EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joe Cox J.L.Cox@mdx.ac.uk MANAGING EDITOR Tyélle Render t.render@mdx.ac.uk CO-EDITORS Jamie Burnett & Aldo Cetrullo editor@mdxsu.com COPY EDITOR Laura Higgs l.higgs@mdx.ac.uk FEATURES EDITOR Jamie Burnett features@mdxsu.com POLITICS EDITOR Vacant politics@mdxsu.com NEWS EDITOR Aldo Cetrullo news@mdxsu.com LIFESTYLE EDITOR Vacant lifestyle@mdxsu.com FASHION EDITOR Vacant fashion@mdxsu.com MUSIC EDITOR Sara Greta Ruini music@mdxsu.com FILM EDITOR Malak Aya film@mdxsu.com SPORTS EDITOR Jamie Stevens sport@mdxsu.com PR AND ADVERTISING powpromo@mdxsu.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Tyélle Render, Joran Frydenlund
POW! Magazine
If you are interested in contributing to POW! Mag please email editor@mdxsu.com
COVER STORY
POW! Interviews our new Sabbatical Officers and gets some insight into their plans for the year ahead. PAGE 10-14
PAGE 26-27
Is there opportunities of getting a job after uni?
PAGE 52-54 Environmentally conscious
PAGE 60-61
Last of ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’
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60-61
66-68
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The 2015 Oscars Controversy
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Review of Primavera Sound 2016
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TEAM GB made us proud at the Olympics
CORRESPONDENCE:
POW! Mag is the independent voice of the student body. All opinions expressed are those of the individuals, not necessarily those of the Students’ Union or the Editor. We welcome articles and general submissions from all students at all times! All articles are subject to review and editing, and we cannot guarantee that submitted articles will be printed.
CONTACT: Tyélle Render E: t.render@mdx.ac.uk T: 0208 411 4797 Middlesex University Students’ Union MDX House The Burroughs, Hendon London, NW4 4BT
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www.mdxsu.com
www.facebook.com/ mdxsupowmedia
@Pow_Magazine
Editor’s letter Dear POW! Reader,
Welcome to the first issue of POW! Mag for the 2016/17 academic year. I’m going to use this space to introduce myself, your new Editor-InChief (it all sounds very formal) and talk a little bit about POW! Media and how you can get involved. So who am I? My name is Joe Cox, I am your new Vice President of Art & Design and Media & Performing Arts, and I am also the new Editor-InChief of POW! Magazine. I was elected by students at Middlesex on a cross campus vote, and because of that I now work fulltime at Middlesex Students’ Union, campaigning on your behalf and running services like POW! Media to make sure that you have the best possible experience during your time at MDX. I studied at Middlesex for three years, and during that time I was an active member of POW! Media. My first interaction with POW! was actually with the predecessor of this magazine. At the beginning of my first year I wrote and submitted an article to MDX Times (which later became POW! Mag) entitled ‘Music for the Working Class’ which was published. Shortly after that I started a radio show with a friend that lasted for two years, and also won two awards! Then in my third year I got involved with POW! Showcase; the stream of POW! that puts on events and showcases student talent. I can honestly say that getting involved with POW! Media was one of the most rewarding things I did during my time as a Middlesex student. You learn new skills, meet amazing people and have a great time while doing it all. If you’re considering it, now is the time to take the leap and do it. Student media gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful change on your campus, it gives you the opportunity to make your voice heard and stand up for the things that matter. So take a read through this magazine, see how other students have gotten involved, and please consider doing the same yourself!
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Joe Cox
Your Editor-In-Chief
I can honestly say that getting involved with POW! Media was one of the most rewarding things I did during my time as a Middlesex student.
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Thank you for reading,
Joe www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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Societies | Liberation groups | campaigns the MDXSU Advice service | Student Voice Leaders POW! Media | events | jobs | volunteering to browse our official range of MDX merchandise! www.mdxsu.com
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www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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WANTS YOU! fm - mag - tv - news - showcase
Got an incredible taste in music that needs to be shared? Want to see your views in print, or maybe you fancy getting some experience in TV production?
POW! is your student-led media, and includes your radio station, award-winning magazine and POW! TV, as well as the brand new POW! News and POW! Showcase on our digital online platform.
As well as writers and contributors, we’re also looking for designers, photographers and an advertising team, so whether you’re after a career in the media, experience for your CV, or you just want to put your talents to good use, send us an email at powmedia@mdxsu.com to get started.
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The Future Lies in Their Hands
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nce again, the students of Middlesex University have casted their votes for their new full-time representatives, this time in higher numbers than ever. An incredible amount of 2,289 students chose their favourites. After an intense week of exciting campaigning, the election night had finally arrived with plenty of promises ahead. The atmosphere of the night was booming with anticipation, friendliness and enthusiasm! As the lights lit up, the envelopes were opened and…the new Students’ Union officers were revealed. Here they are:
PRESIDENT - Simba Alkadiri > Who are you?
My name is Sulaiman, widely known as Simba, and I’m Studying BSc Multimedia Computing.
> Why did you decide to run for the role of
Students’ Union President? My first interaction with the SU was when I led the reformation of the Islamic society. The campaign showed me how positive change can be achieved through the Students’ Union. That, as well as the several other campaigns led by the Students’ Union over the last couple of years, were an Inspiration.
> What are your plans as MDXSU
President? Well, for now it’s to finish my dissertation! But there are a few campaigns that I want to start on before my term starts in July. The ‘Students Not
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Suspects’ referendum was a huge success this year so I want to ensure the campaign against the Prevent agenda remains strong. Also, one of my plans is for the NUS discount cards to be free for all students by the time the new academic year starts so I will begin working on that over the next coming months.
> What is going to be your main focus for the
next academic year and how are you going to address it? One of my main drivers for running for President was wanting to improve the student experience, a
of MDXSU
COVER story
Written by: Ludovica Uggeri and Iulia Åžchiopu www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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lot of this has to do with the extremely high price of being an MDX student. A main focus point next year will be looking for practical ways of reducing cost for students. In addition to this, I want to campaign for a better learning experience with the introduction of e-learning and online resource. Finally, two big issues that I will be focusing on next year are campaigning for more awareness regarding mental health by addressing the need for better counselling support for students and the other is tackling sexual harassment on campus.
> What was the highlight of your
campaign? Having Sayed Alkadiri as my campaign manager. He is really amazing although some of his mentoring methods are a bit questionable! I was really ill the week before elections and he sent me a message saying, “unless you are dying get out of bed, we have a campaign to launch”.
“i want to continue to push my campaign from this year, for mdx to keep Wednesday afternoons free” - Orla, VP Health & Education and Science & Technology
> Why did you want to be re-elected
in your role? I have been in my position as Vice President of Health Education, Science & Technology for a year now and I just wanted to have another year in the role to really do as much as I can for our students.
> How do your plans differ from last year?
My biggest plan for the year is going to be two graduations! Like I’ve said in my manifesto and in my speeches during elections – it’s not fair that I have to wait up to a year just because I’m a nurse. Other things I want to do is create more placement opportunities abroad, get more funding for sport and help support and grow the LGBT community on campus.
> How are you going to address your main
focus this year? I want to continue to push my campaign from this year, for MDX to Keep Wednesday Afternoons Free (KWAF). I’m going to continue to push the university to ensure this is happening and try to make it work whatever way possible. I also want to work a lot closer with the nursing, placement and mature students to get them more involved with the Students’ Union and ensure they know that they are supported and a part of the university too.
PRESIDENT HEALTH & EDUCATION AND SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - Orla Hillary > We recognise you!
I’m Orla, the current Vice President of Health Education, Science & Technology and I’m a final year nursing student.
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> What was your favourite part of
campaigning? My AMAZING campaign team and Manager! They kept me sane, made me laugh, and were so supportive throughout the entire week (and weeks) leading up the elections. The highlight was winning the ‘hardest working team’ award because they absolutely deserved it!
> Who are you? My name is Joe. I am a 3rd Year Popular Music student. > What influenced your decision to run for the
SU position? There were a number of factors that led to me running. The first, and easily the most important, was the fact that I’ve spent three years at this university grumbling about all the things that were wrong, and the opportunity to put those things right was not one to be passed up. Another reason is that I believe wanting things to change is useless unless you know how to make change happen. I think that my experience and my drive make me the right person to make that change happen.
> What do you hope to achieve in your new
role? I think that you have to get the basic things right first, and everything can be built on top of that foundation. This is why my main priorities are the
VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS & LAW Katie Dragomirova > Who are you?
My name is Ekaterina (Katie) and I’m a 3rd year International Politics student.
> Why did you want to run for VP Business
and Law? It’s a great opportunity to realise my ideas, which I’ve developed with my experience so far.
> What are your plans for this year?
I want to explore different campaigns on a national level and, if not all, decide which ones would be the most suitable to run at our university.
> What is going to be your main focus for
the next academic year? That would be free graduation. All of my colleagues are aiming for the same goal so I believe it would be a strong and successful campaign.
> What is the highlight of your campaign week?
Positivity. The other candidates and me had a wonderful time campaigning together and the atmosphere was super friendly and productive.
VICE PRESIDENT ART & DESIGN AND MEDIA & PERFORMING ARTS - Joe Cox www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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two most important things that students need; housing and food. Once we have begun to fix these issues then I will begin to look at the other things on my manifesto, such as longer Grove opening hours, making Wednesday afternoons free for sports teams and making sure that Board of Studies are more accountable.
> What is your main focus for the year ahead?
If there is one thing for the next academic year that I want to work hardest on, it’s going to be housing. The housing market in London is broken, and I can’t pretend that we at MDXSU can fix all of it, but we can go a long way towards making renting in Hendon better for our students. I want to create a blacklist of bad landlords in Hendon, based on student feedback, so that students that rent in the local area know who to stay away from. I also want to create a student housing contract that we will pressure landlords to use, so that the power in renting lies with the students, not the landlords or the estate agents. For too long we’ve been told that we have to take 12 month tenancies or pay huge deposits because ‘that’s just how it is.’ Well, I refuse to accept that. Students shouldn’t have to put up with an awful housing deal just because that’s the way it’s always been. If it’s always been bad, that’s no reason to not make it better.
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“If there is one thing for the next academic year that I want to work hardest on, it’s going to be housing” - Joe, VP Art & Design and Media & Performing arts
> What did you enjoy most during
campaign week? I think, for me, the highlight of my campaign was not one particular moment, but the people that I was able to share it with. My campaign manager, Luke Bellas, kept me going, plying me with cups of tea and inspiring words, every time I just wanted to lie down and stop talking to people. My campaign team were dedicated, hard working, and if it wasn’t for them coming out to help me everyday then I doubt I could have won. But more than anything, my competition was absolutely fantastic. Becks and Chaar were kind, encouraging and a real pleasure to run alongside. I can honestly say that had my competition not been so lovely I would not have made it to the end of this campaign.
BODY PO How to spread body positivity and feel comfortable in your skin.
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feature STORY
OSITIVITY #BODYPOSI Written by: Julia Magnus-George
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F
or some people, summer can mean great fun at beaches, parks and even trips abroad. For others, it can mean embarrassment and fear of their bodies, which they may try to keep covered. In mainstream media, it’s evident from browsing a couple magazines that men and women are constantly bombarded with how to construct their bodies - but there really is no right or wrong. The term ‘body positivity’ (or #bodyposi for short) embraces a movement under the general umbrella that men and women of all shapes and sizes should be able to feel comfortable, happy and positive about their bodies. So pretty much, as long as what you’re doing isn’t harming anyone, here are some tips on how to become and stay body confident!
Confidence is Key The best way to express confidence is to have confidence, or at least ‘fake it ‘til you make it’, that is. Everyone has flaws and a weak spot, but many people keep it hidden because their confidence outweighs the issue. It’s easy for others to put someone down when they appear to be shy, because they think they can get away with it. If you show that you love yourself and your body, others will understand it to. The best thing is, this confidence will shine through in all aspects of your life, including that terrible presentation you have this week!
Dispel Myths Ideas or myths about what a ‘right’ body is can be incredibly distressing. It’s okay to have goals, or to work towards a certain body type if you wish, but that doesn’t mean that your body type is wrong. If you believe there is no such thing as the perfect body, there really is no way to go wrong! When you go to the beach, you’ll realise there is a variety of different body shapes and body types – and you’re no different. There is nothing wrong with being plus sized or skinny and there is nothing wrong with being short or tall, these are
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Who says crop tops are just for women? Not Kid Cudi
not bad words! Do we need to conform to these myths from contemporary magazines? There are no certain clothes for certain genders and body types. Realistically, if you like it, wear it!
