All good things come to an end – A Final Goodbye

Well, to begin with, I must confess that I might have heard this age-old adage – all good things come to an end – a number of times in my three decades of life. Yet, each and every time, the realisation of this adage comes as a shock and leaves me all solemn and sad. I take this bitter truth with a pinch of salt and march ahead – with memories to cherish and fondly remember.

My association with the Digital Media team at the University of Southampton is one such event in my life which has left a long-lasting imprint on my impressionable mind. I must admit or rather confess that I have always loved reading, writing and expressing my mind. The interest in reading comes from a natural inclination towards imagination and an urge to be well-read and informed in this era of transformational awareness – lest I lag behind and blame it on my ignorance. My love for writing and penning down my thoughts is more to do with fondness for reminiscence and something to look back upon. The idea of expressing my thoughts comes from the liberty of free speech, a part of the democratic set up of the country I belong to. However, the self-immersion in the routine and mundane chores of life had rendered me too lethargic to write. Well, I continued to read and express my views but just kept ignoring my writing pursuits.

The advertisement of Life at Southampton blog, around this time last year, shook me from my state of inertia. The idea of sharing my rich experiences of life at Southampton was too lucrative for any form of inertia and thus, I found myself writing a piece as an entry.

I was glad to be called for an interview and felt that I had really not lost touch. Well, it was a first-of-its-kind of project being adopted by the University Communications team. The sole aim of the exercise was to apprise the readers of nuances of student life at University of Southampton and this was well explained to me during the interview. A blog site about students and narrated by students themselves was quite a novel approach of outreach. The first introductory meeting found me in the company of three fellow students from the University – teeming and beaming with life. We had an informal session of introduction led by our Editor followed by a photo session and I was really at ease and eagerly looking forward to this great initiative.

The blog site was launched in June last year amidst great aplomb and style and was well advertised in the campus during the Open Days and on social media sites. We had become stars overnight and I just loved it. I distinctly remember myself publicising the blog site with earnest during the Open Days.

Here are a few of my favourite photos:

With Dad in Geneva

Enjoying the sun

The final bus ride to uni

As time passed by, I realised that these blogs had become a part and parcel of my student life. I looked forward to narrating my experiences and seeing them on the site. It gave me a sense of immense freedom and enrichment. As I write my last blog post today, I feel nostalgic about this whole experience. I am grateful to the Digital Media team for having given me an opportunity to be an ambassador of the University and for taking me on board. It was indeed a real pleasure in the company of talented Robin, the vivacious Florence and the inspirational Jo. I am grateful to the readers for always giving me a patient hearing. As I said earlier, I shall cherish these memories forever. I am sure the flag of this great University shall always fly high. Cheers!

Signing off

Yours

Rohit

Exploring the UK with the University of Southampton

Having lived inside the UK all my life, I tend to forget what an exciting and cultural place it is to be. My hometown is only 40 minutes away from the capital, so some of the world’s most iconic landmarks are very much on my doorstep.

I’ve also been to Edinburgh, the Brecon beacons, Bristol, Devon, Yorkshire and Cornwall. I’ve seen Stonehenge, the Angel of the North and the Roman Baths in… Bath.

But there are still so many places I haven’t been.

Me in Edinburgh outside the Castle, 

back in June 2010 for a post-Fresher’s city break!

In fact, it makes me wonder how the many international students at the University of Southampton will ever get to see everything the UK has to offer if I haven’t managed to after 22 years! How will they combine studying here with sampling what our country has to offer? Well, that’s where Explore the UK comes in.

Explore the UK is a society set up to ensure that international students get this opportunity. They make sure students from all over the globe settle in at Southampton, feel at home, and get the most out of their stay here. Previously called ‘Pre-Sessional Society’, they provide vital help and experiences for visiting students, right from the beginning of the summer. Not only do they hold nightlife events and provide support, they organise big trips across the country throughout the year. These trips are also open to any student at the University.

On 16 March I went along with the team on a trip to visit Cambridge. The trip was so popular that the tickets sold out without much need for promotion, and over 80 students attended for just £13 each (that’s less than a return using public transport!). On a very cold and very, very wet March morning (where is the spring weather?!) we took a three hour coach journey halfway up the country to one of the UK’s intellectual capitals, ready to see the famous colleges and buildings that make up the prestigious University of Cambridge.

The view of King’s College, Cambridge, 

with its impressive chapel and amazing architecture

We started off the day with a two-hour tour by a company called ‘Footprints Tours’, who offer tours of both Oxford and Cambridge. Their tour guides are university educated, professional and from the area, providing tourists with a genuine and informative experience, without the boredom. The society itself had paid for the tour, allowing the students to get the most out of their visit without the extra cost. We were split into two groups, and endured the rain until it finally stopped as we were taken around the city. My group were shown around by Fred, who was one of the founders of the company and really shone with enthusiasm. His animated explanations of the city’s place in the history of the UK and his funny anecdotes made us forget about our cold toes and soggy hair, as he led us around the colleges and side alleys, explaining stories of student pranks, architecture and famous alumni.

Students inside the chapel at Pembroke College, admiring the building

Among the sights we saw were Pembroke College with its beautiful chapel (designed by Christopher Wren), the Mathematical Bridge, Trinity College and the Corpus Clock (unveiled in 2008 by Stephen Hawking and made of 24 carat gold). The splendour and decadence of the sights was clear, but even more spectacular was the sheer history involved, with the oldest college having been founded in 1284, and the multitude of scientific discoveries, Nobel prizes and dominant historical figures associated with the university. There were far too many stories to tell, but the two hour tour went very quickly and everyone really enjoyed it. If you ever go to Cambridge or Oxford and you want to know everything there is to know about the city, I really recommend the Footprints tour group.

