FREE
FEBRUARY 2019
ISSUE 285
£70 Studio Tour Taith Stiwdio
24.03.19
Transport & Entry Trafnidiaeth a mynediad 01792 203235
travelshop@swansea-union.co.uk
Liberation 06 LGBT+ figures & activists throughout Welsh history
Sport 13 Swansea Sirens cheerleading squad ready for 2018/19 season
Music 16 Who's on your Valentine's playlist
photography 32 Experimenting with a darkroom
travel 09 South America: Expectation vs. Reality
Culture 13 The Effect: We're affected
study abroad 19 Reasons to study abroad in Germany
Relationships 35 Romantic affordable dates for Valentine's 37 Blind Date 39 Agony Aunt
Features 10 Why the education system can only take us so far 11 The new fundraising platform set to transform Swansea
societies 15 Societies spotlight: Swansea University Hispanic society
food 30 Maisie's Gin bar & restaurant
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
FOOD
Carys Svendsen
Jacob Fleming
waterfronteditor@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontfood@swanseastudentmedia.com
SUB EDITOR
LIBERATION
Caitlin Jones
Zoya Chisti
waterfrontsubeditor@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontliberation@swanseastudentmedia.com
PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
MUSIC
Charlotte Husbands
Fin Hardie & Joshua O' Mahoney
waterfrontphoto@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontmusic@swanseastudentmedia.com
DESIGN & ARTWORK
RELATIONSHIPS
Carys Svendsen & Iain Fisher
Katie Brewster
waterfrontdesign@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontrelationships@swanseastudentmedia.com
PROOFREADING
SOCIETIES
Caitlin Jones & Kathryn Hayne
Juan Romero Flores
proofreader@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontsport@swanseastudentmedia.com
CULTURE
SPORT
Open position (contact our editor to apply for this role)
Jessica Hayden
waterfrontculture@swanseastudentmedia.com
waterfrontsport@swanseastudentmedia.com
FASHION
STUDY ABROAD
Open position (contact our editor to apply for this role) waterfrontfashion@swanseastudentmedia.com
Lauren Lewis
waterfrontstudyabroad@swanseastudentmedia.com
FEATURES
TRAVEL
Canisha Chakadya
Meryl Hanmer
waterfrontfeatures@swanseastudentmedia.com
FILM
waterfronttravel@swanseastudentmedia.com
Open position (contact our editor to apply for this role) waterfrontfilm@swanseastudentmedia.com
STUDENT MEDIA COORDINATOR Iain Fisher
iain.fisher@swansea-union.co.uk
THIS MONTH'S CONTRIBUTORS Zoya Chishti • Isabella Pugh • Shannon McDonald • Megan Slater • Carys Svendsen • Juan Romero Flores • Joshua O'Mahoney Lauren Lewis • Joshua Cole • Nathan Taylor-Kitching • Charlotte Husbands • Jess Moultrie • Katie Brewster
WATERFRONT IS A FREE PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLICATION FROM SWANSEA STUDENT MEDIA AND YOUR STUDENTS’ UNION. SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Carys Svendsen Editor-in-chief
It’s LGBT+ History Month (in case you didn’t notice the cover), and we’re busy in the office thinking and reflecting about LGBT+ historical figures, and the ever changing attitudes towards the LGBT+ community, something that still needs to change, even today. Do you want to know what else we’ve been thinking about? It’s not so reflective, but it is Valentine’s day. Be it single or in a new relationship, or simply just seeing someone, it’s an interesting time of year. May it be an enjoyable day for you and full of love, no matter your relationship status. Personally I will probably see a film and treat myself like Jess recommends, and might even check out Maisie’s (shameless issue preview right there). Oh, you also get to read about my Blind Date as Blind Date is now back! I can feel your excitement from here. I wish you all the best for the start of the new semester and I hope you enjoy the new issue as much as myself and everybody involved enjoyed creating it. Carys
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Wales has a rich history and culture, including a wealth of LGBT+ history. From writers to royalty, there have been numerous LGBT+ figures and activists in Wales dating as far back as the 14th century.
king edward II In 1301, Edward of Caernarfon became the first English monarch to hold the title of Prince of Wales at the ripe age of 16. He is most famously known for the fact that he is believed to have been gay. There have been many depictions of King Edward, the earliest being Christopher Marlowe’s play Edward II in 1593, and the 1995 blockbuster, Braveheart. King Edward began a relationship with Hugh Despenser, and ultimately chose it over his wife Isabella and his country; his downfall followed shortly after.
ladies of llangollen Henry Cyril Paget: The Dancing Marquess
Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby were two Irish women, born into wealthy, aristocratic families. They met in 1768 and became close friends. As the time came for them to fulfil the societal expectations placed upon them and get married, Eleanor and Sarah
LIBERATION ZOYA CHISHTI
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confirmed, Henry’s lavish lifestyle, including his taste for cross-dressing and the breakdown of his marriage, have led many to believe he was gay. A journalist in 1970 characterised him as “the most notorious aristocratic homosexual at this period", whilst others have argued that he was just a classic narcissist. Either way, Henry fought the rigid confines of social expectations at the time and challenged Victorian perceptions of gender, without realising or knowing that he was paving the way for many others to do the same.
The Ladies of Llangollen ran away together to Milford Haven, and then further north to the Vale of Llangollen. They were accepted by the locals, who simply called them ‘The Ladies’. They bought a house, and named it Plas Newydd. They spent their time studying literature, learning languages, and collecting wood carvings. The two women eventually became notorious, and their story gripped the imagination of the public. Famous poets such as Lord Byron, William Wordsworth and Percy Shelley also visited ‘The Ladies of Llangollen’. Visitors would bring them wood carvings to add to their ever growing collection. The house at Llangollen is now a museum, and is one of the town’s most popular attractions.
griffith vaughan williams Griffith was born in Bangor on the 9th of November 1940, but was better known as Griff. Griff had been a journalist and a gay activist since 1964. He spent his life working at a multitude of magazines and newspapers around the country. Griff was also the secretary of the Committee for Homosexual Equality (CHE), up until his death in 2010. Not only did his work on the frontline for the LGBT+ equality movement improve the lives of thousands of people across the country, but he also broadened the CHE to include other marginalised groups.
gareth thomas
jeremy miles
Gareth Thomas is the second highest try scorer for Wales, and one of the most well-known activists for LGBT+ and sport in the world today. Thomas came out in 2009, and was subsequently voted as the most influential gay person in the UK in the Independent on Sunday’s ‘Pink List’, and also received Stonewall’s ‘Hero of the Year’ award. Thomas has been a major part of the movement to make sports more inclusive for LGBT+ people, making it easier for sports players to come out.