Surround yourself with positivity Everyone loves a compliment from a friend or a loved one, so why not get a constant stream. Watching others be body confident, or seeing others around you being proud and unashamed to wear what they wear can really make you feel better and more confident. You can either discuss it with your friends, learn a bunch about body positivity (there are tons of videos on YouTube) or follow some of these great Instagram pages:
@honorcurves @nadiaaboulhosn @intersectionalbodypos @healthyisthenewskinny @effyourbeautystandards – (great one for men too!)
@abearnamedtroy – (perfect for men) Any other great tips or Instagram pages? Tweet (and follow!) us at @Pow_magazine or use the hashtag #bodyposi and most importantly: LOVE YOUR BODY!
www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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All We Do IS
YOU’RE READING ANOTHER ISSUE OF THE NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING PO
C
ompared to other student publications, up and down the country, POW! Mag is a cute baby Zebra. With only 4 issues so far we’re just starting to find our feet (and find lots of selfies too). Other London-based student newspapers and magazines have a history of prestige and reputation to keep up with, where as at POW! we more the type to keep up with the Kardashians. But that’s all part of our charm! Right?
Written by:Rowena Kinghorn
#SPANC16 was a weekend away filled with workshops and sessions led by industry professionals including the social savvy Brenda Wong, ‘reformed’ tabloid journalist Bill Coles and the legendary Lawrence McGinty. But the highlight of POW!’s weekend was definitely the Saturday night awards ceremony. Dressed up to the nines, the ladies of POW! Mag were treated to a delicious dinner as we made friends with student magazines from across the UK. Then the booming voice of Peter Dickson filled the room, commencing the highlight of POW!’s first year…
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“We won a national award people!”
At the end of our Easter holidays, Team POW! Mag travelled up to Loughborough to compete with the best in student publications at the #SPANC16 annual awards. Last year, we made the shortlist in the Best Design Magazine category. Sadly. we lost out to the host’s (Southampton Uni) own Wessex Scene magazine. This year POW! was back with a bigger team, more issues and most importantly a perfectly refined brand. This didn’t go unrecognized as we made the shortlist for 3 awards: Best Design Magazine, Best Newcomer Publication and Outstanding Contribution.
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Awards for categories including Best Reporter, Best Feature and Best Interview came and went. Half way into the awards POW! Mag’s first nomination was announced, Best Design. Listening in anticipation Team POW! missed out on the Highly Commended. In the slight possibility
feature story
OW! MAG AND YOU’RE WELCOME!
that we might possibly, perhaps, maybe, win the award we kept an ear out still. “The judge said, a very strong and identifiable brand where high impact graphics reflect the fun and vibrancy of student life without being over designed. The designer’s use of strong images and simple layouts for the more serious features work well, mixing a good use of colours and fonts with white spaces without looking too corporate. I particularly like the way articles are condensed into bite-sized chunks which grab and hold the readers attention from start to finish.” They’ve got POW! Mag down to a T. Or rather brightly designed student mag! POW! Mag won Best Design for a magazine at the Student Publication Association National Conference 2016. We won a NATIONAL AWARD, people! We’ll accept roses and any other flowers you might want to throw at our feet, and be giving
signatures to our adorning fans by the stage door in 5… Good luck to the new editorial and design team at POW! Let’s make sure there are many more awards to be won! POW!
www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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The right can also be very wrong.
I
t’s August 22nd, 2:08pm GMT, the sun is gracing the London sky, Great Britain have surpassed expectation by finishing second at the Rio Summer Olympics and I’ve just found a half open packet of chewing gum in my pocket. But despite all of this, it feels like the end of the world. Across the pond, America is currently in the grips of one of the most provocative and controversial presidential campaigns in recent memory. Alongside this there are major concerns over the number incidents where innocent black men have been unlawfully killed by police officers and back here in Blighty we are currently host to the most right-wing government since the second world war. Let that sink in for a second.
Sunk it yet? Good, let’s trudge through the misery. I’m often criticised for being pessimistic in my views. This is something I’m fully aware of as I often find myself rambling about how broken society is and how we are too insignificant to change things because we’re being suffocated by those at the top of the chain. Our bourgeoisie captors have us on a tight leash leaving us short of breath. This may seem like I’m channelling my inner Karl Marx with these socialist perspectives, but as I’ve grown up the reality of our unjust society has come to the forefront of my mind leaving me sceptical of many things. Studying journalism for the last two years has contributed to my somewhat negative view on how society is structured, I’ve come to understand a large proportion of media
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Photography by: Franklin Fan Opinion piece written by: Jamie Burnett
outlets are governed by individuals who possess ideologies, predominantly right-wing. These ideologies aim to segregate and discriminate in any way possible, that’s not the world we deserve to live in. I’ve found this to be one of the key contributors as to why I feel disengaged with the current system, but I think there could be a way of breaking from the current social narratives that have been forced upon us. Fear mongering, deceit and plain lies are splashed across the front pages of several newspapers as I walk into my local shop. It’s this kind of nonsense that has tainted the reputation of authentic news telling.
‘IMMIGRANTS CAUSE DROP IN EXAM PASS RATES!’, ‘FRANCE TO SEND CALAIS FIGHTERS OVER TO THE UK TO PREVENT OUTBREAK OF MAD COW DISEASE’.
‘ISLAMIC PREACHER ATTACKS OLD WOMAN FOR WEARING A BIKINI. TIGHTER BORDER CONTROLS ANYONE?’ Citizen journalism, by many, has been considered a factor that has undermined journalism as a profession and there are valid reasons for that opinion. However, I believe that citizen journalism holds to key to breaking away from the existing constitutional ideologies that construct our media. Citizen journalism in a way could be considered a ‘democratic’ tool, in that it isn’t designed as part of a wide political ideology but instead derives from a neutral perspective which relieves content from party-political bias.
FEAture story By embracing this we move away from news content that is solely designed to encourage an agenda that bypasses impartiality. By sharing news content that isn’t determined by news corporations with political agendas, we distance ourselves from pre-determined values and become more independent in our views on political, social and cultural issues. The Sun is the most read newspaper in the country. It would be naïve of me to inform on The Sun’s political perspective but let’s just say that if you’re a single mother of five expect to be looked down upon as a ‘scrounger’ and a good for nothing layabout. This is the kind of morale code The Sun endorses. I’m not saying that the people behind The Sun’s headlines are demonic beasts, what I am saying is that they are part of a system that intends to divide and with division, isolation and fear become a central part of rationality. I fear division, it only intends to harm. So next time a relative or a friend uses a headline from The Sun or even the right-wing swinging Daily Mail to support an argument of theirs, just question the authenticity of their source because I’m pretty sure it is as misleading as our decision to invade Iraq in 2003. As my old history teacher would say, ‘always double check your sources. Unless you want to fail, then in that case don’t bother.’ By breaking the dominant narrative, we can start to think for ourselves a bit more.
We can shape our views not on the back of a corporate tycoon’s agenda but on our own individual integrity. Don’t burn tabloid newspapers, mock their idiocy, mock them for their lack of impartiality and defiantly mock them on your social media, I have, it’s pretty humorous. POW!
If you have an idea for an article or opinion piece why not get it published in POW! Mag by emailing editor@mdxsu.com www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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BARNET COUNCIL AGREES TO HOUSE FIFTY SYRIAN REFUGEES
S
ince the start of the conflict in Syria in 2011, millions of people have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in neighbouring countries and with many others daring to take the dangerous route across the Mediterranean or the Aegean and the Balkans to reach safety.
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Now fifty refugees from Syria are to be housed in Barnet, thanks to the campaigning efforts of Middlesex University Students’ Union. This campaign has enabled the student community to make a difference beyond the lecture halls. It has raised awareness of an important issue that shouldn’t be swept under the rug, along with others such as social equality and political activism – all of which have been at the heart of many successful student campaigns. The Union worked along local synagogues, churches, schools and the Somali Braveness association – all co-led by Citizens UK.
Written by: Charlotte Yeates, Jamie Burnett, Malak Mouaki Benani and Ebru Irki
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“now 50 refugees from Syria are to be housed in Barnet, thanks to the campaigning efforts of Middlesex university students’ union”
NEWS story from Syria. There has been a great outpouring of sympathy and this is a practical step that can be taken. Councils and other institutions can be very hard-nosed and budget conscious but sometimes a moral need is just unanswerable.”
Sayed Alkadriri
Sayed Alkadiri, the Campaign Leader and exVP of Business and Law for Middlesex Students’ Union, attributed to the success of the project to the attitude of Barnet Council and the welcoming borough we live in. Overall people have been supportive. “Well, apart from a few trolls on twitter, people have been more than supportive. I have had outpouring support from Middlesex students and staff who have helped by using Twinbons saying “#refugeeswelcome”, showing up to meetings and thinking about how they can help refugees when they arrive from teaching them English to showing them how the transport works here.”
Cllr Cornelius also added: “This is such an issue. The way that Churches and Synagogues have found accommodation so that existing residents are not disadvantaged is very helpful in justifying what we will do. Middlesex students and London citizens deserve credit for their lobbying to make sure that something happens.” Earlier in September last year the Prime Minister pledged to take in up to twenty thousand refugees from camps bordering the war-torn country to be rehoused across the UK by 2020. Student campaigns are not only designed to engage students with social matters, they also aim to encourage actual change. With the right cause for action and a clear strategy the student community has every chance of making a difference, even if that means making the life of one individual a little bit easier. POW!
We were curious to know what he thought about having accomplished having something remarkable as this so close to home. “I think people forget how diverse Barnet is; it’s made up off all different backgrounds some being refugees from previous history. Many refugees have degrees and share a common value of being hard-working which hopefully more people will see. We wish the newly settled refugees and those on their way a pleasant journey and to feel welcomed into our borough.” He emphasised the importance of them being “integrated in their own time and [it] not [being] a PR stunt for any of the stake holders involved.” We also reached out to Brent Council leader Richard Cornelius for comment: “I am more than pleased that all councillors across the political divide voted to welcome fifty refugees www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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WORK,
WORK, WORK.
“STUDENTS ARE NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, BUT THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GET A JOB WITH WORK EXPERIENCE.” Written by: Laura Gourneau, Joanna Starkey, Elisabeth Bogstad, Ayse Kizilkaya, James Styles and Marie-Helene Sarapuu
F
inding internships and work experience is a daunting task for undergraduates. Nevertheless, according to experts it is absolutely vital if we want a job at the end of our degree.
The situation is the same for students globally and the UK jobs market seems to be doing well by comparison to other countries. The world is still recovering from the global recession and
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22-25 year olds are anxious about their job prospects once all the dust settles after the pomp and circumstance of graduation. We spoke to Elizabeth Forbes, an employability career adviser on campus, who gave some good tips and advice when seeking real world job experience, helping us land those big jobs we can only dream of. “So many students haven’t truly engaged with the world of work,” Elizabeth explained. “Students are
NEWS STORY
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three times more likely to get a job if they have an internship placement or work experience”.
If we haven’t considered it already, we need to now start thinking about ways in which we can gain that experience that will allow us to start networking within the world we want to work in.
“we need to now start thinking about ways in which we can gain that experience that will allow us to start networking...”
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Employers are seeking out people who have technical and practical skills in addition to their degree. Young people are at a disadvantage if all they have done is study, and perhaps even work nominal part time jobs. Examining the employment environment more globally shows the UK is doing well by comparison. In America, the under 25-unemployment rate is at about 5%, and 3.8% for college graduates. In the EU, the situation in Estonia is better than most in the European Union, but unemployment there is still high. The unemployment rate in Estonia in 2014, among 20-29-year-olds, was 19%. Compared to Finland (24%) and Latvia (26%) it is doing well. Overall employability rates in the UK over the last 10 years have increased by 0.41 million from March 2005, which stood at 1.42 million, to 1.83 million by March 2015. We hear the term ‘a 10-year low’ and assume with optimism surely that is a good thing. However, it can be tricky to understand where we are in the United Kingdom when it comes to unemployment and, more crucially for us, employment for students and graduates.
