VOLUME 5
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4word Coming from different countries, students have to overcome several cultural obstacles that might hamper their way. Moreover, they need to learn how to adapt themselves to such changes. As the magazine is written by students, it will act as a guide to other fellow classmates since it presents different experiences and ways for students to entertain themselves through giving an outline of Nottingham life. Since the Autumn Term in 2013, the team of NTIC’S magazine has been working on developing the fifth issue of the magazine, which not only embraces student life, but also indicates the team’s creativity, dedication, hard work and own personal experiences. In fact, it creates a magazine which is, ‘from the students to the students’. This year, the magazine is particularly special because it was planned, designed and created by students only; of course with the help and support of our fun, cool and excellent tutor Simon Aldcroft. We wanted the magazine to be bold, interesting, eye catching but most importantly, entertaining. We found ourselves in an enjoyable position while creating articles and content, which hopefully inspire and enlighten students with intellectual stimulation over a range of appealing topics. We hope you enjoy the read as much as we enjoyed making it. Ayatt El Hartany- Magazine Copy Editor Daniela Palacios- Head Magazine Copy Editor Tiago Graca- Head Magazine Design Editor
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4- International Faces 6- Culture 7-Winter Festival
14-Heading to the Castle 16-Rough Guide to Nigeria 18- Nigerian Wedding 26-NTIC Graduation 28-The Mask 30-Yes I Can- Oprah Winfrey
10-Nights Out 12-Hard Work Pays 13-Game City
8-Bonfire Night 9-Goose Fair 31-The Cracked Mayor- Rob Ford 32-Believe It Or Not?
20-Phenomenal Photos 22- Top Tips 24-Cooking with Okra 34-Film Reviews 38-Trivia & Games 40-Credits
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Coming together with a single goal in mind: to strive for excellence together. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 5
Christmas Market by Ayatt El Hartany
Nottingham Contemporary by DAIN Project
Nottingham Castle by Daniela Palacios
Culture
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Text by Judy Alhamwi
undreds of international students come every year to study at NTIC and lots of them experience culture shock at the beginning. In order to engage in Nottingham’s lifestyle, students must have a guide to know more about the city’s main sites and all the events that run there. Such activities will give students an opportunity to create a social life where they can gain experience besides persuing their studies. Personally, when I first arrived in Nottingham I didn’t know much about its culture. However, during induction week at the college I got to meet people who told me more about the city and its nature. Once you get used to the new environment it is easier to blend in and gain the best out of your stay. Exploring the city is actually a really great way to meet new people and make new friends and it’s also useful to know the city and your way round. So, here are a few places that some of us NTIC students have visited and have had the opportunity to experience. Enjoy!
Old Market Square by Daniela Pelacios
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Nottingham Night by Daniela Palacios
Nottingham Tram by Steam60163
The Winter Wonderland village in the day
No Christmas is Complete, Without a Winter Wonderland ‘It was incredible to take a part in these festive activities as it brightened my mood and gave me an alternative to my monotonous daily routine.’
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Looking toward the skating area
A photo frame shop
ave you ever spent your Christmas in a fantasy land like ‘Alice in Wonderland’? If the answer is no, it doesn’t matter. In Nottingham, Ayatt El Hartany has found a miraculous dreamland for us to spend a delightful Xmas. It is certain that you will have an unforgettable Xmas there. Article and Images by Ayatt El Hartany. Nottingham’s Old Market Square glimmered with festive cheer as the Christmas lights went on and the Winter Wonderland village came out. It was my first winter here in Nottingham and The Winter Wonderland made it such a captivating experience, with all the magical old English themes it had. The Wonderland offered enormous Christmas lights, hundreds of trees, market cabins selling gifts, seasonal snacks, rides and much, much more to entice visitors. Amongst the attractions, I had the chance to get my skates on at the presentation ice rink. Being a not so confident skater I still found people to help me; it was just so welcoming. It was incredible to take a part in these festive activities as it brightened my mood and gave me an alternative to my monotonous daily routine. For all students who didn’t have the chance to visit the festival this year, go and have a look next December. It is surely worth visiting the event! NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 7
Chilling around notts......
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he Bonfire Night is an annual event celebrated over the UK. Our writer, Coco Si Tou, investigated the phenomenon. Text and images by Coco Si Tou
‘Remember, remember, the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot, We see no reason why Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.’
Bonfire Night takes place on the fifth of November because it is the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, a secret plan to overthrow the king led by Guy Fawkes in 1605. A typical schedule for the Night is, firstly, to light huge bonfires and burn the effigy (or statue) of Guy Fawkes, which is made out of old clothes stuffed with paper or straw. After that, magnificent fireworks are let off. This is to remind people that the Gunpowder Plotters tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. People also eat traditional food for Bonfire Night, such as baked potatoes and toffee apples.
(Left) Bonfire Night in the Forest Recreation Ground; (Bottom Left) Funfair in the Forest Recreation Ground; (Bottom Middle and Right) Fireworks in the Bonfire Night.
Every year in Nottingham, this significant event is held at the Forest Recreation Ground, where, as well as the bonfire and the fireworks, there is also a funfair and a small fireworks display for children at an earlier time. People get very excited about it and travel from all over to attend.
I was looking forward to it so I made sure I was well-prepared with my camera. Unfortunately, I sort of missed out the bonfire part because I was late! Still, at least when I arrived the firework celebration was about to begin. It was impressive and stunning.
