Pablo Poggi

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background? 

I am a French-Spanish-British student who grew up in London, after moving from Paris at a young age. I have always liked history and I find studying culture fascinating! 

What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds? 

I didn’t want to confine myself to any designated career path, as there are many more diverse subjects I want to study before deciding, and the Liberal Arts course here is brilliant in terms of choice of modules and customisation. Leeds is a lively city, and I enjoyed living in London, so I wanted to keep some of that energy. 

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

What I really wanted to study was people all around the world, and the socio-cultural differences between them. I also want to learn the history of the world, or as much of it as I can. The way that I have structured by degree allows me to explore all of these areas, which makes me seriously excited for the years ahead of me. 

What aspects of the course do you enjoy the most?   

I was able to tailor my degree to my interests, and by combining them, I feel very independent as well as driven to complete the degree!  The readings for the Liberal Arts module itself are also incredibly interesting, with topics focusing on human nature and the history of society.  

What would you say about the learning facilities in your School and at the University in general? 

They are really great, there is so much to learn from online, as well as several classes per semester that give strong guidance with essays. The essay briefs are also generally quite helpful, although they definitely require much more independent thought than was required at A-Levels. The tutors are equally amazing, and have lots of time available for students to ask questions, so you never feel totally lost.  

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

Not yet, but my experiences with the academic staff have all been very positive so far! 

What other activities are available for students to take part in outside of their studies, and which ones have you tried out yourself? 

There are so many, especially as there is such a variety of societies. There is something for absolutely everyone, be it sports, culture, or general interest. I have tried volleyball, waterpolo, EU society, SLAPSOC, French, German and History, myself, but I do not attend all of them regularly. I think its good to try lots of different things to begin with and then see which are the most in tune with you! 

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 like to do a masters once I’ve finished and the breadth of the course will definitely come in handy as I have lots of options. The main advantage of a Liberal Arts course is adaptability – juggling different subjects, reference systems and reading lists teaches good time management and versatility as well as adaptable writing styles. The breadth of knowledge is also a huge advantage of course. 

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course? 

I would really strongly recommend it. The freedom that you have in choosing modules and paths makes the degree feel so personal and makes it so much more enjoyable even when studying difficult topics!