Quench Magazine, Issue 192, March 2023

Editor’s Note

As I come towards the end of my time at University, I reflect on how disengaged we were as a year group having started in the midst of a global pandemic, and how different my current experiences are. I am extremely lucky to have such wonderful friends around me who’ve stood by my side through my best and my worst, and I can’t believe that despite how difficult it was to remain engaged in University life during our first year, how united we all are in our last term. Who’d have thought?

Student media is a really great way of uniting students with similar interests. This year I wanted to really bring my team together to do more than just discuss student media, and now we’re many pitch meetings, and several pub trips down and I am so thankful for just how fantastic they all are. I remember being so nervous to meet everybody for the first time in our office at the SU, and how warm the welcome was. I’ve actively participated in Student Media since my first weeks at Cardiff University, and I didn’t want to waste this first post-pandemic academic year with a completely disjointed team. Here we are. I couldn’t have gotten luckier - I have a functioning team and 40 new friends.

I can’t believe that spring is coming around so quickly! For those of you who are still in your first year, I hope you all love Cardiff in the sun. Now’s the time for daffodils and tulips, my

all-time favourite flowers! - get walking around those parks or they’ll be gone before you know it! I remember being in total awe the first time I got to experience spring in the city, and it feels like such a long time ago now. While the spring of course is the perfect time for new beginnings and sunnier days, back in my own first year it literally was a brand new start for us all. The shops were just beginning to reopen, we could venture to the pubs once more, and drink in the parks under the sun. How things have changed since then. Don’t take these days for granted, and don’t spend them alone. Go to that café in Pontcanna that you saw on TikTok, cycle over the barrage as the sun goes down - get out there and take your friends!

As usual I hope you all love reading this issue of Quench. A whole lot of love and hardwork has gone into this. We’re in that final stretch of the year, the end is coming! Cheers to the penultimate edition of the academic year, I hope this last stretch of second term is kind and isn’t

too much stress. As usual, you’ve got this.

Cwtshes mawr,Alexa Editor-in-Chief

Hello and welcome back to another issue of Quench Magazine! As I’m writing this, we are five weeks into spring term, which means – for final year students like myself – the end is close in sight. Although I will be progressing onto an MA course next year, I still find myself feeling emotional at the thought of my time as an undergraduate coming to an end. Soon, many of my friends will be preparing to leave Cardiff to enter graduate jobs, go travelling, or just to have a well-deserved rest! At the thought of this, I have found myself holding my friends a little closer recently and cherishing the memories I make with them a little bit more.

I share these reflections because they are particularly fitting with our chosen theme for Issue 192: Union. University has allowed me to unite with so many people from different walks of life because we share common interests. Whether it’s the friends I’ve held close since first year, the bonds I’ve made through my course, or the friendships that have blossomed because of Quench, the strong sense of unity that life at university encourages is a special thing to me.

As always, our editorial team have done an amazing job at interpreting this theme and exploring the many different avenues that come with it, and our contributing writers and design team have brought these ideas to life brilliantly. Whether it’s reading about the University and College Union’s strike action, or reflecting on the future of marriage, there is something for everyone in this issue! A big shout out as well to our amazing Editor in Chief, Alexa, and my wonderful co-Deputy Editor, Molly. I’m so grateful to Quench for bringing us closer together.

I hope you enjoy this issue, see you in the next one!

Welcome back readers, and thank you again for picking up this edition of Quench, it’s a good one!

I hope you are doing well and looking after yourselves. We are now about halfway through the spring term, and this year is already going very very quickly! Since the last edition, the weather has started to get a little bit brighter, a tad warmer and a lot more promising! As we start to approach Spring, it is so wonderful to see the light start to seep back into Cardiff, especially the gloomier areas of Cathays…

This edition of Quench is all about Union, whether that’s looking at friendship, diversity or reunion. If you take a trip down to the literature section, I contributed to a piece all about the power of friendship in novels. I really loved writing this piece because it allowed me to reminisce on one of my favourite books I’ve read this year and what the relationships there meant for me.

The theme Union has allowed us to produce some really thoughtful, reflective and positive pieces about some of the most powerful things about being human, and most likely topics that we fail to discuss a lot of the time. As we enter sunnier months and brighter times, maybe discussing the importance of friendship and togetherness is the thing to do.

Once again, our writers, editors and designers have been working very hard to deliver this beautiful magazine so I hope you enjoy reading it! I hope this edition is a nice reminder of the beautiful things that bring us all together despite adversity and difficulties. A big thank you as always to our fabulous team, especially Alexa and Maddie, who all work incredibly hard and I am very grateful for!

Thank you again,

Maddie Molly

Deputy Editor Deputy Editor

Meet the Team:

ALEXA PRICE Editor-in-Chief

MADDIE BALCOMBE Deputy Editor

MOLLY OPENSHAW Deputy Editor

CHARLOTTE HARRIS Columnist

SOPHIE REVELL Features

RUME OTUGUOR Features

KATE NICHOLS Film & TV

ALANYA SMITH Spotlight

AMY WILD Film & TV

MILLIE STACEY Clebar

LOWRI POWELL Clebar

BECA DALIS WILLIAMS Clebar

Meet the Team

DOMINIC BRAMLEY-CARR Spotlight

RHIANNON FARR Music

BETH YATES Music

EVE DAVIES Food & Travel

HANNAH WILD Travel

LUCIA CUBB Literature

BRYONY WRIGHT Literature

ZOE PRICE Fashion

LIBBI KETTLE Fashion

LAURA MAE Copy Editor

RUBIE BARKER Copy Editor

RIDA REHMAN Head of Design

Meet the Team

ANANYA RANJIT Deputy Head of Design

JULIAN TSE Photographer

MIA WILSON Photographer

CONSTANCE CUA Photographer

ELEANOR BYRNE Page Designer

HARIS HUSSNAIN Page Designer

GRACIE RICHARDS Head of Social Media

PAULINA WISNIEWSKA Instagram Manager

MILLIE KNAPPETT Instagram Deputy Manag-

ISLA MCCORMACK Page Designer

SOYAL KHEDKAR Illustrator

EVA CASTANEDO Page Designer

Meet the Team

GRACE DAWSON Twitter Manager

YAIZA CURTIS Twitter Deputy Manager

Photography by Mia Wilson

Features Column

The Divisive Potential of Social Media 10-11

Strike Action!: Final Years Speak Out 12-13

Death to Teamwork, I Hate You All 14-15

Bringing Back the Magic: Reunion on Screen 16-17

Capturing the Spirit: How Film has Presented the Legacy of the Suffragette Movement 18

Was the Hiatus Needed? 20-21

Film & TV Music Literature

The LGBTQ+ Community Through Music 22-23

Togetherness: Celebrating Culture in Literature 24-25

Friends Forever - The Best Friendships in Literature 26-27

The Divisive Potential of Social Media

Words by Maddie Balcombe

There is no denying that, today, social media platforms have become indispensable to the workings of our society. In fact, it is rare to go a day without hearing the words: “I saw this on TikTok”, or “it’s trending on Twitter”, or “did you see their post on Instagram?” Social media has transformed the way we live, the way we communicate and the way we perceive society. However, recently I have been wondering if the prevalence of social media within our lives is always a good thing.

I am not ashamed to say that I have actively used social media platforms every day for the past eleven years of my life. In 2012, long before the days of filters and reels, I joined Instagram. Then, in 2013 I made my first Twitter account. Then came the Tumblr pages, the Facebook profile, the Snapchat account, the (albeit shortlived) YouTube channel… the list really is endless! Back in the early-mid 2010s, I remember feeling so excited by social media. These platforms were a place for people to bond over shared interests; a place to recognise talent and creativity; a place of positive change. Social media, with its charm of instant connectivity and ability to defy physical borders, is meant to unite us. However, eleven years later, I can’t help but feel as though it is now just driving us further apart.

Lately I’ve begun to notice, as social media continues to progress and evolve, that everyone seems to have an opinion on everything, even when it does not concern them. Social media allows users immediate access to intimate details of people’s lives. We see what people are eating in a day and what they’re wearing of an evening, we hear their political opinions and religious views, and we observe them at their highest points as well as their lowest moments. These levels of oversharing tend to give consumers an illusion of familiarity with the people that they are seeing on their feed. This illusion can be dangerous as, when we consume this kind of content, it’s easy to forget that there is a real person with real feelings behind the TikTok video, Instagram story or tweet. From the actions taken in a certain situation, to the décor in someone’s house; from the colour of someone’s hair, to the dynamics of a relationship, everything posted on social media is automatically scrutinised and debated. Ultimately, people today are too quick to pass judgement and comment over what that they see online. The age-old saying ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’ seems to have gone out of the window in today’s social media landscape. When we pass judgements on individuals, we become polarised by our opinions and divided over matters that would never normally concern us in environments outside of social media.

This sense of polarisation extends beyond a personal level, affecting discussions surrounding social issues too. Of course, social media can be a tool to unite us against serious social issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and so on. For example, social media can be used as a space to raise awareness about injustices, and it is entirely thanks to social media that, now global movements, such as Black Lives Matter and Me Too, were able to grow their platforms. Although social media has somewhat maintained this ability to unite people against social injustice, there has unfortunately been a recent rise in hate and prejudice on social media platforms.

