Epigram 343 - The Croft

Wellbeing Interview tips to ease your worries | p.7

Food Balloon Bar’s new menu gets a taste test | p.11

Style Thanksgiving letter to a plus size brand | p.16

Travel Students write from their years abroad | p.19-22

the croft

Russian Roulette

Recipes, cocktails, and study experiences from Russia with love

the croft issue 4 | november 11 2019

Editor Daisy Farrow Deputy Editor Hendrike Rahtz Digital Editor Emma Holding

the croft editor’s no tes

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he past few weeks have been a bit of a wild ride for me.

Rather than settling in to the new term, attending lectures, workshopping in seminars, and completing assignments, I’ve spent the past month in and out of hospital. Thankfully, not because of anything serious. But it has meant that I’ve missed every single lecture and seminar since the start of term. A great way to kick off my third year, right?

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And whilst this has obviously been a massive cause of stress and exasperation, there has been one thing which has allowed me to retain a hold on what little sanity I have left… knitting. Yes, you read that correctly.

For the past month I have been slowly (and I really do mean slowly) knitting my way into making a scarf. Or rather, the beginnings of a scarf. The first fifth of a scarf.

You see, hospitals can be a scary, confusing, and extremely loud place.

It’s very hard to find a moment of peace when you’re on a ward with three other people. And whilst 50-year-old Gwen in the bed next to me spent the days coughing up a lung, and 70-year-old Olive opposite me swore at the nurses throughout the night, and even when Brooke the chain smoker would loudly declare to us all every 15 minutes that she was going for a fag, I was able to drown it all out by immersing myself in my knitting. Not only was it the most cathartic and soothing thing I could do; it also made me feel somewhat active, at a time where I otherwise spent all day lying in a hospital bed unable to walk very far.

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My knitting gave me a sense of escapism. It was calming, therapeutic, and most of all, fun. I didn’t care about the jokes I got from my family and even the nurses, who said I was fitting in with the other geriatric patients.

The sense of achievement I got every time I completed a row without dropping a stitch made it all worthwhile. Forget your stress balls and fidget spinners, knitting is a cheaper and more productive hobby which provides the same sense of relaxation and distraction as any other dumb piece of plastic with flashing lights and twirling pieces.

So whether you’re in hospital or just need a break from uni stresses, unleash your inner grandma, and discover the world of knitting.

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Bank cards- The Croft gives some top tips for learning how to budget on pg. 5

D aisy Farrow The Croft Editor

Sydney- Discover what it was like to study ‘down under’ with Travel on pg.20

Dear

consult

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‘Pube Party’

I was at a party this one time and spotted a good looking guy in the room. We started talking to each other and things got a bit hot. Once it got a little frisky we made our way to the toilets for some alone time (hot, I know). I don’t need to tell you what happened in there, because when I left and rejoined my group of friends, one of them turned to me and asked ‘why do you have a pube in between your teeth?’ It was so traumatic and so mortifying that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Every night for the next month I would wake up in a cold sweat thinking there was still a pube in between my teeth. Phantom pube is a real thing, and it’s terrifying.

thecroft...

My ex and my best friend are sleeping together. They’ve been trying to hide it but it’s so obvious to everyone in our group. What do I do? I’m not sure if I should confront them but having no explanation or closure on the issue is driving me crazy.

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Epigram/ Daisy Farrow

The fact that your friend is doing this, let alone hiding it from you, is a red flag. Until you confront the situation, it is going to keep driving you crazy and you don’t need that. I would choose to speak to your friend, rather than your ex, because they are the one who has the most loyalties to you now and should give you the best explanation. It doesn’t have to be confrontational as such, but just let them know that you are aware of the situation, and you think you deserve an explanation (which you do). Make sure you think clearly about what you want to express before you have the conversation, so you can keep it controlled and to the point, without letting it escalate into something more. You deserve an explanation, so go get one!

I didn’t really make any course mates in first year, I have mates in my house and with societies and stuff but always sit on my own in lectures and seminars. It makes me feel really lonely and stupid.

‘The Wrong Room’

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In first year I went on a night out to a shitty Triangle club with my new flatmates. We were all really drunk - especially me, which became obvious when I lost all my flatmates.

While stumbling around trying to find them, I got talking to a boy. Giving up on finding my flatmates, I invited him home instead. We got back to mine and, well, you know! He went out to pee and didn’t come back... then I heard a high-pitched scream come from down the corridor. He’d gone into the wrong bedroom, still hadn’t noticed, and got into bed with my sleeping flatmate! He ran out and panicked and didn’t want to make the same mistake again so when I came out of my room to see what was going on he was just standing there, in his boxers, looking extremely panicked. We laughed it off but he left soon after... I still don’t remember his name!

Sitting by yourself can be tough, and it can feel like everyone on your course has already made friends and that there is no space for you. But in reality there are so many people who want better course friends! Admittedly, lectures are not a sociable environment.

However, seminar groups are usually much more intimate and easier to speak to others.

If you get there a little early, or spend a little longer packing up, then you might get the opportunity to spark a conversation with someone else on your course. After the initial hi, approaching them will be a lot easier. It is great to have course mates who go through the same pressures as you, so it is worth the first kinda awkward introductoy chat.

Love, your Editors x

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Have a story to submit to Bristol in Bed? Or a burning question for Consult the Croft? We are taking submissions by anonymous Google Forms, available on The Croft’s Facebook Writers’ Group.

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Dating me, myself, and I

Mary Hollamby tells us why she took herself on a date the other day, and why we should all be doing it more often

Epigram / Rosa S tev

Perhaps the constant distractions leave us inherently uncomfortable in our own company; something which we have to try and remedy

en s

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Epigram / Rosa Stevens

emotional cry for help way). Even whilst sleeping or walking down the road I have to have music on.

Perhaps the constant distractions and busyness of our lives leave us inherently uncomfortable in our own company; something which we have to try and remedy.

The whole reason for writing this piece was my recently widowed Grammy (Nan, Grandma, you get me).

She’d booked her first solo holiday - despite my whole family’s concerns - because she felt it would be the first time she could relax, only having to worry about herself. It made me realise how empowering unaccompanied adventures can be and how much I avoided them.

With my Grammy’s ‘f*ck it and do it’ attitude

in mind, this weekend I made the brave decision to go to an art installation at the Redcliffe caves, a 15-minute journey away from my house.

Alone. Please hold your gasps. In short, an artist had taken over the normally closed caves and put hundreds of little lights within the dark rocks, accompanied by the sounds and voices of 130 women of Bristol aged 8-80. This was a tribute to the voices of women who had been silenced, 100 years after UK women were allowed to vote.

If I’m being honest, I got much more out of the experience than I would have if I went with others. I was able to spend as much time as I wanted to take in the atmosphere, and could immerse myself in my own thoughts about the exhibition, without worrying about whether others were okay.

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With my Grammy’s ‘f *ck it and do it’ attitude in mind [...] it made me realise how empowering unaccompanied adventures could be

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think another reason for our resistance is that we’re uncomfortable in our own company. I’ve recently realised I constantly avoid being fully alone with my thoughts (I mean that in a non-

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hy do we have a fear of going to things in public on our own?

I don’t mean life’s mundane activities like grocery shopping or going to the library; I’m talking about going to the movies or eating at your favourite restaurant. Sometimes experiences are more fun to share with your friends, but how many friends do you need to look at some art or watch a film? Surely in such an individualist society which champions independence, we should feel comfortable stepping out of our comfort zone and doing things because we enjoy them, regardless of whether our friends can make it or not.

