Social Anthropology with a Year in Finland
Studying Social Anthropology made me more aware of the diversity of graduate possibilities.
I originally decided to study Social Anthropology because I wanted to do something different from what was available at school. I was always a people watcher and was just fascinated by what makes people do what they do in our own society but also in those distant from our own.
I included Kent among my choices mainly because I liked the year abroad option and the diversity of modules the course offered. After going to an Open Day, seeing the campus, meeting the lecturers and experiencing a little of Canterbury, Kent became my first choice.
I really enjoyed the more practically based modules, the ones that require you to get out into the community to shape a project. They allowed a lot of freedom for personal interest. I had not anticipated testing my comfort levels by making films and interviewing businesses, but it was highly rewarding and developed my personal skills.
I think I have acquired a perspective on news events and global issues that most people wouldn’t normally consider. I wasn’t aware of this until I met up with my school friends and was able to challenge their opinions in a way I wouldn’t previously have been able to do. It will be exciting to see these skills translate into postgraduate study. As I have mentioned, the practical exercises challenged and rewarded me, and have given me the confidence to jump into a foreign environment and engage with people. Studying Social Anthropology also made me more aware of the diversity of graduate possibilities.
The year started in August where we were invited to do a month-long Finnish language course. It was a great opportunity to learn the basics of the language, get settled and meet all the other exchange students – by the time university term started in September we had already found our feet. I had a month in the sun getting to grips with the place, swimming in the lakes, making friends and a learning a bit of Finnish too.
Once we got into term time it was not so different and I found being an English speaker was an advantage. The modules were really interesting, very forward thinking and globally aware, a good insight to Finland’s worldview. You can also do really funky modules such as ice skating or cross-country skiing – you don’t get very many credits for them but they are a lot of fun!!
As exchange students we were able to participate in trips to places like Lapland, where you do all sorts of Nordic activities such as husky-driving, igloo building and cross- country skiing. There were also trips to Russia, Sweden, the Baltics and the Aaland Islands.
If I haven’t sold the year abroad experience already, there is the last and most important reason: everybody who goes on a year abroad has chosen that place for a reason, so you find yourself with extremely like-minded people who have come from all parts of the world. I quickly built a very solid friendship group and we have had several reunions around Europe – it’s a great excuse to travel and enjoy places the way the locals do.
After graduating I found the year abroad significantly bolstered my applications. I think it makes your CV jump out, makes you look different and interesting, and in interviews you can draw upon your experiences of dealing with new and challenging situations.
Since graduating three years ago, I have been based in Shenzhen, China, as a teacher of English and a student of Chinese. Studying Social Anthropology at Kent prepared me well for living abroad. Living in China can throw you into some interesting situations that you would never have anticipated; although many are positive and memorable experiences, you don’t go without some testing moments and culture shock. Through studying Social Anthropology I learned the importance of understanding that sometimes you don’t understand, but you must remain patient until you find clarity. It also teaches you to approach cultural learning with a fresh perspective and an open mind, which is critical to muting frustrations and making important connections.
The wonderful array of Social Anthropology modules helps you to build a depth of knowledge across a broad subject area that works its way into your job in surprising ways. I still draw upon my visual anthropology studies to make videos for teaching and mini-documentaries, and I have used other aspects of my degree studies in my teaching job and in my daily life.
The next stage for me is to do a Master’s at Renmin University, Beijing, for which I have been awarded a scholarship. I am quite humbled by this as Renmin University is very high profile in China and I don’t think I would have gained the scholarship without the references provided to me by my University of Kent tutors. They were happy to send my references at short notice, and still had a very clear picture of who I was, three years after graduation. It is comforting that the department is still looking out for me and supports me quickly when needed. I am sure to use my studies in Social Anthropology during my Master’s where I plan to build my career in conflict management and co-operative strategies for international relations.