According to the Telegraph, a third of working graduates took jobs as cleaners and sweepers, and all sorts of gritty or run around jobs that they politely referred to as ‘non-professional’ roles. Students may have ambitions of buying their own house with its own drive in a nice neighbourhood. This seems out of reach when new data suggests that around 16,730 UK and EU full time university graduates were unemployed after leaving university. But according to our interview with Elizabeth, she believes that it is not as bad as it may seem. The most recent figure shows 90% of Middlesex University graduates found employment within 6 months of graduation.
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It is that simple.
Although it may seem like an impossible task to find employment after university, there are ways to boost your chances. The employability office at Middlesex offers a range of services to help students that include workshops, advisers to help you with your CV and a digital team ready to help you with any enquiries. Most importantly their office is open on the ground floor of the library from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday for any students looking for help or direction in becoming employable. POW!
“90% of middlesex university graduates found emPloyment within 6 months of graduation”
www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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WHY CLOSING OUR BORDERS MORE IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO TERRORISM AND MIGHT HARM US MORE.
R
eading economics articles is sometimes worse than a sleeping pill. Perhaps because no one ever tried to teach this subject in our younger education, so the language used remains a privilege of those grey academic obscure men. In the end, it can all seem like a mystical story that doesn’t relate to our real lives. A current case being discussed is the building walls and closing of European borders, proposed by influent protagonists of our time in response to terror attacksespecially after events in France and Belgium. First of all, this is not a solution and secondly could even determine another root of destabilisation. Higher borders simply keep the issue outside and they do not solve the causes of immigration. In particular, the deep responsibilities of the Western Countries have partly caused unrest, instability and backwardness to the Middle East.
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Moreover, building walls is what happened in Europe just before the World Wars. It created rivalries and mistrust between countries that ended up in the bloodiest conflicts that history ever saw. After the Wars, European countries dropped their borders in a process of integration. The main cause for peace in those seventy years was sharing resources, opening markets and supporting each other. If Europe will decide to make it more difficult for individuals to move between one country to another, the consequences can be even more negative inside the European Union. A small comparison can help to simplify those negative consequences. For countries’ economies, and people’s psychologies sometimes, there is too much excitement for an accomplishment. Imagine a footballer over-evaluating himself after an early success. Most of the time, this ends up in future failures and wasted opportunities. The coach can prevent this, but only if he can talk
individually to to the footballer. If he speaks solely to the whole team, he may end up depressing the others and he will eventually give up. The teammates however may help him to reconsider his view being an example of rewarding hard work as they are fully explicating their real potential. The footballer is a country under higher “inflation” which means a faster growth of prices. This is problematic as the country tries to perform
NEWS STORY
HIGHER BORDERS SIMPLY KEEP THE ISSUE OUTSIDE AND THEY DO NOT SOLVE THE CAUSES OF IMMIGRATION.” over his potential using public debt, printing more money or over evaluating some of its goods. In general, this is when countries produce more than their fundamentals (technology, education, resources) could support. The future failures, mentioned before, will occur because this causes a loss in external competitiveness (e.g. goods are more expensive) and the country will increase his debt. The coach is the policy-maker that, in the European case, represents the European Central Bank. The problem with higher interest rates cannot be solved because this policy could depress the rest of the countries in the European Union (e.g. people invest less but save more in banks). The teammates effect may represent the workers’ mobility between countries increasing competition in labour market. The outcome is going to be the decrease of the wages that are too far from the “right” level and with them the prices. POW!
IF EUROPE WILL DECIDE TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR INDIVIDUALS TO MOVE BETWEEN ONE COUNTRY TO ANOTHER, THE CONSEQUENCES CAN BE EVEN MORE NEGATIVE INSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION.” Written by: Daniele di Nepi
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POW! MAG REACHED OUT TO JOE COX, VP OF ART & DESIGN AND MEDIA & PERFORMING ARTS
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his past May Britain shocked the European community and the world by voting out of the European Union after a popular referendum. Both Labour and the ruling Conservative party campaigned for the United Kingdom to stay within the union, and the outcome of the vote led to the resignation of then Prime Minister David Cameron, among a climate of uncertainty regarding Britain’s future. Six months later, the situation seems no clearer than before, with the
value of the pound in sharp decline and current PM Theresa May vowing to start procedures that will finalise the exit process by March of next year. Wanting to understand what the possibility of a British exit from the EU might entail for the sizeable community of European students currently studying at our university, POW! Magazine reached out to Joe Cox, Vice President, Art and Design Media and Performing Arts at Middlesex University Students’ Union.
Written by: Aldo Cetrullo and Sara Greta Ruini
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politics STORY Joe has been working with trade unions on campus about what the university should be doing post Brexit to help both staff and students. Sophie Bowen from the university executive is putting together a group to actively work to make life easier for students and staff who will be affected.
’’
A: J:
So what are some of the fears regarding how Brexit might affect staff and students?
There are a lot of fears surrounding stuff like infrastructure, funding comes from lots of different places and the EU is one of those so it’s hard for us to know exactly how much of that is going to be lost, we don’t really know what Brexit is going to look like yet. So while that is the case it’s hard for us to know what on campus is going to change due to a lack of funding…
of anxiety, of pressure, that can lead to some really serious mental health problems, and I think one of the main things the university has to do now is address that.
A: J:
Are there going to be any immediate consequences for students already studying here?
I would say the most immediate consequences are things that we have seen like the massive rise in hate crime post Brexit that is directed mainly towards EU nationals. I think that’s the most immediate effect that students and staff at Middlesex University will have seen, and again that is something that the university has to work harder to fix because that is something that is wildly unacceptable, that anyone should have to worry about their safety while at university, whether or not they are going to be shouted at or abused on the street.
“...massive rise in hate crime post brexit that is directed mainly towards eu nationals”
There are also courses that have a disproportionate amount of EU students. If all of them either chose or are forced to leave due to Brexit are those courses going to close down because they only have a small number of home students left on them? We are a very international university which means we have a very high number of students coming from the EU. Is that going to change? The problem is we don’t know, but if it does that could really negatively affect the university. As well as that you have the issue of how the mental health of students might be affected. When you have this massive uncertainty, you don’t know if your life is going to stay as it is or if it’s going to have this massive change… especially in light of announcements that Theresa May and Amber Rudd have made around them potentially using EU citizens in Britain as bargaining chips. When you are being used that way, when you have no idea what your future is going to hold, the amount
’’
And in terms of the long term effects, people don’t know if they will be allowed to stay in Britain, if they are allowed to stay in Britain if they will have the same level of funding as they will have had before. In terms of PhD funding, Horizon 2020 is an EU program which funds a lot of PhD programs. Is that going to change? Students don’t know, and that’s a massive issue. And of course a lot of PhD students also teach so that then feeds back into the undergraduate students who could lose teaching staff.” POW!
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VEGANISM
& POLITICS CAN LEAVING ANIMALS OFF YOUR PLATE HAVE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS?
IN
the last couple of years, veganism and vegetarianism have increased in popularity. The philosophy of excluding animals from food or clothing products has seen an increase in its adherents. While some have chosen to leave meat off their plate in order to benefit their health, the majority of people view this as an ethical decision. Their aim is to stop the exploitation of animals, which are conscious beings capable of experiencing pain. Nevertheless, these ethical and dietary implications are somewhat familiar. However, what could be the political implications of veganism and vegetarianism? Animals have been used as sources of food since before the beginning of civilisation. The primary reason for their usage has relied on the necessity to fulfil human needs. However, in contemporary neoliberal societies, the meaning of ‘need’ is often associated with that of ‘demand’.
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The production and consumption of meat is no longer treated as something vital, but rather as something desired. As aiming for businesses’ profitability is at the core of neoliberalism, this form of political governmentality can have multiple negative consequences. Starting from the premise that animals are conscious beings capable of experiencing pain, as Peter Singer thoroughly managed to argue, it is clear that a negative consequence of neoliberalism is related to animal oppression. Over recent decades, the use of animals as food has increased exponentially with capitalism’s extension. Thus, aspects of the contemporary neoliberal capitalism are directly linked to today’s source non-human animals suffering.
“Over recent decades, the use of animals as food has increased exponentially with capitalism’s extension.”
politics story In industrially advanced societies, such as the increased presence of advanced technologies US and the UK, consumption is often viewed in livestock production. Battery cages, artificial as inescapable. Although it is not unanimously inseminations, and factory farms overall are labelled as a definitive characteristic of capitalism, placing animals in atrocious conditions. consuming is considered a key aspect of a capitalist society. As they are linked, By abstaining from eating or purchasing meat, production occurs at high, rapid or every product resulted from the exploitation states, not only to suffice of animals, veganism and consumption, but, more vegetarianism can act as forms “The UK importantly, to gain profit. of resistance to such neoliberal slaughters Products, such as goods practices. They are implicitly billions and services, available on resisting some neoliberal the market, are bought in principles of production and of animals for food exchange for money, and distribution. Thus, through every year.“ their value is reduced to the extrapolation, this can imply a one of the purchasing price. political ideology that rejects Following the same principle leads to the aspects of neoliberalism or capitalism. Indeed, conclusion that in a capitalist system, “farm” this could only apply specifically to factory farms, animals - such as cows, pigs, chickens, lambs, livestock or any other productions that involve the and other -are treated as a commodity. exploitation of animals, considering that vegan products could also be produced and distributed Their body parts and fluids are sold and bought under the same neoliberal principles. for money, and their value is limited to the one of the purchasing price. After all, even the common Therefore, people’s adherence to veganism linguistic labelling of these non-human animals as or vegetarianism can have direct political “farm” animals attributes them to a place where implications, as it acknowledges that the they are being exploited for human consumption. contemporary neoliberal political system’s focus Although the use of animals for food is not on intensive production for profit is increasing particular to neoliberal capitalist societies, nor the misery of these sentient beings. Since the did it only start to consumption of animals has been proven not happen recently, to be necessary for human survival, veganism the vast quantities of and vegetarianism’s aims seem reasonable. The animals slaughtered suffering of many conscious species for feeding for profit in recent the human one’s greed is unnecessary. Using times are not equated animals as food or clothes could be by the past. In the 21st avoided. However, if this idea could century the numbers be perceived as utopian by some, are excessive. For or radical by others, a political example, according to system that focuses on providing Viva, the UK slaughters billions of animals for for meeting the need -while food every year. avoiding the causation of unjustifiable So, the exploitation of animals as food suffering - should commodities is aggravated by the excess of be considered consumption, as well as it is by the free market’s achievable. POW! competitive pressure to produce more and lower the prices. But aside the immense numbers of sentient beings born and bred as food, the animals’ suffering is also exacerbated by the Written by: Iulia Schiopu www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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IT’S 2016, SHOULD WE STILL VIEW MARIJUANA FOR WHAT IT ISN’T? LEGALISATION CAN BENEFIT MORE THAN JUST THE CONSUMERS.
A
long with the millennium, newer and older generations alike have started to actively take part in shifting misconceptions about certain communities and groups towards better social inclusion and understanding. While some of these issues are widely discussed in the media and pop culture today, the issue I have in mind, although much debated and fiercely argued on all fronts, is one that is perhaps not very clearly presented when it comes to its motifs for normalisation. So, let’s talk about weed. At the moment, the media isn’t doing an ideal job in representing people that consume weed. The representation of prototypical pot smokers in films and series is limited to a small group of people, mostly young, troubled, lazy, or just experimenting. While this might be an accurate representation of some of the people who enjoy consuming weed, the reality is that pot smokers can be found in any demographic. From teens who find it cool to get high to middle-aged working professionals who want to relax when they get home, if you take part in
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this activity, the reactions are much exaggerated. So, given that people who smoke marijuana are realistically, not just confused, aggressive young people, should we still consider it a crime and an illegality? The advantages of decriminalising weed production and consumption cover many areas that could benefit from this change. Rather than approaching weed and its consumers as a big no-no done by troubled people who like to experiment and who are the sole beneficiaries of this habit, what follows is a logical chain of interrelated reasons that prove the benefits of this legal change. Firstly, the economy of the country that considers this option would obtain incontestable advantages. If the production and consumption of marijuana is legal, it becomes an industry like any other. As any other industry or business, taxes would have to be paid. This supplementary income that the government would receive from the weed industry can ultimately be spent on improving
POLITICS story other issues that need changing. In addition, the monetary expenses of having to arrest, imprison, and complete bureaucratic work that are implicit if weed is illegal will decrease. Moreover, this money can be spent in researching more of the benefits regarding medical marijuana. For people who suffer of diverse illnesses, marijuana can reduce the level of anxiety and pain, while also increasing appetite.
to be properly educated within the industry and earn stable legal income, which would allow them to make informed decisions about their job or lifestyle. For consumers, this would also mean a standardised way of buying from a regulated and safe business that sells you what you want, rather than dubiously chemically reproduced versions of what you, as a consumer, may want to recreationally indulge in. In addition, the normalisation of these businesses could also help in managing any negative or criminal repercussions.
