provide guidance on how they can meet their goals. Some of these students have kept in contact with me and I now assist them in their university applications. 

This was rather challenging at first as I had to manage my time and ensure that I was on track for my lectures, tutorials, Law Society competitions, extra-curricular and external commitments. However, it was definitely worth all the effort, as it built my confidence and has definitely prepared me for the realities of the working world when I do step into it. 

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?
Every Saturday night Mully's puts up a Karaoke night just for UCL students. It's a great opportunity to grab a few of your friends and spend the night relaxing and casting aside worries about assignments or deadlines. You don't have to sing well, I genuinely mean it when I say that no one is there to judge your vocal abilities, everybody is there to have fun! It tends to be a bit crowded during Freshers' Week, but once you're past that, it's not too crowded and is a great way to wind down at the end of the week. 

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:
1) Watch a musical! 
You can get musical tickets at pretty decent prices if you book them online; or if you'd like to take a gamble, you can consider heading down to the box office on the day itself to see if they have spare tickets to clear! Keep an eye out on the Student Union website as they have musical tickets at a much lower price - I sat in the fourth row of the Lion King and only paid £30 for it.

2) Take a stroll down River Thames
If you stay near main campus, you can easily get on a bus that takes you down to the river. Once you're there, you can have a relaxing stroll taking in sights such as Big Ben, the London Eye and Tower Bridge. If you're adventurous enough to go all the way down to Tower Hill and willing to make some reservations, you can book seats for dinner in an igloo at Coppa Club! 

3) Spend your weekends at food markets
If you have a passion for food, or you simply love food in general, download one of the food market maps from Google. It'll draw up the locations of all the food markets in London as well as the opening hours. Once you've had your fill, take a walk around the neighbourhood and immerse yourself in the various cultures of the local area, many of these neighbourhoods offer some really Instagram-worthy backgrounds. 

If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?
I would have a meal with students on the steps of the main quad. On a good day, the steps get pretty crowded, with students having lunch, reading or hanging out with friends. As Provost, it'd be nice to speak to students from different courses and backgrounds, to get a sense of how things are going for them. This also lets them know that the staff at UCL are approachable and willing to take in any feedback they may have. 

Who inspires you and why?
My parents are definitely my biggest inspiration - they work hard on a daily basis and they have unwavering faith in me. They are a constant reminder that my efforts will pay off, not just academically but in every opportunity I decide to immerse myself in. 

Beyond that, they've taught me the greatest lesson of appreciating the people around you, whether it's your friends or your tutors. They all play a huge part in your life and you should never take them for granted. 

What would it surprise people to know about you?
As much as I enjoy meeting and speaking to new people, I take enjoyment in quiet activities, which usually take place when I'm alone. I spend a good amount of time in my room or in a park on a sunny day knitting a scarf, stitching or weaving tapestry. I always make sure that I get some time to myself every week to relax and be content with my present self.