I think the main reason we’re so afraid of going it alone is a fear of other’s negative evaluation. I mean heaven forbid you were seen having lunch alone for your own enjoyment, and not because you’re doing important uni work. Because let’s face it, we can all admit that there’s some weird social stigma about ‘going it alone’.

The cultural norm is to attend public activities or events within the safety of our ‘in-group’, so this naturally makes it harder to motivate ourselves to step out of this comfort zone. But if we’re all being honest, I don’t think anyone would truly judge you for going to an event alone. I know I’m more likely to admire a person for not giving a shit rather than assuming they were an unlikeable loner.

But I also

Ultimately, we should look at solo activities as an act of self-love, by proving to ourselves that we are worth spending time with, without need for validation from others. At the end of the day you could miss out on something valuable for the sake of irrational fears.

If you are interested in illustration, photography, videography, poetry or any other art form - then join our Facebook page Epigram Creatives to get it published in print or online.

Top tips: Budgeting

Leah Martindale shares some tips on making that loan last

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niversity is lauded as one of the best times of your life, which it can be, but the reality is that it is also one of the most expensive. For many students their loan doesn’t even cover rent, but even for those like me whose household income afforded them the very best Student Finance has to offer, living in Bristol can be extortionately expensive. As I enter my fourth year, I’d like to think I’ve picked up some hints and tips on the way to not break the bank.

Epigram /Emma Holding

Separate accounts It is so much harder to spend money waywardly when you have to actively go out of your way to access it. Whether it’s the student favourite Monzo or a classic savings account, I would always recommend this. Having a savings account has been my ‘saving grace’, as every time I have to move some cash across to splurge on something ridiculous I feel a twinge of guilt for former me’s efforts.

Save when you get it It is always easier to save money when you just got it. Set up a direct debit for yourself from your main account to your savings for the day your student loan comes in, and you’ll hardly notice the sting of losing a little. Take a leaf out of taxes’ book.

Check your bank balance This may seem ridiculously obvious, but the fear of not knowing can hide many sins. Checking your bank account daily can be painful, but it also keeps you realistic, and informed spending choices will always be better than guesswork.

Use cash When I first got my contactless card, spending felt like nothing. One simple beep and I’m on my way! Taking out a cash allowance for the day will make you identify your spending choices, and you’ll find yourself making far less frivolous choices when you have the money tangibly there in your hands.

Get a job I know, I know, I sound like your mum. But if you want to be able to spend money without worrying about where it’s going, and you have some spare time, getting a job is my best piece of advice.

Working throughout my undergrad meant that I could afford to be silly and frivolous and spontaneous, because my saving efforts and my paydays meant I had a little extra on the side, and knowing I’d earned it meant I had no shame in spending it on whatever I liked.

How to: the work/life balance

Lily Sheridan Power uncovers her secrets for maintaining a healthy, happy and stable work/life

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t seems ironic that I am writing about how to maintain a good work/life balance at university. I am guilty of submitting an essay ten minutes before it is due, bailing on a lecture because I went out the night before, attending a seminar without a single clue what the reading was on. I can assure you, so has every other student.

Trying to juggle university work, parttime employment, relationships, social life and time for yourself can be a struggle, and, often, an overwhelming task. It takes organisation, planning and a lot of late-night study sessions.

But: it can be done. Something everyone should remember, and repeatedly fails to, is that it is really hard to stay on top of everything all the time. So if you feel like you are sinking remind yourself to take breaks, ring home, talk to your friends, your tutor, and reward yourself with a day off (a secret they don’t want you to know, but: sometimes taking time off actually makes things better).

Time management It sounds obvious, but time management is truly crucial as a student. If you have looming deadlines, it is probably for the best you don’t hit Lakota with your pals. Planning your time effectively will save you getting stressed later. How I do this is by making lists of everything I need to do this week, outlining day by day what is due when and then I work my social life around it. Dividing the list of tasks into days helps give you a clearer idea of how busy you’re going to be.

Procrastination Most, if not all, students are culpable of it. As someone who has spent endless hours procrastinating, the best advice I can offer is to do the task you want to do least, first.

If you have that out of the way it is easier to focus on the rest of your work.

Minimising distractions is also a huge help; you can use apps such as Forest or StudyBreak, to encourage you to ignore your notifications.

Your working environment Choosing the right environment for studying is vital to making sure that the time you spend doing work is as productive as possible. I have tried countless times to convince myself I work efficiently in my bed, yet every single time, I unwittingly end up watching Netflix for two hours and then napping for another three.

Try out different study spaces such as the library, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, a café. Anywhere but your bedroom.

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Wellbeing

Editor Bethany Harris Deputy Editor Rosie Angel-Clark Digital Editor Diana Toma

Social media: friend or foe?

Claudia Dupé evaluates the impact of social media on mental health

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e need to talk about our affair with social media was overdue. unhealthy relationship My findings did not fail to shock me with social media. If with the disappointing sting of truth, you’re anything like me, you have an but nonetheless, here they are exposed addiction to address and a serious with a dash of shame: need for a social media cleanse.

Our generation is reliant on social media in many aspects of life. Despite Facebook perhaps not having the same meaning for us as it did ten years ago, we can’t deny its prevalence in student culture.

From connecting us to our friends and work peers in group chats, to advertising events, it keeps us in the loop. Twitter and Instagram are platforms which are often outlets for creativity and expression, as well as sources of inspiration and even a means to stay politically informed.

But amidst all this is a crisis in which our mental health is at risk. By living Staring in disbelief at the statistics, through our phones, our sense of one thing became blatantly obvious: reality and personal identity become I am an Instagram fiend. I love warped as we become accustomed to Instagram... but I also hate it. some of social media’s toxic traits.

In just one week I had opened-up Studies have shown that social Instagram 135 times and devoted four media has a negative impact on hours and 37 minutes of my precious our mental health and the list is time to the app. 135 times I had exposed extensive: anxiety, lack of focus, myself to Instagram’s relentless lower sleep quality, loneliness, bombardment of advertisements and isolation, fear of missing out, low posts which instill in us unrealistic self-esteem, lower self-satisfaction expectations - often promoted by and depression. Social media can also idolised ‘influencers’. impact our wellbeing as students Through a veil of filters and photoby distracting us from the more editing, the site’s content is often important aspects of our busy lives. warped; resulting in a digital façade Head in phones, absorbed: which we let ourselves buy into. A we become disengaged pressure to be ‘picture perfect’ and withdrawn from and a compulsive urge the real world. Many for instant gratification of us already feel through likes/ spread too thin comments/followers is in the millennial a superficial way to seek age, without the validation and measure draining and our worth. controlling force of Although we may feel k tee social media which somewhat triumphant in Unsplash / Pra pushes our thumbs to pickcondensing memories into up our phones and mindlessly an ‘Insta-worthy’ post, Instagram is scroll through our feeds. often a cause of problems surrounding After doing some research I decided our self-image, such as its tendency that a bit of healthy self-analysis of my to increase our insecurities as we

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compare ourselves to others.

After considering all this, I decided to take control of my dependency and take a five-day detox. Here are the results:

By restricting my social media use to messaging purposes only, my screen time had dropped by 58 per cent.

Admittedly, it took a while to stop automatically picking up my phone to open up Instagram or Facebook, but after a day or so I began to break the habit and guess what? I didn’t miss it.

Sorry Instagram, it’s not me, it’s you.

