By the time I got to York, it had been two years since I completed my undergraduate degree. I’d come from a different university, taken some time out, and was now absolutely desperate to get back into academia and start chasing my dream of research once again.
The names
“Longobardi”, “Tsoulas”, “Yeo” – These were names I’d read in journals, authors of papers I’d cited in my undergraduate dissertation. I was mortified that the “Richard” I’d been casually joking about ice skating with after a talk was Richard Ogden. The person who had actually written my entire undergraduate phonetics textbook.
But, like, mortified in a good way? You get it.
That’s the thing, though. I finally had faces to put to names I’d been reading and looking up to for years. In one of my first syntax seminars, I made an offhand comment about a linguist (not a York linguist, mind you) only to be met with a “Yeah, I asked him about that once.” followed by the looming realisation of, “Wait, you actually know these people.” Once the embarrassment has passed, it’s really cool.
Studying at York
Studying here, surrounded by all these inspiring people, who guide you through your studies and towards research of your own, being personally involved with projects and sharing ideas that can be genuinely discussed with these behemoths of the field. It feels like you’re on the edge of something really, truly great.
Of course, it can also be quite intimidating. I’ve been stretched, challenged, and sometimes left feeling frustrated, or like I can’t keep up. But the support I’ve had, whether it’s in breaking down how to actually go about doing my Master’s thesis – transforming it from this impossible task to something that is doable, and exciting, and fun – or emotional reassurance that, “No, Mim. It’s week four, you’re not behind.”, or genuine and practical advice on how to mitigate those feelings, I feel that this is a department that not only does great research, but understands the insecurities and difficulties that come with it, especially when you’re starting out.
I’ve received so much support and encouragement from everyone, fellow students, staff, and supervisors, even visiting speakers, in pursuing areas that interest me, and discussing my takes on theories or my own areas of interest.
Enthusiastic staff
That’s another thing, lecturers and professors always seem to be looking to engage with students on fun ideas. I once brought up something I thought might be an oversight in a professor’s theory, and, after some back and forth discussion (and a lot of furrowed eyebrows) I felt that, not only had I made a good point, and been validated in it, but that I had a really fun and interesting essay to write, or maybe even publish. That professor in particular has been very enthusiastic about encouraging students to pursue publication, and it has made something that was once a pipedream for me so tangible.
It’s not just that the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at York has great researchers. It isn’t just high impact scores and very good REF ratings (although, those are definitely a huge plus). It’s that you’re a part of it, and, in my opinion, everyone wants you to be part of it. There’s a competitive, collaborative spirit that makes the whole department feel so alive, exhilarating, and perfect.
It is still weird, almost six months from joining, that I can now say I know these people who were once admired names on oft-cited pages, that I have studied under them, that I have joked and celebrated and chatted with them. I’m not sure it ever won’t be. But, being so immersed in research, feeling passion and curiosity for this subject that I so deeply love is invaluable as someone who has wanted to pursue research since the age of twelve (although the subject did change a couple of times).
Overall
So, what is it like to study in such a highly rated research department? To me, it’s intimidating, exhilarating and inspiring. It’s a heated debate with a respected teacher and an in-joke about a paper with a course-mate. It’s a run where those cheering you on give you the strength to sprint at the finish. A thread that pulls you towards the future – both of linguistics, and your own.
I did not do my undergraduate at York, but I’m so, so glad I’m doing my Masters here. No one does linguistics quite like York. Read more language and linguistic science blogs here.
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