STUDENT LED STUDENT READ ISSUE #1
WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE We live in a time where we mistake the world of social media as truth, a truth that we “like”, “comment” and “share”. We no longer produce content, but consume what appears on our feed. We live our lives on our phones and the magazine is increasingly becoming a material object of the past. We need a place to talk, a real place to share ideas and communicate to each other what is relevant to us… what we are doing and how we are trying to make the world a better place. That is why this magazine will be YOUR magazine to share your thoughts, experiences and stories. A place where your voice can reach other Kingston Students who are also navigating their way through their degree. This autonomy and freedom of speech is important in a time where we are paying high University fee’s that can rise if the University reaches a level of ‘Teaching Excellence’, and in those discussion we as the students NEED to have our voices heard. What is important is that we speak up in a world where our maintenance grants have been removed and where Brexit has been made democratic reality. We at the Union hope that this magazine will be a launching pad for those that have something to say, to be able to reach a larger audience. This magazine will be a place where a passionate team of students can create cross- campus conversation. Who knows… maybe we’ll make a TV channel too? We invite you to submit, contribute, and help shape the journey of this publication. We want you to grow with us, shape us and tell us where we need to go. If you would like to be a contributor, editor or idea maker, then please email; d.bowdutoit@kingston.ac.uk. Thank you,
CONTENTS 1
SURVINGING UNIVERSITY by Chloe Murray
2
WHY TRAVELING BEFORE CHOOSING YOUR PROFESSION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER BEFORE by Tina Dahmen BREXIT by Marvah Farooqi
3 4
A QUICK CARTOON
5
BLACK LIVES MATTER by Beatrice Carey
6
INCREASE IN TUITION FEES FOR ‘GOOD’ UNIVERSITIES. by Mary Harris
7
5 TIPS FOR SURVIVING LAW SCHOOL
8
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH by Rose Fry
9
HIPPY PICASSO by Marta troya
11
A DOG A DAY KEEPS THE BLUES AWAY by Laura Mróz
13
INTERVIEW: PHIL BROOKES by Daisy Bow Du Toit
15
THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Beth Cecilia
16 MOVIE TWEETS 17 18 19
by Anith STRANGER REVIEWS by Lulu Kahdim SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT: ISOC by Bashir Ibrahim COUGAR CORNER: AMERICAN FOOTBALL by Jens Christian Nielsen de Berard
SURVIVING UNIVERSITY Welcome to Kingston University. Now what?
Hi there to all our new KU students, and of course, welcome back to our 2nd and 3rd years! Sooo, the move to/back to University can be a tricky one...
If you’re a fresher, moving to KU marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter of your life. Sometimes finding yourself or re-discovering your deepest passions, does not mean you have to jump on a plane and fly across the world. Kingston University will open so many doors for you, help you to develop as an individual and guide you in fulfilling your ambitions. As the move in day approaches, you begin to dream about of the wild Fresher nights out coming up, eating whatever you fancy, and meeting tons of new people… however, many students tend to forget about the other (boring) stuff, such as planning out your weekly budgets and buying pots and pans, and working out how you can balance a social life whilst studying for your degree. This is why I’m here! In each issue, I will be providing you with my top tips and helpful advice on: healthy fun and affordable cooking, how to stay fit without spending a penny, alternative nights out for those who don’t fancy cheesy nights out, and how to get the most out of university life. I will be sharing with you all the best online links and student deals around the Kingston area. I will also be reviewing
student-friendly locations around the Surrey and London area... spilling the beans on how to have the best experience of your life at KU! Before I finish, I’d like to leave you with a few links to YouTube videos that will provide every Fresher with comfort and reassurance. Whilst many complain that uploading videos to YouTube is rather pathetic, I’ve found it to be an incredibly useful and valuable resource (and all at the tip of our fingers!). With students across the country uploading videos, retelling stories about their experiences as Freshers, you will be able to put your mind at rest. If you don’t want to worry your family and friends with uni-related anxieties or if you’re feeling like you’re the only one that is nervous about this new adventure, head over to YouTube and listen to some comforting Freshers tales by a couple of much loved YouTubers! Looking forward to helping you along your Kingston University Journey.! Words by Chloe Murray Chloe’s Reccomendations: Head to Youtube and search: NicolesBeautySpot - Moving To University Vlog! trisha60 - Preparing for first year university/college - the jump from school to university/college Chloe Murray - Going to University? Freshers Advice!
WHY TRAVELING BEFORE CHOOSING YOUR PROFESSION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER BEFORE
ne thing many alumni’s realise after their degree and jumping into the first job is that they O wish they had taken the opportunity to study and or work and travel abroad. Many young people missed out on this experience. The best time to explore different countries, cities, cultures and its people is either during or straight after your university time. In today’s society it becomes increasingly more important than ever before to go abroad. The world is growing faster and faster with its demand for globally minded people and the best way to achieve those mind sets is through travel and exploration. Travel means exploration, finding yourself, expanding limited visions and getting out of your comfort zone. There are many popular programmes that many students take part in after their university degree, e.g. work and travel programmes, volunteering programmes or au pair programmes in another country. Participating in one of those schemes or travel abroad will for sure teach you a lot about yourself and this might be the best time of your life. Here are the top 5 character traits you will gain if you go travelling abroad:
Confidence Living and working in a country which is different from your home will teach you how to overcome challenges and prepares you for life’s obstacles.