If you feel like you also need to take a step back from social media or at least part of it, here are some rules to follow: Tip: Be self-critical in order to assess your situation with social media.

1) As Dua Lipa said: Don’t pick up the phone. Use your

will power and resist the urge. Turn off push notifications and use app restrictions to set daily usage limits to help.

2) Stop refreshing your feeds. Chances are, nothing major has happened in the last five minutes.

3) Cut the crap and unfollow/unsubscribe. Unless

the content is inspiring, motivating or entertaining then it can probably go. Those sources of Facebook/Insta envy are not doing your self-esteem any favours.

4) Have a social media hiatus. Sometimes you Just. Need.

A. Break.

5) Be present. Practicing mindfulness will help you refocus on the important things.

Top tips to reduce interview stress Laura Aish reveals the best ways to combat pre-interview nerves

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eeling nervous and stressed ahead of an interview, work placement or internship? Don’t panic, we’ve got you. Here’s some tips and ideas to feel less nervous ahead of starting something new. Let’s

2. Being there

Unsplash / STIL

You’re in. You’re there. You’re ready. I recommend thinking about taking in some notes with you – perhaps some of the ideas outlined earlier – so that you have something to draw do this! upon if you run out of things to say. Also, take your time.

If you’re in an interview, don’t rush through it just to get it 1. Preparation over with. If you’re new to a workplace, don’t worry about You’ve secured that awesome interview or exciting new not knowing everything on day one – ask questions, opportunity and you want to make a good first take notes and you will learn what you need to impression. Some ways that I’ve found really over time. helpful are knowing about the company If you lose your place or forget what and doing research ahead of time on their you’re saying during an interview, take website. Have a look at the ‘about’ page a moment to gather your thoughts and read what is important to them – and start over. Drink some water if think about how your values align with there is any available. Breathe. Just theirs and what you could bring to remember that the interviewer is their team. only human – they’ve most likely This will give you useful material to been in the same position as you discuss during your interview and with at some point. And when starting a new colleagues. It will also show that you new internship or work placement, Un sp took the time to research their company and remember that everyone else had a first hy las ap h/ that you genuinely care about the job you are day there once and they most likely felt Cytonn Photogr applying for or doing. nervous then too.

If you want to go even further, consider preparing some It’s often a good idea to think of some questions to ideas that you could potentially implement if you got the ask the interviewer at the end. This signals that you’re job. For example, if you were applying for a social media interested in the role and that you care about the position position, you could think about how you would enhance you’re applying for and want to learn more about it or the their posts to fit their audience better or what strategies company – but you will also be prepared in case they ask you’d consider to expand the company’s reach. This might you. also help you to stand out and seem innovative.

Arrive in good time! Desperately trying to catch a late running bus or dramatically searching through a labyrinth of corridors whilst attempting to find the right room at the last minute is going to significantly make everything way more stressful.

Being an hour early is far better than being ten minutes late and you won’t rock up looking like a sweaty and dishevelled mess. It is also important to have a good night’s sleep before an interview or any new work placement as being tired will most likely make you feel more stressed.

Unsplash / You X Ventures

3. Afterwards

This is probably the most important part of the whole process. Going to a job interview, starting a new internship or work placement can be really stressful. And sometimes we don’t get the job that we wanted or the internship we were looking forward to is not what we expected.

Whatever the situation, take a moment to relax. Watch Netflix. Listen to music. Read a book. Talk to friends and talk to loved ones. Particularly talk to someone if things didn’t go the way you hoped.

Share the experiences of the day – both the good and the bad. Most importantly, be kind to yourself.

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The importance of taking time out

Epigram / Ellie Strahan

Ellie Strahan shares some stress-busting solutions to the pressures of uni life

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ith so much going on at uni all the time, whether it’s work, societies, events, sports or going out, it can be really easy to get swept up trying to do everything and forget to just chill. However, taking time for yourself is more important than you might think; without doing this, we can easily get wound up and stressed. It can become really difficult to perform at our best and get important stuff done efficiently when we’re already feeling overworked and tired. If this stress is left untreated, it can contribute to long-term mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

So, why do we find it so difficult to wind down sometimes?

Speaking to a few students from the University, one of the main reasons people brought up was a sense of guilt; feeling like you should be going out and socialising, or that you have a mountain of work to be doing instead and you’re somehow not making the most out of your time at uni if it’s not 100% productive. The best advice I can offer for these feelings is to try and schedule time to wind down as if it’s as important as work or socialising. Even if it’s as little as giving yourself half an hour every evening to relax in bed with a cup of tea, it can help enormously.

It’s also important to remember that you deserve to have time for yourself. Scheduling in these activities can really help to boost not only a sense of wellbeing but also your overall self-esteem, as you’re making an effort to recognise that you’re allowed to have this time. It makes day-to-day tasks seem far more manageable and gives you more ability to tackle them with the energy required.

With this in mind, I spoke with students about how they like to wind down after a long day, in the hope of sharing some thoughts with you!

Here are a few ideas we came up with:

Go for a walk, alone. Walking is well proven to improve your sense of wellbeing and is a really good way to be active without it being too energy draining.

Practice mindfulness. Free meditation apps such as Headspace and Calm were particular favourites for this, and it only has to take up five to ten minutes of your day if you want it to.

Lie back in bed and listen to music. Setting time aside to allow yourself to enjoy your favourite music can be relaxing and enjoyable.

Practice a hobby! This can be anything you like, from making some art to playing video games. One person said that they love to practise with makeup in their spare time, as it was a really nice creative outlet for them.

Watch some YouTube videos. This was actually mentioned a lot and was noted as a really nice way of escaping from all the stresses of uni for an hour or so, as long as you’re watching videos you genuinely enjoy.

Join a low-stress society. Groups such as BreakAway Bristol or even the Cat Society are really nice ways to wind down and meet people without feeling that you’re not being productive.

So, make sure that you start to try and find some time for yourself. Schedule it in and do something you really enjoy or that helps you to wind down. Whilst it can feel really difficult to make this time at first, the benefits of making the effort are enormous, and it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll instantly begin to feel more fulfilled and at ease with the day-to-day stresses of uni life.

Sober October: a ‘drastic reassessment’ of uni drinking culture Leah Martindale provides an insight into her month without alcohol

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Paul Hanaoka

‘Not drunk, I just look like this’ - Leah Martindale

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been relying too much on, to be frank, absolute spangled nonsense. Arriving at events and being hounded to recite embarrassing stories I didn’t realise I’d shared was a sobering realisation - pun intended.

Networking at a BBC event r e c e n t l y reminded me how easily co nv e rs a t i o n can come to me, and in some ways I am saddened la by the truly tragic sp n U impressions some people must have of me.

Of course, I saved an inordinate amount of money. Even with a spike of the flu that caused an influx in my takeaway consumption, I have realised that I was spending much more than planned weekly. By no means will I be staying sober for good, but a drastic reassessment is needed of how readily I’ll splurge on momentary happiness and forget to save for the long term joy. I know, I know, I sound like a mum.

One thing I did not anticipate was the upward spiral on my mental health. Not being hungover, tired, and broke all the time will do wonders for your brain. Even at times when I felt anxious, or left out, the mental clarity afforded by sobriety has a calming longevity I hadn’t felt for an embarrassingly long while. Feeling lighter, sharper, and having a completely settled intestinal tract has sky-rocketed my dopamine intake like a month long getaway.

At the end of the day, university has a drinking culture that is unavoidable.