“TAXES WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID. THIS SUPPLEMENTARY INCOME THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RECEIVE FROM THE WEED INDUSTRY CAN ULTIMATELY BE SPENT ON IMPROVING OTHER ISSUES”
These are key factors that improve their standard of living. This leads to two other points that argue in support of legalising this herb. Rather than growers having to work in obscure, unsafe and precarious conditions, this job could benefit from better and safer working environments. As any other workers, they would have rights, the liberty
’’
A common concern is that, if legalised, increasingly more people will start abusing marijuana, they will become addicted and criminal activity will increase. However, choosing to believe that
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if illegal, weed consumption only applies to a small number of people that cannot be controlled does not make the issue go away. Another common panic is that the legalisation of weed would lift any barriers of socalled common decency and no more regulations will be help in keeping this activity under control. Yet, on the contrary, legalising the consumption and production of weed would come with many regulations, precisely so the industry can be monitored and not get out of control.
that is in no way related to criminal activity. In general, substance abuse of any kind is not indicated and not encouraged. As such, viewing weed consumption for what it is, a recreational activity many choose to adopt, similar to alcohol, does not mean criminal activity is encouraged.
’’
“...BUT BECAUSE OF THEIR POTENTIAL BENEFITS, SHOULD WE STILL OPPOSE THIS SO STRONGLY?”
Furthermore, it is difficult to argue against weed when adult alcohol use is legal. Alcohol abuse presents negative consequences such as car crashes, sexual abuse, addiction and illnesses and unfortunately many more. Whereas the consumption of weed, contrary to popular belief, can cause less physical and psychical damages. Lastly, precisely because it is less harmful and can determine the aforementioned advantages, for many people weed is a recreational activity
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It is important to note that this habit can easily turn into a vice, and can have negative repercussions just as any other vice. However, are the preconceptions we might have about it making it worse for everyone, the government, the producers, the consumers? Are we hushing and stigmatising a habit that has been done for centuries because we fear a stereotypical portrayal of who producers and consumers are? As we approach the latter half of the second millennial decade, with high achievers and politicians that argue in favour of legalising weed, not because they are pot-heads, but because of their potential benefits, should we still oppose this so strongly? POW! Written by: Ina Jurj
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PAY THE
INTERN... WOULD YOU WORK FOR FREE?
MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PROTEST AGAINST THE ONGOING CHALLENGE OF UNPAID INTERNSHIPS.
I
nternships are essential for obtaining the experience necessary to start a career in the industry desired. People choose to do unpaid internships in hopes of increasing their employability. However, many cannot afford working for free. The high costs of living in London turn an unpaid internship into an expense that 74% of young people find unaffordable. In this way, instead of offering new career opportunities, unpaid internships can act as a barrier for many. Yet a vast majority of employers expect a high level of work and dedication from their interns, without promising anything else in return but the prospect of gaining experience. However, 95% of interns’ experiences are often reduced to making cups of tea or coffee.
“GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF HOURS AND DEDICATION REQUIRED, IS IT STILL TRULY ACCEPTABLE NOT TO OFFER THEM A BASIC LIVING WAGE?” - Iulia Schiopu
Wouldn’t meaningful job responsibilities add more value to a business than tea and coffee ever could? Also, given the amount of hours and dedication required, is it still truly acceptable not to offer them a basic living wage? These questions were asked by a team of third year Middlesex University students. The group formed a campaign called ‘Pay The Intern’, which aims to protest the on-going challenge of unpaid internships in the UK. The goal is to raise awareness regarding the vast amount of internships that lack any real benefits for their candidates who wish to gain substantial experience. As research from Sutton Trust showed that in 2015 alone around 22,000 internships across the UK were unpaid, the campaign draws attention to the disadvantages imposed by such practices and the companies that promote them. Targeting the head office of Urban Outfitters, the students gathered outside the shop in what turned out to be a successful demonstration televised by London Live. While the company’s representatives did not issue a response, the protest caught the attention of many, succeeding in raising awareness towards the issue. The campaign protested Urban Outfitters, as it is a company whose global net profit reached £46
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Politics STORY million in 2015, but whose internships in the UK are unpaid. They require their interns to work for free for an average period of 3 months, which can reach, at times, 12 months. Pay The Intern believes that by remunerating interns for their work, Urban Outfitters can positively contribute to the standardisation of fair internships. If paid, internships can highly benefit employers, as they would have access a wider range of potential employees. At the same time, they would ensure higher accessibility to work opportunities for people from various backgrounds. Pay The Intern recognises the valuable skills and knowledge that can be learnt through carrying out an internship. With the exceptional intern experience they offer, companies such as Warner Brothers and Microsoft have proved that paid internships can be mutually beneficial. The students believe that this exceptional level should not be a rarity, but should become the standard across all companies that offer internships. POW!
“IF PAID, INTERNSHIPS CAN HIGHLY BENEFIT EMPLOYERS, AS THEY WOULD HAVE ACCESS A WIDER RANGE OF POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES.� - Iulia Schiopu
Written by: Iulia Schiopu
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ERASMUS
THE WORLD IS YOUR CAMPUS
IMAGINE IF YOU COULD COMBINE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVELLING WITH YOUR STUDIES. WELL, LUST NO LONGER BECAUSE WITH THE ERASMUS STUDENT NETWORK YOU CAN!
M M
iddlesex ESN (Erasmus Student Network) Society aims to link local and international students who are interested in traveling and a study abroad experience. We plan trips, introduce you to the Middlesex Exchange Team and promote Erasmus and international exchange activities. The society was established in October 2015 with the help of Middlesex Exchange Team and MDXSU. Our mission is to get more people involved in the exchange activities at Middlesex University!
WORK UDENT NET NS T S S U M S A THE ER QUESTIO FOR YOUR Y D A E R E R A
Do you love travelling? Are you interested in studying on an exchange programme? Is your current exchange experience just so amazing you want to share it with others? Then a hearty welcome to Middlesex ESN Society!
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Each year Middlesex welcomes many international students from all around the world. As well as welcoming exchanges, Middlesex also offers students great opportunities to study or work overseas themselves. The exchange scheme can be as “part of your course, during your summer vacation or after graduation”. You can use the experience to gain valuable skills, meet international friends and make memories that will last a lifetime. Studying abroad is not only a great way to experience a new culture and travel, you can also gain an edge in the competitive global job market and have the opportunity to learn new a language (or two). More than that, you’ll gain confidence and independence as you take a new adventure in life. Search ‘Study Abroad and Exchange’ on Unihub for more information.
society news
“As an Erasmus student I can say that the international experience is worth trying! At first the academic structure at Middlesex was completely new to me as I had to learn the skills for self-research. In France where I’m from, we have 20 contact hours per week. I’ve learned a lot, especially from the people I met - the teachers are exceptional also. What I appreciate the most is that the community is very open minded”!
OLO
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LAETITIA N
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“September 2015 – almost a year ago, but it feels like it was yesterday. The time here in London has flown by so fast and my exchange at Middlesex University is almost over. Only a couple more weeks until I have to pack my suitcases and go back to Germany. I had a really good time at Middlesex and I met a lot of lovely people during my stay. I enjoyed my courses and the life on campus, even though it differed so much from the Uni life and system I was used to in Heidelberg. This exchange gave me the opportunity to discover London from a completely new perspective and to gain many new experiences. I would go on exchange again straight away.”
“I am Brazilian and I decided to study what I love for 6 months in London. The experience of being on my own in a completely new city is amazing, because I feel more secure and mature. Having the experience to study Product Design in one of the design capitals of the world is a huge step in my career. Sometimes, I just think how incredible it is to have friends in different parts of the world. Doing an exchange programme is always worth it! We learn a lot having this opportunity in every way of our existence. For sure I will do it again, but next time for my Masters”
LENI UHU
TOS
BARBARA BAS
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“Hello! I’m from California, USA. I am studying Accounting and International Business. Studying abroad in London was one of the best decisions I made. These past 7 months have been an amazing learning experience and a challenge as well. I have become more independent with my studies and personal responsibilities. It took me totally out of my comfort zone. More so, I’ve met incredible people whom I know I will remain in contact in years to come. It has been a privilege getting to know my peers and instructors in my modules and also experiencing a different educational structure from the UK perspective. It has really strengthened my capabilities for my career and will open many doors to opportunities when I return back to my hometown. Why go abroad? You are young, strong, a future leader, a risk taker and you are up for the challenge to expand your world knowledge.”
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PHANOU
STE PAVLOS
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ARACELY SANCHEZ
“My Erasmus was in Cyprus and Nicosia was the best experience! Being very sunny, with a great culture and amazing food, Cyprus combined studying and a year’s holiday. The University of Cyprus had excellent facilities with an amazing modern campus. Meeting other Erasmus students was great too. I gained many skills on Erasmus including teamwork, learning basic languages, independence, and getting along with people who I wouldn’t really associate with if I was back in London. Your mind opens up and experiences new things. Erasmus in not one year in your life, it is your life within one year”.
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SEARCH ‘STUDY ABROAD AND EXCHANGE’ ON UNIHUB FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Written by:Xinmin Han
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society news
MDXSU’s Women’s Students Liberation Group Are you someone that cares about equality? Are you somebody interested in raising money for charities? Do you want to learn more about women’s rights? OR if you’re simply a woman who wants to meet other women and celebrate women… Then why not join MDXSU’s Women’s Students Liberation Group? As a new re-formed committee started in 2016 from different backgrounds, ages and courses we are joining too tackle issues women face, to share our stories and to celebrate being a woman and we invite you to join us.
Three of our aims for this year include 1. Holding workshops and talks raising
awareness about Women’s rights, equality and a gap in the wage market 2. Our Zero Tolerance Sexual Harassment Campaign 3. Raising money for other women less fortunate then ourselves
We will be holding numerous talks, meetings, fundraisers and events over the coming year and want to hear from YOU about any ideas you may have or what you may want to do within the group… Or if you simply want to join us and celebrate women with us, we would love to hear from you!
If you are interested then check out our social media pages listed below, drop us an e-mail or ask for us at the MDXSU Office. www.mdxsu.com/women womenstudents@mdx.ac.uk facebook.com/MDXSUWomenStudents @mdxsuwomens
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DISCOVER LIFE, DISCOVER YOU LOOKING FOR A CHRISTIAN SOCIETY THAT’S A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THE REST? A SOCIETY THAT HOSTS HIP-HOP RAPPERS AT ITS EVENTS? THE DISCOVER LIFE SOCIETY COULD BE THE ONE FOR YOU.
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verything that you thought you knew about Christian societies is everything that the Discover Life Society is not. This society is all about love, passion, fun and growing in a deeper understand of who God is. They show students that knowing Jesus isn’t bound in ‘religion’, but is about having a living relationship with Him. Following Jesus isn’t boring and simply about the ‘do’s and don’t’, but about finding your worth and true identity in Him, producing a life that is in-line with biblical principle which brings forth an abundant life. The weekly evening meetings help students grow and understand their faith. Everyone gives their support to one another
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for all aspects of life. Obviously, some of the best support and fellowship can be found at the amazing events hosted in MDX House. The Discover Life Society have had some pretty memorable nights there! The most recent being their IGNITE party which had over 200 guests attend. Christian Hip Hop Artist S.O. performed, as well as in-house rappers having a chance to do their thing. Mixing it up, a spoken word artist translated some powerful messages through their incredible expression. Weekly meetings cover a range of controversial topics including ‘Porn is Dead’, ‘Planet of the Apes’ and ‘The Atheist Delusion’. During these discussions, dynamic and powerful presentations
society story negative mindsets and opinions that society puts on them. They find their identity and onto their destiny - impacting and inspiring others. Discover Life has branched over to universities including UEL Stratford and UEL Docklands, Roehampton, Kingston, Cambridge, Hertfordshire and Westminster and soon to Greenwich and Brunel! All with a dedicated and committed student team, on hand to help students in their walk with God, with prayer and support. Pretty impressive for a society started all by two passionate MDX students in 2012. POW!
