Class of 2017: Siril Grini

All this week we are celebrating the achievements of some of our students who are graduating in the class of 2017. Siril Grini, graduating today from the Departments of Film, Literature and Theatre Studies tells us her story.

Siril Grini (BA English Literature) came to Essex to study English Literature but also determined to grasp every opportunity on offer.

Volunteering has featured heavily – from one-off activities to co-ordinating an art club, which involved around 25 volunteers running weekly art classes in local primary schools. In her second year she clocked up more than 300 hours and was voted Students’ Union Volunteer of the Year.

She was accepted for an Essex Abroad volunteering opportunity at a nature reserve in South Africa, and used the University’s Click crowd-funding platform to raise the £1,500 needed for the trip.

“At Essex there are so many opportunities outside your academic work and I knew I needed to grab those opportunities while I had the chance. I have developed a lot of skills that will be useful in the workplace, but I have also developed as a person,” said Siril, who also studied Spanish through the Languages for All programme, was a leading light in the Harry Potter Society and got involved in activities from cheerleading to the University choir.