Seven questions with David Olufemi Bankole

This week, meet David Olufemi Bankole aka Femi, aka Red, a second-year student studying Mechanical Engineering with Business Finance.

Find out about David's experience of the UCL Global Citizenship Programme, his favourite hidden gems at UCL and his Saturday night slot on Rare FM, UCLU's radio station.

Why are you interested in engineering and business and what do you plan to do in the future?

I decided on this course simply because it was the oddest one I could find. mechanical engineering and business don't normally go together so I just thought I'd be spontaneous and go for it because I'm pretty erratic like that.

If I could've peeped into the future and seen myself now, then perhaps I might have taken a different approach. Or not. Well it's debatable. The jury's out.

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

I would definitely say that the most interesting thing I've done while at UCL is the Global Citizenship Programme. It is a two-week course where you basically work out solutions to the biggest global challenges.

There are eight different strands to choose from and mine was called (Un)Urban where we went to the Olympic Park and came up with ways for the local organisations to maximise their use of the green spaces and presented our ideas to them.

I met some amazing people who I still talk to and would definitely recommend it; the whole experience will make a positive change to the way you think. If only someone had told Donald Trump to enrol on a programme like this then perhaps reservation centres, those concerned about climate change and everyone who cares about the environment would be breathing a little easier.

So please, don't end up like Donald, sign up for Global Citizenship.

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

Gasholder Number 8 at Regent's Canal: There lies a mystical place overlooking the train tracks at Kings Cross/St Pancras that must surely constitute the greatest piece of grassland ever laid. If you're looking and you're not sure if you've found it, keep walking you haven't. You'll know when you get there. With the focus on global citizenship and my (Un)Urban strand in particular I feel like this is a perfect place that everyone should have the liberty of sitting down on at some point or another. I was on a random walk when I stumbled across this place and it has since become a sanctuary and a place to meditate for me. Completed in the 1850's and used to store gas for around 150 years, this is without a doubt the highlight of the relatively new Gasholder Park. However, if you find that it's not your cup of tea, then I guess you can always go chase some deer in Richmond Park.

Speedy's café: For all the Sherlock fans out there this is the iconic café situated next to the flat of everyone's favourite sociopath. In real life though it's not at 221B Baker Street but 187 North Gower Street, so pretty much across the road from UCL. Apparently the full English is decent; I personally prefer the wraps.

Wellcome Collection: Everything from a mummy to Darwin's walking stick.

UCL Grant Museum of Zoology: One of UCL's best museum. Check it out.

The Nest: If you know, you know.

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

The two St Paul's: You've probably heard about the first St Paul's. It has a Whispering Gallery 259 steps up where you and a partner can stand at either side of Wren's massive dome and whisper to each other - the sound will reverberate from one side to another so that even the faintest of utterings can be clearly heard on the opposite side.

Can't afford the entrance fee? No worries! You can head over to Vauxhall Bridge where you can see a tiny bronze replica of St Paul's cathedral being held up by one of eight female statues in an alcove on the side of the bridge. In fact, you'll have to peer over the side of the bridge just to get a proper look at the smallest cathedral in London.

Royal Observatory at Greenwich: One of the few places where you can have each foot in a different day at once. The Meridian also passes through a street called Park Vista where you can take a picture for free.

Speaker's Corner at Hyde Park: Located on the north-east edge of Hyde Park, anyone can turn up announced and talk about anything, as long as you avoid obscene language. Or you can just listen of course.

Notting Hill Carnival: As a West-Londoner myself, I find it hard not to mention the world-renowned Notting Hill Carnival, probably the best carnival you will ever go to. August bank holiday Monday. That's the 28th. Save the date and be sure to roll through.

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

Build a wall. I jest. Cut the rent. People shouldn't have to pay so much just to get an education.

Who inspires you and why?

I try and take inspiration from everyone I meet every day because there's something that can be learned from each person and every situation.

I also take inspiration from people I've never met. One place to go for this is Postman's Park. This is a small green space near St Paul's where you can find a 'Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice' which commemorates some ordinary people who died while trying to save other people.

For me it serves as a poignant reminder that we are all inherently 'good', inspires me to work to be the best version of myself even in the hardest situations, and to learn to love something more than I love myself. I feel this is where fulfilment lies.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I present a radio show on Rare FM called 'Make It Up As We Go' (definitely not because I make it up as I go) and you can catch me every other Saturday from 7-8pm so if you want to listen to the sickest tunes be sure to tune in (next show 11 February). Also, I work for London Farmers' Market because good food is non-negotiable.