Georgia Burton
- Course: BA Modern Languages (previously BA French and Spanish)
- Nationality: British
What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds?
I love traveling, learning about different parts of the world, trying traditional foods, and talking to people from all walks of life. Studying languages helps me to do just that!
What aspects of the course do you enjoy the most?
Seminars and conversation classes. I enjoy the debates we have in Spanish because it encourages us to research varying topics and learn a new range of vocab. It also helps us get to know classmates as we tend to work together.
What other activities are available for students to take part in outside of their studies, and which ones have you tried out yourself?
The Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies Student society (SLAPSOC), it brings students of SPLAS together with students who are interested in learning Spanish or Portuguese. I was the president of the society in my second year.
I also got involved in Kickboxing and Salsa society.
What do you plan to do when you’ve finished your course, and how do you think the skills and knowledge you’ve developed so far at Leeds will help with these plans?
I would love to move back to Barcelona where I spent my year abroad and work there.
Perhaps continue with the company where I interned during my third year or look for a job elsewhere. I appreciated the different rhythm of life in Barcelona and would like to continue improving my Spanish by immersing myself in Spanish/Catalonian culture.
The skills and knowledge I have at the moment are due to living independently in Leeds as well as in Barcelona. Having worked at a new job in a foreign country and made new friends in a foreign language for a lengthy time has proven to myself that I’m capable of moving abroad again.
What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?
Go for it! Languages open many doors. You won’t just be studying a language degree, you’d be studying history, geography, politics, literature, and more.
You need to be openminded and curious.
The academics in the language department are friendly and encouraging and overall it’s a lovely community to be part of.