I'm a first-year university student studying English at a university in Hungary. I'm originally Hungarian, but I speak three languages, all at the same level. I have been blind since I was born, so I rely on technology for nearly everything I do. I use a laptop with a screen reader for studying and reading
(A screen reader is a software which acts as a narrator and* describes what is displayed on-screen.)
Ever since being read to as a child, I've enjoyed and valued literature. I'm particularly passionate about English literature, especially
the Romantic poets and Victorian novelists. My favorite authors include Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen. I strongly believe that literature is not "just an art", and that literature, like other humanities, social sciences and arts subjects, is just as important as the sciences. English literature is not a "pointless" degree. You can get a job with any degree if you're creative enough!
After finishing high school last year, I was planning to apply to one of England's top universities to study English language and literature, but, in order to get in, I would have needed an A-level (or equivalent) in English literature, whichh I obviously didn't have because I didn't study English literature at school, so I applied to a college in England (not a sixth form, as I was already too old for that) to study A-levels. They offered me a place, but I couldn't start my course in September. (It's a long, complicated and not very pleasant story which I'd rather not share here.) Then I applied for an IB scholarship, but that didn't work out either because their entrance tests weren't accessible. I really didn't want to apply to a university in Hungary, but I had no other choice. I'm now studying at the most prestigious university in the country. I'm enjoying my course a**** lot and am doing very well**** in all my subjects. I'm aiming for a first-class**** degree because I still haven't given up on my plans. I hope to get into Oxford, Cambridge, Durham or Exeter for my MA and PHD.
******* In order to achieve this, however, I need extra help. My literature seminar tutor this semester was a kind, understanding, warm-hearted person, but she had very low expectations. 75% of our class was in Hungarian, which is not something she was supposed to do, not to mention that what we were doing wasn't what I was supposed to be doing in preparation for a master's at a top University, i.e. not exactly what British first-year students study.**** There are a lot of great literature professors at the university, and I'll be able to take their courses next semester, but I still need extra help. I've been trying to get a tutor, but they're all very expensive.
That's my story in a nuthell. I look forward to "meeting" you all.
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Originally Posted by dora.peterfay