It is rife throughout media, film and television, and freshers’ folklore passed down through academic years. I am grateful for the reminder of just who I am without the all-too familiar alcoholic buzz, and I am looking forward to getting back on the lash with a newfound clarity, and probably shockingly lower tolerance. sh

effervescent, outgoing - aka messy - self.

With no crutch to fall back on in the early mingling stages of the event, I felt out of place, and out of sorts. By the end of the night, however, being driven back by my equally sober friend, I felt a sense of pride I could not quite pinpoint.

I could never be described as shy or retiring, unless in a hilarious joke I shouted ironically across a room full of affronted and newly deafened strangers, but even I need a little boost occasionally. Without my usual tipple to get the inhibitions loosened, I had to fall back on good old fashioned conversation and communication.

In the iconic words of Pamela Shipton, I can jabber with the best of them, but I have learned that I have

Epigram / Leah Martindale

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hen I decided to go ‘Sober for October’ it was a spur of the moment decision.

Inspired by the world’s vilest hangover - Epigram socials are no joke - I shakily created my Macmillan account, and waited for the good karma and liver stability to roll in.

Over time, I justified the decision with other reasonings: I would save money, be healthier, maybe even lose some weight.

It might clear my skin, and give me some energy back. Most importantly, I would hopefully contribute towards help for cancer patients to ensure no one had to suffer the grief I did as a child. The month has been a challenge in a number of ways. House parties, birthdays, socials, dates, and my friendship group’s weekly tradition of Wednesday Wine and Whine - very cathartic, would recommend to anyone… I was inundated with excuses to give up, sack it in, and go back on the wobbly and wide (what is the opposite of straight and narrow?).

My first party approaching, I felt a weight in my stomach. With my friend back from his year abroad, I felt a mounting pressure to be my usual

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Food

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Editor Virginia Campbell Deputy Editor Emma Bayley-Melendez

Keeping food in focus when university spills over!

Our Deputy Food Editor Emma gives tips on how to keep on top of food

tudent life is hard. If you’re not too busy worrying into storage boxes or ziplock bags. I tend to cook food two days about when you’ll next be going out then you’ll in advance, so I have more variation, but I have friends who probably be thinking about when you’ll next have bulk cook one meal and then eat that for the rest of the week. to pull an all nighter. In the midst of generPlanning to avoid stress is essential because all ma Bayley-M / Em al uni madness food can be put on the backburner. those lunches out will add up even if the cost ele m a nd igr ez When so much research has been done to show seems minimal.

Ep the impact that diet can have on your mental health it is so important to maintain some 3. Buy and cook food as a flat sort of healthy routine. Cooking for yourself doesn’t have to be complicated and I acIf you and your flatmates have similar tually find it really relaxing; add a banging food taste and you also want to save some playlist to the mix and it’s the perfect way money, then there’s nothing stopping you to unwind after a long day. Here are some from pooling money together and buying a tips for how to tackle those potential food food shop and cooking meals for each other. worries: This is especially useful if you find the mon1. Keep it simple ey adding up when you do sporadic shops. Buying a load of food in one go from Asda will be cheaper than As much as we all might want to see ourselves as the next just getting a few things here and there from Sainsbury’s or Gordan Ramsey or Nigella food doesn’t need to be overcomWaitrose. plicated. Now, I’m not promoting excessive consumption of beans on toast - although this classic definitely has a special place in my heart - but simplicity is key!

4. Have some essentials in stock My advice is to pick recipes that don’t require a tonne of ingredients, can be stored in the fridge or freezer without the quality decreasing and have a reasonable prep/cook time.

My ride or die food recipes will always be stir fry, chilli and curry. They don’t require lots of time to prepare or cook, they taste great and I can enjoy them throughout the week. Also, these sorts of simple dishes are so versatile whether you’re a meat eater, vegetarian or vegan you can always mix things up by alternating some of the core ingredients. Cookbooks like So Vegan In 5 and The Hairy Dieters Go Veggie are great starting points for low maintenance dishes.

The biggest problem you can face at university is being perpetually busy with tasks that eat into your time. The best way to avoid the panic you may encounter when you realise your bank can no longer sustain lunches out at Pret is to cook food in advance and plan your meals before your week begins.

This doesn’t need to be a big deal; all you may want to do is plan a couple of meals to cook and then divide portions up

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Things like pre-cooked tortellini that just take 3-5 minutes to cook, soup or precooked meats/vegetarian/vegan alternatives can be super useful if you just want to throw a few things together but don’t necessarily have lots of time to do the cooking.

Hopefully these tips will help you when you’re in or a rush or when you just want to organise this area of your uni life!

Epigram / Emma Bayley-Melendez

2. Plan in advance

Sometimes you will just have some really busy weeks where you just can’t find the time to prep in advance and that’s ok, it happens to the best of us, but if you find yourself in this sort of situation make sure you always have some cupboard or fridge essentials that you can always go to if you are run off your feet.

Up, up and away! Positive new direction for Balloon Bar’s menu Theresa Awolesi and Emma Kaufman delve into the new campus menu

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he SU has a new delicious menu for the Balloon Bar and all University halls and boy is it a revamp! They have taken feedback from students to devise a new and exciting culinary experience. Speaking to Matt, the newly promoted head chef of catering for the University, allowed us to understand the thought processes that led to the change. The students wanted exciting, tasty, varied and inclusive food, and we believe that’s exactly what they got.

This alternai s

A step in the right direction year the Balloon Bar and University halls are striving to provide as much food inclusion as possible. Vegan tives for cheese, milk, meat and yogurt are available, all the chicken served at the University halal, with moves to get halal beef in soon. Gluten free options are just an ask away. We particularly loved how the veggie options mirror the meat options and aren’t just one giant mushroom like a lot of other places, but more interesting options like pulled jackfruit and scrambled tofu!

Not only is the food more inclusive, it is ‘green’ too. Matt told us about their efforts to use leftovers in the next day’s salad bar as well as being plastic free when sourcing produce from local suppliers, and re-using boxes and crates whenever possible.

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Students wanted exciting, tasty, varied and inclusive food, and we believe that’s exactly what they got

“

The real deal Ep

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We were served up a tantalising taster platter of ‘Spicy rice sa Awolesi salad’, cheesy chips, winter vegetable soup with ciabatta bread, turkey and cashew salad, berry compote with yogurt and granola, buttermilk fried chicken burger and a freshly baked thin-crust pizza.

All these items have been newly added to the menu. Everything was drool worthy but there were three major stand outs for us.

Ep igra m/Th ere

Firstly, the granola was to die for. It was so good we could have happily eaten it every day for the rest of our lives; especially when accompanied with the compote and yoghurt.

Next on the menu, those cheesy chips. It wasn’t just cheese, it was SU cheese that was melted and seasoned into a gorgeous sauce that was drizzled on to piping hot chips; a gourmet upgrade of your standard drunken snack.

Last but not least, the ‘Spice rice salad’, jewelled with pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries and pistachios. This is one of the salads made with leftovers. We were so impressed with how tasty this dish was; it was resourceful and delicious! The different textures and taste elements are everything.

The new menu is bursting with great flavours and great affordable prices. The SU has done a very good job in giving the students what they wanted: tasty and cheap student food. We now have faith that the new food court in senate house will deliver this same taste and quality with Matt in charge.

11

Recipes: Russian Pelmeni Our Food Editor Virginia investigates this warming Russian staple Teaming up again with The Croft’s Travel section, we visit Russia with these winter-perfect meatfilled dumplings.