Last autumn, I joined other NTIC students to experience this big event. It was the first time I had attended a Bonfire Night and
The night was wonderful and I swear I will be an early bird this year to witness the full glory of the Bonfire Night.
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he Nottingham Goose Fair is an annual fun fair held at the Forest Recreation Ground during the first week of October . It is considered by many to be one of the most prestigious fairs in the UK. Text by Coco Si Tou.
Goose Fair is one of Europe’s largest travelling fairs with a history that dates back more than 700 years. It was once held in Old Market Square and, since 1928, has relocated to the Forest Recreation Ground, due to the redevelopment of the Square. The Fair started as a trade event. Its name is derived from the thousands of geese that were driven from Lincolnshire to be sold in Nottingham. There are many rides, game booths and snack shops inside the fair. Visitors to the fair can enjoy more than 500 attractions, from the latest white knuckle rides for thrill seekers to the ever-popular family, children’s or traditional rides. NTIC staff regularly take students to have fun at the fair alongside Nottingham residents. The atmosphere is always happy and enthusiastic. Everybody enjoys the fair!
Green’s Mill Windmill WEI
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Green’s Mill Windmill TOM
Goose Fair Nottingham CrowMDF
Goose Fair Nottingham PAUL HALLFORD
here is lots to do in Nottingham but Green’s Mill Windmill in Sneinton is certainly an underrated gem. Text by Stefan Mateen
Many people do not know about it because it’s hidden under the shadow of the Nottingham Science Centre. However, if you make the trip to Sneinton you will find a windmill so beautiful that writing about it is almost inevitable. Students visit here on field trips, studies take place at the windmill, it is the very definition of a ‘healthy environment’ and pleasant vibes just come at you when you glare at it; it really is a masterpiece. Nottingham should really boast more about these delightful places that exist alongside its famous night life. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 9
NIGHTs OUT Words: Stefan Mateen
‘Life is all about the nights you won’t remember with the people you won’t forget’.
I learned this quote from one of the magazine team, Daniela, at our first meeting for the new term. It’s a quote unlike other quotes and it made me think that if you want a night out like this in Nottingham then you’ll also need to know the ideal places to go. So, in the Nights Out section I am going to give you the info on the hottest student clubs in the NG1 Area :
Dive into the ‘Ocean’ It’s impossible to be a student in Nottingham and not go to Ocean on a Wednesday night. Wednesdays are well known as a social night where all the jocks from the football team and the tall basketball boys are seen dancing with the lacrosse girls. Ocean is literally the place to be when The Cowboy Song kicks in. All the freshers take off their shirts and then you know you’re living the ideal student life. Ocean, located just opposite the Broadmarsh centre, is a 10 minute walk from city centre student accommodation and is one of the biggest clubs in Nottingham today. Whether you’re a Foundation, an International Year One or a Graduate Diploma student, experiencing the fast-paced music and the thumping energy when they put on ‘Party Up’ is what it’s all about; well, that’s exactly what gets me ‘on it’ at least. Yes, staying in and studying or doing some reading is important but play is also an integral part of college life. Ocean is certainly famous for its bizarre nature. People tend to lose it when they enter: they cross-dress, pull off a nudie or dress for mime. However, one thing is for sure, you can be absolutely anything in Ocean without anyone judging you. Maybe this is partly because it has just one huge dance floor so all students who enter must dance together. Whatever it is, I love it. One club, one dance floor. Wednesday night: you know where the party is.
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The (breakthrough) place to be in Nottingham
When Wednesday night comes and it’s time to go clubbing, the first places that usually spring to a student’s mind are Oceana, Ocean or Gatecrasher. However, there’s a little known venue which is fast becoming Nottingham’s most popular underground club, especially with students from Nottingham and NTU. So what is this place? I hear you cry. Well, this rising club is called Coco Tang and is situated around the Lace Market area. Containing a very small dance floor and plenty of bars, the club even has something called a ‘secret door’ that takes you into a whole new room with different banging music, where you can just let your body go. Junkies would say this is a real trip, well hell yeah, it is!
Drinks are neither simple nor calm here. Coco Tang is all about fancy drinks, colourful straws and beautiful toppings, including such delights as M&Ms and chocolate pieces, which make your drink special and unusual and help to keep your night spiced up too. Beating the whole stereotype of standard British clubs, with a ravishing interior design too, Coco Tang really brings something different to your nights. As the club reviewer for this magazine, and having experienced some wild nights at Coco Tang myself, I would strongly advise you to give this place a chance on a Wednesday night. It’s definitely a must. Just remember to go all out on your drinks and on your dress too; you won’t regret it. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 11
Hard Work Pays If you want to succeed in life, hard work and determination are essential, which reminds me of an Igbo proverb, ‘sleep and indolence are not cousins of a good harvest’. Hard work and determination have been my mottos since secondary school and I believe that this motto which I have stood by for years has given me the opportunity to reach Nottingham Trent International writes Pere Blessing Sanami.
Pere in Nigeria
Pere in Nottingham
Before my riveting NTIC journey began, I started off as a naive girl at the Federal Government Girls’ College in Bwari, Abuja Nigeria, in 2005. During those six years of my life at boarding school I had both good and bad times. In a new yet homely environment I had to adapt and co-operate with other peoples’ opinions and ways , as an Igbo proverb speaks, ‘seek the opinion of others and do not rely on your own wisdom because other people’s wisdom prevents the king from being a fool’. I had to strive within me to adapt and be flexible, for example when I had to share a room with 22 students and bathe in cold water. Even worse was my experience of being bullied and bossed around by my seniors, which left an indelible impression on me. With the help of my friends, I managed to overcome those difficulties. Although at times it was hard to take it all in and it felt like a prison somehow I managed to adjust.