Written by:Rowena Kinghorn
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“IT’S REALLY A BEAUTIFUL THING TO SEE WHEN STUDENTS HAVE AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS. THEIR LIVES ARE CHANGED FOREVER!”
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are given with reference to how biblical scriptures answer questions brought up. The discussion is opened up to the floor in order to hear everyone’s thoughts and opinions. From this, the group discuss what they have learnt and how they can apply it to better their own lives and the lives of those around them. Meetings are finished with energised praise and worship and the night is rounded off with prayer. Middlesex Discover Life Society member, Titus Frimpong, says, ‘It’s really a beautiful and inspiring thing to see when students have an encounter with Jesus. Their lives are changed forever. Something about them lights up, there’s a genuine joy in their hearts, and they see things from a different perspective - a perspective of love, grace and hope. Now free from addiction,
The Discover Life Society meet every week on Campus. To get more information email discoverlifesoc@mdxsu.com or like the Facebook page Discover Life Society. www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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D
S
ELICIOU
M
ENU
er! nly a fiv o r o f 4 r Meal fo
ld winter n those co o l a e m m r a wa heese and othing beats uni. Pasta, c t a y a d c ti r a hec an that! nights afte et better th g ’t n s e o d - it mushrooms
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Written by: Hannah Sadler
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Mushroom Pasta Bake ! s
o this is your first time moving away from home and you’re a total novice at the Chef game? Maybe you’ve just moved in and want to get to grips with all that equipment your family gifted? This recipe is great for newbies, and is perfect to share with neighbours or package and refrigerate for later. For those who haven’t mastered the art of the casserole, this pasta bake is a great place to start.
INGREDIENTS
Directions
Makes 4 servings
1. Pre-heat your oven to gas mark 6 or 200 degrees (or 180 for a fan assisted oven)
Start to finish 30 mins 500g
Pasta Shells
500g
Mushrooms
150g
Cheddar cheese
1tbsp
Pasta Sauce
£1
£2
£1
£1
great added extras/swaps:
Spinach
Pepperoni
2. Cook the pasta according to the
instructions on the packet - usually 10-12 minutes in a lightly salted pot of boiling water
3.Grease a cooking pan with a dash of butter or oil. Let the mushrooms sauté (posh for saying fry) for a few minutes and add any spices for preference. 4.Once cooked, drain the pasta and mix with
Tuna
Chicken
the pasta sauce and mushrooms. Then pour into a deep-pan oven proof dish as pictured below.
Tips
5. Sprinkle cheese (quite liberally) over
If all fails, some cheesy garlic bread will never let you down! etit Bon App
the pasta dish and bake in the oven for 2025 minutes until the cheese is melted and browned.
6.Season with salt and pepper to taste, and share with all your new (or old) housemates
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LIVING ONLINE
- HELPING OR HINDERING YOUR CAREER?
TEAM POW! MAG DISCUSS IF, AND HOW, YOUR SOCIAL PRESENCE CAN HELP YOU CLIMB THE EVER ELUSIVE CAREER LADDER. How do you make a million like Zoella? It’s not easy. Vlog stars of today can make around £1000 from one hundred thousand views, and when you’re uploading daily the pennies add up. There’s a social star for everyone, but does that mean all the money-maker positions are taken? Can our social media accounts still give us regular folk a career?
HELPS ‘You’ll prove that you are tech savvy and reputable’
HINDERS ‘There are so many social media ‘stars’ right now’
One of the main advantages of being prolific on social media is that once you get to a certain number of views and subscriptions, sponsorships become available to you. Companies are regularly looking for advertising opportunities, and if your YouTube channel (for example) has a wave of viewers flowing in, you may be contacted regarding sponsored videos or advertising. This is an obvious benefit – you’ll get paid for continuing to share content, and your already effective online presence will grow quicker with the aid of advertising.
Those with 178 followers probably aren’t going to be able to make as much money from their Instagram account as the girl with 200k followers. That seems simple, right? But it’s actually not. Although, brands do offer payment for Instagram posts and YouTube videos it’s not enough to make a living from. Well, that’s easy- just get a part-time job, duh! Again, not so simple as, prolific BuzzFeed personality, Brittany Ashley found out. The money from her online presence wasn’t enough to pay the bills, so she worked at a local restaurant to make ends meet. But because of her very frequent online BuzzFeed appearances she was being recognised at work, which meant eventually she had to cut her hours to reduce the disruption. Not an ideal situation when your
– Jennifer, Lifelong POW! Mag Contributor
Whatever line of work you’re interested in you will need some way of showing employers what you are capable of – whether that be through a
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– Rowena, POW! Mag Editor
LIFESTYLE STORY CV, a portfolio or both. Particularly with creative and media careers, you need to be able to do it all and prove that you are both skilled and passionate about your subject. What better way to show this than through your online presence? Your online accounts – LinkedIn, blogs, Instagram etc. can act as a live CV or portfolio which prospective employers can browse. In this way your previous experiences and dedicated participation will introduce you as the sort of proactive person they may want to hire. All of this helps to show off your credibility.
“This is an obvious benefit you’ll get paid for continuing to share content” Linking to my first point, as you transition into a regular digital butterfly (or dragonfly, take your pick) you will become increasingly recognised in your field. This is helpful in creating a brand for yourself. You’ll prove that you are tech savvy and reputable. Your brand is about you and whatever you do. According to entrepreneur. com your brand sets up the discussion between you and your following: “It tells them what they can expect from your products and services, and it differentiates your offering from your competitors’. Your brand is derived from who you are, who you want to be and who people perceive you to be.” If you can show that you can keep up with the changing online-sphere, then your brand is likely to be successful. It is important to define your brand. When people see your name or your company name, what associations do you want them to make? Being online and socially active is more often than not a help to your career – if you do it wisely. It’s vital to make the most of opportunities – particularly while at university. It’s only going to help you out and increase confidence if you continue honing your skills, organise and develop your online presence and spend time networking with others. Effectively – this is you taking control of your working life and paving a path for yourself.
real life job doesn’t pay enough, nor does your online work. Because there are so many social media ‘stars’ right now, hustling your way into YouTube’s finest (& richest) is no easy task. Just as poor Brittany found, viewers will recognise those they are dedicated to following. You know who that means can also follow and recognise you? Potential employers. Being too open on social media means anyone can make a pretty good judgement of you before they’re even met you. Not ideal if you www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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only pull that weird (and actually pretty creepy) face when you’re completely trollied… If you’re a blogger who loves a good bit of lingerie reviewing in your spare time, is that really what the Head of Recruitment at that law firm really wants to see of you? Or if you’ve shared questionable photos from Kylie’s wild 21st party purely ‘for the lolz’ is the woman in HR going to get the joke? If this sounds like you or ‘a friend’, think about setting up professional social media accounts. That way parties stay private and you can showcase the best of your work to the world. Some things should be kept offline, or at least on a private account. Leave a little mystery!
“Being too open on social media means anyone can make a pretty good judgement of you before they’re even met you.” Gaining gazillions of followers and perfecting your Instagram theme takes some serious time and effort. If you’re posting every hour, on the hour, you’re probably a little obsessed by your social media presence. While employers do want you to be online, they’d also like you to be able to get on with writing that article without the 17 selfies accompanying it. It’s not just your work life this doesn’t bode well for. Just ask any Instagram Husband! Conducting all relationships through screen-to-screen communication means you’ll be missing out on some serious face-to-face time with the real world. Remember you’ll have to get through a job interview sat in the same room as another human being. No Instagram filters are going to change that.
There are many more reasons on both sides of the argument. As most careers steadily go deeper into digital, it’s obvious that you’ll need an online presence. The savvier you are, the more social media will become something which supports and springs forward your career. Of course it can be risky and exposing – but with careful consideration about what you post, you can make it work for you. No matter how you feel about living online, it is increasingly valuable to put your best self out there – just make sure you are savvy, selective and wise about what you share.
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How to:
be environmentally conscious and take-care of the earth
THE END OF CLIMATE CHANGE STARTS WITH US!
Unfortunately climate change happens and is well beyond our control and often enough I feel I’m contradicting myself by not doing enough to become a full eco-warrior! These simple tips can help you take better care of the earth! (and save a couple pennies on that electricity bill).
Written by: Julia Magnus-George
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Lifestyle story
Reusable cups for coffee!
Unplug, Unplug, Unplug!
An obvious one, but the easiest way to be environmentally friendly is to cut back with coffee cups! It was recently revealed several million paper cups are used everyday with 2.5 billion cups used every year Re-usable coffee cups can be incredibly cheap and creative and in Starbucks you can receive a 50p discount when you bring your own coffee cup!! (they sell ones for £1!)
See that green light on your macbook charger? Phone charged to 100%? Unplug! Leaving items plugged in or leaving them on standby still wastes electricity, and can damage and weaken the battery of your item! So do them and climate change a favour by unplugging them! This goes out to past me who would keep my phone charging overnight :(
Reusing water bottles!
Getting a eco-friendly houseplant
There are several great reusable water bottles on the market, some which even filter your water giving you a cleaner taste! If you get a water bottle as part of uni meal deal as I have done, a great tip is to heck if it’s recyclable (obviously) and if you can get a couple more uses out of it! Some recyclable water bottles are safe for a couple of reuses, which can come in handy the next time you’re thirsty and save you a couple pennies.
Getting a eco-friendly houseplant can do wonders! Some can make the air cleaner and a lot of houseplants do not need to be watered so often. Not only can they sprinkle some colour into a rented room which is costing you an arm and a leg, but they can also encourage good practises and routines. Perfect for this asthma sufferers!
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Written by: Michal Lachowicz
Afternoon in Kew Gardens POW! MAG’S FAVOURITE EXPLORER, MICHAŁ, TAKES US ON A DETAILED JOURNEY THROUGH THE BEAUTIFUL KEW GARDENS.
I
like to catch the train sometimes and travel as far as the underground can take me. I turn off my phone and walk freely with my camera, capturing unique moments. It still amazes me how many places connected with the nature are hidden in London. I’ve discovered plenty of little secret gardens or magnificent walks. However, one such place has been waiting on my bucket list for a long time- Kew Gardens. At the beginning of February, I finally booked my ticket and after an hour long journey from North London, the train stopped at the penultimate station of District Line, on its way towards Richmond.
Sites. Throughout the years Kew established its position as the internationally recognisable centre of botanical education and home for plant species from all over the planet. You probably won’t have time to see all 50 thousand of them or visit the herbarium with 7 million specimens, but a wellplanned route and a map received at the entrance will lead you through the most beautiful and iconic landmarks. I visited the place off-season and even though many plants haven’t bloomed yet, during winter the site is still very charming when purple crocuses emerge out of the ground. Let’s talk about the 1759, when Kew Gardens was launched. One of the first people associated with the history of this place is Princess Augusta, who initiated the expansion of the garden, which was almost 4 hectares and located in the area of White Lodge, Richmond. However, she wasn’t the only one responsible for growth of the site. Augusta invited gardener
“I WAS READY FOR A VERY ENJOYABLE AFTERNOON AND EXCITED TO EXPLORE AT LEAST A SMALL PART OF THIS WORLD’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF LIVING PLANTS”
I was ready for a very enjoyable afternoon and excited to explore at least a small part of this world’s largest collection of living plants gathered within the enormously huge and legendary Royal Botanic Gardens. They were opened in 1759 and cover over 300 acres of land. Since 2003 the site has been a part of UNESCO’s list of World Heritage
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LIFESTYLE STORY William Aiton and well-known botanist Lord Bute to work on the project with her. Another contributor, architect William Chambers, worked on the first projects for Kew’s buildings such as the Orangery. In 1772, King George III took over the garden after the death of the Princess, his mother. He decided to connect it with the country house in Kew, located in the neighbourhood and inherited from his predecessor George II. At this stage, many planting jobs were assigned to botanist Joseph Banks, who has just completed his remarkable journey around the world. This adventure resulted in his collection of a variety of plants, some of them still unknown to science at that time. In this way he established the international renown of Kew Gardens as one of the pioneers in horticultural research on the planet. There are definitely few ‘must sees’ here. However, if you don’t have 4 hours to devote to a long walk try to be selective and visit the most popular parts. I would recommend focusing on the three large greenhouses, where you can experience all kinds of climates. When I entered the Palm House, which is the most famous and noticeable, I felt a humid heat wave and variety of plants which I have seen in documentaries about Tropical Rainforests. Then I climbed up the spiral staircase a few minutes before its closure and from the observation deck I saw an impressive carpet of greenery, which took my breath away. This particular greenhouse was constructed within 4 years, between 1844 and 1848. It doesn’t seem a lot, in comparison to Temperate House, which is the largest greenhouse and was opened 40 years after its construction began. My explorer’s sense finally led me to the Princess of Wales Conservatory, opened in 1987 by Princess Diana. I was suddenly welcomed by a green iguana, which had been waiting for me on the stairs. One of the gardeners explained why this greenhouse is so unique. It combines 10 different micro-climatic zones, which are controlled by a computer system. So from the tropical part- full of orchids or water lilies, the next door will lead you to a dry, desert world of cacti and other succulents.
