Prof. Jane Setter interviews Dr Anna Mammitzsch about her journey across Europe to graduating with a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Stockholm University. Anna explains, that for her parents living in East Germany during its division, studying at university was not an option for them. This and being encouraged to travel and see the world, influenced her decision to begin an undergraduate degree in European studies at the Catholic University of Bavaria, with a study abroad year in Sweden, where she now lives. Jane and Anna discuss the implications of her first generation student status for university life, such as dealing with imposter syndrome.

We would like to note that this episode was recorded in 2025, when it was not known that the UK would be re-entering the Erasmus program. Additionally, during the recording of this episode there were technical issues outside of our control that occasionally affected the quality of the recording, which we apologise for.

This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter and Lily Dewar from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay.

Thank you to Sophia Banger and the 2023 Pilot team for their creative input in the production of episodes, and for the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast.

Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at [email protected] if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

Professor Jane Setter talks to Zara Parr, a graduate from the University of Reading, about her experiences applying for and studying at university. This episode discusses life whilst studying, such as finding work, and studying abroad, as well as Zara’s journey to now working in the Cabinet Office.

This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter and Lily Dewar from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay.

Thank you to Sophia Banger and the 2023 Pilot team for their creative input in the production of episodes, and for the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast.

Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at [email protected] if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

Join Professor Jane Setter interviewing Dr Angela Smith about her experience being a first generation student, and her journey to becoming a research fellow in the Energy Demand Centre at the University of Leeds. Angela touches upon her time in Sixth form and her unconventional entry into university, and how her working class background impacted her time studying at Coventry University, the University of Leeds and Bournemouth University.

This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter and Lily Dewar from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay.

Thank you to Sophia Banger and the 2023 Pilot team for their creative input in the production of episodes, and for the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast.

Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at [email protected] if you’re interested in being on the podcast.

Listen to Professor Jane Setter interview University of Reading student, Jake Ishiguro-Shute, in the pilot episode of the First in Family podcast. Jake talks about his thoughts on the financial and social challenges that first generation students might face, and how the support of his wife influenced his decision in applying to university.

If you’d like to let us know how this episode went or are interested in sharing your first generation student experiences with us, please complete our pilot episode survey.

This episode was produced and edited by John Constable, and Jane Setter and Lily Dewar from the University of Reading, UK. The music for this episode was provided by DELOSound on Pixabay.

Thank you to Sophia Banger and the 2023 Pilot team for their creative input in the production of episodes, and for the University of Reading for providing the funding for the First in Family Podcast.

Remember to like and subscribe if you want to hear more, and email us at [email protected] if you’re interested in being on the podcast.