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Combine the egg, vegetable oil, salt and the warm

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water in a mixing bowl. Add 380g flour, and knead

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into a smooth, elastic dough. Cover with a kitchen towel and rest for 30 minutes.

2. Dust a baking sheet lightly with 1 tablespoon flour.

3. Combine ground beef, onion, water, salt, and pepper in a bowl and mix filling thoroughly.

4. Roll out a portion of the dough very thinly on a lightly floured surface and cut out 2 1/2-inch rounds with a cookie cutter or a wine glass. Place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of filling on one side of the dough circle. Fold the dough over and seal the edges using fingers, forming a crescent. Join the ends and pinch

Ingredients

them together. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

Ingredients

Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Freeze for

• Dough:

30 minutes.

• 1 egg

5. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a simmer and drop small batches of frozen pelmeni into

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

simmering water. Cook and stir until the meat is

• 1 teaspoon salt

cooked and pelmeni float to the top, about 5 min-

• 180ml cup warm water

utes. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes.

Transfer to serving plates using a slotted spoon.

• 380g cups plain flour (plus 1 tablespoon Filling:

TIP: Whilst rolling out your dough portion, keep the rest of the dough covered with a towel to avoid drying out.

Epigram/Virg

Epigram / Hannah Ross

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• 500g beef mince • 1 small onion, chopped • 1 1/2 tablespoons ice-cold water • 1 tablespoon coarse salt

Cocktail of choice: White Russian An easy and topical cocktail for this fortnight’s cocktail column. It can be as decadent or as simple as you like. Try using chocolate milk or cinnamon vodka if you want to mix it up!

1. Fill a short glass with ice cubes 2. Add one part vodka with one part coffee liqueur (e.g ‘Kahlua’) 3. Add one part heavy cream, milk, or a mixture of both.

4. Enjoy!

Being savvy about snacks: Aunt Sorrel responds

Agony Aunt Sorrel recommends some alternative snacks for students in a pinch

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ear Auntie , My week has been crazy! Between my studies, social life and other uni commitments I’m finding myself snacking an awful lot. Parsons Bakery is so tempting especially when I have deadlines coming up so soon. Can you help me find alternatives?

markets?

Here are some great alternatives that will give you more energy without the rubbish.

Epigram / Emma Bayley-Melendez

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nacking is one of those things that is just human nature, why else would there be such a massive section of snacks in super-

1. Kallo Rice Cakes- these are perfect for when you want to mindlessly snack on something but don’t want anything too heavy.

2. The Coconut Collaborative chocolate pots are incredible and totally vegan.

They contain less than 200 calories and are so rich and decadent.

3. Fruit: it’s a much healthier alternative to other snacks and is packed full of vitamins that will help keep your immune system in check as we enter Autumn/ Winter.

Have you been having trouble in the kitchen and don’t know who to turn to? Contact Aunt Sorrel via our Facebook page: Epigram Food Writers 2019/20 Sponsored content

‘Reliably good quality no matter what you order’: Epigram’s senior teams visited Burger Joint to see what all the fuss is about A unique way to order Edward Fraser, Treasurer The atmosphere at the Burger Joint is really ideal as it’s quite cozy but spacious enough to not get too loud. They have a unique way of ordering your food as you fill out an order form on the table to build your custom burger from scratch.

Initially, this overwhelmed me a little as they don’t seem to have any preset burgers to choose from, which would’ve been easier for those who aren’t feeling so creative.

Now that I know how it works, my return experiences to Burger Joint have actually been quite exciting as you never know how your new burger combination will taste.

Overall, the food is reliably good quality no matter what you order, the staff are friendly and good at what they do, and Burger Joint is definitely a restaurant I’ll be returning to soon.

The Veggie Joint

Tom Taylor, Digital Editor There’s something quite satisfying about ticking the little box next to ‘The Veggie Joint’ and adding an extra slice of

cheddar.

The ordering form reminded me of sitting a multiple choice exam, except at the end you were awarded with a tasty, nicely presented burger and chips, rather than disappointment and revisionregret.

An extra bonus was free refills on most of the popular soft drinks. This, coupled with the two free sauces, made me feel I really got good value for money.

Perfect for picky eaters

Patrick Sullivan, Co-Editor-in-Chief

The sweet potato and bean burger was a great, light alternative to the usual beef and still filling enough for me to struggle to get through the chips.

Epigram/Wil l

Char ley

The menus themselves are a novel and convenient way to place your order.

You tick off your options for bun type, burger type, sides, and sauce with a printed notepad and pencil - it’s amazing that few other restaurants have picked up this tactic. Burger Joint is the perfect place for picky eaters and an easy choice for a diverse group of friends.

Perfect for my student budget Imogen Horton, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Burgers are my go-to guilty pleasure when eating out and Burger Joint’s certainly don’t disappoint. Having been numerous times since I arrived in Bristol I’m slowly working my way through the endless combinations of different topppings they have to offer.

With such a range, Burger Joint has to be the ideal meeting place for friends.

Their portion sizes are incredibly generous and I can guarantee you won’t go home hungry. Perfect for the student budget, they’re also very reasonably priced, especially considering the amount of quality food you get for and they even offer a student discount!

13

Style​

Editor Orin Carlin Digital Editor Laura Mallinson Deputy Editor Lilly Hill

Fresh off the coat

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Morgan Collins reveals this season’s hottest outerwear trends

ith autumn already upon us, it is time to think about what outerwear pieces to invest in - the trends this season will not disappoint.

Shearling aviator jackets When buying your aviator for the season, think about length. The best length sits just below the waist and not above it to minimise the volume around your top half. The best colours to invest in are certainly browns or tans. Luckily, aviators are an easy piece to style because of their neutrality. If blessed with an unlimited budget All Saints do the best shearling jacket, but if you haven’t got £700 lying around the high street have some great alternatives.

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H& M

60 | ET, £ CK JA

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SHACKET, £ 20 |

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JACKET, £79 .99

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Shackets The shirt jacket a.k.a. the ‘shacket’ has really made the rounds this year from catwalk shows to high-street rails with plaid being the preferred design. This versatile piece is an essential in your autumn wardrobe with its ability to be dressed both up and down. For a cool 90s vibe: wear your shacket with a band t-shirt, wide-leg jeans and a pair of Docs, or if you’re into a more timeless aesthetic, pick a neutral colour shacket and tie it in at the waist, wear straight leg trousers and trainers, and you’re good to go!

Puffers This season, womenswear seems to be moving away from the puffer jacket whereas menswear designers seem to still be big on the trend.

Because puffer jackets have been a trend for the last few seasons, the way to keep them fresh is to experiment with print, length and texture. Try turning your puffer jacket into a statement piece rather than a wardrobe staple - Pull & Bear are offering a great cheetahprint puffer and The North Face has experimented with mesh. There are countless options to reinvent a classic.

Boycotts, blood and buying second-hand Lilly Hill quizzes Emily Andrews and Lily Halladay, members of Bristol University Extinction Rebellion

Are you personally boycotting fast fashion? If so, how are you finding it?

We live in a consumerist society driven by immediate short-term gratification from buying cheap, low-quality garments. Nearly three-fifths of all our clothing ends up in incinerators or landfill within a year of being produced and more than eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are produced by the apparel and footwear industries. If we are going to save the planet, we have to start buying second-hand, reworking our own clothes and buying high-quality garments that we won’t end up throwing away.

llie

Could you tell us why you think it’s important that fast fashion is discouraged?