The grounds of Trinity College, with its beautiful court.

My favourite moment was standing in the hall at Trinity College and hearing a choir singing – there were statues of Tennyson and Isaac Newton surrounding us and the sun had finally come out to shine down on the courtyard. I’m a sucker for history and old buildings, and it really was a fantastic moment. My other favourite part was being told that, since only fellows of the colleges could cross the grass in each courtyard, a group of migrating ducks – whose route went through the centre of the grass in one college – had been made fellows, so the rules didn’t have to be changed! Everyone found this pretty funny.

Inside the chapel at Trinity College

The students were then allowed around four hours of free time to do what they wanted, whether that was a spot of shopping, more sightseeing, punting on the river or, as we did… watching the Six Nations in a lovely cosy pub, away from the rain! Everyone who had paid for the trip seemed to have a great time. The society committee seemed very happy with how the event went, and we finally arrived back in Southampton at around half ten that evening. After a long day of walking around a new city, I was definitely ready for bed.

Me, Rowanna and Rachel, who are both key members of the Explore the UK committee

I’m not sure when I would have been able to see Cambridge if I hadn’t gone on the trip with Explore the UK. It’s not somewhere I would have taken the time to visit unless there was an event such as this, and I am so glad I took the opportunity to go! It was even more appropriate with the Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race, which takes place this year on 31 March – Easter Sunday!

Explore the UK are a very friendly, enthusiastic team who genuinely care about the students involved – not only when they are settling international students in the summer, but throughout the year. Their next trip is to Edinburgh in June this year and they are still taking deposits at £25 for the £99 trip which, once again, is a bargain! Find them on Facebook if you’re interested (https://www.facebook.com/ExploreTheUK) or email them at presesh@soton.ac.uk!

Joanne

Keeping on course

I write this a week into the Easter holidays, fully stocked up on rest and in a warm living room, next to a couple of snoozing cats on a comfortable sofa, and in the knowledge that it's equipped with an ever-stocked fridge – the little things you can sometimes take for granted before life in a student house!

I'm also writing in the knowledge that, when I return to Southampton, we'll be but eight or nine weeks away from a long stretch of (hopefully glorious!) summer, and the end of an absolutely incredible second year at University which seems to have flown by.

Having said that, given how I'm writing from my snowed-under Northern home, that season seems worlds away!

Before then, however, the University calendar rolls on. Away from the desk, I'm involved in the Theatre Group's original writing “Showcase” performances, taking place in the Annex Theatre the first week of lectures back (all support would be greatly appreciated!), as well as Assistant Directing a sitcom-style play called Keeping Down with the Joneses in the same location a fortnight later. Plus, after some incredibly exciting news, I'll soon be beginning to rehearse for the comedy play being taken to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, Hanging Bruce-Howard – a show you'll almost certainly be hearing more about in the near future (mainly because I'm so excited by the prospect)!

And that's not to mention the grand occasion of getting suited up for the annual Performing Arts Ball, taking place in a luxurious venue in town at the end of April: three gorgeous courses, a chance to look dapper and to celebrate a year of achievement with incredible friends, all swiftly followed by a night of terrible disco moves. Well, except from the dance-based societies, of course!

The Performing Arts Ball was one of the highlights of my Fresher year, 

and I can't wait for it again this time round.

Nevertheless, summer also brings a familiar nemesis to the student body: the prospect of deadlines and examinations galore. Once again, this is the time to be focusing not so much on the extra-curricular aspects of student life (although they’ll certainly prove a healthy distraction!) and to get my head down in books –sometimes I have to remind myself I'm not taking Thespian Studies!

Because with a deadline or two almost every week following the holidays, and an intense summer exam period looming not long after, it's more important than ever to keep on top of everything related to my course in Software Engineering. After all, I've often been asked, given how much I enjoy partaking in everything performance-based, why I decided to take the subject in the first place.

Personally I never found it easy to know which path to go down academically at any stage, be it selecting my GCSEs, A-Levels or choosing a degree subject. There are normally so many options open, and it's difficult to know, or even guess, what you'll want to do in the years ahead. At this time of the year, lots of students across the country will be facing the same dilemmas, and it's far from easy to make such decisions. Being asked to think about your future when you're already swarmed by exams can seem like a pretty raw deal.

So how to know what to study? Well, my tactic was simply to go for the subjects which I enjoyed the most at all stages of education, knowing that, at the very least, I should have some fun in the future along the way to (fingers crossed) getting the qualification. For example, loving the subject at GCSE standard, I did an A-Level in Latin which, although not particularly strongly linked to technology, was certainly a challenge and added a great deal of variety to my timetable!

Of course, if you've got a particular future in mind (for example, going for medicine), there are some prescribed requirements for many universities’ courses and their offers (so check out prospectuses beforehand). But assuming those have been satisfied, once you enter higher education, I've found that the focus really shifts from learning things from a teacher in a classroom to an individual desire to find things out for yourself.