Perspective
Appreciation
friends
Grit
Unfamiliarly and separation from home are great chances to put everything in perspective and encourage thoughts. The new experiences you will have will question your preconceived ideas you have developed.
Being away from home also means appreciating what you miss the most. Learn and see the importance of ittle things, which can go unnoticed often.
Talking to new people helps to break down language barriers and enhances new ways for life long communication skills.
Travelling away from the comfort of your familiar surroundings is tough but doing it shows that you are interested enough in the rest of the world and confident enough to venture out and discover other parts of the world.
All the above names character traits are very appealing to colleagues and employers and make you a more interesting person in general. Work abroad, learn another language, become an au pair for some time, a gardener, a scuba dive assistant or even a stable hand at a cattle range in Australia. Everything and anything is possible. After you have made it through such an experience, you will be rising like a phoenix from the ashes and are ready to take on life from a new perspective. Here at Kingston University you will have the chance to connect with like-minded people and travellers who all come from different parts of the world and have been through experiences like that. Become part of the Travel Society and venture the UK and Europe with like-minded people. Words by Tina Dahmen
BREXIT NEED A SUITABLE BI LINE HERE OR WE HAVE A MASSIVE GAP
Not too long ago Brexit was a distant and unlikely idea, but in a post referendum UK, it is an increasingly conceivable possibility. What happens now and what will Brexit mean for our generation?
Summer 2016 stands out, because aside from the unfortunate tan lines and sunshine induced buzz that normally comes with the season, it saw Europe’s most monumental referendum in years; the Brexit vote. On Thursday, the 23rd June 2016, over 30 million voters had their say regarding whether the United Kingdom should leave the European Union or remain, and in a surprising turn of events, 52% of the votes went to leaving. Brexit has intensified hostility between the young and old of the UK, with the former blaming the latter for taking away their future by voting leave. The next few months are uncertain, although with Theresa May appointing the ‘Three Brexiteers,’ leaving seems more possible than ever before. Regardless of our political inclinations, or lack thereof, it is important to educate ourselves about the issues that concern our generation, namely the effects of Brexit on education, the job market and travel and tourism. The importance of doing so lies in the fact that this is a first. No nation state has ever exercised Article 50 and left the EU, making the future for us in the potential process, unclear. Brexit will have an array of consequences, both positive and negative. The biggest changes will be made to two of the most monumental rights the EU provides its citizens; free movement of goods and free movement of people. The EU is likely to try and restrict these, arguably making them the most important bargaining chips in defining the relationship between the EU and UK in the post-Brexit era.
Leaving the EU will likely impact the European university experience as we know it. The EU’s exchange programme Erasmus will likely be less accessible and more expensive for the UK’s university goers as well as EU students looking to study at UK institutions. Programmes like Erasmus enable students to fulfil wanderlust, whilst still using their time productively and are the reason many campuses across Europe are so diverse, thus enabling students to familiarise themselves with an array of cultures. Restrictions to free movement of peoples may also impact the UK’s young artists and musicians as a considerable part of their craft requires touring. If creative acts require visas a to travel to various European countries, then many budding musicians may not be able to afford these added costs. Similarly, entrepreneurs are also concerned with the impact to their businesses because of possible taxes they may have to pay once the UK is no longer a part of the single market. Although, those in favour of Brexit explain that only large business need to make use of the single market, it therefore less affects smaller businesses. The UK will also have a sense of economic independence once it is out of the single market and if the EU co-operates and gives the UK a fair deal, Brexit may eventually be better for the UK because they will not be paying membership fees, but will be getting certain benefits as EEA countries do. One of the most prominent reasons people voted leave was because they felt free movement of peoples had resulted in far too much immigration, meaning that other EU citizens were taking jobs and tax benefits that the leave voters felt they were entitled to. It is important to consider however, that whilst immigration is not a problem based on the fact that immigrants pay more taxes that they take benefit from, it is perhaps more relevant to limit immigration because of the security concerns that have increased in certain years with terrorist attacks taking place around Europe. Many feel that the solution is not necessarily to end immigration, but rather to instil security protocols to ensure that free movement of peoples is a
secure right that is being enjoyed by those deserving because of the uncertainty of Brexit, it is important to keep up to date with what is going on, because it seems our generation will be most affected by whatever is to come and it is equally important to remember that regardless
of how much we agree or disagree with a vote of any sort, we are lucky to be able to have a constitutional right to voice our opinion and that even when disagree with an outcome it is part of the responsibility that comes with the right to respect the will of the people. Words by Marvah Farooqi
What does it mean for students at Kingston University? Professor Julius Weinberg, The outgoing Vice Chancellor of Kingston University, released a statement on Brexit on the 24th of June. He said that “The University remains committed to its mission to be an open and inclusive international institution. We will continue to champion the importance of protecting the freedom of movement for EU students and will work closely with both Universities UK and the University Alliance as we lobby for the very best outcome for our students and staff”. This means that our University will have a strong voice when it comes to convincing the Government to ensure that both EU students and staff can work and study in the UK. Kingston University wants to ensure that the UK is a “welcoming destination for the brightest and best minds that make such a powerful contribution to research and teaching and have such a positive impact on the British economy and society as a whole.” •He assured that current EU students immigration and fee status has not changed. •He also ensured that currently there is “no change to Erasmus students’ immigration status and they will continue to be eligible for their Erasmus grants until any new policies come into effect”. •Any EU students starting in September will be charged the same rate as UK students for tuition fees for the duration of their courses. Remember: your Union of Kingston Students will always be there for you, independent of the University. If you want to further discuss Brexit, or be involved with a campaign, we can help you to find your way.
