Interested in applying to the UGOTY Languages Award? We had a catch up with our Winner, Aysel!

After some very busy summer months travelling around and expanding what will be my infinite repertoire of useful and not-so-useful expressions in foreign languages, I have finally arrived in Copenhagen to undertake my LLM in Human Right Law.

It has been a very busy time for me after winning the Languages Undergraduate of the Year award all the way back in April. Immediately after the incredible ceremony in East Wintergarden, where I got to meet the lovely people working at different EU institutions, I had to get back into study mode as my exams were fast approaching. Thankfully, there was my visit to Brussels to look forward to, not to mention an additional trip to the EU offices in London! It was completely unexpected and a very kind gesture by everyone on the EU team to arrange an additional part of the trip. They put in a lot of effort to rearrange events and work their schedule around mine, just so I could get more exposure to their work in various locations. It was both incredibly flattering and very humbling to be in the presence of so many very accomplished individuals, who were taking time off their busy schedules to spend it with me.

The visit to Brussels itself was an action-packed three-day trip, whereby I probably visited more EU institutions in 72 hours than most of the people working for the EU do in the first few months of their employment. Since my preferred destinations were kindly asked for before my arrival, my whole time in the city was spent meeting what I thought were the most interesting people and participating in what seemed like the most engaging conferences. Everything from law to refugees, to new EU regulations that were coming into place, and even a lovely lunch with David Barfield was in place for me. Once more, I felt tremendously privileged to be where I was: in the heart of Europe and its legal machinery amidst the most impressive individuals from all over the continent. I would really love to thank everyone who made my trip as special and insightful as it was for all their effort and encourage every person out there with an interest in languages to apply. Just going through the application process is an eye-opening experience, whilst getting to the final stages is an incredible opportunity to meet remarkable individuals from all over the country who share the same passion as you.

Today, I am in Copenhagen to undertake my LLM, a decision, which has come to be thanks to the Erasmus programme, yet another EU initiative. Coming here for a year, meeting the country’s people and picking up the local language, was so incredible that I had to return. I am now studying Danish intensively alongside my studies, whilst also taking final level Spanish upon a reassurance by someone on the EU team that it wouldn’t be that hard. I took the challenge and although it is proving difficult at times, I love the feeling of excitement and deep achievement I get every time I commit a new vocabulary word to my memory. Thank you, TARGETjobs and EU Careers for once again reminding me how much I love languages and seeing me worthy of this incredible award!

Register for the 2016 Undergraduate of the Year awards now. 

Meet the 2015 Languages Undergraduate of the Year Award winner!

Name: Aysel Kucuksu
University: Queen Mary University of London
Course: LLB English and European Law

Aysel won the Languages Undergraduate of the Year Award 2015 with EU Careers and still now can't believe she won!! 

I was on my year abroad in Denmark when I first saw an email from the Law department at Queen Mary, University of London outlining the various categories one could compete in as part of the ‘Undergraduate of the Year’ competition. Although the title itself was intimidating, I really wanted to challenge myself. Besides, the Languages Award seemed to accommodate for my love for languages without making a degree in it a prerequisite for an application, so I knew I could not miss this opportunity. The prospect of networking with fellow language enthusiasts and EU professionals as early as the Assessment Day stage also had its say in prompting me to apply; not to mention the opportunity to visit Brussels, the ultimate destination for lawyers and linguists alike.

Embarking onto the application process had its tough moments, however. The elaborate six stages I had to go through, varying from interviews, through essay writing, to psychometric tests (definitely as terrifying as they sound), were really designed to seep out the best candidates. So much so that by the time I reached the Assessment Day stage, I knew just how tough a competition the people I met during it would be. They were smart, ambitious, and coming from a plethora of educational backgrounds, and they also made for a great conversation. The Assessment day was probably the best stage of the application process precisely because I got to interact with these incredible individuals, some of whom I now call my friends.

The highlight of the competition was unquestionably the East Wintergarden dinner at Canary Wharf, however entering this outstanding venue, I was incredibly flattered by the effort that was put into the event and impressed by TARGETjob's remarkable attention to detail. Having Fiona Bruce as our host for the evening was the cherry on top of the cake. After a few lovely conversations, several delicious courses, and a couple of Fiona’s stories, it was time to announce the winners. Hearing each winner’s bio's before the time for the Languages Award came, I felt both extremely delighted and privileged to join their ranks once my name was announced.

Today, almost a month after the event in Canary Wharf, I still have not managed to shake off the excitement from it. With my trip to Brussels yet to happen, I am in constant conversation with a number of EU professionals, who are going above and beyond their duties to accommodate for my interests when it comes to visiting the city and its institutions. A month on and I cannot help but think about how lucky I am for getting this recognition simply for immersing myself into doing something I love.

Congratulations Aysel and to all the other finalists!

Pre-registration for the 2016 Awards is now open here! undergraduateoftheyear.com/register

James Ellis won the 2014 Languages Undergraduate of the Year Awards, he tells about his prize winning VIP trip to the European Parliament!

As I write, the sounds and smells of salesmen pushing their carts of exotic fruits along the streets drift through the window; zapote, lulo, guanábana, mamoncillo.... I am writing from Colombia, where I have been working as an interpreter for a group of human rights lawyers, and I am reminded just how lucky I am to have studied a languages degree; one which opens up thousands of these amazing opportunities to me. This, after another fantastic experience earlier in the summer, thanks to the Undergraduate of the Year Awards. 

Back in June, I made my way down to London to start a really eye-opening, informative week getting to know more about the EU and its institutions. Despite a hideously early start to catch the first train to London, I was met at the FCO offices on Whitehall for a useful day of preparation for the online tests used in the EU's selection process. 

On Tuesday, I met with various people working at the EU's UK representation office in Europe House. Attending meetings, and speaking to several of the different departments working together under the same roof was a fascinating insight into the day-to-day running of a national representation, spreading information of what the EU is up to in the UK, and vice versa. Wednesday morning was an example of the reverse, when I sat in on a video conference call between the translation departments in Zagreb, The Hague, Berlin, Paris, and Vilnius, and the head office in Brussels. 

Later that afternoon I caught the Eurostar to Brussels, where I was met off the train and taken straight to  the European Parliament to meet one of my new local MEPs, on the back of an alarming result in the European Elections. 

Thursday was spent visiting various Directorate Generals and departments within the different institutions, meeting with interns and full-time employees alike from the European Parliament, the Commission, the Council... It provided an excellent opportunity to find out what each Institution does and what each DG inside that Institution is responsible. Meeting with actual people meant I also got first-hand accounts of how the employees wound up in Brussels, and different career progressions they have undergone. That evening I attended an informal get together of Brits working, or hoping to work, in the various Institutions, and again it was great to learn of their experiences while applying for positions in Brussels.

All too soon, Friday came around, and it was time to head back to the real world (via a quick holiday in Portugal!), although not before a couple more final meetings with the translation and interpreting services. Listening in from the interpreting booths I was able to experience what it would be like to work as a conference interpreter for some of the most important meetings in the world. I was able to properly get a sense of how this great European family is able to communicate with each other, despite having 24 official languages and numerous other smaller languages within its borders. All thanks to a dedicated team of translators and interpreters, right there in Brussels. 

And so it was, that I left on the Friday evening Eurostar back to London with a heavy heart, although with lots to think about and fond memories of an unforgettable trip, all made possible thanks to the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.

James Ellis, Languages Undergraduate of the Year Award

Modern Languages, Newcastle University

Think this could be you for 2015? Apply to the Awards here: undergraduateoftheyear.com/languages