Elected in May 2016, Jeremy Miles is the one of the first openly gay Assembly Members in the Welsh Assembly. Jeremy was born and brought up in Pontarddulais, near Swansea. He has been a vocal activist for LGBT+ rights
Keep an eye out for all the great events taking place across the university in February for LGBT+ history month!
the dancing marquess In his short life of 29 years, Henry Cyril Paget, 5th Marquess of Anglesey, was dubbed the black sheep of his family for his eccentric personality, extreme love of performance and costume. Henry was born in 1875 - at this time, in order to be accepted by peers, he was expected to dress conservatively; find a woman to marry; start a family and live a respectable life. Following the death of his father, Henry inherited the estate, providing an annual income worth the equivalent of £11 million today. Although his sexuality was never
in Wales, and in recent years, he’s been working to make schools safer and fighting the rising level of hate crime in Welsh communities. In a post written for Pride last August, Jeremy said: “Through our strength and unity and our diversity, we will reach ever closer to full equality for everyone”.
Rainbow Grow and info stand
Icons and Allies Exhibition
Tooters Special Rainbow Grow and info stand
Open Mic Night
SUSU Pride
Mon 11th - 12-2pm, SU Building, Bay Campus
Thurs 14th - Tues 18th, Bay Campus Library
Fri 15th - 10pm, Rebound
Mon 18th - 12-2pm, Singleton Campus
Thurs 21st - 8pm, JCs
Fri 22nd February - 2-5pm, JCs
SUSU Pride presents: BINGO LINGO Fri 22nd February - 8pm, Fulton House
TRAVEL MERYL HANMER
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South America: Expectation vs. Reality
Statue of 'Christ the Redeemer' at the top of Corcovado Mountain
BY ISABELLA PUGH
Flashback to 3 years ago. I was applying for University and there was only one set of criteria when it came to choosing a degree: that it included the opportunity to go on a year abroad. Now, here I am living and working in Antofagasta, Chile and travelling around South America in my spare time. Currently I have visited Argentina, Peru and Ecuador, and have upcoming trips to Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia. So, what is it like to live here? Is South America like everything we see on the news? Does it live up to the expectations I had set for my trip beforehand? In short, no. South America is nothing like I had ever expected after growing up in the UK. Before setting off on my big yearlong adventure, I heard a plethora of negative comments. Everybody I spoke to implied that South America was full of drugs, violence and danger. It was suffocating, scary and was ultimately putting me in a negative mindset before
I had even arrived in my home for the next year. Yet when I arrived I was pleasantly surprised, because nobody told me about how incredible it would be; all the wonders that would await me how this continent would soon reveal itself to be a beautiful place for me to call home. To put it into perspective, South America covers an area of almost 7,000,000 square miles. Meanwhile, the UK covers around 94,000 square miles, meaning that the UK could fit into South America around 74 times! What’s more, the continent stretches almost 5000 miles from North to South (and almost 4000 miles East to West) - that’s around the same distance as from London, UK, to Havana, Cuba! Do you ever hear people comparing London with Havana? No? So why do we begin to formulate negative ideas about a whole continent based on the fact that they belong on the same 7,000,000 square miles piece of land?
Of course, some of the dangers you hear about are very much real, ongoing issues that are being faced in certain places within the continent. However, for the most part, the majority of these generalised ideas have been influenced and heightened by what we see in the media. I now realise that in reality, we must not judge an entire continent as one. For me, here in Chile I feel safer than I do in the UK. I feel free to be myself without judgement. I have experienced and become familiar with so many beautiful landscapes: deserts, coasts, jungles, forests, mountains. I’ve learned and experienced so much about new cultures and ways of life, and I’ve met some of the most beautiful people, who I can now call friends for life. So next time you hear stereotypical comments about a region or somewhere that you’re unfamiliar with: stop, research and maybe even explore. You never know, it could be the best experience of your life.
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Why the education system can only take us so far BY SHANNON MCDONALD
School is the learning ground for how to retain and reciprocate information. Yet, what it means to live and become independent is overlooked. Upon entering university, we are hit with the realisation of how much secondary school didn’t teach us. The jungle of the playground and the system of the classroom gave little insight on reality beyond the education system. To start with the word credit -which may have been introduced but as a taboo, and the idea of budgeting may have been uttered at school - it was rare to be taught how to budget. Instead, we were taught to focus on algebraic functions and how to find the ‘x’ value of a function. It was never relayed that each aspect of your money should
be accounted for; whether placed in a spreadsheet or setting a spending budget every week and having that figure in mind as you shop. It can make it easier for the everyday. Since the credit crunch crisis, fintech banks have opened for the pure simplicity of aiding the public to manage their money. Apps such as Mint and Monzo have been created for this exact purpose. ‘Monzo’ is a British based bank app that shows a visual representation of where money has been spent and how much can be saved for the month. There is also a card to use in-stores. The app is convenient, modern and easy to work into student life. Moving away from parental guidance is a rollercoaster of an experience. The sudden freedom and realisation that you can make your own rules is both daunting and liberating. The idea of packing appropriately is
literally written out for you on a list provided by most schools. The how?, what? and where? questions are answered concisely before you have even stepped foot on campus. The unanswered question is always ‘what now?’. Once the phone calls from home have slowed down and the novelty of fresher’s week has worn off, what is there to do now? A way to navigate the new found freedom is to join a society. Societies are a way of developing a skill and discovering another side of you outside of studies. For some this tends to bring about an existential crisis, a search for purpose and meaning for life. The sudden realisation that there are people out there with lives that are so different to your own, and understanding how well you cope with learning a new skill can be motivating. It can foreshadow what the future will look like, and meeting others in that society can progress an understanding of self. Schools don’t emphasise selfdiscovery, instead they place the focus on finding a career path. When things went wrong in school, the feedback was negative. A negative grade or detention was a punishment whenever there was academic failure. University allows there to be room outside of academia so that you can cope with it; it creates a safe space to learn and to grow from mistakes. Failure is not always a bad thing but a great teacher. During our time at university, societies may be joined and then never returned to or perhaps we will pick up a part-time job that then becomes impractical due to a busier schedule. It’s all part of a learning process that will set you up to be able to live in the real world. Until the school system is ready to change, it is down to you to find out. Modern day technology has made it more accessible than ever on knowing what to do in almost any situation. If you’re not watching YouTube clips from The School of Life or reading articles on BuzzFeed, your free time and independence means that it’s now down to you to decide who you are.
