Issue 2, april 2019
MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
YOU COULD SAY I WAS #MADEINMDX STUDENT LIFE | Business & Law VP 2017-19 discusses the doors Middlesex opened for her and her upcoming role at NUS. ERICA RAMOS My role as Vice President is more than just representing students from the Business and Law Schools (which has recently changed – it is now the Faculty of Professional and Social Sciences). It’s my job to work and campaign on the things that matter to you. Specifically I have a passion for students and have worked to ensure they are properly resourced and supported. I’ve also led campaigns on a range of issues, such as my campaign against Sexual Harassment #WeBelieveYou, the Free Periods campaign tackling period poverty, and supporting and celebrating international students on campus. One of the key roles I play as one of your representatives is to meet with other officers from other unions, from different universities and colleges from across the UK. We do this through networking opportunities at the National Union of Students (NUS), which is the national organisation for representing student
voice through a wider collective of affiliated Students’ Unions from across the country. It’s important that we work across the UK with other Unions on the issues that are facing students, as we are powerful when we stand together. Being a representative from an international background, and of a university that has a particularly diverse and multinational student body, I realised that there was so much more I could do to improve the everyday lives of international students, not just here at Middlesex but across the UK. Throughout my two years of being your VP and the International Students 2nd Place at NUS, I have learned that Students’ Unions play a really powerful role, not just in improving the lives of students on campus, but also in empowering students to participate in society and encouraging them to fight for causes that matter to them. Be that in their communities, or in the wider world.
The ability for Students’ Unions to shape a students’ journey through university, making it a worthwhile experience by providing opportunities for you to grow as leaders and champions within our society is so inspiring. This is why I made the decision to stand to be your Vice President Union Development at the National Union of Students – it’s because of Students’ Unions like MDXSU and their constant drive to encourage positive change through the empowerment of students that we have achieved so much for society, and for the world. So, I am going to spend my year in Students’ Unions, engaging them with NUS and giving local Unions the power to win on what matters to students. I’d like to end this article by saying that it has been such an honour, and such a thrilling experience to have been your Vice President Business and Law for the past two years. Thank you for all of your support, and especially to those who have just made this ride easier, inspiring, and worthwhile. I speak a lot about empowerment, but truly I have been empowered by YOU, the students, the staff, and the Students’ Union here at Middlesex.
STUDENT LIFE | A life changing experience. IRINA SHTEIS
Erasmus experience emphasising the given opportunity for personal growth. “The best way to improve is to get out of your comfort zone and discover a new world. That’s what student exchanges are all about. Taking that leap of faith will enhance all aspects of your being”. I was another of the presenters talking about how much my time studying at Middlesex University and my life in London had affected and reshaped my future. It’s worth mentioning that before moving from Iceland to the UK, I had an intermediate three-month stop in St. Petersburg, my home town. This might explain why the culture shift didn’t seem as harsh as it could have been. If one looks at the statistics, they would probably be amused to know
Student Voice Leader of the Year
Melissa Nabre
Community Contribution Award
Hisham Kanan & Neda Mohamadi Onco Nano Research Students Group
Highly Commended... Super POW!er of the Year
Natalie Rose
Best New Society
CSSA
Student-Led Event of the Year Highly Commended... Society of the Year Highly Commended... Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Highly Commended... MDXSU Student Staff Member of the Year
Life of an erasmus student
They say that palmar skin patterns might change once you gain more life experience. If someone read your hand before and after the completion of the Erasmus exchange program, this person might be surprised by the differences. “Life-changing”, “memorable”, “essential to growth” - ten students shared their Erasmus experience during the presentation event organized by MDX Exchange team for the university’s partners. The stories of the speakers varied from a practical “pros and cons” evaluation to a nostalgic look back. Two incoming students were highlighting the meaningful aspects of their exchange period at Middlesex. The BA English student Nikola Savic, coming from the University of Belgrade, reflected on his overall
STUDENT LIFE | pg11
that the population of Iceland is less than the number of inhabitants in the borough of Barnet. Once you move from the island with the primarily monolingual and ethnically homogeneous community, it takes time to get used to the diversity of the megapolis. For the majority of students moving away from home, the discovery of their new town starts with the university. The Sheppard Library that possesses a notable collection of materials and provides immediate service has been my most favourite spot at the campus. I’m still amazed by the idea of 24-hour access, which is one of the features that makes this place more home-like. Inside the wrapped-in-felt cubicle, with a pile of books and hot chocolate, it might feel even cosier than your
MDXSU Intern of the Year Highly Commended...
MDXSU Staff Member of the Year
MDX Got Talent Holi - Indian Society and Bollywood Society ISoc Musical Theatre Society Aashi Tejwani David Temilade
Derek Lamb
Reygan Davison Adela Juhasova & Rebecca Torrie
Hannah Keating
own bedroom. Of course, the library isn’t the only aspect of the whole study experience. I will not go into the detailed explanation of how distinct the education system in Iceland is from the one in Britain. If compared to people, the teaching principles at two institutions differ as much as introverts and extroverts. The former refers to the University of Iceland with a more classic model based on lectures and instant exam/ quizzes, while the latter is about classes at Middlesex where you always have a room for discussion and brainstorming sessions.
