Aimee Knight

BA English and Drama with Study Abroad

What has been the highlight of your time at Exeter?

The experience of studying abroad for a year was by far the highlight of my time here. The opportunity to live in a new and vibrant city, to engage with students and faculty at a challenging university and to immerse myself in a foreign culture was an immeasurably rewarding experience. The contrast between studying abroad and Exeter made me appreciate the exhilaration of being somewhere new, but also heightened my recognition of what I love about Exeter. I am continually grateful to the university for providing this study abroad option and would encourage new and future students to take advantage of this most worthwhile opportunity.

On a more explicitly Exeter-related note, the highlight of my first two years was the opportunity to represent the university on the football pitch, as a member of Exeter University’s Ladies Football Club’s first team. The camaraderie forged in competition was a wonderful counterpoint to my academic progress.

What will you miss the most about University?

I will miss the sense of place the university has provided for me, and the people that have made it a home away from home. So much of this experience has been rooted in the relationships I have made here: the friendships forged in the late night hours at the library, the teamwork on the football pitch, the exhilaration of performing together on stage, as well as the bonds formed in the seminar rooms. There is a real sense of an Exeter community, from the playing field to the lecture hall, which will be deeply missed.

What did you enjoy about your particular programme?

This program allows for creative, analytical and academic exploration. On the drama side, the marriage of practical-based studio work and theoretical analysis in the seminar rooms proved a challenging and enjoyable blend. The intimate size and nature of the department provided a structure of constant support and encouragement. For the English portion of my degree, I highly enjoyed the range of modules available: there are plenty of opportunities to tailor your studies to your interests, through interdisciplinary options. I particularly enjoyed the flexibility for English students to take film modules.

What advice would you give to current and future students?

Embrace office hours! The lecturers are there to help guide you in this journey, and they are willing to make the time to help answer questions. In my experience, they are responsive and respectful and will be more than happy to do what they can to help alleviate a worry or address an issue.

Take advantage of the Career Zone! As tedious as those employability events may seem, they are really worth your time. There is a wealth of resources available online and at the Career Zone in the forum. It’s never too soon to be thinking about what comes next.

Enjoy this whole journey, in all its successes and setbacks. Appreciate that you are still learning and growing, as both a young adult and a student, and the beauty of this time in your life is made that way because of the good and the bad. It really does fly by so enjoy it while you can!

What are your plans now that you have graduated?

I plan on pursuing a Master’s Degree in either Journalism or Education next year. Until then, I will undertake a year’s service program in Washington D.C. as an AmeriCorps Literacy Tutor, where I will be working in high-need communities to help close the literacy gap.