UEA’s Class of 2024 graduates share their university journeys
By: Communications
This week, UEA celebrates its Class of 2024 graduates.
Find out more from some of our students as they share their journeys, from arriving at UEA’s doorstep on the first day to waving goodbye as they move onto graduate life.
Zaafirah Haider – BSc Economics
“I first visited UEA in 2016 when I came to Norwich on vacation. I loved the campus environment and the city of Norwich. Fast forward to 2020 when I was applying to different universities, and I discovered the BSc Economics course that UEA offered and really liked the variety of modules the course had. Hence, I made UEA my top choice.
“My future is heading towards a career in development economics and policy analysis, where I aim to contribute to shaping effective policies that address socio-economic challenges in developing nations.
“I will miss the vibrant campus life and the community of people here the most.”
Jamie Mather – MB BS Medicine
After missing out on the A-level grades he needed to study at UEA, Jamie worked at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) during his gap year as a nursing assistant. He then studied nursing at King's College London, before returning to NNUH as an A&E nurse.
Having gone on to complete five years studying medicine here at UEA, Jamie is now preparing to start work as a doctor at James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) in Great Yarmouth. He said:
“UEA was always my dream, and I always wanted to be a doctor. It was UEA or nothing, that was where I had my heart set on.
“Graduating is an emotional milestone, and it feels like such a happy end of an era. I don’t look back with any regret of how hard I’ve worked, and I'm glad to be celebrating it with my cohort because medicine is such a team sport, and my friends will be at graduation. I couldn't have got over the line without them.”
Darcey Hillard – BSc Adult Nursing
“I am most proud of the fact that I would have made my late mother proud.
“My journey to university was not straightforward. I didn’t have the grades or subjects I needed for nursing however, I was able to get my place because I worked as a frontline worker throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in a care home. During my time at UEA, I’ve also had the opportunity to work with children with specialised learning needs, and I’m now preparing to begin work as a practice nurse in Norwich.
“Involving myself in extracurriculars and societies shaped my university experience and gave me leadership skills. I particularly enjoyed my time in the Rock and Alternative Music society because it helped me make friends in my first year. I was also a member of Global Health, which meant going to seminars and forums that helped my wider learning in my degree.
“My advice to current or future students of UEA would be to put yourself out there and attend as many things as humanly possible.”
Fin Brown – BA Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism
“The whole process of making my documentary for my dissertation was the best thing I’ve ever done for work. The one moment that will always stand out will be fundraising £5,000 to take a World War 2 veteran on a Lancaster Bomber in Lincolnshire.
“What’s next? I’m going to have a few spinning plates on the go. I’m now a freelancer for Radio Norfolk, while also setting up my own videography business, so I’ll continue to try and work hard to climb the ladder.
“My time in Norwich has given me memories that I’ll keep forever.”
Study Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism at UEA
Eve Atwood – BA Creative Writing and English Literature
“The lead up to university wasn’t easy. I did my A-Levels through distance learning, which during the pandemic was incredibly stressful. I sat my exams later than expected but I managed to achieve three A*s, so I was over the moon.
“I had done a lot of research about which universities had credible creative writing courses and UEA seemed like the perfect fit for me, as so many talented writers have studied here. Thankfully, I was offered a place!
“There are so many moments with friends over the last three years that I treasure, but I think my heart felt the fullest at the end of year Concrete x Livewire Summer Ball. I spent my last year at UEA as Co-Editor of Concrete (UEA's student newspaper), alongside Matthew Stothard, and it’s an experience that I will always look back on when I think of UEA.
“As a fiction writer and bookworm, I would love to work in publishing. I'm going to continue writing and trying to publish my pieces wherever possible, and I've just recently started putting together a literary magazine which I'm hoping to launch later this year.
“I'm going to miss UEA’s nature and all the animals around campus. What other university has a famous cat, donkeys, horses and dogs?”
Study Creative Writing and English Literature at UEA
Sherry Doran – BSc Midwifery
Sherry has delivered more than 40 babies in her time on her course and while completing two placements, one at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and one at West Suffolk Hospital. She said:
“I will always remember training alongside some of the most incredible women and future midwives, some who will remain friends for life. Our live simulation day in third year will also remain a key memory. The midwifery team put so much time and effort into it and it was a real culmination of everything we had learned over the course of the degree.
“Looking forward, I have accepted a preceptorship midwife role at West Suffolk Hospital, the hospital my children were born in.”
Toby Wellard – BSc Physical Education, Sport and Health
“My advice to future students of UEA would be when you feel like you can’t, speak up.
“I grew up dreaming of becoming a doctor, so I always knew that’s what I wanted to do. However, in my first year of college, I destroyed my knee teaching badminton and spent six months in and out of hospital having surgery, and there were a lot of complications.
“By the time I returned to college, I’d missed a lot of classes and the chance to take my medical entry exams to study medicine, so I had to totally rethink what I was going to do with my life. That’s when I decided to study sport and was given an unconditional offer on the BSc Physical Education, Sport and Health course at UEA.
“I’m able to use the setbacks and challenges I faced over the last few years, along with the knowledge I’ve gained on my course, to help support professional football players with their own health, wellbeing and education.
“In my second year, my module leader put me in touch with the Head of Education at the Norwich City Football Club Academy, and I’ve been an intern in the Player Care team ever since!
“After I graduate, I hope to stay at the Academy, but I’m also applying for Welfare Officer roles at other clubs. Player care is relatively new in football, and the culture of stigma around mental health and wellbeing is starting to change for the better – I want to be a part of it.”
Discover more about Toby’s journey
Study Physical Education, Sport and Health at UEA
Katie Fletcher – BSc Speech and Language Therapy
“A UEA memory I'll always treasure is the Welcome Fest from first year. I remember going with a bunch of my flat mates and having the best time screaming together on all the rides and dancing at the silent disco. In that moment, I knew I'd be happy here. I remember thinking I was really silly to worry about moving to university and making friends.
“After graduation, I hope to get a job as an adult acquired communication and swallowing disorders speech and language therapist here in Norfolk.
“Even though I’m staying in Norwich, I’m going to miss campus – especially the green spaces, the sense of community, and the coffee shops. It was really nice to feel part of the UEA student body.”
Study Speech and Language Therapy at UEA
Serena Grace – BSc Physical Education and Sports Health
“I transferred to UEA from Brunel University in my second year to join as an athletics sports scholar. It was a real leap of faith. At Brunel, I was training with elite athletes and didn't know how that would compare to UEA, however it all ended up being a bit of a blessing in disguise. The course I’m on here is much more psychology-focused which I love. Plus, I get so much support, my mental state has improved, and I’m running faster.
“I’m heading to America later this year to take up a full scholarship, continue as a track athlete, and I’ll be starting an MA in Psychology. I’m really going to be stepping out of my comfort zone to improve as a runner, but I know it will be worth it!”
Discover more about Serena’s journey
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