BLACK LIVES MATTER tudents have always had a direct hand in S influencing politics. From the 1960’s when students protested the war in Vietnam, to the unjust system of oppression during the Civil Rights Movement and Apartheid, students across the globe have been exercising their right to be a part of the decisions that will affect the rest their lives. Even now with the fight against the Teaching Excellence Framework, some students are standing up for their rights. But one must ask, is the power of the protest obsolete? Do students of Kingston even care about the issues that are going on today? One undeniable movement that is happening today is the Black Lives Matter movement. We have an increased amount of participation from the UK, primarily this summer, with the bursts of protests that have shutdown Manchester, Brixton, Oxford Circus, Nottingham, and internationally, the route to London Heathrow. Undoubtedly this has left many people questioning what the movement is, what is it really trying to accomplish, and why must it inconvenience so many people in the process. To this I respond, liberation is not done at the convenience of others, and to those who are not oppressed equality often feels like oppression. To our students, we live in one the most diverse populations in the UK, we attend one of the most beautifully diverse universities in this country, which means we have students from all over the world. Because of this, we cannot ignore the issues that are affecting them while they are here and the issues that will affect them when they go home. This is especially true for those who are being penalized to the point of death for simply having the crime of being born with the colour of their skin. But what is Black Lives Matter? What is that we are saying when we exclaim Black Lives Matter? Is this really a movement that anyone can be a part of?
The Black Lives Matter movement was created after the unjust killing of a Florida teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012 and continued to grow in popularity after the continued killings of black women, men, and children by the hands of police and racists vigilantes without justice. Recently it picked up momentum here in the UK after the disproportionate number of black and brown men and women who have lost their lives in police custody through the new emphasis placed on individuals who fit the Prevent agenda. The movement isn’t a new form of black nationalism, it isn’t affiliated with any political party, but what it is, is a cry for society to see the value in black lives. We have all watched as black men, women and children have been maliciously murdered on camera, been victims of excessive force and violence by the hands of police. We have also watched when murders who favour the majority commit crimes and somehow seem to live through their arrest and detainment.
This movement is not saying black lives matter more, but crying black lives matter too. This is something we all should be fighting for, together. We live in a system that has institutionalized racism that often clouds the validity of the fight for justice. Justice and peace should have no colour restriction. We, as students should fight for more than just what affects us personally, but what affects us all. This rings especially true for your elected student representation. We are here to help students use their collective voice to fight injustice. Whether it is based on skin color, sexual orientation, religion, or gender, we are here to help deliver a power student voice for change. A protest is simply a statement or action expressing disapproval of something. The power of the protest has the ability to invoke great change in our universities and societies and should not be easily thrown away... Words by Beatrice Carey
INCREASE IN TUITION FEES FOR ‘GOOD’ UNIVERSITIES. he UK is one of the most expensive T places in the world to go into higher education, and now it looks like it is set to become more expensive. In 2012, students watched the annual tuition fee of £3,000 soar to a staggering £9,000 and we were forced to accept this. Now the government has plans to increase our fees again but only for universities that are dubbed ‘elite’ and ‘good’. This new ranking system will change the way our universities and more importantly our students will be looked at and ranked. As a child, it was never a dream of mine to go into higher education, simply because no one in my family had been before. So, growing up and realising that University could be an option, I was then put off by the price. My parents taught me from a young age that as an adult you have responsibilities and one of those responsibilities would be to pay off any debts, so naturally when I realised that I would be leaving my education with a debt over £40,000 I was put off. Now half way through my studies, I realise that all my hard work and commitment and that leap of faith to leave home and move to London to study, could be swept away because my University doesn’t charge more than £9,000 a year. Studying at university always had a price; and you can see this as 20 years ago there was a clear cut in who was going to university and who went straight into employment. This changed with the introduction of the student loans company, and gradually over the years more people from the working class have been able to see university as part of their future and therefore applying to go to university. But will the proposed increase in tuition fees takes us back 20 years to a system that prejudices the poor?
