We interviewed Milena Kaedar, a fourth year BA (Hons) Applied Social Sciences student at RGU. Milena is originally from Germany; she moved to Aberdeen in 2017. Here’s what she had to say about her RGU experience.

Why did you choose to study Applied Social Sciences?

Before I applied, I had a look at the course content. There were many modules that sounded very interesting, I could barely wait to take them. Now that I am in my final semester, I am quite happy with the range of subjects that we were offered and the variety of topics covered.

Milena Kaedar, an BA (Hons) Applied Social Sciences student at RGU

I chose this course because of how broad it is. I have had modules in Sociology, Psychology, Politics, Research methods and Social Work (through my Erasmus semester). In my third and fourth year, I was able to take modules of my choice. This gave me a chance to discover my areas of interest. It also helped me set career goals. There are many career paths that one can pursue after taking this course. Our lecturers made sure to give us information about our options. If not for them, I may have never been able to choose what I wanted to do next.

Why RGU?

When doing my research about courses and universities to apply to, RGU quickly became my first choice. I liked how much information I was provided with about the course, how to apply and about living in Aberdeen. As someone who was moving to Scotland from the EU, it was very important for me to know what to expect. It was good to know that RGU understands this and is helping prospective students make informed decisions that fit their goals.

I also liked that RGU is a very modern university, with modern buildings, technology and facilities. And of course, not to forget, a lovely campus right by the river!

Milena Kaedar, an BA (Hons) Applied Social Sciences student at RGU

RGU has provided me with everything I need to be able to study successfully, including access to computer labs, study skills workshops, computer programmes and software accounts needed for assignments and high quality teaching. There are many talented lecturers teaching this course. They are so enthusiastic about the topics they teach, which is very motivating to see as a student.

Regarding the social life in Aberdeen, it has been amazing to be part of the RGU:Union and their student societies. It made it so much easier for me to meet like-minded people and make friends. Although I have to admit that Aberdeen is a bit greyer than what I thought, the people definitely make up for that! It has a diverse student population, which was one of the reasons why I was drawn to the city. The city has everything you need – shops, pubs, clubs, museums and cafes, but still feels small enough to feel at home quickly.

What part of this course did you enjoy the most?

I especially enjoyed the social research aspects of this course. Before starting university, I barely knew what social researchers did. I had no idea that I would enjoy it this much. Through the various research modules, we have been able to do our own research projects. It has been exciting and interesting to get this experience.

Milena Kaedar, an BA (Hons) Applied Social Sciences student at RGU

I also really enjoyed being able to have discussions about lectures with my friends or during seminars. Now, during the pandemic, I really miss being able to have discussions about the things that we learned and studying together in the computer lab. That was probably one of my favourite things about being a student.

Any extracurricular activities that you are involved in?

Over the last few years, I have been involved in several societies, such as RGU Go Green, the Feminism Society, the Duke of Edinburgh Society, and the LGBT Network. Currently, I am also a Student Buddy and one of the presidents of the Feminism Society.

There are many different societies for all sorts of causes, hobbies and interests, so there really is something for everyone. Getting involved with societies is such a nice and easy way to get to meet new people with similar interests. Everyone I have met through societies have been lovely, open and welcoming.

Milena Kaedar, an BA (Hons) Applied Social Sciences student at RGU

Tell us your experience of using any student support services at RGU

I have used the library workshops, careers and study skills support. They have been very useful, especially at the beginning when I was unsure of how to write an essay or how to reference properly. My experiences with the Student Help Point and the IT help desk have also been quite positive. The Student Help Point can help with a range of issues. They have been able to support me or at least point me towards someone who can.

Why would you recommend others to apply for this course?

I would recommend the course to anyone who is interested in Sociology and Psychology! It’s a broad and interesting course, with lovely lecturers and a great campus.

If you are unsure about any aspect of this course or RGU and want to know more you can get in touch with me via RGU’s Contact a Student page.

Related Blogs:

Student Support at RGU – COVID-19

Why I chose RGU