Pal Patel

I think uni is usually a steep learning curve for many people, as it's the first time they've lived independently. So, that did wonders for my personal growth. In terms of LIS, I think there are two things that have had the most impact on me: the people and internships.Just being at LIS and being surrounded by people who have such vast and varied passions, skills and knowledge is a privilege. The conversations I've had with other students have exposed me to so many things I never knew existed and have opened me up to countless more possibilities. And that's just the students! The faculty and staff are weird and wonderful in their own way.

They all genuinely care about the students and wish the best for them.Secondly, internships. By the time I finished my A-Levels, there was nothing I specifically wanted to do. My interests were quite varied (what a shocker...) and I thought coming to LIS would help me figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It hasn't. If anything, it's the opposite; I have become aware of and passionate about things I didn't know existed before I came here. However, the internships have allowed me to understand more about the work I enjoy doing and how I work best.

I completed two internships through LIS, in first and second year. I learnt more about myself in 11 weeks of interning, than I had in 20 odd years. I learnt that I am motivated and driven by impact and need to be working for something I believe in. I realised I don't like working in big companies, where I am a role and there is no sense of community. I now know that I love working across different departments, at the same time! There's also all the soft skills I've picked up, like making enquiries, talking to people over the phone, communicating with team members and leaders, etc. My second internship especially gave me a lot of confidence that my skills, abilities and the (naturally interdisciplinary) way I think are valuable.

Probably the conversations. I love being able to engage in intellectual debates with people on so many different topics.

Student support at LIS is incredible. Alisha is incredible. She has supported me through the highs and lows of the past three years. She's organised access to counselling and mentoring when required. She also arranged funding for my ADHD test. I would come to LIS over any other uni for the student support alone. LIS provided me with a bursary the past three years, which helped ease my financial anxieties. The faculty and staff care about the wellbeing of their students (although it doesn't always feel like it when summatives are due...). Even if not in an official capacity, staff and faculty support you as much as they can, when they can.