Ke nn ey XR

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There has been some negative press recently about XR having a largely middle-class demographic, do you think that boycotting fast-fashion is as easily accessible to the working classes?

XR have groups dedicated to inclusivity. We acknowledge that this is a problem within XR at the moment, but it is one that everyone is working to change. One of XR’s principles is that we ‘welcome everyone and every part of everyone’. Charity shops and online second-hand shops are available to everyone and are incredibly cheap!

Ke nn ey

Yes we both are and have been for a year. We have barely noticed a difference and much prefer shopping second-hand in charity shops or on Depop.

It’s more fun, you find unique pieces, and you can rest easy in the knowledge that your buying habits aren’t damaging the environment.

llie

We both got involved after the April 2019 Spring Uprising.

This International Rebellion gained a lot of publicity and it’s success in forcing the government to declare a climate emergency made us want to join.

XR

/E

Finally, how can other students become involved in XR? There is a student XR group which meets every Thursday evening from 7-9pm at St Paul’s Church, Clifton. We work by putting direct pressure on the University of Bristol and we also do our own ‘actions’ and protests around Bristol. Last summer, we protested fast fashion by standing in shop windows at Cabot Circus with writing all over our bodies about the impacts of fast fashion. This got a lot of public and media attention and was very successful.

Follow the Bristol University branch of XR Instagram: @xrbristoluniversity Facebook: Extinction Rebellion Bristol Students

Ke nn ey

How did you first hear about XR and why did you want to take part?

Lily, I know that you were one of the rebels protesting at London Fashion Week, what impact do you think the fashion week protests had?

I think they raised an incredible amount of awareness. People are becoming more and more conscious of what they buy and are beginning to realise that a cheap garment from Primark is cheap for a reason. The protests against London fashion week were an amazing example of direct action. I was involved in an action where rebels glued themselves to the entrance of a major catwalk show, thereby blocking the entrance. The rebels were covered in blood and there was blood split in the floor- representing the devastating and deadly repercussions of the fashion industry.

This got an incredible amount of media attention and we appeared in Vogue, on CNN, the Independent, the Guardian and many other news stations. Another amazing result: Sweden actually cancelled their Fashion week!

llie

Quickfire Questions!

XR

/E

15

Thanksgiving letters Daisy Lacey honours a revolutionary clothing brand

D

taking the initiative to set up Manners London so that she could sell the perfect basics for curvy ladies at a reasonable cost. Thank you for finally enabling me to #freethenipple comfortably and stylishly. I would also like to thank the brand for reducing my expenditure on bras and for the excellent value. I am most grateful however for the confidence boost that Manners London has given me, after caging my bosoms up for over 15 years. I hope this thanksgiving brings Miss Sally Belfield- who recently appeared on Dragons’ Den- much prosperity, and an increase in business. Manners London deserves to become a household name for women of all shapes and sizes, for there is nothing greater than parading around in comfy, stretchy, cotton essentials without a care in the world.

Love from Daisy x

Concealers to hide your sins Editor Orin Carlin

Been up all night partying?

Yeah, I can tell!

Whether you’re tired, ill, or stressed, the effects are shown on your face - visible for everyone to see. Spots, redness and dark circles are the usual culprits. A decent concealer can work wonders, miles better than piling on the foundation.

My personal weapons of choice are equally excellent in terms of coverage, and both blend into the skin with ease.

Clarins’ Instant Concealer is a whopping 15ml for just £22.50, so fantastic value for money. However, bareMinerals’ Bareskin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer has a larger shade range and is better for touch ups on the go.

CRO P

TO P,

£39

ear Manners London, For the past 15 years of my existence, I have been both blessed and cursed with ample bosoms. So ample in fact, that my own crazy grandmother thought it would be very witty to christen them Alice and Maude. They have always taken a significant proportion of my income and confidence. I have constantly envied the females who can swan about and save their money on bras and look good in tight-fitting cropped or bardot tops with no bra strap in sight. My dream has always been to #freethenipple without Alice and Maude swinging around like they’re attached to Newton’s cradle.

As a self-confessed fashion fanatic, the hunt was on to find a t-shirt that I could wear without a bra. I am incredibly grateful to Sally Belfield, who shared my struggle, for

5 £7 S, S E DR

CLARINS INSTANT CONCEALER, £22.50 | BOOTS

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9

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, £8 ESS DR

P, £39

BAREMINERALS BARESKIN COMPLETE COVERAGE SERUM CONCEALER, £20.40 JOHN LEWIS Use your ring finger to gently pat in the product or use a synthetic, flat concealer brush. For any particularly stubborn blemishes, set the concealer by pressing it with some powder. Now you can stay up until stupid o’clock! You’re welcome.

Budget beauty buys

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Kirstyn Evans presents her beauty favourites that won’t break the bank

utumn is the best season of the year, but with every pumpkin-spiced latte comes cold weather and bouts of flu that can leave our skin looking a little worse for wear. Finding the right product for your skin can be a challenge, and a costly one at that, if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Look no further.

BODY SCRUB, £12.99 | UPCIRCLE

B, £12.99 | UPC

FACE SC RU

IRCLE

Quite frankly, toffee apples are hands-down one of the best things about autumn; even if you don’t like them, K, £8 E MAS you can’t deny that they FAC LUTION SKINCARE smell divine. Revolution REVO Skincare’s collaboration with Jake Jamie has released a toffee apple face mask that hydrates the skin and provides antioxidant support (for non-scientists this is basically a combination of Vitamin C and lots of unpronounceable good things). This mask is vegan and cruelty free, although (and I can’t stress this enough) please don’t eat it.

What good is a face mask without an exfoliator? UpCircle’s use of repurposed coffee grounds in their face and body exfoliators creates a perfect scrub that leaves your skin baby soft.

Made from natural and sustainable ingredients, this vegan and crueltyfree formula also comes in different scents such as tangerine, lemongrass and peppermint. The packaging is very cute and 100% recyclable, so what’s not to love?

BODY MOISTURISER, £7 | ALDI

If you’re even remotely interested in this article, you surely will have stumbled across the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. At a scream-worthy £18 for just the travel-sized 75ml tub - you may stop reading right here.

HOLD YOUR HORSES PEOPLE. Aldi’s Lacura Booty Balm is a dupe for this amazing cream and retails at £7 for 250ml. YOU NEED THIS CREAM. The smell alone will make this a staple in your skincare routine. As if you needed another excuse to go to Aldi. Thank me later.

editors’ picks

CROSSWORDS ‘Essays to half-heartedly write?

Limbs to reluctantly exercise?

Lectures to unwillingly attend?

Sack it off and do a crossword. I’m a big fan of the one in the Waitrose Weekend newspaper because it’s not stupidly difficult.’

CARDIGAN, £29 | TOPSHOP ‘Cosying up in multiple layers and sipping a chai latte is my idea of perfection. Style-wise, I am loving throwing on a chunky knit cropped cardigan over a lacy bralette or dungarees - this autumnal staple goes with everything!’

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TRAVEL CUP, £6.95 | JOULES ‘As the weather gets colder, I for one become reliant on hot drinks to get me through the day. By getting yourself a reusable travel cup, not only are you saving the planet, but you also get 50p off hot drinks at most cafes. Score!’