For example, in recent years, on TikTok and Twitter especially, there has been a sharp rise in toxic masculinity and what is known as an ‘alpha male mentality’. Figures such as Andrew Tate have created platforms through social media which are largely used to spread outrageous claims, provocative statements and hateful rhetoric against women and minorities. In a recent survey conducted by anti-fascism charity Hope Not Hate, it

was reported that 8 in 10 boys, aged 1617 in the UK, had read, watched or listened to Tate’s content. This statistic is shocking considering the impressionable age of Tate’s audience. Perhaps even without realising it, Tate’s viewers will begin to internalise his views and perpetuate them independently, continuing the cycle of division that seems to be characterising our social media landscape today. Outside of the rise of toxic masculinity, we have unfortunately also seen a spike in all forms of hate-speech on social media too. From the blatant displays of transphobia that emerged online after the brutal murder of Brianna Ghey, to the relentless racist taunting of public figures such as Meghan Markle, social media feeds are dominated by divisive rhetoric all too often.

I do love social media and I believe that, when it is used correctly, it has a really strong place within our society. However, the constant perpetuation of hatred that has been dominating my feed recently is dangerous, upsetting and ultimately divisive. Steps need to be taken to stop this, and we need to remember that there are real people behind the headlines and behind the posts that we consume. Social media used to be a positive and light-hearted space intended to bring people together, no matter their backgrounds. I hope that, one day, it will return to being just that.

Page Design by Rida Rehman

Strike Action!: Final Years Speak Out

Words by Sophie Revell and Rume Otuguor

Page Design by Haris Hussnain

(n.b.) This focus group was conducted in the second week of UCU’s industrial action and has been extracted for the purpose of clarity.

2.How much do you understand about why these strikes are going ahead?

A: I do get that it’s the economy and people aren’t being paid enough. I do support the strikes completely but I think a lot of the teachers - they’re all for the strikes and that’s great but it’s like you’ve got your degree and like I don’t and any help whatsoever would just be amazing.

1.What course do each of you study? How has the strike action impacted your learning?

A: English Literature, R: Masters in English Literature, S: Journalism and English Lit

A: So one of my modules is literature and science and obviously we’re not doing like quantum physics and stuff but we’re like reading about it and it’s …so out of my comfort zone and both of my lectures and seminars are on Thursdays so I don’t have any teaching for it until week 7. I know they’ve said that they take it into account when we do assessments but I feel like it’s not just about the assessment, it is actually about what you take away from it.

R: Personally, I’ve done a Masters because I feel like I’ve missed out so much in my undergrad. I completely missed second year, first year halfway through we went home because covid started, then third year was not normal – I had most of my lectures online, seminars were scrappy, there was strikes, I had strikes in first year, like every single year and now including my Masters. I’ve done a Masters to get back some of the education that I missed.

R: I sort of feel exactly the same like I completely support them and I understand like pay, working conditions, like their working a lot of hours, there’s a lot of expectation on them for what their doing and they’ve also been impacted by Covid in their own way but I think the thing for me is that if the trains are on strike, you don’t use the trains and you get you get your money back. There’s no sort of like ‘ok how many hours have you missed, here’s your compensation’ and it shouldn’t come from the lectures pockets, it should come from the uni.

3.Have any of you seen/joined or had any interaction with those on the picket lines striking?

If so, what were your experiences?

R: I walked through a picket line the other day, mostly because I forgot. I was going to the library…but took a leaflet, said hi to the lectures that I knew. I don’t know, I do support them but I’m also still gonna go use the library, I’m gonna still study for a bit because I’m gonna make up where I can.

4.How does the Covid experience compare/differ from the conditions you are experiencing now due to the strike action?

R: I feel like with Covid, there was just a general understanding that it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was frustrating but it felt like the burden should fall on the government or the university institution to compensate. We knew lecturers couldn’t really do anymore. But now I think maybe everyone’s a bit fatigued by it because we had Covid and now this.

A: I think there are so many different factors for everyone and I think a huge part for a lot of people would be mental health. For me, my mental health was down the drain during those Covid years but now I’m better and I’m raring to go and it’s like - okay we’re not going anywhere. I think, not to have a sort of victim-mind complex but it’s like…again? Like I said, I have not had a normal school experience since year 12.

5.Has the experience of doing uni online during Covid given you the motivation to be selfsufficientwith your current workload or are you feeling more burnt out?

S: I definitely experienced in second year this feeling of being completely overwhelmed…by the normal experience of being busy with the societies…as well as then having to go to in-person things. I think it took a long time for me to be like ‘oh this is actually normal now’, then to come back to third year…and to be back to square one is so annoying.

6.What has the communication from your lectures and tutors been like?

R: I’d say sporadic would sum it up. Within lectures sometimes they’re like ‘ I am striking’. It’s very all over the place, like there’s no consistency… it’s very much down to the individual.

A: And also it’s like, yes I know you’re trying to make our lives difficult so that we then complain but it’s like… we’re already most likely going to complain anyway because we’re not getting taught anything. Like really? 48 hours before? I can’t plan my days, I can’t plan my week.

7.What do you think needs to be done, to improve the experiences of finalyear students?

A: The only thing that’s been getting me through is just looking forward and… a lot of uni has been me not looking just at the present…. and I feel like that’s the experience that needs to be improved on. I don’t know how and I don’t think it’s necessarily our job to figure out how entirely.

R: There’s like that student claim group…I’ve applied for it, I’ve got no hope in it just because when did we ever get recognised and compensation. It would be lovely but too little too late, I guess.

S: It’s so hard to kind of get that balance of being completely understanding but then also being like I need to also be selfish about it as well because this is my money and my education.

Death to Teamwork, I Hate You All

Okay, so that title may be a tad strong, but let’s face it - most people are awful. Sure, they probably hide extraordinary kindness or hidden talents below the surface, but we’ll save that brief highlights reel for the eulogy since the rest of their time was probably spent letting other people do all the work in group projects.

Think slow walkers, housemates who leave faecal matter streaked across the toilet bowl, and that one person in the course group chat who relentlessly asks stupid questions. Think about the average Love Island contestant, and all the people who religiously watch the show, and think about me deciding to slate people for simply enjoying a reality TV programme. You’re awful, I’m awful, and I think it’s time we admitted to it and agreed to go our separate ways.

Okay okay, I’m being overly hyperbolic and I don’t actually think we should all split up and commit ourselves to live as hermits. No, let’s unite against the real enemy - corporate teamwork. Or, as I would call it, the darkest horror of late stage capitalism.

I once went to a group interview for a housekeeping job, and a team of overly enthusiastic women, uniformed in blonde highlights and false eyelashes, challenged us to build towers out of spaghetti and marshmallows under the watchful eye of a disgustingly smug thirty something year old boss. Since the job paid twelve pounds and hour, we all willingly humiliated ourselves with fake displays of bonding and co-operation, practically fighting each other to prove ourselves the most helpful in manipulating spaghetti. A tragic waste of pasta and time. The next task involved dressing an elected team member up as a superhero who we felt would

be the most efficient housekeeper and helpful employee. There was something hauntingly dystopian in watching the interviewees, some as old as sixty, pleading others to wrap them in bin bags and model mops and brooms for hands in the hopes of their dedication being noted by the sadistic buffoons running the interview. It was perhaps the most depressing afternoon of my life, not helped by the fact that I didn’t even get the job since my disgust at the recruiting team was probably a little too evident on my face.

Sadly, that circus isn’t at all limited to the inhumane out-ofthe-box hiring process of a certain private student accommodation. Meaningless sentiments about the importance of teamwork and enthusiastic employees can be found in over-bloated training courses across the country, and we’ll all nod along with said time-wasting jargon whilst our thoughts drift to pay-day weekend.

So I hereby call to my fellow almost-graduates to stand in unity against this enforced friendliness as we march into the corporate workforce. Say no to team building days, moan about Janet from HR over lunch, and stop signing birthday cards of colleagues you don’t know. Together, we can build a better world by outlawing enforced chumminess. It’s time to bring some honesty back into the workplace.

Words By: Charlotte Harris

Design By: Mia Wilson

Bringing Back The Magic: Exploring Reunion Onscreen

Words by Jessica Margetson

Although TV show reunions and reboots are not a recent phenomenon, their popularity has grown in recent years. While some of them have failed and possibly run the risk of harming the show’s overall reputation, they have continued to provide audiences with great nostalgia.

Reunions and reboots can have both positive and negative outcomes. These allow viewers to see their beloved cast members reunite, learn behind-the-scenes gossip, and chat about the show. Those who anticipate a reboot rather than a catch-up may find them tedious and unsatisfying. This can be problematic for shows or films with a hard-core following and renowned reputation. Are reboots the logical outcome if reunion specials attempt to preserve a show’s legacy, both monetarily and otherwise? Just a small number of cast reunions that have resulted in reboots or new seasons have managed to maintain its original enchantment. Despite best efforts, it is almost never terrible, but often, it just isn’t the same. Here are some of my favourite on-screen reunions:

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts - 2022

The announcement that a Harry Potter reunion would appear on our televisions in 2022 elated Potterheads. The HBO Max special commemorated the 20th-anniversary release of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”. It featured actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and many more to discuss its creation. Bringing back the magic to our screens during Christmas was a great marketing move, with the reunion encapsulating everything we love about this fantastical world. The reunion was heartfelt and wholesome, thanks to candid discussions and interviews with the franchise’s cast and directors. The cast even paid tribute to some of the actors who passed away, enabling the audience to reflect on the franchise’s legacy and the peo-

ple involved.

Friends Reunion - 2021

The Friends reunion, long anticipated and postponed by Covid, took place in May 2021 and provided an answer to the question everyone has been asking since the original series’ end in 2004: “When is Friends coming back?” The reunion, which debuted in the UK and drew 5.3 million viewers in a single night, has become Sky’s most-watched programme in the previous two years. The cast re-visited the original sets and props to heighten the atmosphere and performed a casual table read of iconic scenes. The Friends reunion contained one big, unexpected reveal, with host James Corden teasing fans that Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer harboured romantic feelings for one another during the first season.

Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special - 2019

It’s been a decade since we last saw Gavin, Stacey, and the ensemble on our screens. December 2019 saw James Corden and Ruth Jones collaborating once more to produce a knockout Christmas Special. It was the Welsh contingent’s turn to host the family festivities with the traditional array of minor misadventures. With the return of every major cast member, the reviews were exceptionally positive. This reunion seemed to be a near-perfect reminder of everything that made the show great in the first place. To me, the revival of this beloved sitcom felt like meeting up with an old friend after years apart and was as if no time had passed.

2023 reunions so far…

That 90s Show

The ‘90s Show has a thick veil of nostalgia surrounding it. It is a spin-off of That ‘70s Show, a sitcom that aired from 1998 to 2006 and followed

the exploits of some teenagers hanging out in a basement during the 70s. Eric and Donna, two of the main characters, return to the family home with their teenage daughter to discover Eric’s parents, Kitty and Red, exactly as we left them all those years ago. The old basement soon becomes home to a new generation, who live out the anecdotes of the original characters, staying true to the original format. Frequently, there is a lot of cynicism surrounding reboots and revivals, but the Netflix pilot had some promising moments, especially with the appearance of several familiar faces. The reunion of former on-screen couple Jackie and Kelso, played by real-life couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, ramped up a lot of hype from dedicated fans. Of course, nobody can predict whether it will continue as long or successful as its predecessor, but there seems to be enough to interest fans of the original.

Teen Wolf

It’s fair to say that there was instant excitement about a revival of the supernatural thriller when Teen Wolf: The Movie was initially revealed. Teen Wolf: The Movie, which debuted in January on Paramount+ and is based on the 20111 MTV series, sees its eponymous character, alpha werewolf Scott McCall, portrayed by Tyler Posey, no longer a teenager, reunited with his high school friends to face an all-too-familiar foe. However, some of the same issues that brought the series to a close are still present in this reunion. The movie adaptation of this popular series seemed to let people down because it lacked several cherished characters, such as Stiles Stilinski, who Dylan O’Brien portrayed. Despite this, the resurgence of fan-favourite Allison Argent, played by Crystal Reed, truly sparked excitement and enthusiasm in the hearts of fans, almost making up for the general disappointment.

Page Design by Alexa Price

Capturing the Spirit:

How Film has Presented the Legacy of the Suffragette Movement

The Suffragette movement is a seminal moment in the history of women’s rights, and it is no surprise that filmmakers have sought to capture this important moment on film. The suffragettes, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fought tirelessly to secure women’s right to vote, and their sacrifices inspired generations of women to continue the fight for equality. The struggle was long and arduous, and the film industry has played an important role in preserving the legacy of the movement and inspiring future generations to continue the fight for equality. From documentaries to feature films, filmmakers have sought to bring the suffragettes’ story to life, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of this historic movement.

One of the most popular films about the suffragettes is the 2015 movie “Suffragette,” which stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, and Meryl Streep. The film follows the journey of a young working-class woman who joins the suffragette movement and becomes embroiled in a dangerous and violent struggle for women’s rights. The film is a powerful depiction of the sacrifices and struggles of the suffragettes and captures the spirit of the movement in an inspiring and heart-wrenching way.

Another popular film about the suffragettes is “Iron Jawed Angels,” which was released in 2004. This film stars Hilary Swank as Alice Paul, a suffragette who was instrumental in the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. “Iron Jawed Angels” is a powerful and emotionally charged film that brings to life the struggle for women’s rights and the sacrifices of the suffragettes.

While these films do an excellent job of capturing the spirit of the suffragette movement, some films need to catch up in their portrayal. For example, the 1997 film “Mrs. Brown” tells the story of Queen Victoria’s relationship with her Scottish servant John Brown. Still, it neglects to mention the suffragette movement, which was happening during this time. This omission detracts from the historical context and fails to represent the struggles of women during this period accurately.

Another film that misses the mark is the 2019 movie “Harriet,” which tells the story of Harriet Tubman’s life and her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. While the film is a powerful and inspiring depiction of Harriet Tubman’s life, it fails to mention the suffragette movement and women like Tubman’s role in advocating for women’s rights.

There is no denying that films about the suffragettes have played an important role in preserving the movement’s legacy and spreading its message to new generations. However, it is also important to acknowledge that some films miss the mark in portraying the suffragettes and the woman’s rights movement. By accurately representing the historical context and capturing the spirit of the movement, films can help ensure that the suffragettes’ sacrifices and struggles are not forgotten. In conclusion, films have played a significant role in preserving the legacy of the suffragette movement and spreading its message. From powerful and inspiring depictions of the suffragettes’ struggles to historical inaccuracies, films have captured both the triumphs and shortcomings of this historic movement. By accurately representing the suffragettes and their work, filmmakers can ensure that their legacy lives on and continues to inspire future generations.

Words by: Megha Roy Design by: Molly Openshaw

Photography by Mia Wilson

The Spice Girls have defined “girl power” for over 25 years, yet they were only together for just over three years. When Ginger Spice left in 1998 the girl power feeling they gave to millions of teenage girls across the world crumbled. In 2018, twenty years after their breakup they reunited after potentially the longest band hiatus in history. The result of which was incredible, with a whole new generation of Spice Girl fans ready to “Spice up their lives”. The Spice Girls are living proof that no matter how long a band is on break, when they return they will be met with the same support they once left.

How does a hiatus affect a band’s sound? Our contributors examine whether a band’s releases were better before or after their hiatus, and the reasons why.

Words by Katie Brosnan

In The Monkees’ 2016 reunion in tribute to Peter Tork, their simple ambition was reflected in the album’s title sixties sunshine pop hits and a strikingly contemporary effort with gained wisdom. The crew is a who’s who of amazingly varied musicianship, including fans Andy Partridge, Rivers Cuomo and Paul Weller. The fresh, freewheeling chime of You Bring The Summer and deep melancholy of Me And Magdalena prove they meant far more than a children’s TV cast. Since we have too lost Peter and Mike - it was a fitting end.

Words by Billy Edwards

‘Pop-punk band Paramore took a hiatus after the release of their 2017 album After Laughter. Being in the band since 2004 led to Hayley Williams telling The Guardian the thought process behind the hiatus was “Let’s see what it’s like to not hang our identities on Paramore all the time”. During the hiatus, respective band members dove into their solo endeavours with Williams’ debut album Petals for Armour and Zac Faro’s musical project HalfNoise. After almost six years, Paramore have released their sixth studio album This Is Why, and it is absolutely their best yet. The album takes the band back to their roots and reflects on that original punk sound, allowing it to mature. Paramore’s discography demonstrates that they are capable of more than one genre, but this new album’s post-punk sound is a sign of the times of the band growing with their listeners.’

Words by Ashley Thieme

Design by Eleanor Byrne

UNITING The LGBTQIA+ Community Through Music

From George Michael to Girl in Red, the LGBTQ+ community has produced some brilliant musicians. Our contributors explore how the community has been united through music and what it means to them:

'I first felt connected to Anna Calvi’s music at 15, where I stopped to watch her set at the 2019 Latitude Festival. I had heard her album Hunter on repeat at home, but I never understood the force of Calvi’s operatic range and display of androgyny until I saw her live. She mesmerised me immediately, and I knew I had to do a Spotify deep dive of Calvi’s discography. Her first album (self-titled) was released in 2011, with the track Suzanne and I being a queer standout. The very title of the track unapologetically hints towards a relationship between two women; Calvi’s voice repeating in a ricocheting vibrato ‘Suzanne and I, Suzanne and I’. However, it was relistening to her ten-track third album Hunter that drew me in, being both sultry yet aggressive, and discreet yet brutally honest, resonating with me feeling stuck between being cautious and proud about expressing my sexuality as a teen. The album deals with topics such as suppressed sexuality, the conflict between gender expression and stereotypes and how they affect a relationship between two women. Calvi’s exploration of these issues allows members of the LGBTQ+ community to experience a sense of belonging and unity, making them realise that their experiences are not singular and subsequently feel more understood.'

Words by Izzy Walsh

Design by Isla McCormack

'Growing up and coming to terms with my bisexuality, the bands I listened to shaped my views on acceptance and the importance of loving yourself and those around you. Whilst not LGBTQ+, The Script, my favourite band of all time, have made albums that consistently champion staying true to your own identity. They explored themes of sexuality and identity in their 2017 album Freedom Child, more specifically in songs such as ‘Make Up’ and the titular track itself. They are a band who advocate for their concerts being a safe space for fans – to quote Danny O’Donoghue, “promot[ing] the freedom of expression, to do what you want to do, be who you want to be, and love who you want to love”.

Aside from The Script, bands like The 1975 and My Chemical Romance inspired me to reciprocate hate through love. ‘Loving Someone’, a track from The 1975’s second album, presses the importance of combatting social hypocrisies when it comes to violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community, majority of whom mean absolutely no harm and just want to express their love. Music has not just given me identity, it has been a voice for when I have lost my own. It is so important that musicians continue to stress the importance of equality, as well as advocate for love and peace for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.'

Words by Tegan Davies

being both sultry yet aggressive, and discreet yet brutally honest, resonating with me feeling stuck between being cautious and proud about expressing my sexuality as a teen.

“ ” it has been a voice for when I have lost my own.