2016 has already seen the scrapping of the maintenance grants, which will mean people from lower income families that need support, will be forced to pay off a bigger debt as they won’t receive any help. Will the eventual outcome be working class people not applying for the top universities like Oxford and Cambridge because they don’t want to leave university with over £40,000 in debt, or will it simply limit them to the standard universities that only charge £9,000 a year? This increase in tuition fees only for elite universities will create a two-tier hierarchy in our education system. Over time this will only deepen the divide between the upper class and working class population. And really, how can one education system be seen as more valuable as another? Does charging £9000 for a £3000 valued education mean that you are actually getting more bang for your buck? It is worth asking, since when did going to University shift from learning and creating opportunities for everyone in the UK to being based on wealth and prestige? Our higher education system shouldn’t be a business where tuition fees increase based on rankings. We should encourage people to go to university, to create an educated generation of people not hinder them by intimidating debts and competition. Words by Mary Harris
TIPS FOR SURVIVING LAW SCHOOL Tips and Tricks from The Kingston University Law Society 2016/17 Committee On How to Survive The Next Few Years. LUDI INCIPIANT If you put consistent effort in from the get-go, you may be able to chill on weeks when you’ve hit Pryzm a little too hard and it will also save you from hours of cramming and incessant weeping in Nightingale Centre bathrooms. Seminar prep is going to make your life easier in the long WORK HARD FROM DAY ONE
run (believe it or not) and for some strange reason we willingly signed up
REMEMBER: YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR GRADES
Grades are important. There is no denying this, so make it a point to work hard. Also consider that university is a considerable leap from school or college so you will not always get the grades you expect or want, so never let an exceptionally good grade get to your head or a disappointingly bad grade get to your heart. Not everyone will get a first on every piece of coursework and that is okay, try get a first on every piece of coursework and that is okay, try your best regardless of your ability and make sure you compensate for any academic shortcomings by getting involved in sports, clubs, mooting and Law Society events!
NETWORK YOUR BUTT OFF!
WHY NOT TRY A STUDY GROUP
You are who you know. Contacts are everything. We live in a world where you can change your life through a single contact. Use your time at Kingston wisely. The Law Society provides you with opportunities to network with alumni, professors and working professionals who can all be useful to you or know someone who can. NEVER forget this.
You are not always going to want to sit in the library and study and that is fine, change it up! Try getting some of your fellow law students together and create a study group - not only is it an excellent way to make some friends who know exactly what you are going through. It is a sure way to get some healthy competition going and you have quiz buddies come revision time!
Whilst Kingston University boasts some great libraries...sometimes you need to get as far away from the library as possible! Try local coffee shops, or even different buildings on campus for when you feel like you are running low on the necessary inspiration essential to getting through a smorgasbord of cases! (Sidenote - read your cases folks!) FIND A BACK UP PLACE TO STUDY
Good luck to our Freshers, second years and third years. Enjoy and cherish your time at Kingston because it will be over before you know it. And should you ever find yourself confused. Just ask yourself. What would Denning do?
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH I am sure you have heard this saying before, ‘have a little faith,’ but what exactly does this mean?
We all believe in something and by having even a small amount of faith, (as small as a mustard seed) we have the choice to believe that God exists.
At Kingston University, based at the Penrhyn Road campus, there is a Faith and Spirituality Centre, and inside the center is the Quiet Room. The Quiet Room is a peaceful place to pray, read the Holy Bible or quietly reflect and spend time in the presence of God. In the Quiet Room, I have had the wonderful chance to explore my Christian faith and meet other Christians. Not only having met other Christians, I have also made some really good friends, and through our love for Jesus Christ, we have come to know God more and help each other when times are hard, especially in our faith. Life can be rough sometimes and all kinds of trials we face today can make it harder for us to keep any faith at all. We can go through sicknesses, disease, stress, family issues, money problems, broken friendships, heartbreak and all sorts of other difficulties. What we experience can make it harder for us to believe that God wants to help us. I have truly witnessed the existence of God, especially when my faith has been at its lowest and this has happened many times in the Quiet Room. I have been in the Quiet Room crying or hurting, doubting and always without fail, God will bring someone along to help me. God has done many miracles in my life and many at Kingston University, God has brought me healing, deliverance, forgiveness, peace, joy, love and even help with my studies. God has continued to reach out to me through other people and help me on my journey through faith.
If you have never believed in God before or if you are having a hard time keeping your faith, be encouraged that by coming to Kingston University and using the Faith Space and the Quiet Room, that you can find a place to experience God and bring your belief into existence again. He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” God knows how hard it is for us to maintain our faith and that is why God would give us His words in the Holy Bible to help us believe. A mustard seed is so tiny but it has the ability to grow into a humongous tree. Doing well in your studies and having success also come through having faith and what a better place to start than right now. Whether you are a first time student at Kingston University or you are a returning student, God has many great things in store for you. God is also not limited to the Quiet Room; He wants a personal relationship with you, which means that wherever you go, He will be with you. You also do not have to be a Christian to believe, but by faith, you will know that the true living God exists.
I believe that you will go far; I believe that you will have faith; I believe you will do well in your studies at Kingston University. Never stop believing! Words by Rose Fry
Words by Marta Troya
My name is Marta Troya and I have just graduated with a First Class degree in Fine Art and History of Art. Throughout my three years of BA I have managed to live across four different continents and have changed home over thirty-three times. I have gone from living in our beloved Kingston ensuite halls of residence, Seething Wells, to living in China, India, Denmark Road, Davidson House halls, a houseboat in Surbiton, a Wagon Station in the Arizona desert, and eventually Couchsurfing across London and most of the U.K. I hope your mind isn’t exhausted already from reading about all of these locations - I’m aware my lifestyle can terrify some - however I’m afraid to tell you that I also did live for over one-month outdoors in a converted IKEA bunk bed in Knights Park campus. Why does she put herself through all this hassle? You must be wondering, while in contrast I can’t think of any other way I would like to live. I recall that as a first year student I felt pressured to follow stereotypes and conventional modes of youth behavior. ‘Fitting in’ was always one of my secret worries, and despite always intuitively feeling that my mind worked a little different from the rest, or that my approach to life itself was slightly outside the box, I tried to confine myself and at least appear to be ‘’normal’’. As time went by, living away from home provided me with a confidence that encouraged me to study abroad in Beijing for six months. There too I lived in student accommodation, however this time for my own security and comfort, because China proved to be a very different and unpredictable country. Having lived this experience and overcome it successfully, I felt I was capable of anything. “If I’ve survived China, I can survive the world!” I thought. Living in this mind-set encouraged me to apply to a residency programme in India where I spent my summer weaving in remoteness in the southern Indian jungle. Things escalated after my return, and I just couldn’t stand the idea of conforming to live accordingly to someone else’s imposed societal values. I saw myself in the mirror and realised I wasn’t looking into someone that I’d define as interesting or exciting, and this depressed me deeply.