On the brighter side, in high school I was provided with outstanding opportunities on the academic front as the teachers were well qualified, encouraging and friendly. Even though the classes were less interactive, if compared to NTIC, we were still taught well given good yet limited facilities. We also had interesting events. In particular I remember those late nights I sat in my bed revising my work as well as the sports and cultural events, especially the dance competitions that I took part in for my house (Amethyst) which hopefully made them proud. Those long nights of hard work and determination finally paid off and I believe that I learnt a lot from those experiences. A phrase that I drew strength from was a Yoruba proverb saying, ‘good and bad do not mix’, and I focused on staying strong and being good. I was determined to accomplish my aim and finally graduated from high school with flying colours and lastly made it to NTIC. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 12
Students working on the park
Game City
Being a student at NTIC allows you to learn in many different ways, and active learning plays a big part in it. Apart from studying theories inside classrooms, students can experience what they are learning about, which supports their understanding and is actually a lot of fun! For instance, in the Multimedia and Communication class we had the opportunity to visit Game City in Market Square with Media teachers James Walker and Simon Aldcroft writes Judy Al Hamwi. Images: Daniela Palacios.
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Heading to the castle Text and pictures by Daniela Palacios
Nottingham castle is a very culturally interesting place to visit when arriving at Nottingham and in 2013 this historical place interested NTIC more than expected. For, in 2013 one of our teachers took part in one of the Castle’s major events, and some students had the opportunity to experience this event too. Hidden at the top of a hill, surrounded by trees full of life and history, stands a home fit for kings and queens; a palace, a landmark and a patriotic symbol know as Nottingham Castle. It is a place where caves, secret passages, paintings, art, nature and national heroes bring it to life. Nottingham Castle is one of the oldest castles in England, built in 1067. It was home to royal families until 1600 and was visited by a one of Nottingham’s most iconic characters, ‘the famous Robin Hood’, for many centuries. However, in 1875 it was transformed into the first municipal museum and art gallery outside London. For more than a 100 years it has played part in an open style exhibition, where it offers local artists the chance to present their artwork, and year after year different prizes are won and one artist is awarded the grand prize. This year, the event was particularly exciting for the NTIC community due to the involvement of one of our own teachers. Karen Fraser, our media teacher who enlightens us each day with knowledge of the visual world, exhibited her artwork as part of the exhibition. Karen’s work was displayed in the Castle’s art gallery during the exhibition. She exhibited three 50x50 digital photographs of porcelain doll heads. These porcelain heads represent an era of war and revolution and a period of radical social and political upheaval that had an impact on French history. This is not so different from the effects of the UK banking crisis of 2008, which also had widespread negative social and economic impacts. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 14
In 2009, Karen started her research, collecting porcelain dolls from charity shops; ‘The type you would see an old lady buy’ as Karen said. For Karen, the dolls heads represent 17th century French aristocracy when members of the upper class were beheaded during the French Revolution; a time when life was much more difficult and many people found it hard to survive. Karen wanted to use these heads to represent people’s feelings towards politicians and bankers since the 2008 banking crisis. In Karen’s work the head represents the politicians and the body represents the people and she is trying to signify a: ‘disconnect
between the two’. The heads in the photographs were made to resemble the size of a human head. So, when the viewer looks at them, it is as if the dolls are looking directly back. As a viewer myself, these photographs stood out in the gallery. I thought they were quite mysterious and dark at first and I could tell they were trying to tell me something, making me feel a bit nervous. However, I couldn’t take eyes of them. In addition by displaying these photographs our teacher Karen Fraser won a £250 award for best print photograph. But disappointingly did not win the grand prize of £2000.
“As a viewer myself, these photographs stood out in the gallery. I thought they were quite mysterious and dark at first and I could tell they were trying to tell me something, making me feel a bit nervous. However, I couldn’t take eyes of them.”
If you ever do decide to visit the castle don’t forget to stop by the oldest pub in England! Standing for over 800 years and brewing its own beer.
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A Rough Guide to Nigeria Every year many Nigerian students come to study at NTIC. We asked some of our current Nigerian students to write a guide to the culture and traditions of the country for readers of the magazine, starting with Romeo Timipre’s introduction to the country.
In Nigeria there are 36 states with a federal capital which is known as Abuja. It is a great country with a president and vice president. The president of the Federal Republic is Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his vice president is Arc Nnamdi Ahamdi Sambo. Nigeria is divided into four regions the North, South, East and West. In addition, in Nigeria there are three major tribes which are the Yoruba , the Igbo and the Hausa tribe.
The Yoruba tribe
The documented history of the Yoruba tribe begins in the 17th century, with the ‘Oyo Empire’. The Empire established the principle where the ‘Oba’ (or king) was elected by the monarchs and councils made up of Oloyes. There were recognized leaders who joined the Oba in ruling over the kingdom through a series of guilds and cults. Many of these traditions survive in modern day Yorubaland, through customary laws. The Yoruba population, at about 20 million, was the second most populous tribe in the 21st century. In addition, the Yoruba speak the language of the Benue- Congo which is a part of the Niger- Congo language and they live in the south-western region of Nigeria. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 16
The Igbo tribe
The Igbo kingdom originated about 100 miles north of their current location at the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers. They have reinvested much of their energy and income back into their tribe and are the least populous tribe with about 8 million people. They also live in the south eastern part in Nigeria and speak “Kwa”. They also have the highest population in the Nollywood films industry.
