Seven questions with Diandra Şovăilescu

Why are you interested in Comparative Literature and what do you plan to do in the future?

I have always been passionate about world literature, and when I found out about the BA Comparative Literature course at UCL I thought it would be the perfect fit for me. The ability to think critically about everything is one of the things I value the most, so the opportunity to practise this skill at such an advanced level is definitely one of the reasons why I chose this particular subject. Contrary to popular opinion, Comparative Literature involves so much more than literature - the variety of modules available to us ranges from film studies, to linguistics, philosophy and so many others - so you actually get the chance to go into the depths of every field you may be interested in. I don't necessarily have a definite plan for my future, but I am very interested in publishing and journalism, so I am currently applying to various international publishing houses and newspapers.

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

The most interesting thing I've done at UCL was definitely getting involved with the After School Crew, a student-led project whose leader I became after a year of working as a volunteer. What once was the simple idea of a homework club turned into so much more in such a short period of time. Every week, around 10 volunteers meet and help out children of all ages (from 5 to 15) with their academic work - but this doesn't stop here. Our goal has always been to empower children by teaching them new things in fun ways, and thus providing them with a stimulating environment, where they can discover themselves and their interests and where they can pursue their ambitions. The feedback we have received so far has been wonderful - the kids are doing really well in school, they rarely miss a session, and their parents are always happy to have some time for themselves. Moreover, the friendly environment we have created within this little community showed us just how important it is to make an effort and get involved in worthwhile projects. Needless to say, these children changed our lives just as much as we managed to impact theirs.

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

Many people may already know this, but UCL has a really well-thought-out room booking system for students who wish to study alone or in groups. Especially during exam time or assessment periods, when the libraries get quite claustrophobic, booking a room and just working in complete silence for an hour can give you the breath of fresh air that you need.  

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

Portobello Road Market - especially on Saturdays, when you can find displayed all types of stalls, from street food to antiques 

Primrose Hill - during spring/ summer, the Hill is the perfect place for a picnic or a casual walk around the park. The gorgeous view of London is definitely an essential aspect. 

Leicester Square - the cinemas, pubs, and Asian restaurants from China Town are the remedy for everything - and there is nothing that feels better than being in the middle of a happy, buzzing crowd.

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

Although I know UCL has invested a lot in the mental health services it provides, I would make it one of my top priorities. I think this is a very serious issue, especially nowadays, and especially in such a highly competitive environment as the one we find at UCL. The desire to be remarkable and to perform well in every task can sometimes be truly draining, and I think more effort should be put in helping students not lose sight of themselves while striving to have academic accomplishments. 

Who inspires you and why?

I am inspired by ambitious people with bold ideas, who are not afraid of failure. From poets, philosophers, and scientists to friends and family, I always strive to learn new things from the people and the books I surround myself with - this is both because I am a generally inquisitive person and because one of my greatest fears is intellectual and emotional stagnation.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

That I am a decent FIFA player, and that I know more about Chelsea FC than I should.