Diversity and Togetherness

Celebrating Culture in Literature

Australia: ‘My Brilliant Career’ by Miles Franklin

‘My Brilliant Career’ is Miles Franklin’s 1901 debut novel, exploring class, gender, and youth in late 19th to early 20th century rural Australia. Purporting to be an autobiography, the book tracks the journey of Sybylla, a headstrong, free-spirited girl growing up in the Australian bush, reflecting Franklin’s adolescence in the mountain-guarded valleys of the Alps in New South Wales.

An intelligent girl with a literary gift, Sybylla struggles to confine her potential whilst slaving away at the rough yet beautiful family-owned farm, Possum Gully.

The 1890s were, in the words of Carmen Callil who wrote the introduction to the book, ‘a period of political and artistic ferment’ in Australia – the six colonies federated to form the independent Commonwealth and there was an emergence of fervent nationalism in literature. Franklin contributes to this patriotic literary tradition, celebrating nationalism and socialism in the immensely detailed pages of ‘My Brilliant Career’.

Franklin writes fondly of her homeland, yet she is conflicted about the classist, misogynist social structures within it. This oxymoronic relationship is captured in the metaphor: “the cruel dazzling brilliance of the metal sky”.

Published worldwide and adapted into a film, ‘My Brilliant Career’ illuminates the lush Oceanic landscape while teaching readers about the nation’s complex history.

words by: Eve Davies

South Asia, India: ‘Life Of Pi’ by Yann Martel

Yann Martel’s ‘Life Of Pi’ celebrates South Asian culture through a man’s childhood in his hometown, to his adulthood in Canada, wherein between such, he becomes stranded in the ocean with zoo animals. Whilst only the first section is based in Pondicherry, a French colonial part of South India, its culture lingers throughout the novel and affects the way Pi philosophises life. Growing up in a zoo, he understands much of life through eternal nature; a notion the culture is renowned for. From violence and hierarchy to beauty and freedom, he grasps a sense of its rhythm. What’s more, the novel serves as fuel for some postcolonial thought; with some historical background, we learn about French colonial influence, from architecture to school and street names. Pi’s name itself, is the shortened version of his first name: Piscine. Other than distaste towards his name, the narrator embraces the mashed cultures. It’s only when he moves to Canada that he experiences the negative effects of colonialism and globalisation: when he uses his hands to eat traditionally in an Indian restaurant, he is condemned in a way that makes him feel inferior- a subtle but memorable introduction to racism for both the protagonist and the reader.

words by: Anushka Kar

America and LGBTQ+: ‘Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl’ by Andrea Lawlor

Recent years have brought us forward in leaps and bounds when it comes to celebrating culture through literature. Yet, I feel, none are as powerful as Lawlor’s depiction of the LGBTQ+ community, gender and the vibrant culture of the clubbing and festival scenes of the US in the early 90s. The beauty and fluidity with which Paul discovers their identity of Polly reflect euphoric experiences of queer culture that are often difficult to articulate. The author uses their own identity to help shape the characters, yet the story reflects common issues surrounding the anxiety of being nonconformist, navigating youth culture and, most importantly, love. The novel is a dynamic and honest bildungsroman, allowing readers (particularly those under LGBTQ+ cultural umbrella themselves) to develop an intense connection and relatability to the characters. As a result, the unique exploration of culture, as a means of bringing together a community, in juxtaposition to individuals’ internal struggles, is felt beautifully throughout. It is a fantastic patchwork of alternative, queer and youth culture, set in an era where the adults of today were only just beginning to find themselves.

words by: Charlotte Crispin

North Africa: ‘No One Sleeps in Alexandria’ by Ibrahim Abdel Meguid

To visit the beauty that is North Africa is to be blessed. Being one of the several countries located in Northern Africa, Egypt can be considered one of the most historical nations of the world. An expression regularly used by Arabs is ‘مصر .. أم الدنيا’ which roughly translates to ‘Egypt, Mother of the World.’ The adoration and devotion Arabs worldwide have for Egypt are second to none, and they express this fondness with pride. A novel that perfectly encapsulates modern-day Egyptian complexities, culture, and bliss is ‘No One Sleeps in Alexandria,’ initially written in Arabic by Ibrahim Abdel Meguid. The novel follows the friendship between a devout Muslim and a Copt Christian that undergo the fulfilling experiences of self-discovery and struggle throughout the length of the book. This novel enables readers to experience life in the city of Alexandria and all the history, might, and delicacies it has to offer. From touching on the topics of differences in religion to the ramifications of the Second World War, this novel seamlessly introduces readers to everyday life in several parts of Egypt. This novel is recognized to be a treasure by millions of Middle Easterns and North Africans worldwide, and for a great reason at that.

words by: Haya Asali

South Asia, Afghanistan and Islamic Culture: ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khaled Hussaini

The secularity of religion translates into our readership for Middle Eastern poetry and literature as the 21st century rise in interest finally recognises the significance, not only for the cultural setting of a text’s surroundings but additionally relating the reader to an urban shared experience of Islam. Hussaini’s ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ shares the experience of two women navigating girlhood and marriage under Taliban rule of 1990’s Afghanistan. Separated by a generational age gap, the novel divides Mariam’s rural upbringing with Laila’s city modernism into two images of female resilience that overcome comparative hurdles and combine efforts against their common enemy: their husband.

Mariam and Laila meet officially as wives to Rasheed— a widower who marries 15-year-old Mariam, and later, Laila at the same age. Aggressively conservative, Rasheed’s idea of a wife is clear: obedient and fertile. Mariam’s failure at pregnancy unleashes a world of violent abuse unbeknownst to neighbour Laila until she herself enters the household, seeking safety. In the most complex of triangles, the love that manifests is between kindred women. Hussaini’s rejection of Western stereotypes promotes non-Western women as not only protagonists but heroines against a patriarchal regime that liberates Muslim women from white-saviour images of helplessness. Sheltered from war-torn Kabul, the domestic irony argues a broad cultural sense of female experience. With nearly 4 million UK Muslims, Khaled Hussaini’s novels are comforting and inspiringly relevant.

words by: Tahira Saira Ali design by: Ananya Ranjit

Forever Friends

Friendship is one of the most beautiful forms of union we can experience. It makes sense, then, that fiction is one of the best places to depict such a special bond.

Neapolitan Quartet - Elena Ferrante

Words by Jade Heath

To me, one of the best friendships in literature is the friendship between Lila and Elena from Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet. The original texts are in Italian, and their friendship originally takes place in 1950s working-class Naples. My Brilliant Friend is the first book, which details the girls’ upbringings in both childhood and through their descent into adolescence. Despite the solidity of their friendship and the love they clearly hold for each other, the books depict an honest and unsentimental portrayal of femininity, which includes insecurity and bitterness. Perhaps this is what I love most about the novels; the women the story is centred around are flawed and imperfect. Naturally, a lot of tensions that arise in their friendship is external to them and a consequence of their growing up in a deeply misogynist culture. Despite Lila being the intellectual prodigy of the two when they are children, it is Elena, the narrator, who goes on to pursue further education. Lila’s parents refuse to pay for this option, and she instead has to help out at her father’s shoe shop, watching her best friend from the sidelines. This is a major plot point in the novel, demonstrating the struggles of both being a woman and being poor, wherein continuing one’s education is considered a futile and unimportant option. Jealousy is therefore an ever-present emotion within their friendship, and this is also seen in the second novel The Story of a New Name, through Elena’s attitude to Lila’s marriage. Despite it being one which is plagued with misery and even abuse, it was also accompanied with a level of wealth, which is originally the only thing that Elena sees. The emotions she feels during this period again serve to highlight the external class and gender struggles which torment their ever-prevailing friendship.

Winnie-the-Pooh - A. A. Milne

Words by Chahat Gandhi

My take on the best friendship in literature is a sentimental one, one that would immediately take us all down to the memory lane - it’s Winnie the Pooh & Piglet.

A new day calls for a new adventure in A. A. Milne’s classic tale Winnie-the-Pooh. We’ve all grown up reading and watching the adventures of Pooh and the gang in the Hundred Acre Woods, and there’s no denying that the characters are an iconic part of childhood.

I love that both characters truly complete each other. The series teaches so much about the fact that friendship is truly about being there for each other no matter what. Every time Piglet tries conquering one of his fears, Pooh is there, supporting him.

Doing the tiniest of things together gives them the most joy, and that is what I think true friendship is. The duo never needs a plan; they have the best of times together even if they only ‘sit out of the wind and do nothing’. They share a very genuine, casual, and thoughtful relationship. Isn’t that what we all crave in life? For me personally, I’ve learned so much about friendship from this silly bear and his little best friend. If I had to describe the bond between the two in just one word, I’d choose ‘wholesome’. Or, to quote Pooh, their friendship is like ‘a warm pot of honey on a cold chilly day’.

One quote that always leaves me teary eyed“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”. It’s the perfect quote to sum up a book that encapsulates what friendship truly is.

The Best Friendships in Literature

A Street Cat Named Bob - James Bowen

Words by Kavita Patel

Words by Molly Openshaw

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree was the first book I read in 2023, and no book is yet to live up to the enchanting novel of friendship, adventure and coffee in this novel boasting ‘high fantasy and low stakes’. If, like me, you enjoy fantasy novels and their rich world-building and unique characters, yet sometimes find the typical quest, battle, and death sequence overwhelming, then this novel is the perfect palette cleanser for a kinder, cosier type of fantasy. Legends and Lattes follows a retired orc, named Viv, in her endeavour to open a coffee shop in a land unbeknownst to coffee, seeing her making unlikely friends in the town of Thune. The low-stakes element of this novel means that it feels more like the exposition part of a typical fantasy novel, meaning we get to experience more of the world-building, friendships budding and the fantastical elements of magic that make the genre so enchanting.