So, when the going gets tough, like on occasions when exams or coursework inevitably pile up (unfortunately procrastination is an essential part of the student make-up!), it helps to be doing a subject which appeals to what you love. After all, although you're getting a qualification out of the process, you're also getting an education to carry forward as well, so it's important to want to make the most of it – or else you're probably on the wrong programme!

My passion for Software Engineering stemmed from my Computing A-Level. I took the subject in Lower Sixth unsure of whether I'd enjoy it, but, harnessing a long-term desire to learn how to program, I found myself enraptured by the sheer expressive power of coding – it's not nearly as boring to me as it seems to others! Sure, it can be frustrating from time to time (on one occasion last semester I spent three solid hours on six lines of code – and it still didn't work!), but the satisfaction of seeing a problem well solved, an algorithm correctly crafted, or a program come together (and work!) surpasses all niggles along the way.

Furthermore, Software Engineering has revealed to me that making programs is not just about tapping away at a keyboard, but also utilising many underlying processes which support it to make sure a computer system is built to do its job well. Taking on the course has completely opened my mind and contextualised plain programming in many different environments, such as professional design methodologies (often involving mocking up packed diagrams which show how a program works), different types of systems and even socio- and biological aspects, like Human-Computer Interaction and Artificial Intelligence, areas which continue to fascinate me in every lecture.

Lots of people bring their laptops to lectures to look up topics on the fly 

or catch up on anything they might've missed.

Conversely, as was the way at school, there are modules on the course which I find don't directly appeal to me, with some topics going completely over my head! But, however cliché it sounds, you generally find that everyone has different interests, strengths and weaknesses, and marks seem to balance out at high scores. You’ll be exposed to a great variety of areas of research regardless of your degree, and it's up to you to go about finding your interest niche.

To this end it's always a good idea, when selecting optional modules, to check out the scope of a module before picking it, or, if there’s a compulsory module which isn't your thing, I think it's a case of battling through it, doing enough work to get the best marks you can in the assurance that there's something more suited to your tastes around the corner.

It all builds up to an exciting climax to the year. Amidst all of the other activities in the summer term, I'm going to be picking a topic for my third year project (the course equivalent of a dissertation), which is a fairly intimidating prospect. Nevertheless, I think I know what I'd like to do with it, and because of that, I'm actually quite excited to get going with it – although I can't promise I'll be saying the same a week before deadline!

So despite the constant presence of the Performing Arts in my calendar, adding variety and further excitement to everyday life, I'm happy to say that, so far at least, I'm keeping on top of my course. I can’t wait to see what it throws up next!

Robin

Multidisciplinary Research Week

Friday marks the close of University of Southampton’s Multidisciplinary Research Week, and what a week it’s been!

I must confess that despite being at this university for two previous years, I had never heard of this week before. This is a massive a shame because it is a fantastic celebration of every single part of the university’s academia. This week is so important for it celebrates innovation and the sharing of knowledge, which is for everyone’s benefit. As a Humanities student I easily get frightened by the idea of using knowledge from scientists – honestly, I am so bad at science the mere word ‘physics’ sends shivers down my spine. However, I do often use economic and geographic theories to aid my understanding of philosophy, and English literature would be impossible without a grasp of history and anthropology. There is a lovely quote in Avenue campus which claims that the divide between Humanities and Social Science is a false divide and I think that is very true. It is so easy to see your subject in isolation, and it is those walls which need to be broken down to have a more fruitful learning experience! This is why the Multidisciplinary Research Week is so wonderful – it realises all that and puts on a host of events for you to discover it yourself!

When I heard that the university was holding a TEDx I could barely contain my excitement; I absolutely adore TED and have wasted/spent a lot of productive hours on their site. TED is a website which is dedicated to “ideas worth spreading”, and is full of inspirational short videos which help you to see a new perspective.  TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, in every element TED celebrates multidisciplinary understanding.

So, having been an avid admirer of TED for so long you can imagine the thrill I got from knowing that the university lecturer James Dyke was organising one based around the theme of sustainable development – and if there was ever a theme which everyone could relate to, it was sustainability; this is a crisis which affects everyone. As soon as I arrived I was immediately challenged, massive ginormous thoughts were put in my head and left there for me to dwell on. Everyone kept on coming back to this idea of a perfect story – the earth’s population will soon hit 8 billion, meaning the need for food security and energy consumption will rise, biodiversity will be lost and the earth will be put under an extraordinary amount of pressure. How will it cope?

Here I was listening to all these facts, and whilst becoming incredibly enlightened, I was also becoming a little disheartened. It seem liked too big a problem, like this perfect storm would engulf everyone.

TEDx – Southampton really challenged my perspective of sustainability.

Sadly I could not attend much of this week because the library called me, but I did manage to avoid Varsity (which is awesome for someone who is apathetic to sports and does not relish the idea of the rain and cold), instead I went to Southampton’s very own TEDx event!

But, then more speakers came out, speakers that were informed but optimistic, they knew the challenges and were coming up with the most ingenious solutions. The word innovation was put to use and their perspectives were wide and varied, coming up with an answer as to how to do more, with less. There was a big focus on the individual – asking questions was encouraged as was mingling with the speaker in the breaks – because they all realise that Multidisciplinary Research Week is about sharing ideas, the contributions we can make as individuals, teachers, lecturers, parents, citizens and representatives of our subjects.

I think it shows a commitment to the future when the university puts so much effort into Multidisciplinary Research, so I for one was very grateful for the event and only wished I could have seen more of it.

