Seven Questions with Berta Mizsei

Berta took part in the Global Citizenship programme which brings students from across UCL to explore the biggest global challenges, from infectious diseases to rapid urbanisation, over a two week period.

What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

I'm a second year studying Social Sciences with Quantitative Methods. I'm planning to go on to a do a Master's in Political Economy or a related subject, and in the long-run I'd like to work with intergovernmental organisations in connection with how the rule of law is upheld (or broken down) by policies and politics in various countries.

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

Probably the sports club I joined (shameless plug for UCL Parkour) - but if we're talking about opportunities that don't involve hobbies, then the Global Citizenship Programme.

I was in the (Un)Urban: Designing for the Green City (Human Wellbeing) strand, and not only was our group friendly and fun to work with (and went to some pretty interesting lectures on urban design), but we also got to work with real organisations regarding redesigning the Olympic Park! It was interesting to see how various fields of study could be meshed to deal with a single problem.

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

In the IOE library, even if the rest of the place is crammed full, hardly anyone ever sits down in the children's' section. So you can just waltz over and plonk yourself down on a pillow next to a teddy bear to study in relative peace.

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London?

Sleep/my finished assignments/Chinatown and Soho - we don't have places like that where I'm from (Hungary), so it's always a treat. Also, Hackney Wick looks absolutely amazing - take a walk down there if you haven't seen it yet, it has tons of cool graffiti and wall art.

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

I don't think there's much you can do in just one day, even though there are a ton of things to change, so I'd probably start a pitch about building the new UCL campus in the most environmentally sustainable way possible. And maybe cut my salary.

Who inspires you and why?

Alexander the Great, because a) he's such a larger-than-life figure, b) I like how the legend of the Gordian Knot advises you to set your own pace during problem-solving and not get too bogged down by others' rules, and c) he must have had an incredible amount of willpower and charisma to conquer the known world like he did - and from a pretty young age as well.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

That I'm afraid of roller-coasters? That I learn Japanese? Dunno. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 

The Global Citizenship programme is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students at UCL

Registration for 2019 will open in Term 2 and will take place from Tuesday 28 May to Friday 7 June 2019.

If you have questions about registration or your eligibility to take part in the Programme, please email globalcitizenshipprogramme@ucl.ac.uk