It is the depictions of friendships in this novel that make it so heartwarming, as we see the protagonist, Viv, befriend shy residents of Thune and bring together a community. We meet Tandri, a succubus who is soon employed at the coffee shop to help Viv and quickly becomes a companion. There’s Cal, the carpenter responsible for constructing the coffee shop and encouraging Viv to achieve her dreams. Thimble, the rattkin, is a quiet and mischievous baker of delicious treats such as cinnamon buns and thimblets (biscuits). Probably my favourite is Pendry, the shy bard who entertains the customers in the coffee shop. Travis Baldtree crafts a beautiful tale about the ordinary yet perfect parts of life in an extraordinary world, and I could not recommend this book more.

Friendships can often sneak up on you and alter your life for the better in less than five minutes. Typically, friendships are shaped from social activities when you least expect it, and no one knows how long they will last. It is not every day that you find a true, dear companion in a cat. Their scratchy and independent nature make them highly unreliable and unrelatable creatures, which people tend to avoid. This cannot be said for the representation of a blossoming friendship between a feline friend and recovering drug addict male in A Street Cat Named Bob, an autobiography by James Bowen. The novel examines the importance of friendship at a time of crucial need and loneliness. The author Bowen relays his journey from a homeless musician busking on the streets of London, to surviving alongside the company of Bob.

Bowen’s novel highlights the significance of a stable, loyal friend and demonstrates how a small minimal change such as feline friendship can become somebody’s reason to persevere and have a reason to live. The novel illustrates themes of loyalty and trust in one another, demonstrating a remarkable friendship between human and animal.

In my opinion, it is one of the best friendships in literature due to its natural occurrence; the friendship is pure and particularly unique considering the circumstances for communication. The autobiography emphasises that the company of another, big or small (and regardless of language barriers), can often lead to the most valuable friendships that you treasure the most. The novel centres the importance of taking a chance on someone as you never know where it could lead you, as well as helping others in need. Despite being a homeless, recovering addict, when Bowen found Bob abandoned and injured, he chose to help him. It led to saving his life, ultimately illustrating the value of a true friend.

Design by Molly Openshaw

Legends and Lattes - Travis Baldtree

Photography by Julien Tse

Fashion as a United Voice

Racism:

The fashion industry has been evolving and rotating its trends and genres at an alarming rate; the result of social media. By the time you’ve spent a week on TikTok, new trends are already cycled in. What’s interesting to see, is the integration of fashion from cultures around the world, with the Western one. With this integration, a thin line begins to form between appreciation and appropriation. But this isn’t something we’re only just being introduced to.

Streetwear is accredited to a few different decades and its pioneers. Willi Smith, an African American designer from the 70s and 80s who introduced streetwear to the catwalk, had his success in South Asia, where he launched WilliWear Ltd. But it was not until the 90’s when the style really had significance worldwide. New York’s HipHop emerged alongside the Californian surf style. Mixed in with sportswear and Japanese fashion, designers like James Jebbia and Shawn Stussy allowed the hybrid genre to flourish on a global level. Its origins are rooted in the black community, and celebrities, even from the White community, took an attraction. We began to see streetwear used in media, whether it was music videos or Hollywood films. While we began to see it on the runway, streetwear became accessible and acclaimed by public communities around the world. Now a part of the mainstream industry, blogpost Vocast mentions it’s important to acknowledge streetwear as a genre rather than a trend, in order to pay homage to its Black roots, and avoid appropriation; i.e. A culture cannot be a trend. As cultural awareness progresses, especially in the white, Western world, it’s important to recognise the difference between appreciation and appropriation; the latter done by only regarding cultures as nothing more than a tool for appearances.

In her 2016 Superbowl performance, Beyonce paid tribute to many different historical Black leaders and movements, one of them being The Black Panthers Party. Just as the people of the movement, her backup dancers donned black outfits and berets upon their afros, referencing the revolutionary party and its ideologies of self-defence, in particular, against police brutality. Platforms were starting to be used more to pay tributes, and to reintroduce ideologies to the other communities, spread across media. Only a year later, Rihanna launched her cosmetic line Fenty Beauty. The cosmetic sphere has had a reputation for its lack of acknowledgement of the non-white community. Suddenly, we had someone in the industry rooting for us; we were catered to. Perhaps the two events are not interconnected, but needless to say, when fashion really pulls through with cultural representation, and in the right way, communities are seen; they have something to support in the industry.

words by Anushka Kar

Sexism:

Fashion has been used as a powerful tool to combat sexist issues for decades. From the growth of gender-neutral clothing to united community action with fashion at the forefront, the world of fashion works beyond its expected functions to incite thought and push for the change of outdated sexist practices.

Traditionally, issues of sexism have been predominantly targeted towards women and girls, however, more recently there have been movements with fashion as the driving force which have influenced men and boys to embrace their femininity and not conform to toxic masculine standards. A recent example of this was Harry Styles and his controversial Vogue cover which saw him photographed in an extravagant but beautiful dress. His shoot sparked some furious debate among many on social media, some in support, some furiously opposed. It also ignited a movement on TikTok which saw male users posting videos of themselves in dresses and other traditionally feminine clothing and makeup under the ironic caption ‘bring back manly men’. Along with this, a trend involving men posting videos wearing maid outfits became popular as a form of resistance against the statement ‘boys can’t wear dresses’ which came about as a response to his vogue shoot.

Another important wing of fashion to consider is the clothing worn in the sporting world. When it comes to gendered issues and challenging sexist structures, the sporting world is a major player contributing to and enforcing mistreatment of women and girls. A moment which has stuck in my memory was when a Norwegian Beach Handball team decided to boycott the sexist uniform regulations insisting on female players to wear bikini bottoms and small revealing tops. Back in 2021, the whole team chose to wear shorts to a match which resulted in them being fined around 1500 euros. This small but significant fashion choice made waves, with singer Pink offering to cover the cost of the fine, and more importantly with there being an alteration to the uniform rules for female players, allowing them to wear shorts and tops that actually cover their stomachs. Taking into consideration the fact that male players are permitted to wear much less revealing uniforms, a change in the rules was certainly due to inspire more action in combatting the current gender inequalities in sport.

There are endless examples of times when fashion has been the driving force behind a movement which has influenced a community to participate in action for social change. These moments demonstrate the fact that fashion is powerful, and that one small stylistic decision, whether it be intentional or not can serve a much larger and significant cause beyond its initial purpose.

words by Elinor Pyman

Homophobia:

Marginalised from mainstream culture, the queer community has long been forced to find it’s home in the fine print of society. Alternative, unusual and often creative scenes have called to LGBT individuals, offering spaces for them to exist in their queer identities; allowing for them to safely explore different expressions of gender and sexuality. Subcultures like the punk scene are one such home, built on the backs of the LGBTQ+ community – they have served as great inspiration for legendary designers, such as the recently passed Vivienne Westwood.

Beyond this, many queer people have also found sanctuary within the fashion industry itself. Cisgender gay men frequently made their way up the ranks in this field, establishing themselves as leaders in their fields. Many fashion icons such as Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Laurent lived their lives as openly gay men. It is therefore undeniable that the fashion industry as we know it today would not exist without the contribution of the queer community, who have continued to serve as inspirations for decades.

Not surprising then is how the world of fashion has used its platform to establish itself as a medium for protest and political change, especially with regards to homophobia –which impacts so many of the workers and beyond. One more modern example of this is the blurring of lines between women and men’s clothes, which have existed for centuries within a strict Western gender binary. To break down these barriers goes against what is expected of people living in a cishet patriarchal system. Notably many male celebrities have appeared in magazines and on the runway in skirts, traditionally meant for women, although the extent of how effective this by different individuals is contested. Take Harry Styles, his outfits may be a finger to the system, but they’re just not very good. Rapper Kid Cudi wore a dress on SNL that was gorgeous (in my opinion), and did so much of a better job than Styles previously has. I digress, the LGBT community has long been associated with campness and dressing in ways that are, a bit, out of the box – so to see famous men of all sexualities stand in solidarity with them, simply by just wearing a skirt or a dress, is a stand against homophobia.

words by Genevieve Gunn page design by Ananya Ranjit

Will You Wear White? The Wedding Dress Recession

Words by Amy Wild

Page Design by Haris Hussnain

Long before the days of Instagram influencers and Pinterest boards, it was royalty who set the trends regarding wedding fashion. And in the late 1800s, it was none other than Queen Victoria who changed the game for brides everywhere. Prior to Victoria, royal brides did not usually wear white. Instead, brides choose ornate dresses embroidered with white and silver threads, bold hues like red, blue, or yellow, and black or brown (who said goth wasn’t in?).

Of course, it took a while for the working and middle classes to catch on—they were too busy fighting a war—but eventually, they came around after World War II. So the next time you see a bride walking down the aisle in a white gown, you’ll know that you have Queen Victoria to thank for that iconic fashion statement.

But when Vicotria walked down the aisle to marry her beloved Prince Albert in 1890, she dressed in a stunning white gown, and the world took notice. The trend caught on like wildfire, and by the end of the 19th century, the white dress was the ultimate status symbol for brides with a royal pedigree. From European aristocrats to American heiresses, everyone who was anyone donned a white dress on their big day.

