Zoe Rucker

I am incredibly grateful to be in receipt of one of the College’s American Friends Scholarship. The Scholarship has been a big factor in making my MA in Modern English Literature at University College London possible and has given me the chance to feel at home in London by being part of the vibrant and diverse community at Goodenough.

When I was originally beginning to consider MA courses, I knew that the programme at UCL was academically the best fit for me, however, I was anxious about whether or not I could afford to live in London and was worried that even if I did make the move my graduate studies could be lonely and isolating.  I remember feeling incredibly excited when I came across Goodenough in my search for accommodation because the College seemed like the perfect remedy to both of my reservations about studying in London.

I’ve been at the College for nearly three months now and have loved every moment of my time here so far. Goodenough has been especially beneficial in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in that, even with lockdown and social distancing safety measures, I have still felt connected to my peers and the Goodenough community because I know we are all in the same boat together.

Although the College football and running clubs have had to take a brief hiatus because of lockdown, it has been fun and comforting to go on socially distanced walks with my Goodenough friends around the city.  As essentially the entirety of my course is taking place virtually this year, living at Goodenough has been perhaps an even larger part of my life as a graduate student in London than it would have been in a “normal” year. Because of this, I think I have come to appreciate the sort of community environment the College fosters in a way I couldn’t have imagined when I originally applied.  Goodenough has exceeded expectations in all the best ways in a truly unprecedented year, and I’m so happy to call the College home.