Find out more about Multidisciplinary Research Week here http://www.southampton.ac.uk/multidisciplinary/researchweek/index.page

Florence

Culture on campus: The John Hansard Gallery

Before I started University I was a keen artist; I took Art as an A Level and enjoyed painting and sketching. Trips to art galleries were one of my favourite pastimes, and I maintained an interest in certain artists.

So it came as a surprise that, throughout my undergraduate degree, I had never once visited the John Hansard Gallery on campus. The gallery was established in 1979, and remains one of the UK’s leading public galleries of contemporary art.  On their website, they claim to be ‘a place to visit for extraordinary experiences, where you can see and think about the world differently’, and they hold five exhibitions a year on the Highfield campus, along with city-wide and touring shows. They aim to produce a wide range of shows to appeal to everyone, and state that: ‘Rooted in a research-led ethos, our programme seeks to bring together rigorous scholarship and contemporary art practice, presented to the widest possible audience’. Educational and enjoyable, the John Hansard Gallery is a local venue to enjoy the world of art, whatever your taste. So it really was about time that I made a point of visiting!

Me in front of the John Hansard Gallery on campus on a rare sunny spring morning.

The gallery can be found just past the Health Centre, near the Turner Sims Concert Hall

I went along to the gallery on a very warm and sunny Tuesday morning with my friend Olivia who, in her first year, managed to see what the Hansard had to offer earlier than I had! We entered as soon as it opened, at 11am, and had a chat with the girl at the front desk who was incredibly helpful. After discussing a little bit about the show, we were given a sheet with all the information we’d need, and headed into the gallery.

The first thing that struck me was how professional the gallery looked. As a small venue, I had anticipated a tiny gallery not unlike those I had visited in quiet villages before. This was a huge underestimation on my part. Stepping into Gallery 1 (the main installation room) was like entering a London gallery. We forgot that we were, in fact, still on campus, and were sucked into a cultural hub that felt cut off from the bustle of the University.

The exhibition at this time was called ‘Transformism’ by Melanie Jackson and Revital Cohen. This finished on 9 March. The exhibition was described in the Transformism publication as a show which reflects ‘on our compulsion to alter and shape the materials, objects and living entities around us’ - basically exploring the combination of science and technology with culture and nature. It’s a bit difficult to describe, so here’s an explanation from the John Hansard website:

“As we develop the tools to manipulate and engineer new forms and systems of life, the exhibition considers our historical and contemporary entanglements with nature, technology and the economy, and how these relationships influence emergent forms in biological and synthetic matter, through new sculpture, installation and moving image works.”

Transformism looked like a very intriguing exhibition and I was excited to see what was on offer!

Gallery 1 and 2 were dedicated to Melanie Jackson’s contribution entitled The Urpflanze (part 2) which was incredibly abstract. Jackson was inspired by Goethe’s imaginary primal plant, which ‘contained within it the potential to unfurl all possible future forms’. This is comparable to modern science. Jackson’s installation was a cacophony of shapes, sounds, and screens, which we observed for an extended amount of time. We listened to the sounds made by materials she had used in her work, such as paint and clay, and watched as natural images converged with images of factories and science. The work was impressive, and gave us plenty to discuss. Jackson had also collaborated with Esther Leslie to create a text in the form of a comic book called The Ur-Phenomenon which was free and explained her concept further.

A panoramic view of The Urpflanze (Part 2) in Gallery 1 – I had special permission to take photos, but wasn’t allowed to focus on specific installations.

It was a little daunting at first but, once we had sat in the middle of the gallery to gain a different perspective, we had made our mind up about what the exhibit was saying, and moved into Gallery 2, which held reading material from the first part of The Urpflanze.

Me enjoying some of the artwork in Jackson’s installation

Galleries 3 and 4 were dedicated to the work of Revital Cohen, who was concerned with the genetic modification of fish in Japan to make them visually pleasing. In fact, she saw fish as ‘animal as product’, and the documentary video of a Japanese fish competition and sale depicted a culture which was unfamiliar to us but fascinating. The goldfish were seen as art, and were discussed as looking ‘fashionable’.  Cohen then created an animated fish bowl, with us able to look down into a bowl of water to see two projected images of goldfish – like those in the documentary – swimming in synchronised fashion. This highlighted the modified and scientific design of the fish, and the almost unnatural breeding of them. It was fascinating and very informative, and definitely gave us both something to think about for the rest of the day. Fortunately we were also shown a video interview with both Cohen and Jackson who explained their work – which cleared up any uncertainties we had!

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the John Hansard Gallery – it was a lovely break from the hustle and bustle of university life, and was completely free! I really recommend a visit before you leave university – I’m glad I did and I hope to go back again before I graduate. It just goes to show how many opportunities we have on campus here at Southampton – there’s something for everyone, whatever your interest. If you’re like me, and gave up art for your degree subject, it’s a good way to maintain your hobby.

Unfortunately, Transformism has finished. The next exhibition is entitled Performance / Audience / Film and runs from 26 March 2013 to 20 April 2013. This will look at the relationship between audience and performance, with material stretching back to the 1970s and discussions on the interaction between artist and audience. The John Hansard Gallery Central is also holding its final exhibition from 19 March to 17 April 2013 called Juneau Projects: I am the Warrior which is an open submission exhibition to celebrate creativity. The John Hansard Gallery Central is on the Civic Centre Road in Southampton city centre. Entrance to the John Hansard Gallery is free.