One night out of despair I went on Airbnb looking for inspiration and I clicked on all the unconventional options available: cabin, camper, yurt, bungalow, and eventually boat. I craved for something soul-stirring to happen in my life. Almost as if someone from above had heard my request, a 54-year-old Cuban chef and his British bulldog, Luna, showed up on the Airbnb search engine – they were looking for a long term boat-mate. Nine months later, and with 6kg over my original weight, I can say that I have lived the most mind-blowing and educational experience ever, regardless of having to put up with a long list of friends and family members who were convinced I had lost my mind. Having such strong nomadic desires, a few months back I began to revaluate the division between an artist’s practice and their life with a classmate through a series of situational performances that questioned living as an art form, and finally as part of the Fine Art final degree show, we converted an IKEA bunk bed into an outdoor home to propose a living solution which could be easily dismounted and reproduced by anyone in any context. The work questioned what it meant to build one’s home from scratch and we made daily alterations to the structure so as to allow outdoor living while still remaining an equipped place of residence. Although I am aware that it requires a certain kind of persona and character to be able to carry out this lifestyle in a healthy manner, I can’t express how important it is that we as young people have the guts to get out of our comfort zone and challenge the ideas that we’ve been raised since childhood. To search for one’s own mode of expression and individuality is one of the most empowering and fulfilling projects that we should all embark on, because to give up comfort will result in the understanding of oneself, which will make us succeed confidently and creatively in both our educational and personal lives. If reading this has inspired you, you can follow my footsteps on Hippie Picasso or follow my Instagram page @hippiepicasso to witness how many beds I’ve slept in so far this summer!
A DOG A DAY KEEPS THE BLUES AWAY eet Apsik and Nala my two M attention-seeking dogs. They do not allow me to go anywhere by myself and yes, that includes the toilet. I wouldn’t have it any other way though, as they have helped me all throughout Uni. I’ve done my undergraduate and am currently doing my post-graduate at Knights Park and let’s be honest here – as a student you can stress a lot. Although I’ve heard that having a pet can improve heart health, and blood pressure; I do believe that my dogs are my own, personal, fluffy, stress relief. When I feel stressed, I know that if I stoke my pup’s, then all can feel good in the world because I feel calmer and less stressed. Not only do my dogs help me when I am still, but they also get me to move around. Apparently it is recommended that you do 10k steps a day, and when you are stuck reading books you might not reach that target. However, when you have a dog that needs to move, you can easily achieve that goal. Everybody loves long walks in a park, especially your canine buddy. To add to that, you can play Pokemon Go and hatch your eggs at the same time. Three birds with one stone. You a re welcome.
Because their needs make you take breaks, this ensures that your brain won’t over-heat. This also means that you will get a chance to procrastinate. Procrastinating is good? What? YES! Sometimes I will struggle to come up with an idea for an essay, and this can be annoying. So instead of sitting at home and not doing any work because I haven’t had an idea, I will take my dog for a walk. For one I am not sitting there feeling guilty for not working, and two, seeing my dogs so happy makes me relax. While focusing on something else –good ideas will often effortlessly just pop up! Pets are also good for mental health! People that own animals have a lower risk of depression and have a better chance of overcoming stressful situations. Have anxiety? Well they help you to meet new people. I cannot count how many times I met somebody new through walking my dogs, and although it is usually just short interactions, it still gives you an endorphin boost. By simply practising chit chat with people in a park, it can make it easier to meet new people at Uni. Say bye-bye to your anxiety! If you don’t have a dog, then I suggest that you think about asking shelters whether they are looking for volunteers. The Union also put up volunteering oppertunites on thier website so make sure to check that too as volunteering is good for your CV as well as your and the animal’s health - triple score!). You can even earn some extra money, by offering to walk somebody else’s dogs. However you do it, I know that I have Apsik and Nala to thank for keeping me happy and well at University Words by Laura Mróz
MUSIC INTERVIEW: PHIL BROOKES
Phil Brooks is a young artist making waves in the Kingston Music scene. Self-declared as the
genre of pop music, his sounds have a dash of Adele, the power of Beyoncé with the energetic spirit of Bruno Mars. Originally from Liverpool, (he must be born with it?) he chose to complete his undergraduate at Kingston University, performing in his band the PHILomonics. They performed at much loved local venues such as the Cricketer, Hungry Horse, and the Rose Theatre. University has also had him perform at Freshers events, Hannafords and the Kingston Civic Reception. Phil is now taking his MA in Music Performance and recently released his solo EP ‘This is the Beginning’. Hi Phil What is it that drew you to singing? I can’t actually remember. I just remember being told that I had a “nice voice” and I went with it. I started off in classical but got bored with that and veered off into different genres. Mainly what my mum and dad listened to which was a lot of Motown and Soul which has really influenced my taste in music and my writing! Was there a key moment where you thought “Yes, this is what I want to do for my career?” I’d always loved music generally! I’m trained in singing and piano so I’d always been surrounded by music. I’m trying to wrack my head for when my first solo was. I think it was in the Liverpool cathedral choir. It was like a bar long so it was hardly even a solo! Haha! I first started singing solo when I was in college. I was 16! I remember been a bag
of nerves. I can’t remember much from my first gig but I got good feedback so I thought “yer, this is alright” haha! What was the last great singer or concert you went to see? I went to see Patti Labelle in Wembley. She’s got one of the amazing voices I’ve ever heard! She’s 71 years old and could out sing any of the current artists! It’s amazing! I adored every minute of it! It was very inspiring. What was the last great singer or concert you went to see? I went to see Patti Labelle in Wembley. She’s got one of the amazing voices I’ve ever heard! She’s 71 years old and could out sing any of the current artists! It’s amazing! I adored every minute of it! It was very inspiring.
