Seven Questions with... Giulia Li Calzi

Why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

During my first year, I volunteered as course rep and started learning more about the way UCL works. Eager to expand my horizons beyond the Linguistics department, I decided to become a Student Quality Reviewer (SQR) and learn more about UCL-wide strategies. As a student panelist on the Programme and Module Approval Panel (PMAP) and Internal Quality Review (IQR), I've had the chance to work with senior academics and develop my communication skills. I was then able to use this experience to run my own ChangeMakers project to evaluate and improve academic skills provision in the Linguistics department.

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

A couple of months ago, I sat on a recruitment panel for the Faculty of Brain Sciences. As part of my role, I had the chance to review applications and interview prospective Student Advisers. Being involved in the recruitment panel gave me the opportunity to refine my transferable skills and think about my own applications/interviews.

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

The Lamb makes the best hot chocolate around campus! It's the perfect winter drink (especially if you don't drink coffee like me) and they even add little marshmallows/sparkles on top.

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

1. Try Wagamama's Chicken Katsu – we don't have it in my home country and it's the first thing I do everytime I travel back to London.
2. See a ballet/opera at the Royal Opera House – the cheapest tickets are seven pounds and also give you access to the costumes exhibitions.
3. Take a walk in Hyde Park on a sunny day and listen to your favourite music – don't forget to grab a snack along the way!

What’s one thing you’d like to see in a post-Covid world?

I'd like to see more international projects being undertaken. During the pandemic we learnt how to work online and can now use these skills to collaborate with researchers all over the world.

Who inspires you and why?

I'm particularly inspired by the students in my Laidlaw cohort. They are passionate leaders and able to create positive change with limited resources.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

When I was 17, I moved to Norway without speaking a word of the local language. Thankfully, I quickly learnt how to speak Norwegian and was able to enjoy the rest of my year abroad!