For more information on all exhibitions and opening times, visit the gallery website: http://www.hansardgallery.org.uk/

The John Hansard Gallery has free admission and is open Tuesday to Saturday, with varying opening times.

Joanne

Time to recharge

It seems like only yesterday I was writing about how much I was looking forward to the start of a new term – but the next thing I know, we’re at the tail end of one!

Time certainly flies at University, and it’s odd to think I’m nearing the end of my second year here in Southampton. Although initially the days seemed to tick by a bit slow when I was adapting to the independent life in Higher Education (which seemed to be a mutual feeling amongst my friends elsewhere as well), ever since I settled into it weeks have shot past like a whirlwind, bringing some incredible experiences, achievements and opportunities along with them – sometimes it feels like living in a bubble, separated from the outside world!

Take, for example, last week, during which I had the privilege and honour of being part of the cast of SUSU Showstoppers’ Parade in the Nuffield Theatre. After having performed in a fair few shows for the Theatre Group in the Annex Theatre, a fairly intimate setting, the chance to move into the grand, professional venue was too good to miss; it was certainly a shock to find we all had individual mirrors, seats and desks in the dressing room, for example!

And although at first we took a bit of time getting used to throwing our voices to the far rows, as technical details and scene change issues were swiftly sorted by the staging society, I can’t express how proud a moment it was to finish our first show in an explosion of beautiful music, and to be on the other end of a standing ovation as a result.

Every single person in the cast played their part in a hugely successful show, and all deserve the plaudits they received in the student press and from audience members alike. And, from a personal perspective, I didn’t cause any catastrophes or injuries in any of the dance numbers, which was my own target all along!

The ensemble provided a great backdrop on which to paint the story – although I was just happy to get by making relatively few mistakes! (Credit: Joe Hart)

So as we move into the holidays and the post-show blues kick into overdrive with us all missing the catchy melodies, the buzzing atmosphere and, most of all, the great friendships that being part of such a spectacle yielded, I know I would do it all again in a heartbeat – although it’d have to be after getting some much-needed sleep, I think!

I’m looking forward to meeting up with all my friends back home and hearing their own tales of the past two months (everyone usually brings back a corker or two!), spending some quality time with my family (and cats!), and just relaxing and taking a breather from the frantic (and occasionally frenetic!) lifestyle of University – although getting up before mid-day and reverting back from a nocturnal timetable might be a shock to the system!

And as always with being a student, there’re things to be getting on with once natural sleeping patterns have been restored, specifically a great deal of coursework (with my own optimistic target to get one a week done)! Plus, with exams on the horizon a month or so after we return (a month which involves two more Theatre Group shows for me – no rest for the wicked!), a spot of revision mightn’t go amiss!

With a four-week intermediate holiday included it’s always quite difficult to plan work in advance for the second semester of the year, and although last year it proved quite productive (but not enough!), this year I’m hoping to make the most of it and get ahead of the game work-wise.

It’ll take great self-discipline – possibly more than I’ve shown in the previous fortnight or so as fatigue has begun to take its toll – but if I accomplish my goals, it should allow me to attack the examination period with momentum and great gusto upon my return.

And, most importantly, I’d like to get some sleep whilst I’m at it! I hope you all enjoy a well-deserved break!

Robin

How to fill an Easter holiday!

The Easter holidays are fast approaching, and considering I am a boring third year, my time is going to consist of work, work, oh, and more work (with a cheeky little trip to Rome…)!

However, when I reflect upon the Easter I had last year I realise how lucky I was – I had a month off and I definitely made the most of it!

I spent my first week in Strasbourg, being a journalist at the European Parliament – I think I have discussed this before, but I repeat again, it was amazing!

I then hopped on a train to Paris and flew straight to China. Yep China! This was quite possibly the craziest thing I have ever done; I had already participated in a week of very little sleep, only to fly across the world to complete a government funded Chinese-UK relationship programme.

You see, I have this terrible affliction - I am one of those people who can’t resist saying YES to everything – so when I got an email from the University Career Destinations team regarding funded places on a Study China Programme how could I not apply?!

I think a large part of me never thought I’d be accepted, nonetheless I applied all the same and when I found out I’d got it, it all seemed far too good to be true. All I had to do was pay for my flights – accommodation, a Mandarin programme at the university, social and cultural events and so much more was all funded for me! What’s more the University supported my visit; they provided me with my visa and gave me a bundle of resources to distribute to the local Chinese community I would be meeting. Knowing that I would never be able to explore China so cheaply again I realised that this moment could not be missed. I am young and any opportunity to explore this vast world is magnificent – hence the start of my crazy Easter!

Study China was based in Hangzhou, (about an hour away from Shanghai) and was a completely eye opening, awe inspiring, unforgettable experience. China has always captured my attention; the mix of old and new, beautifully antique and vastly technical, it seems like there is nowhere else quite like China. Plus as a world superpower their culture and language is becoming increasingly valuable (from a career perspective), and thus experiences like this need to be cherished. China is a leading economic, technological, and political influence, resounding as a system of self-improvement and success, distinct from any other country – to gain knowledge of the culture which helped build our modern world provided me with vital insights. This programme enabled me to develop a relationship with China; to mix their ethic with a European ethos definitely made me more socially and academically aware, open minded, and able to network successfully.