FEATURES CANISHA CHAKADYA
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Photography by: Inês Teixeira-Dias
THE NEW FUNDRAISING PLATFORM SET TO TRANSFORM SWANSEA
Phoenix Subscriptions founder, Canisha Chakadya Plus, it looks great on your CV. As a student with limited finances, supporting the local community by volunteering can feel like all you can afford to do both in terms of time and finance. Donating and sponsoring are left reserved to something you can do when you are working full-time, which is a sensible decision especially when you want to give large amounts or consistently. But what if you didn’t have to wait? Instead, you can make small consistent donations to local charities starting now, at university. Just at the cost of two meal deals or an entry fee to a club on a night out. The amount is small but the impact when a large group of people contribute is immense for small charities. This is timely as many organisations are facing funding cuts, and with Brexit looming, it is never certain how much money will be available. One solution to overcoming this issue is through the new social
enterprise Phoenix Subscriptions that has just launched in Swansea. Phoenix Subscriptions is an online fundraising platform for students. It’s aim is to connect students with local partnering charities by allowing you to set a small monthly donation to one of these organisations and get signposted to volunteering opportunities. In return, users of the site gain access to discounts and deals from local businesses. With a variety of businesses on the platform, such as Hot Pod Yoga - an innovative yoga experience in a 20 person pod - to indie film house Cinema & Co, you can explore more of Swansea through the discounts and make great savings. Along with this, in future they hope to expand to incorporate discounts with online businesses. The organisations that you can support through the platform include Surfability UK CIC, who provide surfing lessons and experiences for people with disabilities and learning difficulties by
It is often mentioned and encouraged that during your time at University, you should volunteer at least once. Not only do you get to support one of the many impactful organisations in your area, you also experience the satisfaction of doing something good for someone else.
making adapted surf boards. Discovery SVS: The university’s own charity founded in Fulton House that runs 30+ student led projects across Swansea. Lastly, Matthew’s House Initiative offers a space hospitality and hope for some of the most vulnerable people in the city through Matt’s Cafe and other services. Phoenix Subscriptions has also been supported by Swansea University Enterprise Team. Founded by current student Canisha Chakadya, the team provides mentor support and access to an incubation hub on Singleton Campus. The message is clear, Phoenix Subscriptions is a platform that champions small charities and businesses. It also empowers students to make an impact and be part of a movement from as little as £5, knowing that your contribution will have a huge impact. Start supporting today by going online at phoenixsubscriptions.com and join!
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SPORT JESSICA HAYDEN
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Swansea Sirens Cheerleading Squad Ready for 2018/19 season BY MEGAN SLATER
It's a busy time for us (the Swansea Sirens) at the moment as we're currently in the process of training and putting together our routine performance for the 2018-19 season. We'll be competing in two competitions and putting on a showcase. Our team consists of a strong, athletic and enthusiastic group of freshers this year to join our amazing seniors; we have extremely high hopes for placing at our competitions! Alongside the main squad team, we also have several group stunt teams competing at a variety of different levels. This then allows everyone on the team a chance to shine and hopefully place in all the divisions we enter. Our first competition is on 10th February in Manchester and the second is 16th March in Derby. With over a month in between, we are confident we can compete once to a high standard and then have time to review and improve our routine the second time around. We would like to extend an invitation to everyone to attend our shared showcase with local team the Swansea Falcons all-stars. The showcase will take place on Sunday 3rd
February at West Street Gymnastics Centre at 5pm. It's only £1 to watch, and all proceeds go towards improving the team and facilities. We would love a huge audience to support ourselves and the Falcons before our competition seasons commence. We are really looking forward to this performance and we are extremely grateful for the Swansea Falcons for inviting us to perform with them. This year we had one of the largest recruitments at freshers fayre ever. This included not only freshers, but older years joining us to give cheerleading a try. We are delighted that we have so many new faces wanting to be a part of our cheer family - taking part in training, competitions, socials, charity events and sporting events such as Movember and Varsity. Our main aim this year was to include every single person who signs up and ensure that all members feel part of the team, and so far we feel we have accomplished this and are incredibly happy with how much progress we have made. To join cheerleading, find the Swansea Sirens on Facebook or email cheerleading@swansea-sports.co.uk
the effect: we're affected The Effect, a play by Lucy Prebble (creator of Secret Diary of a Call Girl and ENRON), tells the tale of two young volunteers, Tristan and Connie. They both volunteer for a clinical drug trial, with the odd side effect of both of them gaining a sense of attraction for each other. As a result, the trial is quickly thrown off-course, leading to a lot of frustration from the clinicians. Be prepared for a surprisingly human play that not only explores the concept of physical attraction, but also questions concerning sanity, neurology and loyalty throughout. Directors James Beaumont and Lewis Israel said “We are so thrilled to be able to show audiences what our cast have achieved, and cannot wait to present a night full of intrigue and fascination, as well as showcase our actors abilities.” Count us in for this performance. So when, and where, can you see The Effect? The show is exclusively perfoming at the Volcano Theatre from 28th February until 1st March. Doors open at 7pm for a 7:30pm start and with tickets starting from £9 on the 28th February and £10 on 1st March, it appears to be a great value night out. Tickets are available to purchase on the door, or pre-book via Shoreline Theatre’s Students Union page: swanseaunion.co.uk/activities/society/shoreline/
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SOCIETIES JUAN ROMERO FLORES
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SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY HISPANIC SOCIETY
BY JUAN ROMERO FLORES
