Chantelle Senior

BA German Studies

When she was 16, Chantelle Senior was desperate to go and live abroad, but her parents insisted on her completing her A-levels and so she waited until she was 18 before she went to Germany.  Here she worked in various jobs, made great friends, and learned German.

A few years later Chantelle was back in the UK and working for a Swiss Investment Bank in the City.  She decided she’d like to study for a degree, but giving up her job to study full-time was not an option.  She researched universities that would enable her to combine her passion for German with part-time study, and found that Birkbeck, University of London offered exactly the course that she wanted.

Having never formally studied German, Chantelle was not sure initially how she would be able to enrol on a German Studies degree, but the admissions staff at Birkbeck gave her a test, and based on her results she was accepted.

Chantelle’s previous studies had been in Maths and Business Studies so she was more used to writing formulae than essays.  To begin with she found academic writing quite a challenge but her confidence grows as she proceeds through the course. The tutors have been great in supporting her and learning these new skills has been fun.

In fact, Chantelle finds that the course is broadening her horizons much more than she thought it would. “I never thought I would get to grips with the terminology of the cultural courses – ‘psychoanalysis’, ‘post-structuralism’ – so it’s been amazing and it gives you a hunger to do more, see more, read more.”

She continues: “The course has made me realise the extent of my own intellect. Things that I’d had skipped over before, now I think ‘I’m going to look at that and see what I’ll learn from it’.  There are so many things that I wish I’d learned before and I’m filling those gaps now.  It’s taught me that you’re never too old to learn and to experience new things.”

Although managing full-time work with part-time evening study can be a challenge, Chantelle says that her employers have been quite accommodating, allowing her to leave early when she has classes, making up her hours on other days, and giving her time off for revision.  “I have to be very organised, and my social life has to wait until reading week or in the holidays, but it is worth the sacrifice in my opinion!” says Chantelle.

The tutors and other students have also helped Chantelle with the challenges of coming back to study after a break, and balancing her study and other commitments. “It’s a very open environment to learn in,” says Chantelle. “The students are all extremely friendly and the lecturers are always willing to help.  You can ask a question without feeling overshadowed by other students or that it is a silly question.”

Chantelle is convinced that as well as being a personal accomplishment, gaining a degree will also help her career.  She already uses German in her job but would like to move into client relationships and feels that having the qualification will give her the recognition that she needs for this.  “On a personal level it’s satisfying to know that I’m speaking German correctly, rather than just learning by seeing and speaking.  I now understand the grammar. And when I go abroad it’s great to show off that I’m almost perfect!”

All in all, Chantelle says that the advantages of working while she is studying will definitely outweigh the challenges. “It’s the perfect arrangement in the modern world.  If you’re willing to dedicate the time and commit yourself to the study, it’s great!”