The beautiful traditional tea plantations

Typical Chinese buildings in the middle of bustling Shanghai

I know that I can take many things away from this incredible experience; a limited knowledge of tai-chi and wushu, some sort of proficiency with Mandarin (which is unbelievably hard) and introductions to various Chinese business and educational leaders. But mainly, and most importantly, I now have memories and friends which are to be cherished. Yes, this trip was a ‘study’ trip but education is varied, always enjoyable, and constant. The skills learnt simply by throwing myself into a new culture with people I’d never met before gave me transferable skills –thus when jumping on a train and going to Shanghai, when trying tongue and all manner of unusual food, whilst haggling with dear Chinese sellers, and somehow becoming resourceful when stuck in a train station overnight I believed I was constantly learning.

Suddenly I have a Study China family - this family is varied and dysfunctional, and we all came away from China with different favourite memories, but we also all came away with a better appreciation for a culture so different from our own and a sense of gratitude in regard to the opportunities which we would never have had without the aid of the programme.

Naturally I would encourage anyone and everyone to apply for this programme, especially as so much of our modern world is based upon the constant developments of China. Make the most of your Easter, do something ridiculous, because I promise you, you will NEVER look back in regret!

Apply to Study China - http://www.studychina.org.uk/pages.php?id=1 – or rather, just anything you have the opportunity to do!

Florence 

Winding down with Parade

And so, amidst mounting coursework deadlines, swathes of end-of-term socials and a great deal of fatigue, tinged with a sense of excitement for the holidays, it’s finally arrived – it’s time for Parade, 2013’s Performing Arts show in the Nuffield Theatre! Check out our trailer!:

It seems a long time ago that I stood in an audition room in October, trembling and doing my utmost to stay in something vaguely resembling a tune – and that was before I was asked to move my arms and legs in time with a dance track which seemed blisteringly fast at the time! But five months of intensive rehearsals later, I’ve learned songs, dances and scenes aplenty – some parts better than others (I have two left feet!) maybe, but hopefully they’re all there!

And after spending many hours of practice in rehearsal rooms, corridors and lecture theatres (and in my case, the shower– for which I’m very sorry, housemates!), I’m confident that we’ve got a production to be proud of, having made some great new friendships and formed lifelong memories amongst SUSU’S Showstoppers (musical theatre) society along the way.

The show’s large cast, band, crew and production team are on the home straight, and we’re looking forward to showing you all what we’ve managed to achieve – hopefully something remarkable!

Parade is a show of epic proportions, as you’d probably expect with a cast of 36! Based on an astonishing true story, it revolves around the eponymous annual parade which takes place to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day in 1913 Atlanta, Georgia, commemorating the defeat of the Confederate States of America in battle.

But when a tragic murder occurs at a local factory, resulting post-war xenophobia leads citizens to accuse outsider Leo Frank (the brilliant Freddy Bowen), working there on the day of the crime. In a catastrophic whirlwind of events, Leo soon finds himself fighting to clear his name against an amassing tidal wave of suspicion, hysteria and false testimony. All the while, he is attempting to reconcile his ailing marriage with his supportive but doubting wife, Lucille (the show-stealing Emma Bryant), possibly the only person capable of saving him from a terrible and unjust fate.

It’s a show which certainly packs a punch emotionally – by the end of our first rehearsal, the traditional show read-through, plenty of us were in tears! But Parade also features some fantastic musical variety, celebrations, dance numbers and a healthy degree of humour, lending it a great deal of appeal to audiences of all ages. It should be one heck of a show, and it’s a privilege to be a part of.


The read-through emphatically demonstrated the magnitude of the cast – and the show! Photo credit: @JoeHart

 And to top everything off, it’s a once-in-a-University-career chance to perform in the Nuffield Theatre, a magnificent stage on which to harness the poignancy of Jason Robert Brown’s evocative music and beautiful lyrics. After seeing a number of excellent shows there, I can’t wait to see the professional theatre from a performer’s perspective – it’ll certainly be a far cry from the rehearsal rooms, that’s for sure!

As I play a member of the ensemble, I get to feature in roles such as a reporter, a prison guard, a businessman and the foreman of a jury all in the space of one show – talk about an identity crisis! But it’s all part of the fun of contributing to a story which is a culmination of a huge number of actors’ and actresses’ backstories, characters and efforts. It allows the majority of us to remain involved with songs interspersed throughout the entire show, be they anthems, protests or even ballroom dances (during which I spend most of my time trying not to step on my partner’s feet!).

So with evening rehearsals now on a daily basis, the onus falls on the cast to wind down to Easter by doing our best to promote (with show-based clothing on the way and flyers already being handed out around the Students’ Union) and practice for the show, while also making sure that none of the above interferes with what we’re here for: our degree programmes. It’s not an uncommon occurrence to spy a book being perused, a paragraph being referenced or an essay typed up in between costume changes backstage as deadlines are met and pieces of work polished, sometimes by hook or by crook!

But this is typical of the graft that the student body perpetually displays at university, with many people juggling time-consuming commitments with challenging academic demands, somehow making sure that, one way or another, their efforts towards both achieve outstanding results. It’s not always easy to do, and there may be the occasional late night work session or early morning visit to the library in there, but as always, excellence abounds on campus.

So while most of the student body are counting down the days and plotting their holiday exploits and looking forward to a well-deserved rest (and maybe a spot of revision too!), I feel that, with life busier than ever, it’s time to knuckle down; hopefully, by the end of the term, I’ll have produced solid coursework and played my part in a tremendous show, taking great pride in both.

