Safira took part in the Sutton Trust Earth Sciences Summer School in 2023 at Durham University. She is now a first year Geophysics student at Durham. Read more to hear about Safira’s summer school experiences.

Tell us a bit about your background.

I’m a student from Birmingham, I’m Bengali and the first generation to go to university in the family.

I’m currently a first year Geophysics student at Durham University, a tutor for students of all ages and abilities, as well as a mentor  for GCSE to A Level students, aiding their choices, extracurriculars, etc.

How did you hear about the Sutton Trust and what led you to apply?

I honestly spent a lot of time looking for any kind of summer school. I really agreed with the Sutton Trust’s values and I fit the criteria so thought why not!

Durham also allowed me to complete a summer school dedicated to Earth Sciences, which the other summer schools did not, and I adored it.

What do you remember about your time on your Sutton Trust programme? 

I can remember becoming strangely more confident and just introducing myself to everyone I possibly could. During meal times, society night, karaoke, sports night, everything and everyone I met was so interesting.

Even though there were only four of us doing Earth Sciences we all clicked really well and really fast. I am currently the only one doing Earth Sciences at Durham but we still message every now and then and it’s honestly lovely- I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing week!

Did you know what you wanted to do for a career before university? Did your Sutton Trust programme (or anyone you met through it), help shape that decision?

I honestly didn’t know what kind of degree I wanted to do but being at the summer school meant that I could talk to students and lecturers to help me decide what I wanted to do and find even more reasons to love Earth Sciences.

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