How was being at Kingston helped your musicality and your network? Being surrounded my such amazing talent and even moving to a new environment, because I’m originally from Liverpool, inspired me a lot. Seeing such talented musicians makes me want to work harder to be better.
What music are you listening to at the minute? There’s some great new songs on the radio at the minute so I’m listening to a lot of that. Like The Chainsmokers, Gavin James etc. I’m still listening to Adele’s “25” album and Beyoncé’s new album “Lemonade”.
Do you get to collaborate with your fellow students often? All the time, it’s fantastic! I literally get to work with the best the university has to offer, and the fact that they say yes when I ask them makes me feel really good.
If you had to perform with one musician dead or alive, who would it be? Beyoncé! She’s amazing. Every time I watch her perform, it makes me want to get on stage and give it my all. She’s one of a kind. She’s an amazing performer and an incredible singer! All round legend!!
Do you get to collaborate with your fellow students often? All the time, it’s fantastic! I literally get to work with the best the university has to offer, and the fact that they say yes when I ask them makes me feel really good.
Are you working on your own music at the moment? Yea, contantly, I’ve just released an EP called “This Is The Beginning”, but I’m now working on new stuff too
Do you get nervous before you go on stage? I used to be awful! I’d feel sick to my stomach whenever I had to go on stage! I couldn’t eat for an entire day knowing I had to sing. It was awful! Then I thought to myself “no one wants me to fail or do badly when I go on stage, just enjoy it” and it go easier after that! The more I performed, the more fun it became. Do you feel that you’ve set a bar for yourself with regards your performances or that you have to be better every time you perform? Somewhat yes. Each year, performance students have to perform for part of their module guide. I feel like each year I’ve upped my game. For my final performance for my final project, I went all out. Full band, lights, love sound engineers, everything. I feel that when I do my masters, I’ll have to try and top that. I’ll need to start writing down some ideas haha What music are you listening to at the minute? There’s some great new songs on the radio at the minute so I’m listening to a lot of that. Like The Chainsmokers, Gavin James etc. I’m still listening to Adele’s “25” album and Beyoncé’s new album “Lemonade”.
Thank you to Phil for his time, You check out Phil and listen to on iTunes and spotify @philbrookesmus /philmbrookesmusic www.soundcloud.com/philmbrookesmusic www.philbrookesmusic.com Words by Daisy Bow Du Toit
When you pay that £2 entrance for a show, don’t think of it as less money for drinks but as support for future music. Together we pave the way for our collective future.
BOOKS THE BOOK SHELF: THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES Sue Monk Kidd’s internationally bestselling first novel The Secret life of bees has delighted many millions of readers around the world. First published in 2002 the secret life of bees is still available from Waterstones, instore and online. et in the Southern States of 1960s S America, The Secret Life of Bees is an exceptional ‘coming of age’ narrative, placed within the wider context of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. As the protagonist, 14 year old Lily navigates her way into understanding her past and forming her identity for the future, wider US society parallels this journey and is steering their way through social change, aiming towards an end of racial segregation and discrimination. As a young, white girl, Kidd uses Lily’s narration as being irritatingly, yet wonderfully ignorant. Her lack of understanding of the racial prejudices that her white community display, are rational and intelligent to perceptive readers, yet the ignorance that her privilege provokes is incredibly frustrating. It is only by her exposure to the almost heterotopic setting of the pink Boatwright house, in which Lily is the racial minority, that she grows in
herself and, simultaneously, in her understanding of wider social injustices. This is not a story of heroic proportions. There are no epic wins, but rather a sensitive portrayal of moments; some shockingly defining, some just stay with you, unable to be resolved. The beautiful allegory of bee behavior (or bee-haviour?) runs throughout the novel, adding to the wider context, but giving us (as readers) plenty of room for interpretation. Ultimately, Kidd’s novel is about engaging with difficult and complex pasts, both on a personal and social level, in order to incite change in the present and then on to the future. With October being Black History Month, and the current state of the world, this message is becoming increasingly important. Only by facing our pasts, can we transform our present, and take control of our futures. Words by Beth Cecilia
THE BOOK SHELF IS BROUGHT TO YOU IN ASSOCIATION WITH
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@wstonesKingston
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020 8974 6811 www.waterstones.com
TV & FILM #MOVIETWEETS Kingston Magazine @UKS_magazine
#Thelegendoftarzan didn’t get the swing David Yates hoped for. Adventure, Romance, Africa, London, muscles, CGI and hot lead actors. Tarzan has everything to be a summer blockbuster. Lack of story and poor screenplay caused Tarzan to fall off the vine.