As the white wedding dress gained traction, it wasn’t just a fashion statement but a status symbol. The connotation of ‘innocence and virginal purity’ that came with the dress was as important as the dress itself.For the brides of the time, the wedding was the ultimate prop for their decorum, and the white dress was a way of signalling to the world that they were pure and chaste. In fact, some brides were so shy that they wouldn’t even show their faces in public until they were safely married off. It’s difficult to imagine a time when a dress could carry so much significance, but for these brides, the white wedding gown was more than just a piece of fabric - it represented their worth and place in society. And even today, the tradition lives on, with brides still choosing to wear white dresses (even if they don’t realise it) to signal their purity and innocence as they walk down the aisle.

More and more brides are choosing to venture outside the white wedding for their big day. After all, why do we still feel the need to wear a dress that essentially says, ‘Hey everyone, I’m still pure and untouched by another man!’? I love that brides embrace the beauty and diversity of different cultures regarding their wedding attire. Take Indian weddings, for example - they’re all about the bright pinks and reds when it comes to the bride’s dresses. In Nigeria, wedding attire is a riot of colour, with Gele head ties adding a pop of personality. It’s not just in other cultures, either. Remember Mary’s stunning red wedding dress in About Time? It was a refreshing change from the usual white dresses we see in movies and TV shows, and it got me thinking - maybe I don’t have to wear white either.

So, future brides, it’s time to ask yourself: will you stick to tradition and wear white, or will you take a cure from other cultures (or Mary from About Time) and embrace something a little more colourful? Or maybe you won’t wear a dress at all? The choice is yours!

HOSTELS and

Their Ability to Unite International Travellers

In June 2022, I embarked on my first-ever backpacking adventure from the North to the South of Thailand. Slightly naive to the fact that my backpack was literally half my size and packed full to the brim with TikTok recommended travel ‘essentials’, I set off from Bangkok to Chiang Mai to spend two nights at an elephant sanctuary turned hostel in the jungle.

Here, I met a wonderful group from the midlands, a confident Dutchman, and a crazy Chilean couple (who had DIYed a bong out of bamboo and spent the majority of their time permanently high – cannabis had been legalised in Thailand a week before I arrived). We spent two nights together in an open-air hostel with just a wool blanket and moth-holed mosquito net for protection. Experiencing the Thai jungle at night is something I will never forget. The sounds, the breeze, the air. It’s all very unnerving – honestly, it felt like we were participating in the opening scene of a horror film. But being surrounded by this welcoming group of strangers made it all feel somewhat normal. We stayed up late chatting about our travels, future plans, and what we would do when we returned home. Writing about it now makes it seem like some kind of fever dream.

After being dropped back to Chiang Mai bus station, we all went our separate ways. To me, this is the beauty of staying in hostels with other like-minded travellers. You share pieces of yourself with others; if they have similar plans maybe you’ll travel together, or maybe you’ll just share a life experience with them before continuing on your route. The transient nature of hostels and their ability to bring people together (even briefly) is unmatched. I would pick a grubby hostel over a budget hotel any day!

Words by Olivia Griffin Design by: Soyal Khedkar

Hostels are a great opportunity to meet people when travelling. I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of my most inspiring friends when staying in hostels. Although they don’t always provide the most comfortable experience, and I caught Covid in a hostel in Vienna, they offer an affordable, exciting way to travel that is arguably better than a fivestar hotel. I’d choose to spend a month in hostels all over Europe instead of a week in a hotel in Spain in a heartbeat. Granted, hostels teach you vigilance as not everyone has the same mindset as you, but you learn to trust your gut, know when to speak up, and how to get your sleep in the strangest of circumstances.

The ability of hostels to unite individuals from all over the world is such a unique experience. It almost feels like a school trip, except you have the freedom to do whatever you want. I’m lucky enough to have met friends who, within twelve hours of knowing them, celebrated my new job by dragging me to a boat party in Budapest. I’m thankful for the new friendship group that I spent three amazing days with, exploring Vienna and watching The Sound of Music in our dorm. I had the opportunity to visit them at university in Birmingham, as well as all the way in Virginia.

Once, whilst my friend and I were backpacking France, we were worried about visiting Marseille due to having heard bad things. However, after meeting a new friend in our hostel, she introduced us to the best of Marseille. We ended up having the best 24 hours exploring islands off the coast, drinking wine, eating cheese, and admiring the street art and cathedrals. Therefore, meeting international friends in hostels is a great way to connect to the world. There is no better way to gain experience and meet people different from yourself than when you travel broke and stay in hostels.

Words by Jasmine Dodd

One of the most fun and social hostels I have ever stayed in was Ben and Greg’s Beer Hostel in Krakow, Poland. I hadn’t stayed in many hostels post Covid-19, and I forgot how fun they can be. Hostels which have less of a social atmosphere are still lovely, but as I solo travel a lot, meeting people in hostels whilst away is essential to me. When I arrived at Ben and Greg’s Beer Hostel there was a line to check in, so I went upstairs to the social area. There was a big group hanging out and talking about where they were all from, and they soon asked where I was from. I’m Australian, and I soon met many fellow Australians along with British, Dutch, Portuguese, New Zealand, and American travellers. We spent the night having dinner in the hostel, playing drinking games, and going to Polish ‘shot’ bars. The night ended at 4 am with a snowball fight and making snowmen. When I moved on to a new hostel in Warsaw, I ran into one of the girls I had previously met and spent a few days discovering the city with her. Then, I was in Venice a few months later and ran into one of them there too! I’ve stayed in 25+ hostels all over the world which has led to me making friends everywhere. When I visit a new country, I often get to meet up with friends from previous hostels. In 2019, I made a friend at a hostel in South Africa and ended up spending Christmas with her and her family in the Netherlands last year. Although hostels can be daunting at first, they give you the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and have experiences you’d never expect.

Words by Mahala Gainer

What do you do when you fly to Portugal for what is supposed to be a romantic week, only to find out the guy you’re dating has met someone else and dumps you on day two? You cry by the pool. But the next day you go solo sightseeing and talk to the American girls sitting across from you on the buggy. They convince you to check into a hostel. You go on a date that same night with your tour guide. You realise you’re not as alone as you thought you were. And you pack your bags and leave that prick.

I had never stayed in a hostel prior to August 2022. It had never appealed to me, a creature of comfort who desired the luxury of fluffy pillows and privacy. Hostels sounded scary and uncomfortable and full of creeps. I was surprised by what I learned; you can make an insane number of friends when you need to. Being alone and heartbroken in a foreign country forced me to speak to strangers and be more open than ever before. I shared a room with seven girls and enjoyed the camaraderie more than I could’ve ever anticipated.

On my first night, I made dinner in the shared kitchen that was bustling with backpackers preparing penne. Entering the dining hall, I felt overwhelmed until I saw two girls around my age and made a beeline for their table. They were friendly and welcoming, and I soon found myself pouring my heart out again about what had happened. In more new faces I found support and friendship. We all went on a night out together in Lisbon and picked up other travellers along the way. It was magical and I’ve never felt less alone.

In hindsight, I think everyone needs to get dumped abroad and check into a hostel. It was sort of the making of me.

Words by Laura Schjoett Design by: Soyal Khedkar

UNITING PASSIONS: HOW TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT YOU LOVE WHILE ABROAD

You might want to go away for an extended period, working, volunteering, or studying abroad, or just travelling here, there, and everywhere (I get that urge often), yet you’re worried about not being able to continue your hobbies while on the move. After all, our hobbies are (hopefully) the things we enjoy doing most; they are part of our routines and essentially a part of who we are. They can also provide comfort when travelling in foreign places.

So, I’m here to help you find a solution to practising your hobbies while pursuing another passion – travel. In fact, travelling is a hobby in itself and provides the perfect opportunity to pick up or develop others!

From sports to crafts, music, and beyond, hobbies come in all sorts of shapes. You often have more ‘free time’ when away from home and all the responsibility that comes with everyday life, allowing more time for you to invest in yourself, interests, and skills. Bored on a long journey? Why not try practising a hobby while literally on the go? Reading, learning a language, drawing, journaling, or mediating are all hobbies that can be practised on the spot, and would peacefully pass those long travel hours. These activities could also make great sun-lounger pastimes.

Being a typical English Literature student, I love visiting libraries and bookshops in foreign cities and picking up a book or bookmark (if I’m tight on luggage) as a memento. Some of my favourite bookish spots I’ve encountered while travelling are Venice’s Librairie Acqua Alta, Topping & Company in Edinburgh, and Ganesha Bookshop in Ubud, Bali.

Musicians might want to look out for music societies or grab tickets for gigs. Foodies could try cookery lessons or attend food festivals, which are common during summer months. Any craft-lovers could consider attending workshops or visiting art stores for supplies if solo creation is preferred. Eventbrite is a useful website for tracking events from concerts to food tasting, which take place all over the world.

If you are an athletic socialite, consider seeking out sports clubs while away. A quick google-search should guide you here, but you might want to ask some locals for recommendations – hotel staff, air bnb hosts, restaurant staff, or uber drivers are usually open to conversation about opportunities that their hometowns offer.

Of course, the type of sports clubs would differ depending on culture, but the atmosphere is generally familiar. For example, rugby and football are popular international sports and its worth paying a visit to local clubs. Alternatively, you could temporarily join a gym – most gyms offer daily or weekly passes. Don’t be afraid to get chatting to staff or other willing members as sports places and gyms usually have great, welcoming communities where you can meet like-minded people. You never know what other local recommendations they might have!