Rhys Davies, current President of the Hispanic Society, says that the society is “open to people who speak Spanish as a first or second language, those who are learning it, and those who are just interested in Hispanic cultures and who want to meet Spanish speakers.” The society hosts a weekly hour-long event called Café Guay in which learners and fluent speakers get together to improve their Spanish and help others with the language. They also organise a range of exciting socials, including a monthly Latin music night out on Wind Street. Being at the centre of the Spanish speaking community in Swansea University, the Hispanic Society is popular amongst both international students and British students interested in meeting those on an exchange semester. The society offers the chance to improve your Spanish or even learn it from scratch in a fun, friendly and informal environment. As far as the language learning aspect goes, the society is composed of 3 levels, from beginner to advanced. At Café Guay, members can learn interactively through games and also one-to-one conversations. However, as I’ve already mentioned, the society isn’t purely academic. When I asked about the social side, Rhys said, “We also collaborate with other language societies, and last semester we held a very successful international night out with the Helenic, Italian and German societies.” With 80 members, the Hispanic Society is a very friendly and open community of people. No matter what your cultural or linguistic background, this society is one you will feel welcome
This issue’s Society Spotlight is focusing on Swansea University's Hispanic Society. Founded by James Walker, Sean Muñoz and Sebastian Saavedra, this society has been actively running since 2015.
in. There are no specific requirements to join the Hispanic Society and the membership fee, which can be purchased on the Student Union website, is only £3. Don’t worry that you missed out on the first semester - those interested are encouraged to join at any time of the year! Looking towards the future, the society hopes to carry on with what they are doing and collaborate more with other
language societies. This year the society has grown exponentially because of the hard work of their new committee; Danny Calderon, Clara Miquel Fosco, Slovena Georgieva and Julia Nevado SánchezBiezma, who Rhys would personally like to thank for working together to build a strong foundation on which the society can continue to grow. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what they get up to in the next few months.
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Who's on your valentine's playlist?
BY JOSHUA O'MAHONEY
It’s that time of the year again, ladies and gentlemen. Whether you’re having the time of your life out on a romantic date, or you’re snuggled up in bed with Netflix and ice cream (like the rest of us), I’m sure you have your Valentine’s Day playlist. Even if you’re not out sipping wine and having a lovely time this Valentine’s Day, why not get in the spirit anyway? Who says you can’t celebrate the day of love by yourself? Let’s talk about some of the best music for this time of year, and maybe some artists to add to your playlist.
I’ll skip past some of the more obvious choices like The Weeknd and Ed Sheeran immediately and go to some lesser known artists. If you haven’t heard of Daniel Caesar by now, then you’re definitely missing out. I wouldn’t even say that he’s the kind of artist who you can only listen to while you’re with your other half either, because if you have ever listened to Freudian, then you’ll know full well that this is some of the most relaxing music around at the moment. Freudian is exactly the kind of album that you can have playing in the background while just chilling at home, maybe doing some light reading or studying. The seamless transitions between songs create the perfect chill atmosphere for lounging around. Daniel Caesar has one of the
most mesmerising singing voices not only in R’n’B, but maybe even in the current music scene. His incredible vocal range is in full swing throughout Freudian, and the appearances of other up and coming R’n’B artists such as H.E.R. and Kali Uchis really turn this album into a masterpiece. If I had to pick two favourites, they would be Neu Roses (Transgressor’s Song) and We Find Love. Both songs feature beautiful instrumentals and vocals. Neu Roses is probably the best vocal performance on the album, with the first half of the song being entirely acapella, while We Find Love’s beautiful piano melodies and catchy chorus cement its place as the project’s centrepiece. The next entry to add to your Valentine’s playlist is by none other than the twenty-year-old American
MUSIC FIN HARDIE & JOSHUA O' MAHONEY
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Daniel Caesar Freudian
Khalid American Teen
Childish Gambino Awaken, My Love!
Ella Mai Ella Mai
sensation Khalid. I struggled to decide which of his two studio albums to include, but I eventually went with his first, the iconic American Teen. Released just under three weeks after his nineteenth birthday, American Teen was a great debut album for Khalid, and showed the world his promise as a future star in the making. While everyone and their mother has probably heard Young Dumb & Broke and knows how great it is, it’s some of the other lesser known songs which should be going straight on your playlists. Location is definitely one of the sexier and more relaxing tunes on this project, with its slow beat and cool lyrics, plus a cheeky bit of guitar and a choir thrown in for good measure. The song directly after that, Another Sad Love Song, is my personal favourite from the album. It’s
a little more upbeat than Location, but just as smooth, and is sure to have you bopping your head by the time the first chorus comes around. I don’t even care how big this next artist is, because I have to put Childish Gambino’s Awaken, My Love! in here somewhere. This album gets a lot of credit and is very highly regarded, and rightly so. While Redbone is the most popular song from this musical masterpiece, there isn’t a single tune that I ever skip when listening to it - it’s that good. For some people, it may take a few listens, but there is no doubt in my mind that, regardless of what kind of music you enjoy most, there will be a degree of appreciation for this album. The mashup of psychedelic funk and soul that resonates the entire way through is perfect for a Valentine’s Day
playlist (or any playlist for that matter). If you’re going to take anything away from this today, then please, listen to this album. You won’t be disappointed. The last artist going on this list, because unfortunately I can’t go on forever (honourable mentions to SZA, Jorja Smith, Jhene Aiko and Brent Faiyaz), is Ella Mai, who represents the Brits out of this list. Her self-titled album released last year is oozing with great R’n’B tracks. The first song that would probably catch your eye on the album is Watchamacallit, featuring Chris Brown. This is a great song to get you into the rest of the project, with a vintage, breezy performance full of stellar vocals. So remember boys and girls, hit play and enjoy your Valentine’s Day, whether you’re on a date, or you’re single!