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Travel

Editor Lily Donnelly Deputy Editor Emma Loubser Digital Editor Will Holmes

Year Abroad: A very Russian welcome Ewan Thomas-Colquhoun remembers vodka shots and Soviet rock

I

/Ewan TC gram Epi

’m standing in the doorway of a low-ceilinged wooden playing out in front of me. In Russia, it’s not enough to say that building, discussing Russian hospitality with someone is welcome, but rather it must be proven. a close friend of mine, Pasha. From the The skewers of shashlik and vegetables freshly outside, the building resembles an gathered from the garden sizzle on the fire oversized summerhouse, with a tall gabled and the copious amounts of alcohol that roof and small rectangular windows are passed around are more than enough hand-carved from dark wood to to attest to this. One could be forgiven contrast with the faded green paint of for assuming that this is some kind of the walls. This is, of course, nothing performance, an attempt to impress like the meagre and dilapidated these visiting Europeans with the lawn features we know from the UK. best of Russian culture. In reality, it Inside there is a vast stove capable in is quite the opposite. In a place where winter of filling the entire structure fresh produce is, understandably, with warmth, and the sweet smell of often scarce or prohibitively expensive, burning birch or pine tree. Pasha smiles such a lavish spread becomes a symbol and welcomes me inside: 'This is a Russian of togetherness. By sharing food from dacha', he says with a touch of pride in his the same table, we are invited to enjoy each voice and adds a second later 'It is probably very other’s company as equals and focus on what is different from what you have in England'. important, a real connection to those around us.

He is correct on both accounts. Life is This connection is strengthened by the very different in the central Siberian town next stalwart of any Russian party: the It's the first party since singing. With the help of a Soviet guitar and of Tomsk, where I am spending the second half of my year abroad. Indeed, the first a modern Chinese loudspeaker, the group the snow melted, and thing that people associate with this part careens their way from British noughties everyone is looking of the world is the cold. In winter, it’s a rare pop classics, to Soviet rock anthems and to have a good time. day that the temperature dial creeps above back again via a smattering of reggaeton No sooner than I've -20 and on the chilliest days of the year it’s (strangely popular in Russia?!). As the night stepped outside a large and cold draw in we gather around the fire, not uncommon for temperatures to sink below -40 degrees celsuis. This is not the once again with our glasses full, and listen shot glass is pressed in only thing making lives difficult here. Sadly, as another friend, Zhenya, raises a toast: za my hands Siberia’s vast wealth in resources doesn’t liubov- to love. We smile as he talks of his trickle down fairly to its residents, and so love of basketball and nice whiskey and many are left struggling on wages that are half those home. We laugh as he deliberately misquotes a love paid to the workers in the cosmopolitan west of poem from Pushkin. And then we fall silent as the country. he speaks of his love for his friends.

However, conversation doesn’t come Despite the stereotypes we have in around to this topic as we continue the west, this kind of sentimentality is through the dacha to the back garden. common amongst Russian men and is There’s no time for complaining this expected on evenings such as this; so evening; it’s the first party since the far out in the country, all one can do snow melted and everyone is looking is sit and share: shashlik, samogon, to have a great time. No sooner than and stories. It’s this image also that I’ve stepped outside a large shot glass I always think about when people talk is pressed into my hands. Inside, I am of difference and division between our informed that it’s ‘samogon’ - or Russian two countries. Whether it be politicians moonshine - which has somewhere or newsreaders, it seems the powers between forty and sixty per cent alcohol. that be are trying to draw us ever further Pasha raises his glass and follows the apart. And yet, thanks to the power of Russian tradition of welcoming guests with a toast – za hospitality, an outsider looking across the fire tvoe zdorov’e- to my good health. from one rosy face to another would find it difficult to As the burning subsides, I begin to consider the ritual that is see any differences at all.

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/Ewan TC gram Epi

19

Six months down under Issy Turnill sells us her stint studying in Sydney For the urban foxes...

Issy Turnill/Epigram

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rom beautiful beaches to wild nights out, Sydney has everything a student could wish for. After studying abroad there last semester, I fell in love with its outdoor living and, whilst it may not be the easiest place to travel to from the UK, it is undoubtedly worth every hour it takes to get there. Sydney’s many suburbs and bays offer endless places to discover, and it was impossible to experience them all in only six months: here are the things you cannot miss out on when visiting this incredible city.

For the beach babes...

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Epigram / Emily Lowes

The most magical aspect of the city has to be its beautiful beaches that the Australian weather allows you to enjoy all year round. The perfect way to see the coastline is the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk. This easy and stunning route takes you past many beaches, and is a great chance to scout out the Aussie surfers.

If you fancy some food beforehand, I would recommend Beach Burrito in Coogee and taking advantage of their $3 Taco Tuesday deal (trust me, they’re delicious). If you would prefer to grab food in Bondi, then pop into Speedo’s cafe for a classic açai bowl.

Another go-to place is Manly whose beach is one of the most popular in Sydney. The Manly Surf School has run since 1983, making it a great place to take surf lessons. You can also follow a short path along the ocean to reach Shelly beach, a smaller, secluded spot perfect for sunbathing. The best way to get here is by boat from Circular Quay: the twenty minute ferry ride is an ideal opportunity to gaze at Sydney Harbour, with great views of the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Sunset is the most beautiful time of day to visit the picturesque quay. To enjoy it from a different angle, you can catch another ferry to Watson’s Bay to witness a breathtaking sunset over the skyline.

Sydney’s inner suburbs also have just as much to offer as their coastal counterparts. For example, Newtown. This cool, artistic suburb has unique markets and vintage stores, perfect for thrift shopping.

It is full of quirky cafes and bars, and an incredible vegan ice-cream parlour, Gelato Blue. Glebe is another suburb I would recommend visiting, especially on a Saturday when it's markets are open, a place full of affordable food and second-hand clothing stalls to spend hours exploring.

The nightlife is also a key feature of Sydney’s inner suburbs.

For a fun evening out, treat yourself to frozen margaritas at El Camino’s happy hour, a classic Tex-Mex bar in The Rocks that serves free nachos and salsa.

Another spot to go for an evening with friends is Holey Moley, a themed indoor crazy golf club, along with a bar for all your cocktail needs. If you’re then wanting to carry the night on to a club, you must go to the legendary Ivy Bar. It’s unlike any club I have been to before, with multiple floors and a stylish rooftop pool bar. Other classic outings for backpackers and students consist of clubs such as Scary Canary, Cargo and Side Bar, or if you fancy them all, why not join a bar crawl through the city?

If Sydney still isn’t enough, there are countless road trip opportunities just outside the city. There are the dramatic Blue Mountains less than two hours drive away, as well as the Royal National Park offering an epic hike to the figure of eight pools, and Palm Beach to the north, with a stunning viewpoint to spot whales and dolphins from.

Sydney evidently has so much to offer, and should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list.

Living with the past Callum Ruddock discovers the two faces of Santa Cruz, California

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pigram readers will be delighted to know that this story isn’t a who’s who of my travels in the land of the hamburger; instead, more of an honest retelling of a culture that I came to know.

I was road tripping solo down the west coast. By late August, having waved goodbye to friends in Oregon, it was time to give California a go.

Santa Cruz came somewhat as a shock. A town trapped in time. Spent youth in abundance. Free spirits, surf boards and protest. Jefferson Airplane still played softly in the empty daytime bars. A continuous haven for the resting hippy. I’d come prepared for a town trapped in the miseries and joys of the twentieth century, and boy oh boy did it completely fail me.

These days, lifetime experiences are so quickly commodified.