If running is your thing, Parkrun will be your best friend when travelling. Taking place at more than 2,000 locations in 22 countries across six continents, Parkrun is a collection of 5-kilometre event that you can run or walk. Pre-uni, I spent four weeks in Perth, Western Australia. As an avid runner, each Saturday morning I joined Rockingham’s Parkrun. The community spirit and support at these events was warming, making them an enjoyable, active addition to my trip.

Ultimately, finding space for your hobby while travelling is easier than you might imagine. Yes, it is nice to completely take a break from everything we do at home when on holiday, but when you are passionate about something that break is not always welcome, especially when away for longer periods of time. Taking your hobbies abroad and venturing beyond typical tourist activities provides the opportunity to meet people and experience different cultures on a deeper level, making trips all the more meaningful.

Words By: Eve Davies

Design By: Mia Wilson

Food Banks are here to help

Amid the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, more and more households are turning to food banks for help putting food on the table. Rising food costs – along with an increase in household energy tariffs and road fuel costs – mean many British households are having to choose between heating their home and feeding their family. This is a decision no person should ever have to make, and the situation is only becoming more desperate. Despite being in this position through no fault of their own, vulnerable families still feel somewhat ashamed and humiliated by their use of food banks, and a notable stigma still surrounds the frequent use of the service. Why is this, and what can ordinary people do to break the stigma? Our country needs to take a united approach to help those less fortunate.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; global supply chain issues; years of going in and out of national Covid lockdowns: these are all factors that have contributed to the current cost-of-living crisis. While we’ve all felt the squeeze, the current situation is causing some to suffer much more than others.

Some suggest that the rising cost of living has widened the UK’s (already prevalent) wealth divide, with Britain’s lower-income households in a much more vulnerable position than its wealthiest families. A 2023 YouGov survey has found that nearly 20% of the British public have made significant changes to their spending habits yet still struggle to cover food costs and bills. Many of these people are young adults who are unemployed or in part-time work, living in rented or council accommodation. On the other end of the spectrum, the YouGov survey found that the majority of those least affected by the cost-of-living crisis are retirees who own their homes outright and are sustained by their pension. Rising interest rates mean mortgage payments are increasing, which directly affects those paying off a mortgage on their own home as well as those paying rent to a landlord.

Almost everyone is making spending cutbacks at the moment, and the most vulnerable have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Nonetheless, it’s clear to see that lower-income families are consistently disproportionately affected by national financial crises in the UK. Thankfully, they are not alone, and there is help out there.

The Trussel Trust, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works towards ending hunger and poverty in the UK, opened their UK first food bank in the year 2000. Since then, they have opened over 1200 branches nationwide and offer free three-day food packages to people in crisis. The service is extremely overwhelmed in the current cost-of-living crisis, and being a charity, it relies on volunteers and donations from members of the public to stay afloat.

There are some great initiatives out there for collecting food bank donations: food donation boxes near the entrance of supermarkets, opportunities to donate at local churches, and does anyone remember the Harvest Festival in Primary school?! It’s a core memory for me – bringing in my tins of baked beans and spaghetti hoops, and singing “Cauliflowers fluffy, cabbages green…”. Little did 10-year-old me know the good we were doing for those struggling to feed their families, as well as raising awareness for food banks. Some celebrities even use their wealth and fame to help, such as Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, who successfully campaigned for children’s free school meals to be continued throughout school holidays. Speaking to the BBC in 2020, Rashford urged others to unite and use their privilege to help those in need, claiming “the fight to protect our most vulnerable children is far from over”.

Someone who should perhaps learn from Rashford is Tory MP Lee Anderson, who has recently made news for his derogatory comments about foodbank users.

Suggesting that people who use food banks “cannot cook properly” and just “cannot budget”, Anderson is fuelling the stigma, portraying negative stereotypes of lower-income families which are far from the truth. This threatens the stability of food banks, which are a lifeline for many. Thankfully, Anderson’s comments were rightfully met with a huge backlash by social media users, who branded him “30p Lee” and described him as a “walking embarrassment”.

The backlash to Anderson’s comments is promising –it shows that we can come together as a nation and break the stigma around food banks. We need to praise food bank users instead of pitying them, treat them with respect, encourage our friends and loved ones to make donations where they can, and buy an extra tin of beans to put in the supermarket donation boxes. Help your friend out if they can’t afford to eat. Perhaps go with them to a foodbank if they’re scared to go alone. But most importantly, remember to always treat each other with kindness no matter what – unity is what we need.

Words by: Molly Grenfell Design by: Eva Castanedo

There’s no conversation starter like food:

The Unifying Qualities of Food Through Culture and Memory

Whether or not you’re a ‘foodie’, you’ve probably at least once met up with friends or family over a meal. But why? Biologically, we’re inclined to consume things as humans; we all experience hunger and the need to eat. As social animals, we’re inclined to build relationships with other people. So why did we start building them through food? Why did that need become more of a want? Why is it that we attach sentiment to our food and memory to our drinks? Both questions and answers are incredibly philosophical. Somewhere along the timeline, we went from foraging fruit and hunting meat to the fast-paced life of mixing said grub with sugar, salt, and spices. Either from our own homes or in the ambiance of a café or restaurant, we bond over the commercialisation of this need, that has now become a want. Because the pleasure of food is not just its taste and its satisfaction, but the occasion, the time, or the place it is allocated to. Essentially, food holds its own culture and memory, along with the power to unite humans worldwide.

Culture

There are so many social aspects of food, whether that is cooking together, chatting over coffee and cake, or a dinner date. In all of these things resides some type of culture. I’m not talking about the culture of bonding over food and occasions, but rather the globalisation of different ethnicities and cultures. Globalisation plays a part in identifying why food brings us to a table in some sort of harmony. Culture affects the way we think about food, the way we present it, and the way we eat it.

In South Asian culture, for example, whether you are religious or not, food is handled in some raw sacred sense: feet are not to be near it, rice should not reach the floor and every last grain is savoured. Food is placed gently on the plate, hands are used to savour a different taste that cutlery cannot provide, and it all artistically comes together. It’s a picture that brings South Asian families together every night, or at least every Sunday afternoon.

That post-Sunday lunch bliss is not too different in British culture as Sunday roasts encompass that same feeling. The sentiment of family is felt through the cooking and eating of a warm plate of food after the end of a busy week occupied with our own things.

In the Western world, cultural integration is blossoming at an increasing rate and part of that is through cuisine. It’s no surprise we’ve become more interested in each other’s cultures, which entail our languages, traditions, and our food –essentially what we fill our brains and our bellies with. And if not; if you’re simply interested in globalised food and nothing more, I bet you’ve still enjoyed part of another culture, whether at a niche little Ethiopian restaurant on the outskirts of London or a well-known Chinese Takeaway across the street.

Memory

If you’ve ever cooked with someone, you most likely haven’t done it in silence. You talk and bond through language, and it embeds itself as a memory into the food, which you then eat. Whether it was atrociously good or bad, you still remember it. If you’re cooking for someone, you’re providing them with nourishment, which works as a love language. It’s saying, ‘I’ve put some time and some thought into providing you with palatable food, so you can enjoy it’, and they’ll remember that.

If it’s an occasion, it brings multitudes of people together – take Christmas dinner for example. Religious or not, anyone who celebrates Christmas will most likely do so through food. It’s the social agent of any event. Months after, you have a memory of the entire process. The clattering of oven trays, something roasting, something bubbling over, the clink of glasses, the scratch of cutlery, the laughter over leftovers; or perhaps its quieter and it’s the rustle of blankets, the low hum of an oven and the murmur of the tv. Whatever it is, there’s food involved and you experience that overbearing satiety with friends or family; you share the memory.

We go out and spend money on brunches, lunches, and dinners sometimes just to catch up and converse with our friends or family, which is itself a loving gesture. It’s saying, ‘I’m willing to share my hunger, time, and money to connect with you. You’re worth experiencing satiety with’. At least, that’s how I interpret it. Such occasions can sometimes feel a little empty without food as the sensual experience of eating yields memory, even when it is gone.

Words By: Anushka Kar

Design By: Mia Wilson

Sut mae digwyddiadau Cymreig yn uno Cymru?

Fel bodau dynol, rydym yn rhannu llawer o nodweddion cadarnhaol cyffredin a meysydd gallwn fwynhau gyda’n gilydd. Mae rhai o’r meysydd sy’n ein huno yn cynnwys dawns, bwyd, celf a cherddoriaeth sy’n ein gwneud yn agosach at ein gilydd mewn harmoni. Os yw grŵp o bobl neu bethau yn uno neu os bydd rhywbeth yn eu huno, maen nhw’n ymuno a’i gilydd ac yn gweithredu fel grŵp. Mae ‘na digwyddiadau yng Nghymru yn digwydd yn flynyddol sy’n uno’r bobl Gymreig ledled y wlad.

Mae’r Eisteddfod yn llwyfan naturiol i gerddoriaeth, dawns, celfyddydau gweledol, llenyddiaeth, perfformiadau gwreiddiol a llawer mwy. Gan gwmpasu pob agwedd ar gelfyddyd a diwylliant Cymru, mae’n ŵyl gynhwysol a chroesawgar, sy’n denu miloedd o bobl Cymraeg a dysgwyr Cymraeg bob blwyddyn. Mae’r dathliad o Gymraeg yma yn uno pobl Gymreig, cei teimlad o hunaniaeth a bod yn rhan o gymuned groesawgar.