Other attractions at Kew includes a 50m high pagoda, which was constructed in the 18th century and reflects that historic era, which was full of fascination and admiration for orientalism. There are plenty of other places, which I won’t be able to describe in this short article. The most special one I saved for last. Would you ever think of walking 18m above the ground, surrounded by the trees? Treetop walkways provide such an opportunity. If you are willing to climb up another staircase, you will have a chance to make the two-hundred-meter circle on a specially designed platform and look at the beautiful panorama from this high perspective. I’m planning to come back here in the summer, when trees are going to be covered with green leaves. I finished my visit in the Orangery where you can drop in for a piece of cake or tea. The afternoon sun slowly began shining through the large window. Probably by now, as you hold this new issue of POW! Mag, Kew Gardens are becoming greener and more colourful than in February. They set the table for your arrival. POW!
Treetop Walkway in Kew Gardens, 18m above the ground
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MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY NEWEST HALLS ADDITION
’’
SAY HELLO TO WEMBLEY UNITE STUDENTS ACCOMMODATION!
U
nite Olympic Way is a modernised building that has welcomed UK and EU/International students right to the heart of Wembley. The news halls are only a bus ride away from the University and have managed to offer students a variety of services that hope to cater to a wellrounded experience outside the Middlesex Hendon campus walls. On behalf of The POW! Mag team, I would like to say a warm welcome to all those who have joined us this year.
I sit down with first year Journalism and Media student Tereza Romanova, who so far is beyond thrilled with her residence at Unite Olympic Way, and ask her about her experience thus far. “The halls are so amazing!” she begins. “The location is fantastic too; it’s crazy, sometimes, to live right next to the Wembley Stadium. There is always something to do and there is everything I need, like groceries, clothing shops, drug stores and even the tube. Everything is nearby!”
“...THERE IS EVERYTHING I NEED, LIKE GROCERIES, CLOTHING SHOPS, DRUG STORES AND EVEN THE TUBE. EVERYTHING IS NEARBY!”
In partnership with Unite Student’s, Middlesex University has granted its students with en-suite shared spaces or studio room choices, alongside added extravagant views such as the Wembley stadium. According to University Business, the facility is estimated to be £31m in property and accommodating to at least 700 Middlesex University students in 2016.
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compares it to a hotel.
When I asked about how she feels to be part of the first batch of Middlesex University students to stay at these halls she
“It’s honestly feels more like a hotel than the halls.
lifestyle STORY
Typical single room at Unite Student
Written by: Malak Benani Photography by: Tereza Tomanova
I hated my high school halls because of their rules, restrictions and appearance. I thought that the university halls would be exactly like that. One of the main reasons why I chose Wembley halls was because of how new and modern they looked in the pictures. I feel spoiled!”
Common space to play games and socialise at Unite Student
I go on to ask her about the obvious architectural thought into the design of the halls. “Oh my good look at the design! It’s so colourful while also maintaining that adult-like decency. The colours honestly brighten up your day, every day. At every area of the accommodation, you feel calm and relaxed - at least in my case I feel that way!” Curiously, I wondered at this point if there was anything that she did not like about her stay at the halls.
Main entrance of Unite Student
“Well, there isn’t enough space for my clothes in the wardrobe!” POW! www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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Lifestyle STORY
MIDDLESEX’s
“ARTSY” APPEAL
E
very teenager grows to the age when the idea of university looms large and pressures pile upon his or her shoulders. They begin to wonder; do I take a gap year? What course do I want to study? And the all-important, which university? For many these questions answer themselves. For some, university isn’t confined to the barriers of their home nation, and for others oversee education is merely expected of them. Statistics from recent studies show a figure of over 230,000 international students decide to join undergraduate schemes in the UK. We wanted to find out what makes the UK and Middlesex University appealing.
Alia Zaidi,
a Malaysian-born student Mastering in Graphic Design, tells us that “connecting and working with different kinds of people from all around the world,” is what drew her to study in the UK. She was pulled to London because of the interaction of people “from different backgrounds, cultures, and religions”. When asked what attracted her to Middlesex specifically and what continues to keep her interested, she tells us: “I kind of enjoy the artsy
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environment here on the campus. I get the chance to experience different styles of education. This is totally different from where I come from.” If she were to take anything from Middlesex, London back home to Malaysia, she would take “a more artsy environment and different styles of education,” to her home country, “so that the art students will enjoy more in learning art and design”.
Morta Gerbenyte, a second year student from Lithuania is taking a BA Creative Writing and Journalism tells us how valuable her course is: “I have decided to study in the UK for several reasons: firstly, for the creative writing course, because none of the universities in my country has that specific subject. Also, I have always heard that a British diploma is more accepted and valued.”
The draws to London are many, and Middlesex appeals to students from around the globe. There are many reasons to value our place of learning and we have outlined just a few!
Written by: Nadia Mahmud, Yasmin Aboujieb, Barbara Pereira, Rianne Hall, and Sam Lachter
People, Places and Things.
A OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS AND A COMPELLINGLY HONEST STORYLINE, CAITLYN REVIEWS LONDON’S LATEST MUST-SEE PLAY... Written by: Caitlyn Ebsworthy
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eople, Places and Things opened at the National Theatre to rave reviews. The play, written by Duncan Macmillan, now has a 5-week run at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End. The leading lady of the production is Denise Gough who plays Emma, an actress struggling with a drug and alcohol addiction. The character quickly gains our sympathy when she finds herself in rehab, on her own accord may I add. She denies it to others but she knows she needs help. Emma is a character who’s internal and external confrontations constantly force her into arguments with herself and other characters which causes her recovery process to be incredibly difficult, and adding to this, she lies, a lot. Her performance is gripping, the audience want her on stage for the entire show, which, she is. Denise Gough won Best Actress at the 2016 Olivier Awards for her portrayal of the role. The play expresses various messages; love, family, friendship trust. There is something about Emma that everyone can relate to. In a short amount of time learn a lot about her character, her wit and intelligence creates
LIFESTYLE STORY
interesting elements. I’ve noticed a correlation between highly intelligent characters and this link to drugs and alcohol to numb the ‘dullness of real life’, a prime example being Sherlock Holmes. Something I particularly like about the play is that Duncan Macmillan makes us consider our own ways of dealing with everyday life. He makes us draw similarities from the characters and asks us to consider why we aren’t in their situation. This play is so relevant and is far more than a story about addiction. It’s about real life, and all the stuff in-between. I feel like the younger generation will understand this play most sincerely, as a generation who has everything at the touch of a button.
Written by Duncan Macmillan Wyndham’s Theatre
and w e
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CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC Written by: Maddie Burrough
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W WE
all know the struggles of student life; the tight budgets and huge overdrafts. As a shopaholic, any money I manage to scrape together goes straight on clothes. I am not a stranger to the idea of foregoing my food shop for a week so I can buy clothes instead. Cold turkey shopping is not in my vocabulary. Charity shops and revamping my winter wardrobe is how I’ve managed to get through my student years. But I will admit four pairs of new jeans recently came through my letter box... I really needed them. I promise. My tip for this issue is splurging thoughtfully. I’ll admit, four pairs of jeans was excessive. I probably could have tried just my two favourite.
Here are the items to keep and delete from your shopping basket... Staples in the Sales
Always stock up on your wardrobe staples in a sale. If you know the type of jeans or simple tops you look good in, now is the time to bulk buy them! This is an obvious choice for the savvy shopper. In summer sales, think about simple pieces that you’ll always wear. If you want to step it up have a look at the trend forecasts- although every Spring/Summer palette will probably be bright and floral and Autumn/ Winter darker and dulled. This enables you to have key garments for much cheaper than if you bought them new-in next season.
Buy the right fit
Unless you’re known for crazy misshapen looks, the best bet for clothes lasting is to find the fit that suits you perfectly and repeat. This means you don’t just buy things that look good on the in-store models. This my biggest tip in life: the fit is EVERYTHING. Wearing clothes that really fit your body shape can’t help but give you confidence! It puts a stop to the dreaded, “I bought it because it’s so
FASHION STORY pretty,” and, “I will wear it, I just haven’t found the right occasion yet.” But the real reason is it’s just not something you feel comfortable in.
stock up on style
Something that goes with buying the right fit, is making sure the style you buy is totally timeless. Always make sure your wardrobe is fully stocked up on staple pieces. Investing in an ‘outthere’ trend often means you go off it fairly quickly as soon as no one else is wearing it. Knowing your style and fit is greatly important. Everyone has a different style and if a white shirt is a staple of your friend’s wardrobe, it doesn’t have to be yours too. A good pair of jeans a must. Find a good fit and a simple style, then stock up on that holy pair! In all the colours! You might notice my shopping weakness slipping in there.
Get a signature top that you can chuck on with anything. Mine is a baggy black v-neck. I also have the blue and the white stripy version. This winter I’ve become a fan of polo necks, so I stocked up on these in the sales. A white shirt is also a good option. These simple items are something that you will wear again and again. Before you buy that crazy fluffy jacket, make sure you have things to wear it with. Which staples will it work with? On the other hand, do you need five pairs of the same jeans? If you think you do, you may need some shopaholic help. But it’s okay I feel your pain. POW! www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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frozen peag sin hot trends comin
cool beans
trends on the way out
80s attire
Ruffles, glitter shirts, pegged jeans, waist-clinching belts… All of it. I don’t know about you but I am pumped for this style to be back in.
sheer dresses
These dresses were everywhere on the red carpet. But we never quite managed the same finesse when we tried them on at home.
t-rex hands
The go-to instapose is no longer the trusty fish gape. But the T-Rex pose is no time for awkward elbows or tiny hands. Simply smize with a hand held up to the face.
instahols
Posting airplane wing shots should be illegal! You just make everyone, who’s stuck at home, sad and jealous. We can’t take another summer of suffering!
hun honey
The hun is the perfect cover up when your hair is looking good, but it’s a little too greasy to wear completely down.
the face palm emoji
The face palm emoji is finally here and I can’t wait. There are so many new emojis on their way, but this is the one I think we’ve all been waiting for.
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contouring
Let’s be real; most of us never figured out how to do this anyway. Can we just forget it ever happened?
the three droplets emoji I never want to see it again…
MDXSU story
CHAAR YEATES, OUR NEWLY ELECTED SCHOOL VOICE LEADER FOR MEDIA & PERFORMING ARTS CHAAR GIVES POW! AN INSIGHT INTO HER PLANS FOR THE YEAR AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED.
H
ey, I am C h a a r Yeates and I am this year’s elected School Voice Leader for Media and Performing Arts. Every month I will be reviewing your shows, work and performances and I writing about the incredible hard work I get to witness as your school Voice Leader. I am fortunate enough to be involved such a wide variety of courses from Jazz Studies to Media and Journalism, Theatre Arts to 3D Animation and Games. I have been very excited in my role so far, meeting so many students and learning about the large array of courses that fall within our school. I am looking forward to the year ahead to have the chance to improve facilities and areas of concern for our courses and celebrate the arts. The first event I have had the pleasure of attending is the first meeting of The Singers & Musician’s Society on the 10th October. As Co-Founder of the society I was amazed to see so many people turning up and packing out a small room. With people from every background, country, course and musical abilities from different singing styles, to double bass and ukulele players. After a few
hiccups at the beginning of the session due to room and instrument access the session got under way with people introducing themselves, telling us what they study, what they play and what they want to achieve from the society. Many people were shy and had not joined anything like this or performed in public before but everybody was kind, encouraging and quick to get to one another that we soon had first timers joining in the jam sessions and singing together with smiles on their faces.