STUDY ABROAD LAUREN LEWIS
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Reasons to study abroad in Germany In recent years, Germany has become a popular destination for undergraduates choosing to move their studies abroad for a semester or two. According to statistics, there are over 357,000 international students pursuing their studies in this country. Here are a few reasons why Germany is the perfect place to undertake your studies abroad. BY LAUREN LEWIS
Financially speaking, Germany is one of the best possible choices you could make as an undergraduate. As of 2014, a decision was passed which stated that international students are exempt from paying the regular tuition fees normally expected. International students merely have to pay a few administrative costs such as the roughly €300 fee for transportation around your host city. Germany also contains many of the top-ranking global universities, with as many as 45 of them being internationally renowned. The country offers a diverse and distinguished set of courses ranging from humanities and arts based subjects, to engineering and technological studies. In relation to picking up a new language, German is one of the most beneficial ones to learn. According
findings by sociolinguist Dr. Ulrich Ammon, German ranks as fourth worldwide popularity wise with nonnative speakers who have learnt the language. Immersing yourself in the language through university courses targeted toward international students in combination with day to day living in the country could have immeasurable benefits for your future career. The country also has highly reasonable living costs, being in accordance with the EU average in terms of clothing, food and additional expenses. This leaves more money for travel and exploration of neighbouring cities and countries in Europe with the ERASMUS program during your year abroad. Speaking of travel, Germany is the ideal hub for exploration. Bordering nine different countries, there are
plenty of opportunities to seek adventure, and plenty of time to get this done too, as Germany’s academic calendar contains a two month break from February to April - ideal for international students wanting some guilt free travel outside of class times. Finally, what is promised if you choose to undertake a year abroad in Germany is that you will receive a rich cultural experience. From intimate cafes and bistros to its breathtaking architecture and landscapes, there is beauty in every turn. Famous for its intellectual history, with figureheads such as Kant, Beethoven, Heisenberg and Goethe, it is the land of poets and thinkers. In addition to this, Germans are known for their ability to throw a party with Oktoberfest and their ‘Karenvals’, there will be plenty to celebrate. Trust me, you won’t want to leave.
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RHESWM I SEFYLL YN EIN HETHOLIAD! Mae’r etholiadau ar y gweill ac rydyn ni’n chwilio am fyfyrwyr i sefyll ar gyfer safleoedd Swyddogion Llawn-amser a Rhan-amser. Ond pam ddylet ti?
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Ti fydd yn newid y Brifysgol ar gyfer pob myfyriwr
Cyfle i weithio gyda’r Undeb a’r Brifysgol ar benderfyniadau mawr
Sefyll allan i gyflogwyr y dyfodol
Does dim unrhyw brofiad
Cyflog o dros £18,000
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Ennill sgiliau a phrofiadau unigryw
Byddet ti’n rheoli sefydliad gwerth miliynau o bunnoedd
Ti fydd llais dros 17,000 o fyfyrwyr
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REASONS TO STAND IN OUR ELECTION! Elections are coming up and we’re looking for students to stand for Full-time and Part-time Officer positions. But what’s in it for you?
1 2 3 4 5
You get to change Uni for all students.
You work with the Union and Uni on big decisions
Impressive addition to the CV
You don't need any experience
Salary of over £18k
6 7 8 9
You'll have unique experiences & skills
You'll be the voice of over18,000 students
You'll be the head of a multimillion pound organisation
You get to work with an amazing team of people
NOMINATIONS OPEN 28.01.19 - 22.02.19
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Enterprise - What's on Get involved to increase your entrepreneurial and employability skills
Swansea City AFC Hackathon
February 2019
Launch and Information Night
HACK Weekend Saturday & Sunday
�icket for S�ans City �ame @ Liberty Stadium Included
The Big Pitch March 2019
�itch yourself or a business idea to �in� - �unded entrepreneurial �ork placements - Seed corn funding - Incubation space - Mentoring
Accelerator Programme Monday ��th - �riday ��st �une ���� �rom business idea to trading in a �eek Sessions run by Industry e�perts All aspects of business co�ered Start up finance a�ailable Mentoring sessions follo�ing the programme �ntrepreneurs@s�ansea�ac�uk
S�ansea �ni�ersity �nterprise
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T STUDEN S T TICKE FROM £5 ONLY
Three young men are coming home from war. Their stories, set at different times over the last 100 years, are beautifully interwoven in this compelling new play featuring Frantic Assembly's celebrated physicality.
What's up at Taliesin in February? BY TALIESIN ARTS CENTRE
LIVE EVENTS
£5
Thursday 7/02 @7.30pm: SPECIAL CONSENSUS. Award-winning bluegrass band Special Consensus will play traditional standards, original compositions and songs from their newly released album "Rivers and Roads". 15-16/02 @7.30pm & 16/02 @2.30pm: LEGALLY BLONDE - THE MUSICAL. Presented by SU performing arts societies, Legally Blonde follows Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Thursday 21 to Saturday 23/02 @7.30pm: THE UNRETURNING explores the
profound effect that war has on young lives, and asks - what does coming home really mean? The internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company Frantic Assembly was actually formed in Swansea – 2019 will mark 25 years since Swansea University students Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett staged the company’s first ever show at Taliesin Arts Centre in 1994.
BROADCAST EVENTS
£5 ON THE DOOR
FILMS
£6
Monday 4/02 5pm & 7.30pm:
THE OLD MAN & THE GUN (12A). 6/02 @4.30pm & 19/02 @7.30pm: THE FAVOURITE (15). Monday 18/02 @7.30pm: THE GUILTY (DEN SKYLDIGE) (15). Monday 25/02 @7.30pm: WILDLIFE (12A).