EYO FESTIVAL
The Hausa tribe
The Hausa tribe is a completely different tribe because most people are Muslims and they are originally from the seven Habe Kingdoms formed by the merging of strangers with local natives. The Hausa people are the most populous tribe in Africa and also in Nigeria with about 28 million people. There are many tribes in Nigeria and Africa, but these are the three main tribes which are more recognized than any other tribes in Nigeria.
By Torme Daniel
The Eyo Festival is a traditional Yoruba festival based in Lagos, Nigeria. Though not originally from Lagos, the festival was first held there on the 20th of February 1854 and has become a major tourist event in Lagos State. The festival is closely linked to the traditions of Yoruba society. Indeed, the festival usually occurs as a final burial right for a well-respected chief. All those who participate in the festival pay homage to the Oba (the Yoruba word for king) of Lagos and so the festival begins from the Oba’s palace. In addition, the ceremony is considered to represent the spirit of the dead who return to wipe out evils in Lagos and petition for smiles of fortune and harmony. Eyo means costumed dancers and refers to the masked men, or ‘masquerades’, who come out on display during the final procession, which is the climax of the week-long festival. Sixty four groups of families, called the Iga, march dressed in their Eyo masquerade, which includes the symbolically coloured ‘Aga Eyo’ hats. There are also many other colourful sights, such as children in costume, a man carrying a burning pot on his head as part of a group action, performers on stilts and dancing to the rhythmic drumming. It truly is a magnificent display.
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Traditional Weddings in Nigeria Text by Igrubia Pretty Pictures by Jeremy Weate
In Nigeria, a lady is considered to be ready for marriage when she is between the age of 25-30. But Nigeria is also a country which has numerous tribes and ethnic groups, with the three main tribes known as Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. Thus, weddings are usually planned according to the bride’s tribe. Nigerians believe that men are responsible for protecting their families and ensuring that all their needs are met. Moreover, any incapability of doing so will result in a man’s failure. In the Yoruba tribe’s traditions, once a man encounters the lady that he thinks is the one, he informs the mediator who arranges the proper acquaintance for both. Then, if they are both willing to live together they make a public announcement of their marital union in a marvelous ceremony. At this stage, the man pays a consent fee, which will be agreed on by the bride’s family, and at last the wedding date will be set. At the wedding, the groom is expected to come with some items and the couple attend their wedding dressed in a specific traditional attire. On the other hand, the Igbo marriage traditions are
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quite different from the Yoruba. In Igbo territories marriage is not just an act between a couple, but rather an expansion to the family and the entire village. The groom must visit the bride’s family twice. First, the groom’s father will accompany him to clarify his son’s intentions towards his would-be bride. In the second visit, the groom’s father and son will give a gift to the potential bride to help seal her family’s consent. During the wedding, the bride’s father passes her a glass of wine and asks her to show everyone who her husband is. However, by tradition the groom has hidden himself at this point in the ceremony. So, the bride actually has to get up and find her husband before she can take a sip of the wine and then offer him the drink. Later, they both stand up and walk slowly in front of the visitors. The ceremony will then be celebrated with food, drinks, and some traditional dancing shows.
Similarly, the Hausa marriage traditions are very different to the Igbo and Yoruba. In fact, they are probably the most unique of the three because they follow the Nikkah, which is the Islamic approach in Hausa. The marriage process begins when the man’s guardian visits the woman’s family with a basket of fruits and kolanut. This is for acceptance or rejection by the bride’s family. If accepted, the man will then be allowed to meet the woman and get to know her. Then, after a few days, the potential bride gives her final decision. If it is a yes, a date is set immediately by both families and gifts are given to the future bride. This is called ‘Kai Kaya’, which means carrying things.
To conclude, even though it is the most expensive, Igbo traditional wedding is considered to be the best amongst the three tribes as it is remarkable, lively and eye-catching.
“The marriage process begins when the man’s guardian visits the woman’s family with a basket of fruits and kolanu.”
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Phenomenal Photos.
Pictures by: Mohamed Al-Kaabi Christina Gemayel Daniela Palacios Natalia Rembach
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Tips to stay healthy
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Text by: Daniela Palacios Natalia Rembach
s international students we face many new experiences and challenges, especially if living far away from home for the first time.
No matter what is our religion or nationality, which language we speak, what we like doing in our free time; there is something that we have in common. We all love EATING.
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Partying, drinking, smoking, making no time for breakfast, having lunch at Subway or going to other fast food restaurants and of course the ultimate favourite, eating pizza for dinner, these all add up to the perfect mix of an unhealthy student life. It is really important to control what you eat. So here are some simple suggestions on how to improve your nutrition. 1) Drink as much water as you can. It maintains your body fluids plus its good for skin. 2) Eat fruit and vegetables. I know everyone hates them, but let’s be honest you have to eat them.
3) Eat popcorn instead of chips or Doritos. How nice does that sound! 4) Eat wholemeal bread instead of white; adding a little colour won’t hurt anyone! 5) Never miss your breakfast. Breakfast is your energy for day. 6) Say no to spending nights with food. Just keep it till the clock ticks 7.
7) Go to the gym often.