SINGERS & MUSICIANS
Meetings are currently every Monday evening at 6pm. Location is to be confirmed. IF interested please visit the Facebook page: “Singers & Musicians Society @ MDX” or sign up to the mailing list: sm.mdx.soc@gmail.com If you have any work you want to show case, are seeking advice OR have any other course related problems then please feel free to email me at MPAVoice@mdx.ac.uk
WEEKLY JAZZ JAMS (PARTICIPATE OR WATCH): EVERY TUESDAY FROM 7:30PM. GREYHOUND PUB, HENDON.
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WOMEN GO TO HOLLYWOOD
The rise of positive female role-models in Hollywood.
Written by:Kandice Dickson, Raeda Hanis Nor and Amirah Alhadad
T
he film industry has evolved immensely since its inception in the early 1900s. Despite the decades of development, what is still noticeably lacking is the development of strong female leading roles. Hollywood has widely contributed to the film industry and has gained recognition from every part of the world, so why don’t women gain more leading roles and why isn’t diversity represented more fairly? This is a trend that might be reversing – we weigh up signs Hollywood has been treating women with more respect.
But, films such as Twilight and The Hunger Games are raking in more than $1 billion and challenging the perception of women. Half of the cinema audiences are female; therefore the movement of women in film is not shocking. Companies as successful as Disney have even joined in, introducing animation films such as Mulan, Pocahontas, Frozen and, more recently, Maleficent, where the male characters hold smaller roles and are not viewed to be the main hero or prince charming.
“THIS IS A TREND THAT MIGHT BE REVERSING - WE WEIGH UP SIGNS HOLLYWOOD HAS BEEN TREATING WOMEN WITH MORE RESPECT”
Over the years women have been pushed into the background. This could be seen more in Hollywood action films in comparison to other genres. Action films are expected to involve explosions, gun-play, martial arts, and strenuous physical work. Women in general are traditionally seen to be too dainty and delicate to perform such activities and the role therefore falls into the hands of the strong male actors. An example would be the Transformers and Spider-Man franchises, in which the female characters are objectified and portrayed to be the damsel-in-distress.
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Franchise films have become a major part of Hollywood and movies like The Matrix and Terminator generate millions. However female-led franchises are growing stronger every year with popular franchises like Twilight, The Hunger Games and Divergent dominating the charts. Twilight opened the door for much more developed series such as the Divergent series. The female characters hold all of the power and are developed both mentally, emotionally and physically rather than just one or the other. Another example would be Diary of a Mad Black Woman. This film embraces diversity. The main
FILM story
“ recently there has been a big change in female-led films. In fact, some of the best action films have strong protagonists played by women”
protagonist completely rebuilds her life and grows to become a stronger woman throughout the film. Even though this has been a slow development, recently there has been a big change in femaleled films. In fact, some of the best action films have strong protagonists played by women who are not only strong physically but also in their character and personality, at times adding a dimension to the plot that wouldn’t work with a male counterpart.
With other issues that are being raised over the years in Hollywood – most recently the issue on the lack of diversity in The Academy Award’s nominees list for the second year in a row – it is clear that there needs to be a balance for all actors, whether they are male, female, white, black or of any other race. In this case, actresses need to be treated fairly in the industry and be given roles that are equally as strong as their male colleagues’ characters. POW!
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2016 CONTROVERSY REFLECTING ON THIS YEAR’S OSCARS AND CONSIDERING IF IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE.
Written by: Rohan Reddy
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FILM STORY
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very year, for one night, the Dolby theatre hosts a grand ceremony and celebration of every film in Hollywood. Biggest of the biggest superstars and celebrities attend the most glamourous event of the year where excellence in the film industry is recognised, appreciated and awarded. Many artists who perform off and on screen in film, thrive to achieve this honour and belong to the elite club of Oscar winners, which of whom include the likes of: Tom Hanks, Emmanuel Lubezki, Martin Scorsese and many more. Personally, I have been a huge fan of the academy awards over the years mainly because this ceremony has exposed me to different artists and their style of work. This has allowed me to broaden my cinematic knowledge. The Oscars also project light onto the different categories of film making which include cinematography, editing and all the technical areas of film, as well as appreciating the art of Animated films, documentaries (feature and short) and international films. I have noticed that within the last four years, there is a pattern taking shape within the category of Best Directors. Ang Lee (Life of Pi), Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity) and Alejandro G Innaritu (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and The Revenant) won Academy awards for Best Director for their respective films, which were all visually exceptional and technically very difficult films. This has given me the impression that the members of the Academy think that making a technically difficult film is what makes a director the “Best” which I believe is not the case. I believe there is a lot more to the director’s job than just making a technically difficult film. This is often over-looked. Advanced skill has to be applied, directing the actors, communicating and working with your production department, in order to bring your vision on to the screen and so much more. All these factors need to be taken into account. Though I must argue that this isn’t the most significant issue the Academy awards has been faced with. Recently, the Oscars have been heavily scrutinised for one major issue that has been present within entertainment business for decades. The controversial issue of ethnic minorities arose when the twenty nominees for the acting categories for 2016, were all of white ethnic background. This caused a huge social media outrage as there were other actors of ethnic minority that had proved their raw talent and deserved to be at least nominated. www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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Sylvester Stallone was nominated for Best Supporting Actor Category for his role as Rocky Balboa in Creed. The movie shows a black fighter trying to follow in his father’s footsteps. I consider the film was a well-cast, well-acted and a well-directed movie. This was Ryan Coogler’s second movie that was very well received by the critics, which well-known websites Rotten Tomatoes believed to be “fresh”. The film was also very well received by the audience as it made over $100 million. Many felt that the director of Creed deserved to be at least nominated in the category of Best Director and Michael B Jordan for playing Adonis Creed in the category of Best Actor; however, the only nomination Creed received was for Sylvester Stallone. Another movie that found success among critics and their audiences but was dismissed by the Academy Awards was Straight Outta Compton. I personally thought that Jason Mitchell, who was extraordinary as the late rapper Easy-E, should have received a nomination. This biopic shows the uprising of one of the biggest rap groups and was arguably one of the best movies of post 20th century which addresses sensitive topics like racism and police brutality in America. The movie only nominated for best original screenplay. A large segment of the audience and some critics also argued that it deserved many other nominations including Best Picture and Best Director. The Academy Awards are not entirely to blame, as some would argue that there are not enough roles for people of minor ethnicities in Hollywood. The production companies would be reluctant to fund a movie if they didn’t think the actor had the ability to bring the Box Office figures intended or quoted income. I strongly believe this is the reason why Tom Cruise was cast as a Samurai (A military member of feudal Japan) in The Last Samurai and Christian Bale was cast as Moses (an Egyptian prince from Africa) in Exodus: Gods and Kings. The feeling of Box Office uncertainty
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that production companies have when casting actors of minor ethnicities is in my opinion not completely questionable as you can see where they come from. Half of the world was outraged at the thought of a black Stormtrooper in the new Star Wars movie and the casting of an African American Annie was also for some reason, very controversial among the audience. Why is it a topic of controversy though? Luckily, I think, times are changing. More and more people are expressing their concern with “whitewashing” in Hollywood. Movies like Creed are showing production companies that, if the story is told right, the colour of the individual’s skin does not matter. Cheryl Boone Isaacs, representative of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars) has promised to increase the number of ethnic minorities and female nominations by 2020. The Academy awards appear to be unaware of their significant impact on young minds. It is essential that Oscars embrace diversity, as it will show these easily influenced individuals that everyone within the film industry has an equal chance of winning the prestigious award. This, in turn, will boost the confidence of those who aspire to be a part of the film industry and strive towards great achievements. POW!
#endthestigma 9 out of 10 people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination, it’s about time we address it.
3 in 4 people with mental health issues fear the reaction of their friends People with mental illnesses are more likely to be a victim of violence then to be violent For those dealing with mental illnesses, or for those who want some more information, here are some great links and contact details
www.time-to-change.org.uk www.rethink.org Suicide hotlines - 116 123 HOPELineUK - 08000684141 Also, there is the Disability and Dyslexia support that exists for you to get more help and information while at university
Mental illness is stigmatised and frowned upon, often used as an insult against another. When mental illness affects so many of the population, it shouldn’t be used to insult one another or even discussed about with negative connotations. Understanding the depths of a mental illness is important, as every individual reacts and feels differently – even with the same mental illness. With the recent discussion of an attempted suicide by R&B singer Kehlani, it’s important to put health issues in the mainframe. Mental illnesses can be well hidden, and can be evident in people you least expect. Some people, especially young people don’t feel as comfortable disclosing mental health problems for fear of judging or embarrassment. These are health issues no different to another, and overuse of these terms can trivialise them to the point that they are mocked and not taken seriously. Learning about the severity of these issues is one of the most important steps. Not only will this provide you with information as to how severe mental health issues are and how to best address it, but it can also educate you on how your friends deal with mental illnesses and how best to help them. You wouldn’t think less of anyone with back pain or a stomach ache, yet when thinking of people with mental illnesses, there are a lot of myths we associate with them. Written by: Julia Magnus-George www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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WHITE BRINGING GLASWEGIAN POP TO THE ARCHES OF LONDON FIELDS Written by:Jamie Burnett
WITH A UNIQUE POP SOUND THAT IS FILLING VENUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHITE ARE MAKING A NAME FOR THEMSELVES. POW! MAG’S MUSIC EDITOR, JAMIE, MANAGED TO ATTEND THEIR VERY FIRST HEADLINE GIG IN LONDON.
F
rom the Talking Heads to a neon light manufactures famous for spelling mistakes, my conversation with WHITE front man Leo Condie was full of mutual interests (yes, one of them being neon lights). I like neon lighting and it’s obvious the five piece do as well with their band logo styled in a bright neon pink that’s similar to the interior of a 1980s Disco club. A fitting aesthetic, I told myself, as their set later that night emulated nothing but raw energy mixed with vibrant melodies- two things that are essential for composing pop, or even ArtPop for that matter. Arriving at London Fields station in the late afternoon with my digital audio recorder tucked away in my bag, I strolled around aimlessly trying to find the London Brewhouse, the venue
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that would host the evening’s entertainment. Out of sight and hidden away under the station an arch, the Brewhouse guarded with two towering gates and I peered my head round arriving for my interview with the band. Well, at least I thought I had. The venue’s interior was similar to that of an Anderson shelter, except this one had a massive stage, a bar with a wooden surface and sound technicians wondering around with leads. I met with Chris who I assumed was their manager at first because he was the first to meet me, however my assumption was shattered as it was made clear to me that he was in fact one of the guitarists. With this early mishap out the way, I was told that Leo was sat in London Fields pub just around the corner.
music STORY Distanced in the corner with fellow band mate and guitarist Hamish Fingland, Leo introduced himself then we made our way to the beer garden where it would be quieter. I was intrigued to ask Leo about the bands’ musical influences since I could not help but get a strong 1980s dance rock feel when listening to their petit discography on Spotify. ‘Things like Berlin-era Bowie are big influences on me in terms of going into the studio and recording. When I was younger I was obsessed with Talking Heads, so I’ve just tried to take what they do and what people like David Bowie and most recently Arcade Fire do, which is make pop music but make it intelligent.’
the song as, ‘one of the simplest ones’, a credit to simplicity I would say. Later that night the band were welcomed by a large crowd who had been previously entertained by funk-fusion band Bad Sounds. Their upbeat tempos and electronic melodies warmed the stage; if you are familiar with MGMT then I recommend you check out their Soundcloud.
As the night rolled on it became apparent that WHITE’s music on the surface is recognisable pop. But underneath the catchy choruses and synths textures there is a core appreciation for the age of experimental pop WHITE are a band who are which bands like the Talking not afraid to incorporate their Heads spurred during the 80s. influences into their song It’s clear that they are fully writing. It is apparent they’re aware of their musical roots as -Leo, WHITE not content with generic lyrical I stand amongst the crowd who themes of regular pop instead they offer edgier couldn’t resist the temptation to move their feet. and more provoking song writing. ‘And when they No moment was wasted as the band soaked know you know too much’, is one of the blistering up the energy by strutting through their set with lines of WHITE’s guitar-jangling dance anthem songs including the electro-funk induced Future Living Fiction, intriguing at first listen the lyrics Pleasures and Blush, a single that was remixed seem to evoke ideas about the empowerment of by indie band Everything Everything whom the the normal folk conflicting with the ant-crushing band met when they supported them last year. assertiveness of the elite. Not only do WHITE insist you dance when you attend their gigs, they also ‘Loud, dancy and quite a lot of showmanship.’ require you to listen, not just to the tight grooves That was the response Leo gave me when I asked of drummer Kirstin Lynn but also to the alluring him what I could expect from the gig and he was style of their writing. Interestingly Leo referred to true to his word I must say. Sprinkled with some frontman flare, Leo commanded all attention to the stage where he along with the band provided an animated performance with vigorous hair flicking and hands on mic-stand action. If you’re looking for a vibrant night that revives the sounds of the 80s but with a contemporary twist, then WHITE are the band for you.
