Meet the Summer School team and learn how to connect with other students ahead of the start of the programme.
Meet other Summer School students
We are using the Goin’ UCL app to offer you a safe and secure environment to connect with your future classmates, find friends with similar interests and talk to current and incoming undergraduate students at UCL!
Search “Summer School” in the Groups tab to find our Summer School specific groups.
We have a group for each session and for each of the residences offered on the Summer School, so you can connect with other students in the same accommodation.
In addition to the Summer School groups, you can join existing groups across the platform to connect with current full-time undergraduate students at UCL.
Registration
When you register, select the option: "I am an exchange/study abroad student at this university" on the registration screen.
When completing your profile, select "Summer school student" under study.
Register below to meet your future classmates in our UCL environment:
Register now
Need help? Please reach out to the Goin’ team at support@goinconnect.com.
Meet the Summer School team
Rhod Fiorini - Head of Programme
Hi! I’m the Head of the Summer School so I oversee all teaching and learning on the programme and have overall responsibility for ensuring your time at UCL is both successful and enjoyable!
I’ve been working here since 2016 when the Summer School launched (with just 99 students in the first year) so it’s been great to watch it grow over the years and meet so many students – looking forward to meeting you too!
Hometown: Bromley (on the border of southeast London and northwest Kent, known mainly for being the hometown of David Bowie)
Likes: Bromley FC, ska, ginger beer
Three London recommendations: Summer is the best time of the year to be in London for lots of reasons. Here are a few summer-specific suggestions:
- Have drink in (or outside) London’s oldest wine bar Gordon’s and then walk across Waterloo bridge at sunset
- Take a river cruise from Westminster Pier to Kew Gardens
- Go to a music festival
Favourite place to eat on or near UCL campus: Hare and Tortoise in the Brunswick Centre (all the food is good but I usually go for the roast duck or laksa)
Coral Buckland – Programme Administrator
Hello everyone. I joined the Summer School in 2019 and did my Master’s at UCL too.
I am responsible for making sure you have the information you need and your enquiries are answered as quickly as possible.
We may have already spoken on the phone or email already! I’m looking forward to meeting you in person at one of the social programme events this summer.
Hometown: Near Brighton (a vibrant seaside city on the South Coast an hour from London on the train – well worth a visit one weekend to eat fish and chips on the pebble beach!)
Likes: Small stand-up comedy gigs in basements, art in all its forms, big libraries
Three London recommendations:
Visit at least one of London’s many free museums and art galleries (the British Museum is a short walk from campus, and the Tate Modern art gallery isn’t too far)
Go to one of London’s ancient pubs (The George Inn near London Bridge is mentioned in Charles Dickens’ Little Dorrit, and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666!)
My favourite street – Bermondsey Street, near London Bridge. It has old-fashioned pubs, a park, a cocktail bar, incredible restaurants, a church built in 1680, a café and an art gallery. I always struggle to leave!
Favourite place to eat on or near UCL campus: The Bloomsbury Farmer’s Market on Thursdays
Sam Kelly - Senior International Student Recruitment Officer
Hi! My name is Sam, and I'm the Senior International Student Recruitment Officer for the Summer School. It's my job to promote our amazing programme around the world, both online and in person. You may have met me at a study abroad fair at your home institution, or asked me about the programme at one of our Zoom information sessions.
Hometown: Seaford, East Sussex (known for the nearby Seven Sisters cliffs, a popular walking spot and movie location)
Likes: Pub quizzes, independent cinema, hiking
Three London recommendations:
- Swim in Hampstead Ponds - a wild swimming experience on Hampstead Heath, arguably the best green space in the city. There are men's, mixed and ladies ponds and a student ticket costs just £2.80!
- Greenwich Park - one of the nicest views of London can be found at the top of this park, which also boasts the Royal Observatory (where the Prime Meridian passes through) and the National Maritime Museum
- Columbia Road Flower Market - every Sunday this street in Bethnal Green is an explosion of colour with all kinds of flowers and plants on sale, alongside tons of coffee, street food and vintage shops
Favourite place to eat on or near UCL campus: Ta'Mini Lebanese Bakery, Marchmont Street
Graham Knight - Programme Manager
I have recently started in post as Programme Manager for UCL Summer School. I have worked at UCL for the last 10 years, across several different departments and schools.
Hometown: Middlesbrough, large industrial town in the North East of England.
Likes: Comic books, science fiction novels, old cinemas, funny/scary television/radio, interesting music, sleep
Three London recommendations:
- Sir John Soane's Museum
- Regent Street Cinema
- The Roundhouse (venue in Camden Town)
Favourite place to eat on or near UCL campus: Old Chang Kee (Singapore Street Food)
Tomaž Potočnik – Administrative Assistant
Hi, everyone! My name is Tomaž (Thomas), I joined the Summer School team last year; but I’ve just finished my PhD in historical linguistics at UCL, so I know where to get coffee around UCL.
Hometown: Ljubljana, Slovenia – well worth a visit, if you are around
Likes: books in all shapes and forms, jazz (in almost all shapes and forms), classical music, travels, languages and linguistics
Three London recommendations:
- See an art movie in Curzon (Bloomsbury)
- Have a Mediterranean breakfast in Sandwich Street Kitchen
- Have a picnic (beer) on Parliament Hill with an awesome view of London
Favourite place to eat on or near UCL campus: Pizza Sofia in Bloomsbury