Yn sicr, mae’r gemau rygbi chwe gwlad a gemau rhyngwladol yn uno’r Cymreig. Hyd yn oed os nad ydych yn chwarae rygbi neu ddim cweit yn deall y gêm mae bloeddio’r anthem Gymraeg a chlywed y gytgan “Gwlad, Gwlad..” ymysg y cefnogwyr ond yn rhoi teimlad o falchder o fod yn Gymraeg. Mae gweld y bechgyn yn gwisgo’i chrysau rygbi Cymru yn dala’i pheints o gwrw a’r merched yn ei chrysau ffug Cymru llawn colur yn cymryd ei Instagram selfies ond yn cryfhau teimlad o Gymraeg a’n uno fel cenedl hyd yn oed os nad ydym yn gallu cofio’r gêm erbyn diwedd y noson..

Ynghyd a phedwar diwrnod cyffrous o gystadlaethau byd gydag anifeiliaid, crefftau, chwaraeon, coginio, coedwigaeth mae gan y sioe rhywbeth i ddiddori pawb trwy ei hystod eang o weithgareddau. Mae’r digwyddiadau yma yn uno unigolion ar draws y wlad i gymryd rhan ynddynt, tra ei fod yn ffordd grêt i gael unigolion i ddathlu’r

Gymraeg. Mae’r Sioe hyd yn oed yn denu sylw o bobl ar draws y byd, gyda phobl yn ymuno gyda’r dathliad yma. Nid yn unig yw’r sioe felly yn uno pobl Gymraeg ond hefyd yn uno pobl ar draws y byd.

Yn wahanol i nifer o wledydd mae gan Gymru iaith unigryw sy’n uno’r wlad. Mae’r iaith Gymraeg yn un cymhleth a hardd sydd wedi treulio hyd at 4,000 o flynyddoedd yn esblygu. Mae’r Gymraeg yn rhan annatod o’n ddiwylliant, ein treftadaeth a’n bywydau beunyddiol. Mae’n rhan o’n hetifeddiaeth a’n hunaniaeth a rennir fel cenedl. Ond ni ellir cymryd ei ddyfodol ledled Cymru yn ganiataol. Mae cyfrifoldeb arnom i gymryd camau rhagweithiol i gefnogi a chynyddu’r defnydd o’i iaith, a’i throsglwyddo i genedlaethau’r dyfodol. Mae’n rhywbeth gallwn ni gyd cydweithio gydia’n gilydd i ledaenu’r defnydd o Gymraeg a cheisio cyrraedd gôl y llywodraeth erbyn 2050 i gyrraedd miliwn o siaradwyr Gymraeg.

Mae’r digwyddiadau yma yng Nghymru sy’n digwydd dros y blynyddoedd ond yn uno’r genedl yn fwy. Yn wahanol i wledydd gwahanol mae gan Gymru deimlad clos sy’n cael ei ddangos yn nifer o ddigwyddiadau eang.

Geiriau gan Lowri Davies Darlunio gan Alexa Price

Photography by Constance Cua

A Vote of No Confidence in a Relationship

Some view party politics from a purely economic perspective, but I believe it is virtually impossible to separate fiscal policies from social ones and I am of the opinion that someone’s political views are a reflection of their individual morals. I want someone’s morals to match up with mine, be that in a romantic relationship or a friendship. Healthy debate should always be encouraged, but is there a line to be drawn? Are there certain issues that you cannot just agree to disagree on?

Your belief system is part of who you are, therefore is it necessary to be in a relationship with someone who is constantly challenging part of your identity?

The Brexit referendum is a clear example of this; the nation was divided into ‘Leave’ and ‘Remain’ and it was inevitable that some couples would be on opposing sides. This proved that politics can always trickle down into individual lives to create tension, even when we don’t consider ourselves ‘political people’.

Words by: Jade Heath

Whether we assume it or not, politics holds paramount importance in everyone’s lives. Politics decides the direction in which the essential things in life should be heading into. For those fortunate enough to live in a society where our fundamental rights are respected, we tend to associate with those with whom we share our values or believe represent our best interests.

It feels that nowadays, the turbulence in the political arena translates into tension in people’s relationships. So, we lean more towards those who think like us and distance ourselves from those whose point of view is different, sometimes presuming that our stances are inherently better and, therefore, unconsciously assuming that that makes us better than others. I try to pry away from that unconscious bias, understanding that people have much more to offer than their ideology.

Correspondingly, I expect any partners to look further into who I am and what I can contribute to their lives rather than focus on which party my vote goes for.

Words by: Eva Castanedo

Design by: Eva Castanedo

In my opinion, politics should one hundred percent stay out of relationships, especially romantic ones. Voting is an extremely personal choice, and you most definitely shouldn’t judge your partner based on their political beliefs. There’s so much to explore in a relationship and I’m sure you don’t want to meddle with your partner’s political preferences at a date night.

Besides, politics and relationships don’t go hand in hand. There’s absolutely no need to discuss the pros and cons of union strikes, cost of living crisis or any other political matter over a nice stroll at Bute park. What you might be experiencing, your partner might not be and it may lead to unnecessary arguments if you try to impose your thoughts too much, because the effects of political matters on everybody are different. As long as you and your partner have healthy conversations once in a while about these subjects, I’m sure your relationship won’t be a battlefield. There’s already a lot to fight about when you’re dating (just kidding!)

But you know what they say; opposites attract, so don’t be too surprised if you end up with someone who believes in just the opposite political ideologies than you do. Remember, you should feel free to express your political beliefs (even when you’re in a relationship).

Words by: Chahat Gandhi

ain has most certainly lessened in the last century or so, and therefore the only concrete way to signal your values is through political standpoints. I would argue many places, including parts of America, still chase their perceived Christian values, but Britain’s commendable advancements in multiculturalism means there is a greater range of responses to ethical subjects in the mix. It is right to discuss your thoughts on big talking points, yet I also think it is acceptable to judge by them. In an increasingly polarised political landscape, you can essentially guess someone’s entire outlook on life based on a few responses. Weeding out early anybody who’s going to cause friction in your life decisions later can only be a good thing.

Words by: Billy Edwards

Politics is a core feature of our everyday lives: it affects every aspect ranging from jobs to healthcare, family life, and more. With the ever changing landscape of politics at the centre of how we understand the world, it can be challenging to consider a romantic relationship with someone who’s views don’t align with your own. Whilst it may seem to be a dealbreaker at first, I believe that the core values held by someone is more important than their political affiliation or voting history. If you and a potential partner share common values and are able to discuss your differences in a productive and respectful way, then there’s no reason it can’t work out. The way someone conducts themselves in their daily life is ultimately the most important thing, and disagreements on specifics can be overcome if you both want to make it work.

Words by: Freya Johns

Why Does No One Married? Want To Get

Words by Katie Brosnan Page Design by Isla McCormack

Ibelieve it was Candi Staton who once said, “What is the sense in sharing this one and only life?, ending up just another lost and lonely wife”. And indeed that seems to be the attitude of many young women today when it comes to marriage. The fairytale we were told as little girls of finding our one true love and living happily ever after turned out to be a lie. After all, marriage is not what it used to be when those fairy tales were written. If you wish, you’re allowed to marry as many times as you like (at least in the UK). So why do millennials and Gen Z reject the tradition of marriage so harshly? We live in a desecularized society in the UK, meaning religion is no longer a priority for most in everyday life. This relates directly to how dating and marriage is viewed by younger generations as we no longer have to “wait until marriage” to begin dating or have sex; marriage is simply not as special as it was 100 years ago.

Back to Candi Staton - the quote I selected is from her song “Young Hearts Run Free”, which is a song about finding yourself and ensuring you select the right partner before you tie the knot. This attitude is exactly what Gen Z is doing; we’re prioritising ourselves first and having fun. There’s nothing wrong with this approach to love or marriage especially when marriages tend not to last a lifetime anymore. As we’ve grown up, divorce rates have stayed high and many of us have seen our own parents or our friends’ parents get divorced which has contributed to our tendency to stay away from marriage. Another reason millennials and Gen Z are not taking marriage seriously is the state of the world right now. Getting onto the housing market and establishing a successful career are more of a priority for most young people these days and as a result, dating for marriage has largely been set aside. Furthermore, dating apps have made dating less serious - we no longer date to find a partner. We instead date to find whatever is available, whether it is a one-night stand, a uni fling

or by chance the love of our lives. Dating apps have made the potential market for a relationship incredibly broad, unlike previous generations where our dating pool was friends of friends or people from work. We can date anyone - anywhere - by just swiping right.

In my experience, marriage is still an option for most people our age, except it just happens later in life compared to our grandparents’ generation. My own grandparents got married young and stayed together for their whole lives which is one of the fairy-tale love stories I have always looked up to. However, these days young people have other priorities. I know I want to travel more, establish a career, and just live a little before I find “The One”, so I’ll think about marriage when I hit my late twenties. This attitude seems to be similar for most of my friends. None of us are too bothered about finding a relationship in our early twenties and we just do not think about marriage happening in the near future. However, I will say that my brother used to have this mindset until he met his fiancée so maybe finding your future spouse is more of a right time, right place thing.

I do think marriage is making a comeback. Since the pandemic I have seen so many people I

know from school or uni get married quite young. Over the past 3 years, 3 couples I know from university have become engaged, which terrifies me because we are still so young but they do all seem very much in love. Their experience is entirely different to mine but on a whole, I do believe that most of Gen Z do still have the aspiration of marriage as a once in a lifetime event.

Overall, traditional marriage at a young age is mostly being rejected by Gen Z and Millennials but not because we think it is pointless - it is because we no longer view it as a priority. Other life experiences are viewed as more important with marriage being seen as the cherry on top of living a great and fulfilled life, rather than the beginning of such.

Marriage is simply not as special as it was 100 years ago.

Diolch o galon.