German & Hispanic Studies with a year abroad

Ben
German & Hispanic Studies with a year abroad BA
Choosing to come to King's to study German and Spanish was one of the best decisions of my life. Both courses are very unique as they allow me to fully develop my language skills and learn about culture, linguistics and history. The wide range of modules along with the friendliness of classmates and staff has made my first year at King's really enjoyable.

Coming from a small town in Scotland, studying in London was a very big step for me, but one I do not regret. London has provided me with amazing opportunities ranging from going to see German and Spanish plays to finding a part time job which deals with foreign tourists. King's student union is also by far the best in London; I have performed in a theatre production, have joined the orchestra and am a member of the German Society.

The Strand Campus is like a microcosm of London; it is always busy and the café is always buzzing. This year I live in Inter-collegiate Halls of the University of London which is situated near King's Cross, just a 25 minute walk to the Strand.

I am happy that I chose to study at King's as I believe that this prestigious university will help me make long lasting friendships, boost my employment prospects, and prepare me for a successful future.

Phil
German & Hispanic Studies with a year abroad BA
I came to King’s in 2010, after spending my first year at a different university that I discovered did not suit me. The German Department welcomed me with open arms and I always knew where I stood with regards to my BA in German and Hispanic Studies. During my time at King’s, I have been able to study topics as varied as linguistics, Catalan, literature, history, politics and film.

The pastoral care here is second to none; the members of academic staff are always willing to help where they can and are understanding of even the most unfortunate situations. I have had a hard time during my time at university due to family and health issues but have always felt incredibly well-supported.

The year I spent abroad was brilliant. I worked as a translator at a social media company in Berlin and taught English at a secondary school in Madrid. The job in Berlin made me sure that life in an office is not for me(!), but I gained valuable experience as a translator and team worker, working in one of the newest types of business. My students in Madrid were not from the most privileged areas and often didn’t see the point in learning English, which reminded me a lot of my own language classes at school in the East Midlands. Finding something that did interest them was a challenge but when we found it, it led to the most interesting classes. It was an amazing, unforgettable experience.

Following that experience, I have decided to pursue a career in teaching. Due to my love of all things German, my aim is to move to Germany to do this. I will teach English and Spanish or English and French in secondary schools. This will require further study either in the UK or in Germany but I will be putting that off for a year. I have been offered a job in Australia working with customers in German- and Spanish-speaking countries and feel that it’s right for me to take a break from academia for a while - it’ll still be there when I get back. My languages degree from King’s has already led me around the world to do so many different things and I’ve not even finished it yet!