8) Say bye-bye to McDonald’s, Burger King and Subway’. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 22
Tips to save money Text by: Christina Gemayel
Let’s talk money. The facts are that UK visa regulations ban many NTIC stu-
dents from having jobs; hence the only revenue they get is from their sponsors and/or family. This means that NTIC students can’t generate their own income. NTIC suggests that on average students spend between £50 to £100 per week. Money for us students is a twisted matter as we get carried away buying things which we may not require. Therefore, managing money becomes a minefield as we may not be the best judge in utilizing and controlling money. I thought of asking various students how they control money spending. As a result, they came up with some interesting tips:
1) Cook at home.
2) Do not carry more than £ 20 cash.
3) Do weekly accounting.
4) Only shop when needed. 5) Only use transportation when necessary. 6) Use lists for the supermarket.
7) Limit money in the current account. 8) Save money on alcohol and cigarettes. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 23
A TASTE FROM THE AFRICAN GOLDEN POT
By Iyoroware Rita John Okra is sometimes eaten on its own as a starter and sometimes in a main recipe. Some people think its taste is amazing and eat it regularly, but there are many people who know nothing about it. In this article, you can find out more about the different sides to Okra. Okra Cooking in Africa comes with many purposes, namely for filling the stomach, enjoyment and for traditional medical alternatives. One food that serves all of these purposes is okra.
Okra is a vegetable with long green pods that is used especially in African and Asian cooking. One of the most common ways to use okra in Nigeria is in making okra soup, also called ‘draw soup’. The star of this meal comes from the okra seed. The soup is mostly cooked around April to July because that is the typical harvest season of okra. It is also considered the best way to introduce baked garri or pounded yam to kids, with the reasoning that it makes the garri easier for consumption. The delicacy is also one of the easiest and cheapest to prepare amongst African dishes. Hence, it is appealing as well as satisfying.
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Ingredients: The ingredients for the meal are: *twelve or more medium sized okras, *a handful of chopped pumpkin leaves, *beef, *stock fish, *ground crayfish, *three cooking spoons of palm oil, *an onion bulb and seasoning (pepper, salt, maggi).
Okra soup
These ingredients can be bought in local markets in Nigeria and in African Markets in the United Kingdom.
Okra flower Recipe: Before beginning the preparation, soak and wash the stock fish, so that it will be soft. Grate the okra and set it aside. The grating makes the okra draw more when boiled. Place the washed beef and stock fish into an empty pot on a burner and add some water. Then add diced onion and all other seasoning to taste and steam for twenty minutes. Put the grated okra, crayfish and palm oil together. Mix the combination well and leave to cook for about ten minutes. Finally, the leaves need to be added. Remove the pot from the burner and serve hot. It is more commonly eaten at lunch but could be consumed for dinner with baked garri .
Photographers from left to right : wEnDy, Phuong Tran, Mckay Savage, Alpha, Vanessa Pike-Russell, Mr.Greenjeans
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1.
Sharing the Glo
NTIC Graduation
TEXT Judy Alhamwi and Ayatt El Hartany
T
his year saw NTIC’s second where teachers and students success. The ceremony was creat students’ hard work throughout ing images capture some of the m this year’s ceremony.
2.
4.
1. NTIC Graduates sharing their experiences with current students. 2. Dr Christian Gerstner’s opening speech. 3. Julien Boville (left), Dr Elisabeth Grindel (middle), Dr Christian Gerstner (right). 4. NTIC Graduates showing thanks to their professors. 5. - 7. Dr Christian Gerstner awarding certificates to graduates.
3.
“ Despite a few ups and downs all piece of advice: don’t leave your wo
Zino Oniomoh NTIC graduate stude
“I couldn’t be more happy and en one goal accomplished”.
Khondwani Museteka. NTIC gradua NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 26
orious Moment
5.
n Ceremony 2013
IMAGE Daniela Palacios and Tiago Graca
d ever graduation ceremony, s both celebrate the graduates’ ted to show appreciation for the the academic year. The followmost exciting moments from
l the hard work paid of. As a ork for last minute.”
6.
comment:
Photographers Tiago Graca and Daniela Palacios found the event heart-warming. Seeing the students’ eyes filled with excitement and ambition gave them a glimpse into their not so distant future, realising that each day they get closer and closer to their aim that brought them to the UK.
7.
ent.
nthusiastic about this day. This is
ate student. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 27
the Mask Text by Ken Yeung Drawing by Ana Torrejon
One day, me and my girl were talking about my curiosity towards various things that come across my way. ‘I have never met a boy who has such immense passion and patience for reading into details’, she said. For instance, I admire and care for animals. However, she told me what agendas her male friends had for keeping a pet. Mostly, they use their pets as a tool to get girls or to make them look cool. My mind boggled and I didn’t know what to say as I had never considered using my care and love for animals as a pretext. But, this triggered me to think about how we humans can express our feelings, especially when compared to animals.