Tuesday 5/02 @7pm: Exhibition on Screen "YOUNG PICASSO". What made Picasso in the first place? Sunday 24/02 @2pm: DON QUIXOTE (As Live 12A). This vibrant staging brings together the whole Royal Ballet Company.
Tuesday 26/02 @5pm & 7.30pm: STAN AND OLLIE (U). Wed. 27/02 @4.45pm & 7.30pm: COLETTE (15). more films on www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk
SIGN UP FOR A FREE MEMBERSHIP CARD AT THE BOX OFFICE AND SEE YOUR FIRST 3 LIVE EVENTS FOR FREE!
Featured Property
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FLEET STREET
BED - close to local amenities & city centre
GW
Property comprises 3 double bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom.
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Properties available for the next academic year
Studentpad Ref
SWP543301
VICTORIA AVENUE
4
BED
University. 4 double bedrooms, large kitchen with dining table & chairs, good size living room, bathroom with bath and sep large walk in shower, rear enclosed garden.
Our properties are
ALL INCLUSIVE
Student Accommodation Services (SAS) is a joint venture between Residential Services and the Students' Union aimed at assisting students looking for accommodation accommodation through a service you can trust.
Studentpad Ref
SWP511155
VINCENT STREET
3
BED
Sandfields area - close to local amenities and the University. Property comprises 3 double bedrooms, good size new kitchen, good size living room, bathroom with shower over bath, rear enclosed garden. Studentpad Ref
SWP511157
No damage deposit
OXFORD STREET
Termly Rents Individual contracts
4
BED
University. Property comprises 4 double bedrooms,
No agency fees!
large kitchen, large living room, bathroom with shower over bath, rear enclosed garden.
Personal contents insurance provided
Studentpad Ref
SWP511139
All properties are available to view on Studentpad – www.swanseastudentpad.co.uk. Any queries please email us on sas@swansea.ac.uk or phone us on 01792 295 101.
Featured Property
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BRUNSWICK
BED
8
ARGYLE STREET
BED
A 3 Storey House comprising of 8 bedrooms, 2 kitchens, 2 shower rooms - 1 new 2009. other new 2012, sep. wc, large living room. Property is available for between 6-8 students.
7 bedroomed 3 storey property large new kitchen, bathroom with WC, 3 shower rooms -1 with WC, sitting room with new leather sofas. All bedrooms have double beds, new laminate flooring and sinks.
Studentpad Ref
SWP3932
4
ARGYLE STREET
BED
Sandfields area - close to local amenities and the University. Property comprises 4 double bedrooms, large kitchen, good size living room, bathroom with shower over bath, rear enclosed garden.
Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP3937
OXFORD STREET
2
BED
SWP511107
6
BRUNSWICK STREET
BED
2 bedroom first & second floor flat comprising
Good location close to local amenities & city
2 double bedrooms, good size kitchen, shower
centre. 6 double bedrooms, large kitchen with
room. small living room/dining room.
dining table and chairs, good size living room, 1 bathroom, 1 shower room, enclosed back garden.
Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP4027
5
BEACH STREET
BED
SWP542947
3
RHYDDINGS PARK RD
Recently renovated, redecorated and furnished
BED
3 double bedrooms, large kitchen, living room,
throughout to a very high standard. Property
utility room, bathroom with bath and separate
comprises 5 double bedrooms, 2 shower rooms,
shower, rear enclosed garden.
kitchen and living room. Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP508384
RODNEY STREET
SWP3958
5
BED
Good location for both University and town centre. Comprises 4 double bedrooms, 1 single, large kitchen with table and chairs, good size living room, 1 bathroom, 1 shower room.
Our properties are
ALL INCLUSIVE
Studentpad Ref
SWP11131
All properties are available to view on Studentpad – www.swanseastudentpad.co.uk. Any queries please email us on sas@swansea.ac.uk or phone us on 01792 295 101.
Featured Property
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EATON CRESCENT
BED
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ST HELENS AVENUE
BED
Excellent location close to University and local amenities. 4 double bedrooms, living room
6 bedroom property renovated & redecorated throughout to a very high standard.
bathroom with bath, separate shower and WC and upstairs shower room with shower and WC, rear enclosed garden. Studentpad Ref
SWP510846
Property includes 6 double bedrooms (2 ensuite), large kitchen with dining table and chairs with doors out onto decked area, large living room, 1 bathroom, 1 shower room, slabbed back garden.
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ST HELENS AVENUE
BED
House in the heart of Brynmill - property recently renovated and redecorated to high standard. comprises 5 double bedrooms, kitchen, living room, shower room and sep wc room, rear enclosed garden.
Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP11126
MARLBOROUGH RD
2
BED
SWP4045
6
BEECHWOOD ROAD
Lower Ground floor flat comprising of 2 good sized double bedrooms, kitchen/diner, shower room, enclosed rear garden. Bedrooms have new carpets and some new furniture.
BED
Recently renovated and refurbished to a very high standard. 5 double bedrooms, 1 single, all new furniture, good sized kitchen, large living room, 2 shower rooms, 2 sep WC rooms.
Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP3969
KING EDWARD ROAD
5
BED
Recently renovated and redecorated throughout.
SWP11043
Featured Property
5
RHYDDINGS PARK ROAD
Includes double beds in the bedrooms, large kitchen with table and chairs, living room, bathroom, rear off road parking. Finished to a
BED House in the heart of Brynmill
very high standard. Studentpad Ref
SWP4010
CATHERINE STREET
3
BED
Comprising 5 double bedrooms, living room, Kitchen and 2 Shower rooms. Property recently renovated and redecorated throughout to very high standard.
Property currently being renovated, redecorated and furnished throughout to high standard. Property will comprise 3 double bedrooms, good size living room, new small kitchen with washerdryer, new shower room, rear patio. Studentpad Ref
SWP553155
All properties are available to view on Studentpad – www.swanseastudentpad.co.uk. Any queries please email us on sas@swansea.ac.uk or phone us on 01792 295 101.