“Loud, dancy & quite a lot of showmanship.”
After the gig I had time to congratulate the band on the show as they sat dripping in sweat but as I did I was still very curious about the grammatically challenged neon light makers Leo had mentioned earlier. I guess I’ll have to start my search as soon as I finish this...POW! www.mdxsu.com/studentmedia
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RISE & SHINE GRIME
FOR
FROM THE CONCRETE ESTATES OF EAST LONDON TO SOME OF THE BIGGEST STAGES ON THE PLANET, GRIME IS KICKING UP A STORM (ZY), AND IS MAKING A NAME FOR ITSELF.
TT
Written by: Aldaira Hill, Fatma Sheikh, Hajara Osman, Lisa Begum, and Skylla Batista
he music genre ‘Grime’ is creeping out from London’s shadows and is attracting a global audience. From Stormzy’s race for Christmas number one to Lethal Bizzle’s overuse of the word ‘Dench’, Grime is growing as a genre. We spoke to Grime rapper Skepta who calls the new genre a religion that has reached the shores of the US.
Simply, Grime has a lot to do with representing the area you live in and the environment you grew up in. Lyrically, Grime speaks honest words often referring to urban lifestyle. Grime, like Hip-Hop and other genres is a form of rap. This new and different type of rap has attracted “WE ALL MAKE DIFFERENT people from not only the UK but from all over the globe.
TYPES OF MUSIC BUT IT’S ALL BORN FROM POVERTY, BORN FROM PAIN.”
American rapper Drake is a wellknown supporter of the genre. After bringing Grime rapper -Skepta Nevertheless, what exactly Skepta on stage at the Wireless is Grime? Grime in its simplest form is UK rap; festival last year he teamed up with him to feature mainly progressed from UK speed garage it on the remix of ‘Ojuelegba’. has combined the gritty attitude of early rap with the bouncing rhythms of Drum and Bass. It We asked UK rapper Skepta about the popularity developed in England around the early 2000s and and influence of Grime, to which he refers to it as takes influences from numerous music genres. It a religion that is spreading: is a merge of UK garage, Drum and Bass and Dancehall. “We all make different types of music but it’s all
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music STORY born from poverty, born from pain. Now America has now found out about the religion, and they’re gonna help spread it. I think Americans enjoy listening to it [Grime], it’s something different.” “They like the style. I always knew that one day if they find out about us they’re gonna think ‘Yeh them guys are sick’. I just want us to be remembered for the guys that gave the streets a sound in London. I don’t wanna be big cos noone certified us I just wanna be sick because we are sick.” Skepta says Grime has and will always be a popular choice of music “Grime fashion is gonna come in now and go out but we’re always still gonna be poppin’ because that’s what we’ve been doing for the last ten years. We know how to just get a sound and send it out.”
MOBO award winner Stormzy has helped pioneer Grime and shift it into the mainstream.
But American Rapper A$AP ROCKY believes Grime will only become successful in the US if artists start using US sounds as an influence and stimulus for their songs. In a recent interview with Radio 1Xtra’s Charlie Sloth, A$AP ROCKY said: “Grime belongs to the UK. They need to find a medium and I think it’ll work, that’s just my personal opinion. They are already successful in the UK but use hip-hop as a sound to be successful in the US because Grime is not perceived well in the States.” Ultimately, the genre of Grime music has become more popular over the past few years. The collaboration of UK artists with artists from across the pond will surely lend a hand to the expansion of Grime and even help take it further into the mainstream. POW!
Tottenham Born Grime icon Skepta
“I JUST WANT US TO BE REMEMBERED FOR THE GUYS THAT GAVE THE STREETS A SOUND IN LONDON. ” -Skepta
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A REVIEW OF PRIMAVERA SOUND 2016
OUR MUSIC EDITOR SARA GRETA RUINI WENT TO ONE OF THE HOTTEST MUSIC FESTIVALS OF THE SUMMER; THIS IS WHAT SHE MADE OF IT. With so many top names lined up for its sixteenth edition, it’s no surprise that the tickets to Primavera Sound 2016 sold out shortly after being announced. Taking place in Barcelona’s Parc del Fòrum, an outstanding multi-space venue by the Mediterrean sea, you could feel a special vibe spread throughout the whole Barna. Wednesday
Saw Britpop idols Suede shine a special kind of light, listening to the iconic guitar riffs of Animal Nitrate and an overwhelmingly beautiful acoustic version of She’s in Fashion, it was hard to tell whether it’s the early 90’s or 2016. This was due to frontman Brett Anderson’s vocal performance and stage presence that didn’t seem to have been remotely affected by the passing of time.
Thursday
Brought some great names. French electronic legends Air performed a set of greatest hits, their brightest moments being Sexy Boy, a catchy, dream-like favourite full of hidden wit, and closer La Femme d’Argent. Soon after, psychedelia’s enfants terribles Tame Impala delighted with good oldies such as Why Won’t They Talk to Me?, as well as extracts from their more accessible last album such as Eventually, during which some technical difficulties build
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suspense just before a triumphant end to their set. This night, however, reality exceeded expectations when LCD Soundsystem played their first gig after their 2011 break-up. Their set was not only the highest point of the whole festival, but also one of the greatest shows I’ve witnessed: lurching from more dance-y tracks like Losing my Edge to the electronic whimsy of Dance Yrself Clean, you couldn’t spot anyone who was not moving erratically to the music of Brooklyn’s finest.
Friday
Was glamorous. Religiously waiting for the band to come on stage, Radiohead fans are - understandably – quite excited to be here as everyone was totally clueless regarding what the show would be like. Thom Yorke & co. play for two hours, and it’s as good as you’d expect it to be. No surprises. In particular, Creep at the very end of the set is a hard one to ‘digest’: I saw people scream, sing along and like me, cry: it’s almost hard to watch the band leave when it finishes. The Last Shadow Puppets, aka Alex Turner and Miles Kane, followed with a rather mediocre performance which seemed more like a dance talent show than an actual gig; the only exception being the song Calm Like You which was downright touching.
MUSIC STORY LCD Soundsytem Photo by Eric Pamies
Radiohead. Photo by Ullstein Bild / Getty Images
Tame Impala. Photo by Eric Pamies
Saturday
Despite the struggle faced by Brian Wilson in reaching the notes of some of The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” tracks, it was a pleasure to see one of the most influential people in music live. Later on it was PJ Harvey’s turn, who returned to headline Primavera after 5 years. Her set is consistently splendid. Her voice, haunting yet composed and the atmosphere intense: Let England Shake and To Bring You My Love gave me the shivers. The last band I saw that day was Reykjavík’s post rock outfit Sigur Rós. With the coloured projections moving in sync with the music, bright in the complete darkness, it was hard to see the band on stage; but it didn’t matter. You just closed your eyes and let yourself get carried away by the band’s ethereal sounds – I can feel a newfound inner peace which is hard to describe in words. See you next year, Primavera! POW!
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, PRIMAVERA!
Written by: Sara Ruini
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SPORTS STORY
TEAM GB MAKE HISTORY AT RIO SUMMER OLYMPICS POW! TAKES A LOOK AT GREAT BRITAIN’S TOP 10 GOLDS FROM RIO
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10.
Jade Jones Women’s Taekwondo (57kg)
After winning gold at London in 2012 at the age of just 19, Jade emulated her spectacular performance by winning another gold at Rio. In a thrilling final, Jade unleashed a flurry of her trademark head kicks to Spanish opponent Eva Calvo Gomez to take the victory by 16 points to 7. At the end of the second round her Spanish opponent was only one point adrift of her, but after a dominant third and final round performance, Jade managed to defend her Olympic title at the ripe age of 23. Written by:Jamie Stevens
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09. Mo Farah
Men’s Athletics (10,000m & 5,000m)
Mo Farah made history on the penultimate day in Rio. No man has ever won and defended the Olympic middle distance double before, but in Saturday’s 5,000m final, Mo became the first man to ever do so, cementing his place in Olympic history. After managing to capture gold in the 10,000m after a nasty fall early on, Mo proved to the world that he is the best middle-distance runner of our generation after winning a tight race in the 5,000m.
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Charlotte Dujardin Equestrian (Individual dressage)
Charlotte is probably one of the least recognisable names on this list, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t deserve to be here. After losing out in the Team Dressage to an impressive German horseriding team, Charlotte was put under immense pressure after German rider Isabell Werth scored a total of 89.071%, but her and her horse Valegro produced a majestic routine, scoring her a 93.8%, which came painfully close to her own world record of 94.1%
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Adam Peaty Men’s Swimming (100m Breastroke)
What a way to kick of the 2016 Olympic! Adam Peaty – who had set a World Record pace on the first day of the competition in his heat – once again smashed his own World Record less than 24 hours later to claim Britain’s first gold. Being the stone cold favourite before the race, Adam done nothing but deliver, leaving the rest of the field swimming in his waves after the first length. We expected nothing less of Peaty, considering he had won every 100m race he had competed in within the last two years, but this still took nothing away from his colossal victory.
06. Jason Kenny
Men’s Cycling (Keirin & Sprint)
Becoming the joint most successful GB Olympic athlete of all time is sure to guarantee you a place somewhere on this list, and it’s at number six for cyclist Jason Kenny. He won two individual golds in the men’s keirin and sprint, including a gold in the men’s team sprint, which takes his overall Olympic tally to six gold medals. He is now the joint top with his idol Chris Hoy, who also has six golds to his name. In winning his two individual golds he showed why he is king of the velodrome, breezing past all other competition on his way to the history books
05. Alistair Brownlee Men’s Athletics (Triathlon)
He is the most dominant triathlete of all time, having become the only triathlete to ever defend an Olympic crown. What’s even crazier is that his brother – Jonathan Brownlee – is potentially the second most dominant triathlete of all time, finishing just seconds behind his big brother. It was no different to London this time round for Brownlee, as he commanded the race from the front as always. He and his brother separated from the rest of the field in the final discipline, running, and from there older brother Alistair pushed on to an Olympic gold, while younger brother Jonathan had to settle for silver.
Hockey Team 02. Women’s Women’s Hockey
The only team to be included on this list, the woman’s hockey team surprised everyone by snatching gold right from the hand of the allconquering Netherlands team. Britain were being dominated in a very one-sided final by the Netherlands, and were only kept in the game by the miraculous saves produced by GB goalkeeper Maddie Hinch. Eventually the game went to penalties, and everybody saw this as Britain’s best chance of capturing gold. Hinch once again produced some spectacular saves and victory was sealed with a Hollie Webb penalty
04. Nick Skelton
Equestrian (Individual jumping)
58 year-old Nick Skelton, who broke his neck in two places when he was 42 and was forced to retire from horse-riding, finally achieved his Olympic dream and won a gold in Rio. After coming out of retirement, Nick won gold in the team event at London 2012, but had never won a medal in the individual event. This all changed when he became the second oldest athlete ever to win a gold on his horse Big Star in the show jumping. He went clear three rounds in a row to beat Swede Peder Fredricson and Canada’s Eric Lamaze.
03. Max Whitlock
Men’s Gymnastics (Pommel horse & Floor exercise)
A British gymnast had never won an Olympic gold before, and then Max Whitlock came along and won two in the same day. Starting with his floor routine, Max won gold with a score of 15.63 ahead of home favourite Brazilian’s Diego Hypolito and Arthur Mariano. He was then the penultimate man to ride the pommel horse, and his score of 15.96 pushed fellow Brit Louis Smith down into silver medal position.
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Chris Mears and Jack Laugher Men’s Diving (Synchronized 3m springboard)
Just over five years ago, Chris Mears was told he had just a 5% chance of living after rupturing his spleen and losing five pints of blood. Five years later and he, along with partner Jack Laugher, won gold in the Men’s diving after beating overwhelming favourites Qin Kai and Cao Yuan of China. They were subject to immense pressure in their final dive, after American pair Sam Dorman and Mike Hixon performed a near perfect dive. The British boys responded with one of their best dives of the tournament, which put them above the USA and out of reach of the Chinese.
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