Kingston Magazine @UKS_magazine
DC brings out SUICIDE SQUAD, after the horribly done BATMAN vs SUPERMAN….but come on. David Ayer + DC + Will smith + Jared Leto + Margot Robbie = SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER. Yeah… well Suicide Squad fell short of the high expectation too. It could bring in mega cash… but with hardly any screen time for the Joker and poor editing, it doesn’t stand a chance in the DC vs MARVEL battle of the screen. #DCVSMARVEL #AVGDC #LETDOWN Kingston Magazine @UKS_magazine
Finding Dory comes after the 13 year wait. Who wants to relive that moment of watching Nemo in their childhood?.... yes please! Finding Dory did its job of being sweet and charming. One for the family and of course, us Nemo lovers (all us uni students) #AtLongLast #BillionBoxOffice
Kingston Magazine @UKS_magazine
Ghostbusters is a horrifying remake of something that was once something, AND not in a horror-comedy kind of way. With an out of touch cast, and a silly plot, we can PRETEND THE REMAKE NEVER HAPPENED. #whoyougonnacall?????.... the #1984Ghostbusters please….. #GhostBusterNotABlockbusterce Kingston Magazine @UKS_magazine
*SPOILER ALERT* Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne for the fourth
time, with nothing to offer other than fast cars, fighting, chasing and expected plot twists. Watch the latest addition to see Bourne chased around the whole globe, with the government trying to kill him. SPOILER ALERT…. BOURNE DOESN’T DIE, but you may want to kill him by the end to stop another film from happening #NOMORE
ven if you didn’t grow up in the 80s, E most of us have grown up around films of that era. So what happens if you take The Goonies, The Shining and Dungeons & Dragons, and mixed them up with a dash of Heathers and Carrie? Stranger Things is a natural response to the 1980s and the films it bore, while keeping an eye on current culture, and cultural criticism to successfully gain popularity. This is what is behind Netflix’s most watched original productions. The series starts with the abduction of a twelve-year-old boy, Will Byers. He’s a loser and an outcast, friends only with three like-minded boys, who spend their weekends playing long campaigns of Dungeon & Dragons. Their school days involve being bullied or hanging out with their science teacher who runs the AV Club. Immediately, with the scifi scene set and abduction of Will, we’re thrown into a world where something supernatural is afoot. What might smack of magical realism, quickly ascends into juicy Lovecraftian horror.
Stranger Things is, for all intents and purposes, a six-hour movie presented in eight chapters. But it feels more like four movies, smashing together only in the last two episodes. You have three adventurous young boys who are searching for their lost friend and must learn to get along with the intrusion of a girl, Eleven, who can perform psychokinesis. Then there’s Nancy, one of the boys’ older sister, who we follow as she deals with her budding sexuality as well her navigation of social boundaries, by befriending Will’s older brother, Jonathan, who is an outcast himself. The more harrowing story comes from the two older leads: Winona Ryder as Will ’s mother, Joyce, and David Harbour as Hopper, the local chief of police. Hopper begins as a drunk and sometimes belligerent cop who doesn’t take the Will case seriously, but, quickly, morphs into a compassionate character whose story is touching and engaging. Joyce, however, has the darkest storyline of all the characters. Ryder absolutely kills it as the grieving mother who everyone thinks is going mad.
She is insistent that Will is still alive, because he’s talking to her through the Christmas lights she’s strung up around her house. Finally, there is the other story at play, one of an evil government, where the CIA is performing incredibly unethical experiments on children and allowing monsters through rifts in dimensions. A classic trope, but a much loved one, especially with the touches of the NSAtype surveillance it involves. Where 80s films fulfill stereotypes, this series attempts to subvert them. The group of boys is invaded by Eleven, with her shaved head and little speech, and they help her find her feminine voice. There is also a black boy amongst this group, and while he is the least fleshed out of the young characters, he still plays a significant role. Nancy is called a slut for sleeping with a boyfriend, but she fights against it and manages to defend against this name-calling. The hysterical older woman holds strong and doesn’t let her voice be silenced, instead pushing until someone believes her. However, these are also the places it falls down. Eleven, who has undergone the symbolic female castration of having her hair shaved, has to have help from the boys to become feminine and to be voiced. When Nancy is called a slut, Jonathan beats people up in order to make things right And Joyce’s story is only given merit when the masculine voice reinforces it: when Hopper comes to the same conclusion.
The story, although advanced for the time it is in ode to, still f ails in the progressive department. The women are still powerless without a man to help them along.
