Gabriel Boyd

“I’ve always found politics a fascinating subject area. Since I was a child, my parents engaged in discussions with me to teach me about the value of democracy and civic engagement. As for Psychology, it’s what my mom does, and I find it to be such an honourable vocation, fine-tuning your empathy and knowledge to help those who need it the most.

“My favourite Communication class is political marketing. I loved learning about campaign work at every level of operation. The interactive tutorials are as engaging as they are informative, giving us the chance to engage in dialogue and learn from our peers.

“Communication is a phenomenal degree to pair with anything in a Bachelor of Arts. It teaches invaluable soft skills that are applicable in any professional setting.

"When I left school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, but because these degrees can be as broad as you want, I’ve been able to study incredibly far-reaching subjects to discover my passions.

“I’m hoping to pursue postgraduate study in either Psychology or Politics and International Relations, however I am still making decisions about my future. I think it’s important to emphasise that you don’t need to have your entire life worked out at 22. University has been an incredible part of my journey thus far and I’m confident I’m prepared to go on and lead a successful life.

“I’m the President of the Study Abroad Student Society, which takes incoming exchange students on trips around Tāmaki Makaurau and greater Aotearoa. In 2025, I will be instated as President of the Auckland University Student Association. It is an incredible privilege and honour to get to represent our student body at all levels of government and media around the country.

“What initially pushed me to get involved was a desire to meet like-minded students. While club activities are great, the best part of being part of such societies is the friends you meet. Many of my closest friendships at Auckland have been made and strengthened through club involvement.

“You get out what you put into university. I’m very grateful I decided to push and involve myself as much as I have - the memories are unforgettable. University is a spectacular experience and you want to be able to look back and be proud of the achievements, friends and memories you made.”