Graduation Profile: Alex Wuergler - BA Criminology & Criminal Justice with International Experience

Alex Wuergler, 22, is from Davos, Switzerland. She is graduating with a BA Criminology & Criminal Justice with International Experience degree and has also won the Dr John Robert Jones Prize of £600. This prize is awarded annually to the best students across all disciplines at the University.

Background…
I went to sixth form in Switzerland and I grew up in a small city within the mountains. I have always loved travelling and have been to many places. Meeting new people, learning about other cultures and getting to see beautiful landscapes make it fascinating. Which is also why I spent the last two semesters abroad at Bond University in Australia as part of the international experience year of Bangor University.

Why choose Bangor University?
A British friend who lives in France recommended Bangor to me. I visited several universities across the UK before making my final choice, but I felt the most welcomed at Bangor. The people I met were extremely friendly and seemed to really care about me. Bangor University’s beautiful location between the mountains and the sea; the opportunity to live in a small city instead of getting lost in a huge one; and knowing I could spend a year in Australia as part of my course were additional bonuses!

Student Experience:
I am not a native English speaker and even though I was fluent before coming to Bangor, knowing a language and using it 24/7 is not the same. I found it quite tiring talking and listening to a lot of people at the same time in my first year. Although now, English has become as second nature to me as German.

I was given lots of opportunities to participate in various activities such as an internship within the School of Social Sciences about the public’s opinion of and trust in the police. I was a Library Ambassador, engaging with the student community and working with Academic Support Librarians to deliver a project that aims to improve and develop what the Library and Archives Service has to offer to students. I also worked as a Peer Guide, Course Representative, and International Ambassador – all these roles were to help and represent new and current students with a various aspects of their student life.

I helped the Corporate Communications and Marketing department during Open Days and gave presentations to prospective students and their parents. Through all of this I got to know my lecturers and other students from a different perspective. I can definitely recommend getting as much involved within the university as possible!

One of my highlights was working on my dissertation. It was about firearms in Switzerland, based on interviews I did in my home country. Being able to freely choose the project and topic I wanted and having time and support from the school to research something I was really interested in was great. Whilst it wasn’t always easy and writing up took a lot of effort, interviewing my participants and learning about their views and experiences was amazing!

How does it feel to be graduating?
On the one hand, I am more than happy to celebrate this day with my family and to know that I have achieved this. But on the other hand, I am also sad. My time at Bangor was wonderful, I have made some very important friends, loved the area and the lectures – I have amazing memories that I will cherish forever.

The future:
I hope to work within the criminal justice system one day, either fighting homicides, organised crime and the like, or supporting transnational police cooperation.

Publication date: 16 July 2018