My name is Cornelia Hauch Skovmand, and I am a second year BSc International Development student. I am originally from Denmark, and I came to University College Cork specifically for this programme, and I am so glad that I did. It is the only degree I could imagine studying, and I have learnt so much, not just about international development, but about Ireland as well as other places in the world through my encounters with other international students.
When I was younger, I was always sure that I would follow an academic path, but as I was starting to actually look into universities, I started to doubt whether I actually wanted to go to university. As someone who cares deeply about sustainability and social justice, I was eager to go make some real change in these areas, and all the typical degrees I could think of or find, did not really seem relevant to me. On the other hand, I had no idea how I was supposed to just launch a career in such areas myself, and I did not want to do voluntourism. So, I was rather lost for a little while, as university had lost its appeal, but I also did not see another option. That is, of course, until I came across the BSc International Development at CUBS in UCC. Centred around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the programme is exactly what I was looking for, as it encapsulates all my interests. It provides a space in higher level education for young people who are passionate about change.
Now, as I am almost done with my second year, I can say this programme is certainly living up to my expectations, and it is exactly the degree that I wanted. It is providing me with the knowledge and skills I need, in order to think about contemporary issues holistically, equipping me to make valuable contributions to the development sector, while enabling me to make informed decisions in my private life. I cannot wait to put my skills to use in a Global South country, during the five-month work placement I will be going on next year.
Another thing I like about my degree, is that the student cohort in the BSc International Development is very diverse, with students from all over the world and of a wide age range. This provides the classroom with many different perspectives which is especially interesting in the field of development. The classes are typically small, which means it is also easier to have interesting discussions in class compared to programmes that have hundreds of students.
The smaller class size also means that we all know each other, and that our lecturers know all of us fairly well. We also interact across years, as out lecturers arrange socials for the whole course, which is always a good time, and it is interesting to hear form those who are further along in the degree. There is a good sense of community as we all share a passion for change.
During this past academic year, I have also become more involved in the extracurricular activities at UCC. I joined the Global Justice Society Committee as an Ordinary Committee Member, and I have now been elected the Environmental Officer for next year’s committee. This has provided an opportunity to connect with other students outside of my course who also share similar interests, and it has given me yet another community. It has provided me with more practical skills in facilitating interesting events around global justice, as it has been an important point to make it fun and useful for students to participate in activities that drive positive change. There are many other interesting societies and also a wide range of clubs at UCC - personally, I love going to the open dance classes arranged by the UCC Dance Club!
Overall, I am so grateful to be studying the BSc International Development here at CUBS, as my degree is providing me with the skillset that I need for the future I envision for myself, and there are countless opportunities within UCC for expanding one’s knowledge and skills.
You can learn more about the programme here