Animals reveal their true selves; they express their emotions through different gestures as they can’t communicate verbally and I think we should respect their different kinds of communication methods. For instance, if they feel happy, they lick, if they feel scared or threatened, they kill. They are not like us. Instead, I believe that people put on different masks at different times, which may seem hypocritical; as opposed to portraying the person they truly are. Let’s take an example. When an employee is talking to a superior, he or she will always try to be polite, keep their tone of voice low. Why does this happen? Is it because people are being respectful to their seniors? Or, are they just trying to get through the day by putting on a fake show of being respectful? When we meet our friends we often act in a juvenile and informal manner, and we use certain phrases and swear words among our friends NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 28
that we wouldn’t use elsewhere. On the other hand, these words may not be acceptable to different generations of people. But why is this so? Can’t we act the same towards everyone? For these countless questions everyone has their own opinions, as some may believe that, when there’s an age difference gratitude or deference must be shown towards our elders. Also, when we have a crush we put on the mask until the other person gets to know us. Our emotions and feelings are hidden until we feel comfortable and we wait to reveal our self only when we know how the other person feels. Doesn’t this actually show that we are not being true to ourselves or the other person? There are millions of masks, painted and crafted for different situations. Some masks give you courage, some drag you down. This is where the word hypocrisy suits well. For example, many people may feel exhausted when they
switch between masks every day, as they are trying to deal with different people and different situations. When you’re at school you have to put on a ‘polite’ mask to deal with your teacher. If you’re in a bar and involved in a sticky situation you can put on an ‘excuse’ mask. But, you often have to fight that rush inside of you, urging you to take off the mask. After all, facing people with lies and excuses is tiring and you might feel like a fraudster somehow.
and everyone accepted the ‘different’ behaviours of everyone else. It does sound like a utopia but what would happen if you simply put the mask down and stopped worrying about it? Try it one day. Take off the mask and love a random stranger like loving yourself, or be honest to someone you dislike or who has upset you. Hopefully, you would feel the weight on your shoulders lifted off. What do you think?
“There are millions of masks, painted and crafted for different situations. Some masks give you courage, some would drag you down. This is where the word hypocrisy suits well” If you have to wear a mask, I wish that the mask could represent and display your real identity rather than representing a fake personality, just like in the film The Mask (1994) by Chuck Russell. The main character, Stanley Ipkiss (played by Jim Carey), confesses his love to Tina after he puts on the mask. When the villain, Dorian Tyrell, steals the mask from Stanley, it transforms him from a peaceful businessman into a violent gangster. When Stanley’s dog, Milo, wears the mask he becomes more aggressive in order to protect his owner, ripping flesh from Tyrell’s gangster henchmen as they try to attack Stanley. In all these examples the mask exaggerates the characters’ existing traits rather than representing a completely different person. You can certainly say that being a human is exhausting, struggling with what kind of person you want to be everyday. Being the most emotionally complex creatures, we need to act, pretend, love, be loved, take care of, and sometimes get angry at each other. It can be a vicious cycle; a cycle that we live with our whole lives. Maybe, sometimes you just have to put on a mask to cope with various situations. However, imagine a world without a single lie, where everyone put down their masks NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 29
YES I CAN! - Oprah Winfrey
O
prah Winfrey is a role model who cleared a path for others to become successful. Jitimiebi Sanami looks at her biography whilst Mannat Chandail investigates her philanthropy. Image illustrated by Ana Torrejon
Oprah Gail Winfrey was born on January 29th, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, to a teenage single mother and later raised in a poor inner-city Milwaukee neighbourhood. Unfortunately, she experienced considerable challenges during her childhood, including becoming pregnant at 14 and losing her son shortly after. But she drew strength from her grandmother and visiting the church and her outspokenness and patience helped to build her strong character. She was known as ‘The Little Speaker’ in her childhood as she did not lose her voice and spoke about what she believed was right.
were her star qualities. On the show, she discussed women’s issues. However she later turned to intriguing topics that appeal to everyone. Her show received a lot of awards and is known to have transformed people all over the world.
Oprah Winfrey is a role model for many reasons. As well as becoming the first African American to host a TV show, she was also ranked the richest African American of the 20th century and the greatest black philanthropist in American history. She believed that she could despite her trials during her young age. Yes, she could and After opportunities during her college edso can every other person ucation, Oprah decided that a talk show career was what she would like to pursue. In who makes up their mind to September 1986, The Oprah Winfrey Show achieve a certain goal. Yes was first broadcast in the United States. Her I Can. upfront, brave, emotional and ad-lib delivery
OPRAH’S PHILANTHROPY It isn’t just the show that has made Oprah Winfrey an idol in many people’s eyes. Mannat Chandail reports on how she has always contributed to 21 charities, supporting many different causes, such as HIV/AIDS, children, civil rights, creative arts and many more. Some of her greatest achievements are shown below: • 1998 Winfrey created the Oprah’s Angel Network, a charity that supported charitable projects and provided grants to non-profit organizations around the world. • 2004, Winfrey became the first black person to rank among the 50 most generous Americans. • By 2012 she had given away about $400 million to educational causes and had also given over 400 scholarships to Morehouse College in Atlanta. • In 2013, Winfrey donated $12 million to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 30
The Cracked Mayor
Text by Mannat Chandail Illustration by Ana Torrejon
Canadian Mayor Rob Ford’s crack smoking scandal hasn’t stopped him from running for re-election in the Toronto Mayoral race.