No chances of winding down the term for me, then!

SUSU Showstopper’s “Parade” runs every night at the Nuffield Theatre, Highfield Campus, between Wednesday 13th and Saturday 16th March, with all performances beginning at 7.30pm; there is also an additional matinée performance at 2.30pm on Saturday 16h March. Tickets are £16 for Adults, £10 for Students and Concessions, and £9 for Performing Arts Members, and can be purchased via the Nuffield Theatre Box Office or online at www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Robin

The Prime Minister’s visit to India

During an otherwise calm and chilly February, suddenly the newspapers and news channels were abuzz with news of David Cameron's visit to India along with his entire trade delegation. The news was in itself interesting enough to garner my attention for three prime reasons.

I was in Mumbai during Cameron’s last visit to India in 2010 and followed him closely on the news and print media. I found him quite good to listen to, a person with vision and intent, who looked enterprising in his approach. I didn't know at that time that I would get an opportunity to study in the UK and be at the receiving end of his policies and vision.

Secondly, having now spent more than a year as a UK resident and student, I seem to speak with a sense of authority about life in the UK - at least where my relatives and friends are concerned.

The third and most important reason behind my interest in the PM's visit was a member of his entourage: none other than the Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton, Don Nutbeam. I have been following his blog about his visits to various nations as part of the PM led delegation – Malaysia and Pakistan to name two. His views on the educational system of a country and the country as a whole have been very interesting reads. Now, I wanted to know what he felt about India and Indian educational system.

The visit was quite promising. The promises made by Cameron - to look into relaxing the visa norms for Indian students, removal of a cap on the number of students coming to the UK, removal of a limit on their duration of stay - found a lot of favour. The UK has always been a prime destination for any student looking to go abroad for his or her studies. I can relate from my own experience that apart from the visa process (which was quite frustrating), my entry, stay and education in the University has been very smooth. I must thank the International Office and Student’s Union which form the backbone of the whole set up in the University, which welcomes an International Student.

There are thousands of Indian students hoping to benefit from a British degree. I hope their voices are heard, that the Prime Minister's promises are kept, and - as the Vice-Chancellor has said in his blog - that the rules are made favourable and welcoming for Indian students.

Rohit

Wonderful women at Southampton

Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. The event, which began in the early 1900’s, celebrates the achievements of women across the globe, and sets about motivating those who need a little inspiration through conferences, discussions, debates and even theatrical performances.

The University of Southampton is a microcosm, with a fantastic population of female students: according to UCAS, 53% of Undergraduate students are female, and let’s not forget Postgraduates, staff and alumni! We’ve got some impressive achievements under our belt too. In October 2012, Kate Sloyan, an EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellow in the Optoelectronics Research Centre, was named as the Very Early Career Woman Physicist of the Year by the Institute of Physics. This February, Professor Dame Wendy Hall (Dean of Physical and Applied Sciences) and Dame Helen Alexander (University Chancellor) were named on the ‘Power List’ on BBC Women’s Hour. Pretty impressive!

But it’s not all about the big awards. As someone who grew up in a family dominated by women, and who went to an all Girl’s Grammar School, I’ve always been aware of women’s achievements and, fortunately, have never really been subject to any noticeable sexism. Throughout my time here at Southampton I have been surrounded by fantastic females, and I really have noticed the opportunities and achievements of my friends and peers.

There are those whose brains are their asset, achieving stunning grades and working hard; those who are the best friends I could ask for, who are there for me, and who make life that much better; there are those who will not stop campaigning for what they believe in, and those who will put the effort into creating something fantastic. These women will all go on to be wonderful businesswomen, friends, mothers and leaders.

This year, I’ve been part of the Wessex Scene team and am one of many women who work for the magazine. In fact, our Editor Ellie Sellwood and Head of Design Bronwen Rees are two very talented women who have worked hard to head up the magazine this year – and who will no doubt go on to do great things in their field. As an all-female group of leaders, this is something we noticed – and celebrated – in relation to International Women’s Day. Not to mention the other women running societies, media groups and teams! There were even plenty of female candidates in the recent SUSU Elections!

Anyway, moving back onto the topic of International Women’s Day. SUSU and the University of Southampton held a variety of events spanning a whole week. There was ‘An Evening of Women’s Bits’ earlier in the week, and a ‘Women Shaping Society’ evening on March 8th. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go to the event on March 8th, but I did go along to the ‘Evening of Women’s Bits on Monday 4th March, which proved to be a huge success. Extra chairs had to be used, and each performance was met with great applause. We were even served Women’s Cocktails, including a Pankhurst Punch and a Suffragette Sunrise which were delicious! The performances varied from monologues to musical covers and even original songs. Some of the pieces were written by students, which just showcased the talent at the University. The evening was brilliant and hopefully raised plenty of money for Southampton’s Women’s Aid.

The team involved in ‘An Evening of Women’s Bits’ at the end of their fantastic show

Since I’ve never been involved in celebrations for International Women’s Day before, this year has really made me think about all of the fantastic women in my life: my Mum and Sister, family members, friends, colleagues, peers and other members of the University. I hope never to have to worry about discrimination – but I know others who have, and that’s still unnerving.

So thank you to those who have fought for women, for our rights to study at University, for our equality – and for giving the incredible women who surround me the ability to really achieve their potential.

