Jonathan Glabraith

Why did you choose to study at University of Birmingham?

I liked the flexibility of being able to alternate between human and physical geography modules, and the year abroad options at UoB were leagues and leagues ahead of anything I could see at any other university.

Did you face any challenges when deciding what university to study at and, if so, what helped you to choose Birmingham?

I found the accessibility of the entrance requirements good, because I didn't do great in my A-level mocks and I worried I wouldn't get good grades. Choosing birmingham ensured I could go to one of the best universities in the world, without having to get A*AA or AAA like some courses required of me. In the end I got A*A*A*A, but truly I can confidently say that the industry knowledge I have gotten from UoB and the opportunities I have had means I don't think I would have had as good a time as I am having at birmingham

What is the highlight or biggest achievement of your time at the University of Birmingham?

My Year abroad in Tokyo! When I found out I was going, I thought about how great it was and how fun it would be. It was fun, but navigating all the visa applications, the healthcare certeificates I needed, as well as navigating in a 3rd language day in, day out, proved a BIG challenge. Now I am back in Birmingham, it has given me the confidence to not just consider jobs in the UK, and to think more outside the box in the context of where i might live in the future.

What are your future plans for after you have graduated?

A master's! hopefully abroad and the current courses i am looking at include Aquatic ecology, environmental science as well as physical geography (among others).

What skills and knowledge did you learn at University of Birmingham?

I learnt many hard skills, like statistical coding, organisation of statistics and fieldwork, among a plethora of information to contextualise the theory we learnt. Having said this, it has really helped me learn independence and to have confidence in myself to know that I can do the things that I love professionally.

How have your experiences as a student helped you to think about your future plans, or secure your job?

As a student, learning more about my own discipline has taught me what industry work is like in physical geography and environmental science. In school they'd always be talking about going into teaching, but being at university and meeting lecturers and professionals in the field has taught me that this is the minority experience while having an undergraduate degree in physical geography. I haven't met any professors who were previously teachers. I have however met professors who worked in conservation for the UN, worked in environmental law and for consultancy firms. It taught me that these people were once in the exact same position as me at one point, and the only thing standing between me and their career is the work I put in.

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying at University of Birmingham?

DO IT!! The year abroad, modules, course structure and professors are all really good, but the way the accommodation is sorted is so much better than other universities. Having the vale as a student village for first years allows you to choose an accommodation to your own preference, while coexisting with thousands of other first year students all within a huge green space, with cafes, and corner shops included. Second and third year in Selly oak is also great, because most of selly oak is UoB students, giving the same community feel as the vale, but living in houses with your best friends, with more of a feeling of being at home! Makes you optimistic for post graduation, when living with your best friends is not necessarily just a dream.

Finally, is there anything else you would like to share about your time at the University of Birmingham?

I was so worried about making friends before coming- thinking whether or not there would be my kind of people there, and doing 2 full years at UoB taught me that there are 'your' kind of people everywhere you go! I really learnt what I value in friendships here, and- funnily enough- the friends I made in my first week at UoB are my housemates in my final year! UoB taught me to not only be an adult, but an optimistic one too!