Jack's story
It is, in many senses, an adventure, and, as with any adventure, there are challenges along the way, but all of that is to be embraced. That’s something Jack Smith has done throughout his time at Liverpool Hope University. Born in Liverpool, Jack has continually strived to test himself and seek out new experiences since enrolling on our Geography and Education course.
A step into the unknown
It started with his subject choice.
“Other universities offer a science or geography route or a humanities and education route, but not both,” he explains.
“I wanted more breadth from my subject, so I decided to study Geography and Education. It surprises a lot of people, but I only studied geography at GCSE and not at A Level.
“I had studied sociology for four years across GSCE and A Level so Education was like a comfort for me because I knew what to expect, but I didn’t with Geography and I sort of liked that unknown [element].
“It was exciting, but also nerve-wracking. It was like that feeling you get when you’re on a rollercoaster. You want to do it but you know that it’s going to be scary but I just jumped at it and did it.”
New experiences
‘Jumping in and doing it’ has been a theme of Jack’s time at Hope.
University has been about much more than an academic education for the Liverpool native, who has pursued several extra-curricular activities he hopes will make him stand out in the job market.
“As you grow up, you sort of think why would you want to do what everyone else is doing?” Jack adds.
“I used to dread being asked to give a fun fact about myself, but it’s not until you try things that you feel confident answering it.
“[Since joining Hope] I have volunteered for the Colour Run and I do the Duke of Edinburgh Award and St John’s Ambulance. It is things like that which make you stand out.
“I also tutor English to three Year 10 kids. It’s so rewarding because I’m always asking myself how I can make their lessons better, how I can engage them more.”
One eye on the future
University has only heightened Jack’s willingness to try new experiences. Travelling and working abroad is next on his bucket list, before he begins to consider settling into a career.
And, having elected to study a combined honours degree he feels he has a number of pathways open to him, which appeals to his sense of adventure.
“I want to travel and work abroad doing a job you’d have never thought of as a kid,” he says.
“Then when I move out of that phase of my life, I’d like to teach either primary or secondary or even look at things to do with the government and the environment or educational policy.
“Studying two subjects, there’s so many different routes that you can go down by having a combined degree.”