Chiara Caiazzo

Chiara Caiazzo (Comparative Literature, 2019) is a visiting researcher at the Gianni Vattimo archives in Barcelona.

What are your happiest memories of your time at King’s?

What I loved the most about my time at King's was daily life. Simple things like coffee breaks at the Maughan library or little walks in between lectures. All my classes were in Strand Campus, which is located right in the heart of London, so even just walking there every morning was somehow special, especially coming from a small town in Southern Italy.

How have you stayed connected to King’s since graduating, and why is being part of your alumni network important to you?

I worked as a Student Ambassador for 2 years, so becoming an Alumni Ambassador felt like a natural continuation of a role I truly enjoyed. I owe a lot to King's, not just from a strictly academic perspective, but because it enabled me to grow and thrive as a person. I didn't want to lose contact with my community, and being part of my alumni network gives me the chance to keep this bond strong, while also enabling me to meet so many brilliant alumni from all over the world.

How has the ability to understand and interact effectively with people from other cultures and/or backgrounds been important in your life or career?

My favourite thing about studying at King's was being surrounded by people coming from all over the world. Classmates, lecturers, research staff all came from different parts of the globe and very diverse backgrounds. This gave me the chance to enhance my cultural sensitivity, and it really made me grow as a person. I learned to recognise and deconstruct my own privileges and implicit bias, and this has helped me develop attentive, inclusive, and respectful communication skills that are essential if we want to see a concrete change, especially with regards to discrimination in the job market.

What advice would you give to students/alumni for success in life after King’s?

Don't take anything for granted, and never be afraid of challenging yourself or trying new things. Question the status quo, and remember that you can do anything you put your mind to.

To stay in touch with your alumni community, make sure to sign up for King’s Connect. It provides the most effective way for you to connect with King’s alumni, as well as presenting opportunities to boost your career through mentoring. Sign up today at kingsconnect.org.uk