It’s disappointing, but at least it builds on the things its predecessors lacked by making up for them in other ways. Stylistically, the series is gorgeous, with a strong teal and orange palette, and accurate sets and wardrobe. The soundtrack, too, is all era-appropriate. In fact, the soundtrack alone is something to watch Stranger Things for, if you happen to like 80s music (and who doesn’t?). The acting is also phenomenal - Winona Ryder, again, is fantastic, but the child actors also shine. It’s rare to find a full cast of young people who both deliver their lines with sincerity, and have believable chemistry with one another. The series also has a strong emphasis on gross facsimiles - many of the disturbing and horrific scenes are juxtaposed wonderfully with the very similar actions of the mundane. This invokes a strong sense of the uncanny, as well as making delightfully uncomfortable watching. The clasping of hands during sex while the sight of a girl holding onto the edge of a swimming pool in fear of her life is a particularly strong image that has stuck with me.
Highly recommended. Hopefully season two, if commissioned, will be as searinglybrilliant as this one. Words By Lulu Kadhim
SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT: WHAT I WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE WITH THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY By being part of the largest society at Kingston – the Islamic Society (Isoc) – I had the opportunity to develop myself and was supported to grow into a well-rounded individual. When I was most in need, personally and spiritually, the Islamic Society (ISoc) provided a safe haven and welcomed me without judgement or favour. From a first year student drowning in the vast complexities of University life, they helped me become a leading member of the ISoc committee. In 2014/15, I undertook the brand new role of Student Affairs Officer in the year as I identified a gap in the working dynamics of the ISoc and the wider University community. I identified the challenges the ISoc had faced previously and would face in coming years and thought I would be up for the job. As Rev. Andrew Williams put it, the new role I undertook added another dimension to how the ISoc operates. I worked tirelessly to positively engage with others and show the positive contributions Muslim students can make to the University and the experience of students in general. . I also had the opportunity to give a talk on my life as a Muslim as part of the interfaith work organised by the Faith and Spirituality Centre. This was well attended and even received invitations by external groups to host the same talk. For over two years, I played an instrumental role in the planning and running of the two Charity Weeks, as well as taking part in the Volunteer in India Project organised by Union of Kingston Students Volunteering and the European and Study Abroad Office (ESAO) based within the Kingston International department. Based in refugee camps and the slums of Tamil Nadu (Chennai), I worked together with other student volunteers and staff from the Lebara Foundation to deliver ‘summer camp’ style activities with a strong emphasis on conducting English classes.
With such ignorance and naivety about how others live around the world, this experience was a culturally as well as educationally enriching trip. I also set up the ISoc Mentoring Scheme to assist those from BME communities to be put in touch with those of a similar background and studying the same course to learn from their experiences and mentor them through their first year of University. Having once been a first year student with no-one to speak to, I contemplated dropping out. However, I benefitted from a final year student studying the same subject as myself who took a vested interest in seeing me succeed and even put me in touch with other students in my class who I later went on to form friendships with. Thankfully, with training and regulations put in place, the Scheme has been relatively successful with many first years moved by how much support they have received from their Peer Mentors. I also contributed to Union of Kingston Students through their AGMs by submitting motions in previous years (2013/14 and 2014/15) and this is something you should all consider doing too. I submitted a motion with regards to the Counter Terrorism and Security Bill which had the potential to isolate many students who already felt that the only avenue through which the Government will engage them is ‘anti-radicalisation’ initiatives, resulting in further alienation and disaffection. I lobbied Union of Kingston Studentsto express their opposition to the Bill and subsequently worked closely with Patt Wrangles who is the main KU liaison regarding this governmental legislation. Being part of this society empowered me, and If I was able to overcome all these obstacles and help others, then you can do that too during your time at Kingston University, through your Union and beyond.
Words by Bashir ibrahim
COUGAR CORNER: MEET YOUR KINGSTON AMERICAN FOOTBALL TEAM. he Kingston Cougars were born in T 2011, and since then it has climbed to the Premiership league of the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS), becoming the top sports team at Kingston University! So, what does it mean to be a Kingston Cougar? Well for starters it means training three times a week with the leadership and support of our coaches, from sitting in a classroom on Tuesdays analyzing every play and learning new strategies and techniques, improving ourselves as players and spending time together off-field, to our Thursday and Sunday sessions where we put theory into reality. It means going 100% and beyond in each training trying to reach new goals, beating new records and making ourselves better. Every player has a job, do your job wrong and you risk losing the play, losing the game, or worse, getting your own teammate injured. Finally, it means having the guts and toughness to keep your nerve when things aren’t going as planned or when things get hard. What’s our team like? In one word: International. We have players from all over the world with more than 20 nationalities ranging from France all the way to India and South Africa. Our players come from all campuses and study different courses such as business Management to Pharmacy. Whatever campus you are on you will find a player, and if you have any questions just go up to them and ask! We love sharing our sport! Our core is to support each other and teach the sport to new players that may have never even watched a game! We always look for new players to join the team or non-players to join the family and help out with off-field duties such as promotion, media, marketing or on-field duties such as chain crews. Either way you’ll be a part of a big and loving family! Words by Jens Christian Nielsen de Berard
I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season, The coaches have put in place a number of things this offseason and I look forward to new opportunities for the players. we compete at the highest level so each game will be challenging, but that’s a challenge we look forward to.
- Nate Wilson Head Coach
Favourite thing would be diversity as it’s always great meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures, a rewarding learning experience
- Micheal ‘Monty’ Montague Club President