We asked year 10 student Rhe’a, with whom we have had the pleasure of working in the last week and a half, to share her thoughts on her placement with the Widening Participation team. This is what she had to say:

My name is Rhe’a Edman, I am 15 years old and I recently just finished year 10. I finished earlier than others to start my work experience at UCL that lasts for two weeks (a bit longer than normal). When I am older, I want to become an entrepreneur and paramedic, a different combination right? I have not really decided on what to study at university as I never really thought about going to university, but, as I am currently on my second week of work experience at UCL, I am starting to have a better understanding of the university, seeing behind the scenes and feeling a part of it, listening and talking to past/current students about their experience at university.

I have worked with the Widening Participation team (WP for short), including the Academic Liaison team. I have helped some of the members of the team by giving them my personal feedback about what they have done for the university, what they may need to help engage the youth to come to UCL and helped them with some small tasks. With the Academic Liaison team, I helped quite a lot, I assisted them with sorting out their goodie bags that they have for year 12 students coming to UCL’s residential summer school, packed certificates for past participants, the tasks were easy to do and I got through them swiftly. I have been in some meetings that a few of the members have invited me to. I have enjoyed a lot of things here, for instance, meeting new people, seeing new places, feeling as if I am an actual member of the team, going to events that the university holds.

As I have been told about and have seen the events that the university holds, I would love to take part in them, spread the word, and help them accept new students who may need guidance with which university is the best for them and which options suit them the best.

I am almost coming to the end of my work experience and I must say that I will miss the people I have spoken to as they have been so welcoming and polite. I have three more days to go and a lot of new things to do and see!