Joanne

Saving lives

So you want to do a good deed - but deadlines are looming, it’s Mother’s day and you still haven’t got a card, and you have to catch up on all the reading you missed out on whilst the SUSU elections consumed your life... fret not. Save your conscience with one of the simplest and best good deeds there is.

Register for organ donation.

When that (hopefully distant) day comes, do we want someone else to have our organs? If you do, tell the official organ donation register. 

Why register?

Three people die every day waiting for an organ transplant. Your organs and tissues won't only save lives, they can allow people to see again, not have to go to hospital every day, to live a far happier life. Surely we all want something wonderfully positive to come out of our death – what is more positive than another’s life!

I'm a member of Southampton Hub, which has teamed up with the Southampton Organ Donation awareness society to run an Organ Donor Drive!

University of Southampton students love to get involved with great causes. I have had first-hand experience of this and I know that our student body is a caring one. However, I also know that the end of term is drawing in. It's a ridiculously busy time, which is why this cause is so wonderful – it takes minimum effort.

96% of people agree that organ donation is a good thing, but only 30% of people actually sign up. To try and change this we will be out on the redbrick with computers and iPads and a lot of enthusiasm asking you to do a good deed, to save a life, and to sign up to be an organ donor.

The NHS Organ Donor Register have started a hashtag #ThankYourForLife. We will be asking you all why you are thankful for life, because at the end of our busy days it is easy to forget.

I am thankful for a full life with amazing family and friends, I have an exciting future and a wonderful past and I honestly couldn’t be luckier! I know that I want my organs given to as many people as possible after my death because life is precious. If I was dying I’d accept a donation and if my sisters were ill I would pray for an organ donation. I encourage you wholeheartedly to sign up. You have the potential to save several lives and it really doesn’t cost any effort at all.

If you can’t wait to see us out on campus you can sign up now - http://www.studenthubs.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main/organdonation

#ThankYouForLife

Florence

Closing semester one

We recently saw the culmination of weeks of tension, anticipation and, in some cases, trepidation, as the student body awaited the release of their semester one results. With results day, particularly at University, you’re never quite sure which way certain course modules and assignments will have swung, and it can certainly be full of surprises - all things being well, happy ones!

Personally I’m never sure what to think going into results days. I know I’ve a decent track record with them – I’m here, after all! – but as courses get more dense and common, and the knowledge required is substantially deeper, it’s getting harder and harder to know just how well I’ve done.

So rather than fret away the hours approaching the imminent release of scores that, at the end of the day, I have no control over at that stage anyhow, I’ve always tried to keep busy before the day. Previously it’s been holidays or part-time work, but it’s a relatively simple feat to accomplish when you’re at an inspiring place like the University of Southampton and so many opportunities (some might call them “distractions”!) are on offer.

Towards the end of the month I was fortunate enough to go on a trip with the Students’ Union’s Theatre Group to Shakespeare’s Globe, the legendary theatre whose name probably resounds with any literature student. Although it required a fairly early wake-up call (bearing in mind that any time before midday is largely alien to me!) a couple of hot chocolates got my brain in gear. We took a coach to London, with a certain nostalgic aura of a school trip about us – excitement was in the air!

Despite a couple of unfortunate delays, we arrived in time to be greeted by an incredibly enthusiastic and inspiring veteran of the Globe’s stage, Colin Hurley, whose credits include Twelfth Night’s Sir Toby Belch in 2012 and All’s Well That Ends Well’s Lavatch in 2011 amongst many others, as well as numerous appearances on TV and domestic and international tours. Not a bad guide at all!

Colin took us inside the magnificent structure of the Globe, explaining its cultural significance and role in the seventeenth century, before taking us backstage to discuss the procedure and intricacies of costuming and performance preparation. The first-hand details he provided were fascinating, revealing just how much work goes into a successful production. And that was before he invited us to do something we can but dream to replicate one day: emerge from the central doors onto the monumental stage, and actually do some acting and projection work as well! It was unforgettable.


Getting on stage at Shakespeare’s Globe was an awesome experience! Photo credit: @SUSUtheatre/@tlsearle

We were treated to a discussion of acting technique, in particular how to fill such a vast arena with both voice and stage presence, and also how to grip the audience’s attention and maintain performer-audience engagement throughout a monologue. During this time I was, ironically, twice caught out looking around in fascination, despite being amongst a fairly large crowd!

We also took part in a great workshop on experimenting with these practices and finding meaning in Shakespeare’s words, which even Colin admitted to often being intimidated by, before we finished off the day with a relaxed drink – at The Shakespeare¸ of course! It was a memorable day out and a fantastic distraction from a week which could have otherwise been stressful and full of worry; I’d like to thank Colin, everyone at the Globe and all the Theatre Group organisers for letting me be a part of it.

And, come results day, when I awoke to an email listing my module scores, I had some which surprised me, others which didn’t, but overall a very happy result: a First. Justification if any was needed for a night of celebration to finally close semester one in style, and to look forward to the challenges that semester two should bring.

Because that’s the way with life around here: nothing ever seems to stand still (I’ve never been able to establish any kind of routine!), fresh experiences are constantly on the horizon and there’s always something else around the corner keeping you on the move.

So regardless of what happens, I wish you all the very best for your own results, whether you’ve received them already (hope they what you were looking for!) or are yet to have done so (good luck for when you do!), I think it’s great to remember the future is ours to change.

As Shakespeare himself might say, “All the world’s a stage” – so break a leg, everybody!

Robin