Seven Questions with Ieva Karvelyte
14 March 2019
Ieva is Project Leader for the Politeach student-led project and founder of On&Up: Women in Finance. Ieva chatted to us about getting involved in volunteering and catching her first wave on a surfboard.
What are you studying, why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?
I study a course which sounds confusing to most people: Social Sciences with Quantitative Methods, mainly focusing on sociology, economics, and various research methods. I think the possibilities for specialisation is what attracted me the most, as I have not decided what to do in the future yet. However, this year I got immersed in the economics of education and policymaking, so I might pursue my old dream of improving the education system back home!Ìý
What is the most interesting thing you’ve done, seen or got involved with while at °×С½ãÂÛ̳?
Last January I started volunteering at a student-led project, Politeach, aiming to educate primary school students around London about politics and democracy. Seeing the impact of education first-hand, I discovered my passion in this project, which I now lead, as well as creating another project aimed at underprivileged high school female students. Getting involved in volunteering with the help of °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Volunteering Services has and is the best thing I have done at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ so far.Ìý
Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at °×С½ãÂÛ̳?Ìý
From time to time I enjoy attending Lunch Hour Lectures, where various academics from °×С½ãÂÛ̳ speak about their research and recent academic publications in various fields. Also, the new IOE bar unintentionally became a lunch spot for many of my friends and course-mates, so it’s pleasing to walk in there knowing that you will see someone familiar.
Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London:
- Parks. All of them are spectacular, especially those that have hidden gems inside them – such as the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park.
- River Bus (The Thames Clipper). Only a few months ago I found out about boats as a form of public transport in London. I would recommend travelling late in the evening, when the city is dark and gets breathtakingly romantic.
- Food markets. Honestly, there is something for everyone.
If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?
I would take a day off and pretend to be a student for the day – attend lectures and events, talk to other students, go and study in one of the libraries, just to feel how a casual day at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ feels like.Ìý
Who inspires you and why?
My family and closest friends. Feeling love and support from them is the only thing I need to be inspired and strive to be a better person.Ìý
What would it surprise people to know about you?
That's a very hard question to answer. Probably the most cinematographic event of my life so far – catching my first wave on a surfboard with the last of the sunset’s rays warming the coast.
Ìý