Seven questions with David Olufemi Bankole
1 February 2017
This week, meet David Olufemi Bankole aka Femi, aka Red, a second-year student studying Mechanical Engineering with Business Finance.
Why are you interested in engineering and business and what do you plan to do in the future?
I decided on this course simply because it was the oddest one I could
find. mechanical engineering and business don't normally go together so I just
thought I'd be spontaneous and go for it because I'm pretty erratic like that.
If I could've peeped into the future and seen myself now, then perhaps I might have taken a different approach. Or not. Well it's debatable. The jury's out.
What is the most interesting thing you've done, seen or got involved with while at 911±¬ÁÏÍø?
I would definitely say that the most interesting thing I've done while
at 911±¬ÁÏÍø is the Global Citizenship Programme. It is a two-week course where you
basically work out solutions to the biggest global challenges.
There are eight
different strands to choose from and mine was called (Un)Urban where we went to
the Olympic Park and came up with ways for the local organisations to maximise
their use of the green spaces and presented our ideas to them.
I met some
amazing people who I still talk to and would definitely recommend it; the whole
experience will make a positive change to the way you think. If only someone
had told Donald Trump to enrol on a programme like this then perhaps
reservation centres, those concerned about climate change and everyone who cares
about the environment would be breathing a little easier.
So please, don't end up like Donald, sign up for Global Citizenship.
Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at 911±¬ÁÏÍø?
Gasholder Number 8
at Regent's Canal: There lies a mystical place overlooking the train tracks at Kings
Cross/St Pancras that must surely constitute the greatest piece of grassland
ever laid. If you're looking and you're not sure if you've found it, keep
walking you haven't. You'll know when you get there. With the focus on global
citizenship and my (Un)Urban strand in particular I feel like this is a perfect
place that everyone should have the liberty of sitting down on at some point or
another. I was on a random walk when I stumbled across this place and it has
since become a sanctuary and a place to meditate for me. Completed in the
1850's and used to store gas for around 150 years, this is without a doubt the
highlight of the relatively new Gasholder Park. However, if you find that it's
not your cup of tea, then I guess you can always go chase some deer in Richmond
Park.
Speedy's café: For all the
Sherlock fans out there this is the iconic café situated next to the flat of
everyone's favourite sociopath. In real life though it's not at 221B Baker
Street but 187 North Gower Street, so pretty much across the road from UCL.
Apparently the full English is decent; I personally prefer the wraps.
Wellcome
Collection: Everything from a mummy to Darwin's walking stick.
UCL Grant Museum of
Zoology: One of UCL's best museum. Check it out.
The Nest: If you know, you know.
Give us your top things to do/see/go to in London:
The two St Paul's: You've probably
heard about the first St Paul's. It has a Whispering Gallery 259 steps up where
you and a partner can stand at either side of Wren's massive dome and whisper
to each other - the sound will reverberate from one side to another so that
even the faintest of utterings can be clearly heard on the opposite side.
Can't
afford the entrance fee? No worries! You can head over to Vauxhall Bridge where
you can see a tiny bronze replica of St Paul's cathedral being held up by one
of eight female statues in an alcove on the side of the bridge. In fact, you'll
have to peer over the side of the bridge just to get a proper look at the
smallest cathedral in London.
Royal Observatory
at Greenwich: One of the few places where you can have each foot in a different day
at once. The Meridian also passes through a street called Park Vista where you
can take a picture for free.
Speaker's Corner at
Hyde Park: Located on the north-east edge of Hyde Park, anyone can turn up
announced and talk about anything, as long as you avoid obscene language. Or
you can just listen of course.
Notting Hill Carnival: As a West-Londoner myself, I find it hard not to mention the world-renowned Notting Hill Carnival, probably the best carnival you will ever go to. August bank holiday Monday. That's the 28th. Save the date and be sure to roll through.
If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?
Build a wall. I jest. Cut the rent. People shouldn't have to pay so much just to get an education.
Who inspires you and why?
I try and take inspiration from everyone I meet every day because
there's something that can be learned from each person and every situation.
I
also take inspiration from people I've never met. One place to go for this is
Postman's Park. This is a small green space near St Paul's where you can find a
'Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice' which commemorates some ordinary people who
died while trying to save other people.
For me it serves as a poignant reminder that we are all inherently 'good', inspires me to work to be the best version of myself even in the hardest situations, and to learn to love something more than I love myself. I feel this is where fulfilment lies.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I present a radio show onÌýÌýcalled 'Make It Up As We Go' (definitely not because I make it up as I go) and you can catch me every other Saturday from 7-8pm so if you want to listen to the sickest tunes be sure to tune in (next show 11 February). Also, I work for London Farmers' Market because good food is non-negotiable.