Canada has recently made global headlines Toronto Mayor Rob Ford runs for re-election due to Toronto mayor, despite crack scandal Rob Ford. Although Canada has a reputation as a peacekeeping and uncontroversial country, Ford has brought disrepute towards his country due to his shocking public admission of smoking crack whilst in office. This reckless behaviour has outraged many. However his many attempts to help his Photo by Shaun Merrit city, such as eliminating
car tax, keeping property tax low, decreasing unemployment rate and giving Scarborough a subway, have been appreciated by the public. Despite his shortcomings, Globe and Mail and Business Insider say his popularity may not be severely effected and an Ipsos poll sates that around 40% of the people in Toronto will vote for him. This is reflected in his campaign, which states ‘Ford More Years’
“At what point does your personal life interfere with your job as a politician? Whether it’s sex affairs or smoking crack.” - Anu Sandhu Pros:
“They are saying we would rather have a guy on crack than a mayor who will raise our taxes.”-Rick
Mercer, Canadian comedian
“People are willing to look the other way or forgive him for his shenanigans to save money at the end day.”-Anu Sandhu “Give me Toronto’s Rob Ford or London’s Boris Johnson any day rather than a political cleanskin” -Elizabeth Day, Observer columnist
Cons:
“All of these scandals just further prove how untrustworthy, narcissistic, and dangerous he actually is. I’m just really hoping that some solid candidates come forward in the next election so that he is soon a funny caricature of the past!” Amy Norman
“I think he’s a terrible leader for the city, and he’s also shown how divided the city is between the downtown and the suburbs, and I think this divisive rhetoric is bad for everyone.” Anonymous
A politician’s personal life shouldn’t be restricted by their professional life. However, before performing any action they should consider all the possible repercussions.
“I’m not running away from anyone. Let’s have a full debate any time any place. I will debate anyone, even in their backward” -Rob Ford What do you think about Rob Ford?
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Believe it or Not? Fun Facts Collection by Mannat Chandail, Ronnie Yeung and Kirby Choy
T
here are lots of facts in the world that we have been aware of since childhood. At the same time, there are still lots of facts that we keep finding out, especially from the internet. Some are humorous, some are practical, some are just silly whilst some are actually untrue. Now, it is your chance to find out if these facts are useful or trustworthy. Believe it or not? It is your choice! Doug Kline
1. Bananas don’t actually grow on trees. They grow from roots underneath the ground.
Mark Menzies
2. Taking a quick nap after learning something helps strengthen your memories.
Pedro Veneroso
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Hiroyuki Takeda
3. Dr Dre has made more money making headphones than he ever did making music.
4. The world’s shortest horror story: “the last man on earth sat alone in his room. There was a knock on the door.”.
David_a_l
5. It’s possible to lead a cow upstairs...but not downstairs.
Jint Erwas
6. When a person dies they have 7 minutes left of brain activity. It’s the brain playing back memories of their lives in a dream sequence.
Kol Tregaskes
8. Not sleeping enough and not eating are the two biggest reasons for being angry.
Lotus Carroll
Joseph B
7. The average person unlocks his or her smartphone 110 times each day.
9. If you type “do the Harlem Shake” in to Youtube the page will actually start doing the Harlem Shake.
Check for yourself at: http://www.begent.org/funfact.htm https://www.facebook.com/WhatTheFacts
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American gangster Director : Ridley Scott
Biography | Crime | Drama
Cert : 18
Text by: Christina Gemayel NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 34
A
merican Gangster (2007) is a film about Harlem’s notorious drug lord Frank Lucas (played by Denzel Washington) and inspector Richie Roberts (played by Russell Crowe), who finally brings Lucas to justice. Fascinating as it is, the strength of this movie is that it’s not really a mobster movie but rather a cop success story. For one thing, Richie Roberts is as much the lead as Frank Lucas, and secondly, there is no mob; Frank Lucas represents himself. In my opinion, director Ridley Scott gives a relevant and realistic look into the narcotics business, which goes right from the drug lords at the top to the people at the bottom. Scott’s direction is brilliant because he shows an authentic New York with great attention to detail. The thing that is so particular about Scott is that he has a very simple and classical cinematographic style; he naturally puts light on the story. Is this positive? Yes and no. It’s positive because, as mentioned before, Scott ‘treats’ the story with respect; which is what directors should do. However, it’s negative because viewers tend to lose interest when parts of the story are uninteresting. Technically, every scene in the movie has an elegant construction. This includes the quick but brutal opening scene, which definitely stands out as memorable one. The reason for this is because both actors give very strong performances and though I’m not necessarily a Denzel Washington fan, I have to say I love him here. He plays his character perfectly, combining violence with class. Russell Crowe, one of my favourite actors, is the opposite of Denzel Washington, offering a very realistic performance. He is good in this movie, though not as good as in Gladiator (2000). Any time there is gun play or action, even if it’s minor, it’s stunning. This is particularly true of the police chase scene near the end which stands out as the crucial sequence of the film. I love it how Ridley Scott does not reveal anything more and simply keeps us on the edges of our seats. This is where the movie recuperates the attention of action fans. The totality of the movie is certainly fascinating. However, the length does create boredom. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it; as a matter of fact, I loved it. I just wish the movie was a little shorter, to avoid repetition. At the same time, for those who think this is a pure action movie, it’s not. American Gangster has a lot of talking in it and the story is layered. So, I would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy the action and intellectual combination.
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HACHI
Dir.: Lasse Hallström Drama | Family PG: U
Dir.: Jon Turteltaub Comedy | Drama PG: 13
Text by: Meng Liu
Text by: Christina Gemayel
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale is a film which is pop-
ular all around the world. The movie tells a simple story about the precious relationship between a professor and a dog. When I was watching the end of the film, I was very touched that the dog, whose name is Hachi, did not know his master was dead. He just waited and waited at the entrance of the train station, no matter what the weather was like. This movie was based on a true story from Japan. Indeed, the dog’s loyal behaviour touched the people’s soul so much that local residents built a bronze dog to commemorate it.
In my opinion, the charm of the film is in the exquisite methods used to show the dog’s loyalty by the director. One of my friends said that this movie made her burst into tears and that she will never forget the lovely Hachi. Actually, I believe that dogs are a human’s best friend. Maybe in some situations a dog is just a pet and you can adopt or abandon it, but through a dog’s eyes you mean the whole world.