Studentpad Ref
SWP15923
Featured Property
HAFAN PLENTYN
4
BED
7
GLANMOR ROAD
BED
Large living room, 2 kitchens both with dining tables, 3 shower rooms - 2 with wc. Property to have double beds put in 6 bedrooms over the summer, as well as laminate flooring in all bedrooms. Studentpad Ref
Flat comprises 4 double bedrooms, large kitchen & living room, bathroom with bath & sep shower, sep WC room, off road parking - there are also 2 communal rooms that each flat has access to. 1 comprises a pool table, plasma tv, seating and the other is bike storage room.
SWP3945
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ST ALBANS ROAD
BED
Excellent location close to University and local amenities. 6 double bedrooms, good size living room, kitchen, bathroom with bath and WC, separate shower room, sep WC room, rear enclosed patio back garden.
Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP11046
LANGLAND TERRACE
7
BED
SWP510847
UPLANDS CRESCENT
8
BED
Right next to Singleton Park and thus very close
3 Storey mid terraced house in excellent
to Swansea University. Comprises 2 kitchens
location. 8 double bedrooms (new beds put in
with dining table and chairs, living room, 2
last summer), 2 kitchens, large sitting room, 2
shower rooms - 1 with WC, separate WC room.
shower rooms, utility room. Off road parking
Double beds in all rooms.
for around 4 cars. Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP3999
LANGLAND TERRACE
4
BED
Brand new property recently renovated,
SWP3968
Featured Property
GLANBRYDAN AVENUE
redecorated and will be furnished throughout to very high standard. Superb location close to the University. All double bedrooms, living room, Studentpad Ref
SWP538275
PINEWOOD ROAD
6
BED
6
BED Recently renovated and redecorated completely throughout to a very high standard. Property comprises 6 double bedrooms, large kitchen, living room, 2 shower rooms.
Excellent location in Uplands. Completely renovated to a very high standard. Property comprises 6 double bedrooms, 2 kitchens, good size living room, 3 shower rooms, patio back garden. Studentpad Ref
SWP13870
All properties are available to view on Studentpad – www.swanseastudentpad.co.uk. Any queries please email us on sas@swansea.ac.uk or phone us on 01792 295 101.
Studentpad Ref
SWP11041
Featured Property
4
ELBA CRESENT
BED
4
YSGOL STREET
BED Excellent location in Port Tennant close to bay campus. Property renovated, redecorated and furnished throughout to a very high standard. 4 double bedrooms, large new kitchen, good size living room, new shower room, patio back garden.
4 bedroom property in superb location directly opposite the Bay Campus
Studentpad Ref
Property has large open planned kitchen with dining table and chairs, living room, new shower room and all new furniture including all double or 3/4 beds, rear enclosed garden.
SWP555610
UPTON TERRACE
5
BED
Recently renovated, redecorated and furnished throughout to a very high standard. Large open planned kitchen & living room with patio doors out to garden, patio area, 6 double bedrooms available.
Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP549577
10
BRYN ROAD
BED
SWP4188912
MIERS STREET
Excellent location close to the University. Property comprises all double beds, living room with plasma tv, large kitchen, 2 bathrooms, off road parking for around 4-5 cars.
city centre & bay campus. Property renovated, furnished throughout to a very high standard. 5 double bedrooms, new kitchen, living room, garden.
Studentpad Ref
Studentpad Ref
SWP543298
2
BRYN ROAD
BED Ground floor flat comprising of 2 large double
5
BED
SWP559371
Featured Property
MIERS STREET
bedrooms, good sized kitchen/diner with soft seating, shower room with separate w.c. Off road parking bay at the back of the property.
4
BED Property in the Port Tennant area of Swansea, close to the City Centre
Studentpad Ref
SWP3971
PHILLIPS PARADE
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Property comprises 4 double bedrooms, kitchen, living room, bathroom.
BED
Property recently refurbished & redecorated throughout to a very high standard. 6 double bedrooms, large kitchen with dining table & chairs, living room with plasma tv, 2 shower rooms - 1 with WC, separate WC room, enclosed back garden. Studentpad Ref
SWP29389
All properties are available to view on Studentpad – www.swanseastudentpad.co.uk. Any queries please email us on sas@swansea.ac.uk or phone us on 01792 295 101.
Studentpad Ref
SWP543305
Featured Property
PORT TENNANT ROAD
6
BED
PORT TENNANT RD
6
BED
Port Tennant area of Swansea, close to the City Centre. Renovated, redecorated & furnished
6 bedroom property in Port Tennant close to the City Centre
throughout to a high standard. Property comprises 6 double bedrooms (1 ensuite), kitchen, living room, 2 shower rooms. Studentpad Ref
Property renovated, redecorated and furnished throughout to a high standard. Property comprises 6 double bedrooms (1 ensuite), kitchen, living room, 2 shower rooms.
SWP543306
DANYGRAIG ROAD
Studentpad Ref
SWP543307
Our properties are
ALL INCLUSIVE GW
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All properties are available to view on Studentpad – www.swanseastudentpad.co.uk. Any queries please email us on sas@swansea.ac.uk or phone us on 01792 295 101.
