Getting to know....Silva Olmez

1. What does your job involve?

Alongside my colleagues I manage the administrative part of the CLIE courses. We handle enquiries, applications, payments and if needed, visas for over 30 different part-time and full-time language and academic skills courses. Our students are doing degree programmes in the UK already, or hoping to in the future, or they may just have come for a short course for a taste of life at UCL and here in London. We deal with about 3000 applicants in total, and that's a lot of emails and phone calls.

2. How long have you been at UCL? What did you do before this role?

I have been at UCL almost 6 months. Before this role, I was working for International Language School as a Senior Registrar. My role involved; direct sales and dealing with several agencies, enrolling students, arranging accommodation, airport transfer or social activities. I also allocated tasks to the other three Registrars, delegating responsibility and monitoring their work.

3. What do you most enjoy about your position and why?

I am part of a great team and surrounded with lovely co-workers! That is very important for me as I am spending most of my time at work, and it also motivates me to come every day.

4. What are you working on at the moment?

I am enrolling students for pre-sessional programme and part-time academic English.

5. What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

I am always good with bringing people/my co-workers together for social activities. Recently I arranged Karaokebox in Soho. I think it was great fun! My next event probably will be laser tag.

6. What's your favourite film and book?

My favourite movie is Into The Wild. It is based on a true story. It is deep, true, adventurous, and very touching.

My favourite book: any cook books. I am quite foody and love cooking, trying new recipes.

7. Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Johnny Depp. He is an amazing actor who has played such a wide range of characters. I love the characters he plays especially Tim Burton movies.

8. What would it surprise people to know about you?

I always look for different recipes for baking and I've seen a video on Facebook, followed the recipe and baked a cake a few times at home in a microwave. It worked very well, so I decided to bake for my colleague's birthday. Everyone was quite surprised that I can bake a delicious chocolate cake in the microwave!

9. What's your favourite place in the world?

So far, my favourite place is Greece; I loved the food, people and beautiful beaches. I had 2 weeks holiday in Crete and Pylos.

My favourite places in Crete are Chania, Elefonisi Beach, Balos Beach and my favourite places in Pylos are Voidokilia beach, Kalamata, Methoni.

10. Luke's question for you from the last newsletter: "What's your favourite view?"

Real smiles on people's faces!

11. What's your question for the next colleague?

If you could visit anywhere in the world you've never been, where would you go?