This comedy drama centres around a group
of elderly childhood friends (Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline and Robert De Niro) who reunite in Las Vegas to throw a bachelor party for their only single member (Michael Douglas) On first appearances this film has some similarities to Hangover (2009) and Red (2010): it is set in Vegas; the main stars are seniors. However, fortunately they are only passing resemblances as this movie is a delight which manages to entertain younger as well as older audiences, unlike Hangover and Red! The strength of this movie, when compared to many movies this year, is that the comedy is not forced, which reflects the experience of the actors. It was good to see De Niro out of his depressive movie flops because, with all honesty, this is the first time since Meet the Parents (2000) that I have enjoyed watching De Niro in a film. Morgan Freeman’s performance as Archie was highly enjoyable and it was interesting to see that Freeman is a gifted comedian. I had never thought of him in this way before. Kevin Kline’s talent and sheer likeability also shine through in his role here. I must confess he’s an actor who I am not very familiar with so I look forward to seeing more of his work. The only real weak point was Michael Douglas. He gave a solid performance but, unfortunately, he just isn’t a funny guy. And I wasn’t the only one thinking this. Looking around the cinema it was clear that other people also thought that most of his comedic attempts were lame . Nevertheless, overall Last Vegas is hilarious, with memorable gags and jokes. It is a constant comedy with dramatic hints and suitable for people who enjoy a layered comedy.
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THE LAST SONG Dir.: Julie Anne Robinson Drama | Romance PG: U Text by: Blessing Sunday
The story is about a young girl, her father and the song she played for him before he died. Ronnie and her little brother, Jonah, lived together with their mother in New York City. The parents got divorced while she was still young, so she did not get to know much about her father. As little as she was then, she developed this strong hatred for her father. She hated the fact that her father never visited and didn’t care about them. Ronnie and her brother felt abandoned by their father. Her mother made it clear to her that her father have being longing to see them ever since but she never have the time to take them to him. Therefore, during the summer holiday her mother took her and her little brother Jonah to spend some time with the father. Ronnie was still not happy because she didn’t love her father neither did she want to see him. Jonah, her little brother, was very excited to spend time with the father whom he had been longing to see for a long time. On their way her mother pleaded with her to be happy once she saw her father but she just walked and past him, ignoring him when they met. Her mother was shocked with her behaviour, expecting her to have listened to her in the car. Ronnie and her brother got settled in the house, her mother returned back to New York. Ronnie was still very angry with the father so she never agreed on whatever he said. With time the lad met a young boy called Will at a party. On their first meeting she hated the boy just because she didn’t have a heart to love boys. She felt like all men are the same and that Will too may turn out to be just like her father. With time though Ronnie gets to know him more and they finally fall in love. Only then did she have the heart to forgive her father. However, Ronnie found out that her father had cancer ever since but did not want to tell her, because he wanted her to go back to school so she could pick up with her music career. He did not want his sickness to stand as a hindrance to her and he decided not to tell her. The little lad was very angry for the fact that her father did not let her know earlier enough. Her father whom have being taken to the hospital was later discharged not because his problem was solved, because he requested to be discharged. On getting to the house he asked his daughter to play a song for him and she did, he died without finishing the song. He was bers of ing end mend to
later buried by friends and memhis family. This was a touchto a film which I would recomanyone who likes moving stories.
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FUN FACTS ABOUT COUNTRIES Facts compiled by: Mannat Chandail, Ronnie Yeung and Christina Gemayel In 2002, the number of Chinese billionaires was 0. In 2007, the number of Chinese billionaires was 106. The modern alphabet is based on a system invented in Phoenicia (modern day Lebanon and parts of Syria). Ireland’s first ever Olympic medal was for painting! India has the most post offices than any other country (over 100,000). Singapore has the highest ratio of millionaires in the world! The Dominican Republic offered to take in 100,000 Jewish refugees in 1938. Venetian blinds originally came from Persia. Bir Tawil is a strip of land between Egypt and Sudan that is not claimed by any country! Lebanon is the one and only Asian country that has absolutely no desert.
Illustration: Andrea Joseph
British submarines have a secret letter meant to be opened only if there’s a nuclear attack on British soil! Brazil is named after a tree which is now nearly extinct! French fries are originally from Belgium. NTIC STUDENT MAGAZINE | 38
GAMES Game by Christina Gemayel
Find these countries
-BRAZIL -CHILE -CHINA -EGYPT -ENGLAND -GREECE -IRELAND -ITALY -JAPAN -KOREA -MEXICO -NIGERIA -RUSSIA -SPAIN
-JokesWhy is television called a medium? Because it is neither rare nor well done.
What do you call a deer with no eye? No idea!
What happened when the butcher backed into his meat grinder? He got a little behind in his work
Turn the page upside-down for the solution of the above ‘find the word’
What was Beethoven’s favourite fruit? Banananaaaaaa! The oat meal ( 2013) http://theoatmeal.com/
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The TeaM
Daniela Palacios- Chief Copy Editor Tiago Graca- Chief Design Editor
Ana Torrejon Anna Li Ayatt El Hartany Christina Gemayel Coco Si Tou Enrique Romario Cardona
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Judy Al Hamwi Kirby Ka Ching Choy Mannat Chandail Stefan Mateen Yeung Hiu Kin Ronnie Yeung Kwan Yee Xu Yi Simon Aldcroft- The Boss
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