Zahra Ali

BA Geography 

1. What has been the highlight of your time at Exeter?

The second year field trip to the Bay of Naples will always be a highlight for me. We did everything that week; summited Mount Vesuvius, took a ferry to Capri, visited Herculaneum and Pompeii – in addition to all the action-packed field-work and daily doses of ice cream!

2. What will you miss the most about University?

I will miss being so close to friends. It will definitely take some getting used to when everyone goes their separate ways! Simple things like pub quizzes at the Ram Bar, catch ups at Tea on the Green and movie nights at campus cinema won’t be as easy to arrange with everyone in different corners of the country. I’ll also miss being such a short distance from the beach (you don’t get that in London!) and the second home that Exeter has become over the last few years.

3. What did you enjoy about your particular programme?

Although it was stressful, third year as a whole has been easy to enjoy because of the variety and quality of modules. I picked Geography because of how diverse the discipline is and it didn’t disappoint. The ‘alternative’ nature of ‘Material Culture’ was fresh and exciting, the ‘Geography of Monsters’ always kept me interested and I’m so glad ‘Refugee & Asylum Geographies’ ran for the first time this year; the topic is so current and important.

4. What advice would you give to current and future students?

Exams and coursework can be a drain on motivation, especially in third year when it feels like you need to go into hibernation to get everything done. I found visualising graduation was a good way to keep me going when things got a little stressful. And of course, make the most of where you are and the time that you have at Exeter; three years isn’t as long as it sounds!

5. What are your plans now that you have graduated?

I’m currently finishing up an internship with Ian Cook, running a MOOC called ‘Who Made My Clothes?’ and working on research pages for ‘Follow the Things’ which has been a great experience. I have work lined up for the rest of summer and then I’m hoping to take some time off to travel in September before pursuing something more long-term!