Visit a peaceful bay, do some yoga and discover yourself, we are told as the adverts chime. I’d assured myself I didn’t want that.

Instead I cried out for the opportunity to prove myself. Trying

sh / Matt Jone s spla Un

sh / Hamish D spla un Un ca n

/ Callum u dd gram oc Epi k

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to fit myself onto the social ladder of Santa Cruz served as an ample challenge. Somewhat confident, why did I then find myself lonely and deeply uninspired?

Here we should recognise some of the difficulties of solo travelling. Unless you’re willing to be alone for long periods of time, you’re expected to make friends. In Santa Cruz, the surf dominates the social scene. The flow of both young and old onto the thin strip of coastline each day is as regular as the ebbing of the tides. Pity that I didn’t have a clue about surfing. I worried about my ability to read the social landscape, plagued by fears that my actions might be misread or misconstrued. Life on the West Coast seemed to run at a different pace. I found Santa Cruz to be both diverse and segregated in more ways than one. I had never seen so many drifters and beatniks outside of a major metropolitan capital. Neo-hippies, ready to protest at a moment’s notice, avoiding the last remnants of the plaid shirt hipster movement. It was ultimately two experiences then which led to my understanding of the ever-shifting Santa Cruz culture. Unsurprisingly, one involved hippies, the other surfers.

The two faces of the town personifying Californian chic.

The City of Santa Cruz has been guarding its pennies in the recent years. The closure of more public toilets is just one symptom of a growing austerity case all across the Californian state.

Wandering out of 7-11 on my own I spot a group of activists.

Banners raised high.

I start a conversation, and ultimately end up giving a twenty-minute radio interview on ‘British perspectives of Californian socialism’. A topic I am not well-versed in; this was a lesson in adaptability. Religious and social ideals run raw. People feel their identity is linked to where they live and that their right to self-determination should take priority over a more diplomatic approach. Beyond the bland American blocks, I discovered real character. To confidently express yourself within a key subculture group is to master the Santa Cruz way. To defend the minutiae, to defend a single toilet closure; that is to protect your identity. At the first hint of sun, the Californians come. On the

cliff edge I see students drinking beers. Surfers leap off to catch the ‘awesome swell’ and I float around with my camera in hand.

I’m looking for a story but instead I find friends. As dusk fell, the glow of the city below began to throb, and the cool evening air became the dominant force dictating my mood.

Sat up on the roof of a palatial student house my new friends quiz me about my life at home and allow me to flirt politely with anyone who will listen. Sake bombs and American Spirits soften tensions and break down cultural barriers. Student living in America differs somewhat, but the age-old habit of getting drunk inside a house is fairly universal. All my insecurity and worry lifts. For an unskilled writer, the work was now writing itself. I want to remain here for weeks on end. I want to drive my car fast in the mountains. I want to complain to the council about the removal of a street sign. I want to smoke throaty American cigarettes in the sea breeze. Alas, as soon as we get to know somewhere, fate has us move on. I’d come to know Santa Cruz, a little bit of me left behind. Looking back, I no longer just see hippies. From my perch upon the hill, I see a home.

Keep up to date with our November issues for more Year Abroad inspiration!

Do you have an experience you want to share?

Get in touch.

21

Notes from across the channel

Archie Cotterell and Daisy Lacey share their thoughts from their time abroad in France

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Archie Cotterell

O

nce upon a time, six years ago, I was rushing around like a headless chicken trying to decide where I would be spending my Erasmus exchange. This little piece will detail how I spent my year abroad in one of France’s most underrated cities: Nantes.

When I finally chose to study at the Université de Nantes, our exchange warned us about the bureaucracy, saying ‘it is like going back in time to the 1970s - you will have to do a lot of running around looking for your classes, and the luxuries of online timetables will not be available to you’. For the future students who go to France, swap the '70s for the stone age for a more apt description of French bureaucracy.

My Granny told me right from the start that you can’t rush l’heure. If you want to get any paperwork done, you have to follow the customs of the French; you will need to purchase several ring-back folders to keep your paperwork in there.

You will have to be prepared for not only an insubordinate amount of paper, but patience as well.

I will say, though, there are certain things that are worth the torture of French bureaucracy – for example, applying for the housing benefit known as CAF. If you are willing to suffer the paperwork, you will benefit from a significant reduction on your rent, giving you more money to explore other cities, such as my old Erasmus stomping ground Nantes. My parting thoughts are as follows: you are bound to go through some very difficult times whilst abroad, but I can assure you outgoing students, that whilst your host country may be very stuck in their ways - worshipping a fax machine - the hosts themselves will try their best to be patient with you. They have dealt with this hassle for years, and will have seen everything.

The one thing that the host countries want is for you to make the most of your time in their country and to indulge in all aspects of their culture. So those of you going out to France, treat yourself to a bottle of pamplemousse rosé - even though the French have increased the rate of tax on this liquid gold - and take a deep breath if the bureaucracy gets too much to bear. Once I managed to do this, I lived happily ever after in Nantes (for the rest of the year).

Epigram / Lily Donnelly

iven the fragility and ugliness of our current political and social landscape, as well as incessant rainfall, one’s mind wanders to sunnier and happier times. I feel a little lucky to have escaped this plagued rock in the North Atlantic as I headed to France for a year abroad. What to do though can seem a hard choice: to teach, to work, or to study? Shakespeare probably knew the answer… First up for me was a semester at Jean Moulin III University in Lyon. The studying itself wasn’t too taxing as we were in with 1st years, and you could choose whichever modules you pleased, giving you the chance to indulge in subjects/interests that had been on the back burner for a while. I found the style of teaching and the infamous French administration left a lot to be desired: 60-odd students crammed into a classroom every class with very little student participation was not brilliant. However, it is hard to ignore the overarching positives that studying abroad can bring: a chance to meet other young people and experience the country through their recommendations; an opportunity to improve in the foreign language without any repercussions that mistakes may bring; and a timetable that enables you to fully discover and make the most of the place you are living. For the second half of the year, I worked in Paris. As much as certain stereotypes about rudeness, costs and cleanliness were confirmed, I do feel I wouldn’t have had as good a time there unless I was working. The professional environment for me was just the right level of challenge, and brought about many new experiences, such as trade fairs and creation of international promotional material. The skills learnt will benefit me in both the short and long term, and my language skills developed far more quickly than any other time in my life. Overall, both options have their merits. Studying is that bit more relaxed, and a better chance to meet young people, yet working provides you with a professional experience that benefits both your language skills and future employment.

So, whichever you choose, just make sure you have the right mindset to make the most of it. It may seem daunting, but you’re as prepared as you need and if you go at it full speed you’ll reap all of the benefits.

Daisy Lacey

Travel Editor Lily Donnelly enjoyed her time studying in France and captured this street art.

Read more tales from years abroad in the Travel section.

Natural re-treats

UBES took a trip away for the last weekend of October to hike in the Lake District and were rewarded with glorious scenes

Tom Kilcommons, fifth year Engineering Design, snapped the natural scenery in all its beauty.

UBES members enjoyed the walking in the hills as a well-needed break from their studies.

Co-Editor-in-Chief, Patrick Sullivan, took this photo of the Greta Thunberg mural at Aldi in Southville.

Co-Editor-in-Chief, Imogen Horton, tasted this slice of cake in Mrs Potts Chocolate House on Park Street.

Have any good photos of Bristol or student life? Submit them to thecroft.epigram@gmail.com for a chance of featuring on the back page!