The best decision
Looking back to when I first applied to study at Durham, there were so many unknowns. I was stepping into an entirely new subject, having never studied anthropology before, alongside new coursemates in a new city. I didn’t really know what to anticipate or what the year ahead would entail. Now, I can say with complete confidence that choosing to study Anthropology at Durham has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made! Although the course is only a year long, it has made a profound impact, reshaping how I think, which I am sure will continue to resonate with me, guiding me in different directions.
Why Anthropology
Anthropology has provided me with a new way of seeing and understanding the world. It encourages you to question what once felt obvious, and to approach the world through a more attentive, curious and open perspective. It asks you to slow down: to listen more carefully, to notice the subtleties of everyday life and to remain receptive to different ways of thinking and being. It was this sense of curiosity and openness that first drew me to the subject, and it’s what continues to make it so compelling and insightful.
Why Durham
One of the things I value most about studying at Durham is the richness and breadth of the course. The programme feels both dynamic and deeply interconnected, drawing on ideas from sociology, politics, and philosophy in ways that make everything feel more holistic and connected to real-world debates. Teaching is delivered through a mix of small-group seminars and larger lectures, creating space for both lively discussion and deeper theoretical exploration. Being taught by researchers who are actively shaping the discipline brings a particular sense of immediacy and excitement to our learning; you feel part of a conversation that is ongoing and evolving and supported by a whole depth of knowledge.
Academic opportunities
The opportunities within the department enable students to explore and extend learning outside the classroom. I’ve had the opportunity to attend weekly research seminars, where visiting scholars present their work. These sessions have been especially enriching, offering insight into current research and adding an extra depth to the academic experience, enabling you to feel a part of the valued community.
Furthermore, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a team of postgraduate students in organising the annual interdisciplinary anthropology conference, titled RE: Anthropology: Revisiting, Reframing and Redefining Research and Practice. Featuring our guest speaker, Professor Dame Marilyn Strathern, alongside student presenters from across the UK and beyond, the conference provided an inspiring platform to be part of. It cultivated an inclusive space for the exchange of research and ideas, while enabling students to engage meaningfully in contemporary anthropological debates.
A great community
Beyond the academics, it is the people who I have shared this experience with, which make Durham feel truly special. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed: college provided an immediate sense of belonging, and the social events organised by the department helped me establish friendships. Some of the most meaningful moments have been the simplest ones: conversations between lectures, shared study sessions, or coffee breaks in between. More recently, a group of us visited Beamish Living Museum, a day that perfectly captured how much there is to enjoy and explore both within and beyond Durham.
When I reflect on that initial decision- why Durham and why Anthropology- I realise I didn’t fully understand what I was stepping into. What I’ve found instead is an experience that has far exceeded my expectations, both intellectually and personally. Studying Anthropology has not only shaped how I understand others but also how I understand myself, making my time at Durham as transformative as it has been rewarding.
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