Rupali Sindhu

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m an MA student with a passion for literary arts. I am interested in literary fiction and anime. You’ll find me cooped up in my room with matcha tea on weekdays with a much needed anime episode.

 

Why did you choose to study your particular course and why did you choose the University of Leeds?

I have always wanted to be a writer. However, there aren’t many courses that allow writers to be able to study creative writing while holding onto the aspect of critical thinking and analyzing other authors. The University of Leeds offered me a course that was inclusive of creative writing and critical thinking. This made it easy for me to choose the University of Leeds as my choice of university.

 

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study?

I believe words are crucial to understanding people and the past. Writers in particular have their ways to win their reader’s hearts through their choices of words. This concept of being able to hold your reader’s heart and nurture it with your words is what makes me passionate about writing.

 

What aspects of the course do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy the workshops that take place in the semesters. I also enjoy the webinars. It is interesting to see how students from different cultural backgrounds view different works from different perspectives.

 

Have you worked closely with a particular tutor or member of the University’s academic staff? Tell us about that experience. 

I have worked closely with Ian Fairley, my personal tutor to learn more about the process of writing essays and understand the ways in which I can improve myself. He is really sweet and caring. I appreciate his advice. He is like a warm hand that guides you through the dark. I am grateful to have him as my personal tutor.

 

What activities outside of your studies were you involved in?

I am an editor at SCRIBE- the magazine society, as well as an Editorial Assistant at STAND magazine. I am also a part of the KPOP Society and the Ballet Society. I have loved everything about these societies and would love to keep participating in them.

 

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 plan to start working as an Editorial Assistant and training to be a full-time Editor in a Publishing House. I also intend to keep working on my novels. I believe the skills and knowledge that I’ve developed so far have helped me realize the standards to which I have to stand in order to achieve my dreams. It has also helped me grow into the person I wanted to be in order to get my dream job.

 

What would you say to students thinking about studying your course?

I would say it is a really engaging course. Be prepared for all the readings that come your way and be proactive about participating in various activities as much as you can. I believe it is really important to do the things that make you happy while growing into the person you want to become. Therefore, grab the chances that come your way- be it the lecturers or the seminars. Don’t be afraid to speak up and present your opinions.

 

What does Leeds as a city have to offer students?

Leeds is a very quiet yet bubbly city. It has an amazing balance of that city life but also the quiet life that students might wish to experience. I would say it is really peaceful. You can do whatever you feel like doing on a particular day and the city will offer it to you. It is a safe place. The campus itself is connected to the city center so there is always something happening. It is ideal for students.

 

What do you plan to do once you graduate?

I plan on finding a job as well as working on my novels at the same time. I’m excited to see the turn fate takes for me.