4
BED
Excellent location in Port Tennant close to bay campus. Property will be renovated, redecorated and furnished throughout to a very high standard. 4 double bedrooms, new open planned kitchen-living room, new shower room, patio back garden. Studentpad Ref
SWP559369
ISSUE 285 FEBRUARY 2019
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Above: Chase Pink Grapefruit & Pomade Gin Below: Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin
Fried Chicken & Waffles
Maisie's Gin Bar & Restaurant BY JOSHUA COLE & NATHAN TAYLOR-KITCHING
From the team behind Crepe Vine, the newly opened Maisie’s Gin Bar and Restaurant is a charming and cosy establishment with a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere that caters for people of all ages. This family-owned business specialises in cocktail mixology, as well as having an aptitude for waffles. Before we get into that, however, let us tell you a little bit about this place. Maisie’s, rather unarguably, stands out amongst the rest of the neighbouring establishments in Uplands. Although on the smaller side, they have worked hard to make it their own. To sum it up in one sentence, “you won’t find any place like it in Swansea.” Décor wise, Maisie’s is rather enticing. You can really tell that a great deal of time and care has been put into
making it feel inviting. The gin bar follows a quirky theme with stylish wooden furniture and no shortage of eye-catching features. Most notably, we sat across from a lovely wall feature of cascading bottles and shelves. Moreover, we were told they are always looking to add more character to the place - the most recent plan is to further brighten up the interior by adding fairy
FOOD JACOB FLEMING
lights along the walls. Now for what we tried. We were recommended the Chase Pink Grapefruit and Pomade Gin for its unique and refreshing taste, yet another popular option is the Whitley Neill Raspberry Gin for its fruity flavour. Those looking to try something new should definitely choose the former, but you cannot go wrong with the Whitley Neill either, which is well paired with raspberry lemonade to give an invigorating, floral flavour that we found reminiscent of elderflower. The frozen fruit was a pleasant added touch as well. The staff at Maisie’s go that extra mile with your gin, as each beverage is highly customisable, giving you the option to pair the gin with any variety of mixer. This choice is further made easier by attentive staff who can help you pick a pairing to suit your taste. As for the food, all ingredients are locally sourced and everything is made from scratch. Two of the most popular items on the brunch menu are ‘The Canadian’ and the ‘Toronto Brunch’. As for the main menu, we were able to sample the vegetarian tagine and the Maisie’s fried chicken. The presentation was outstanding; there was a perfect balance between the sweet waffle and the savoury chicken and for the price the portion size was more than reasonable. The tagine was a dish that, as a non-veggie, I would still find myself ordering, perhaps even over a meaty one! Served with couscous fries and a crisp salad, the tagine had a full-bodied warm flavour with a hint of spice. For those of you with specific dietary requirements, Maisie’s also provides both soya and coconut milk alternatives to dairy and what’s more, their menu offers a large variety of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Being glutenfree himself, the owner has taken care to offer something for everyone. For example, a gluten-free order of pancakes can be substituted for any waffle-based dish at the restaurant. Lastly, with all that Maisie’s has to offer, we were
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Vegetarian Tagine served with Cous Cous & Fries
Maisie's provides a range of entertainment and special offers surprised by that fact that everything on the menu was so inexpensive - with gins ranging from £2.90 to £4 - so it is a great option for those of you looking for a place to drink on a student budget. Not to mention that there is a 15% student discount! So what can you expect in the future for this place? For all you gin fanatics out there, we were told that they are slowly trying to expand this aspect of the business to match their highly popular food selection. Moreover, those
looking for a place to take that special someone in their life this upcoming Valentine’s Day could not find a more perfect place to visit, as they are in the process of creating a set menu for the big day. However, if you don’t want to wait that long, or if you manage to secure a hot date with your Swancrush admirer, on Thursday’s there is a special offer on two courses. Other nights including Tapas Tuesdays and a guest chef special on Wednesdays. We can safely say you will not regret giving this place a chance.
ISSUE 285 FEBRUARY 2019
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
Rockpooling in Mumbles
Experimenting with a darkroom BY CHARLOTTE HUSBANDS
During the height of studying over the Christmas holidays, finding new ways to procrastinate was key. And, obviously, I wanted to integrate photography into whatever I was doing. I read an article about darkrooms and the effect they can have on a photo and I thought, I want to try that for myself. Here’s what I did – so you can do it, too!
What is a darkroom? In the nineteenth century, when photography was a new concept, a darkroom was used to change the image from a film to an actual photograph. A darkroom is a room that needs to be completely dark throughout the developing process – for example a bathroom without windows. It also needs to be big enough to work in (around 20-25 square feet) and it must have a plug socket. In the digital age, where phones and digital cameras are used as the mainstream, a darkroom produces photos from film negatives: this may mean that you need to rifle through old family photo sleeves or find yourself an old camera in one of your parents’ drawers. The product of using a darkroom is a black and white image and, partly because you’ve spent time
in creating it, the image feels a little bit magical. What do you need? Most negatives you find would be 35mm. This means that the main piece of equipment you will need is an enlarger (otherwise known as a transparent projector) with a 50mm lens. Whilst these are difficult to get a hold of, when snooping through charity shops I managed to find one for a reasonably cheap price. If you don’t have any luck when thrift-shopping, eBay is your best bet and with your loan burning a hole in your bank account, it’s perfect timing. After you have the enlarger you will also need: a red or orange light, 3 trays, masking frame, 2 sets of plastic tongs, multi-grade paper and filters, multigrade paper developer, stop bath and fix,
PHOTOGRAPHY CHARLOTTE HUSBANDS
33
and plastic bottles. To people who don’t know much about photography, this may seem like a foreign language, but I can assure you that Amazon, along with shops like Jessops, supply all of these things. The setup Once all the equipment is in the darkroom, you’re ready to go - huzzah! Make sure that when you plug in the enlarger the wires are taped down – in a darkroom you won’t be able to see them, and you don’t want to trip over. After this, make sure you have your three trays set up: the developing solution needs to be in the tray closest to the enlarger followed by the stop bath and then the fix. Now here’s how to do it! Before you start, make sure there is no stray light in your room; the paper is extremely sensitive to any light, so this could destroy the image. Make sure the red or orange light is on from this point onwards. It may take some time for your eyes to adjust and then you can open the paper. When you place your negative into the enlarger, make sure the shiny side is upwards and the numbers are facing away from you. When the projected image appears, make sure that it's the right size for your paper. Ensure that the image is in focus – otherwise it may come out blurry! Place the exposed paper into the tray of developer and gently move it around – make sure that the entire sheet is submerged all at the same time. It needs to be submerged fully for about 90 seconds, or a little bit longer in the winter. Try not to touch it with tongs until the 90 seconds is up. Drain the paper of developer after this time is up, then submerge it in the stop bath solution for 10 seconds. Remove it from the stop bath solution, drain again and place it into the fixer for two minutes. After this, wash the print off for 5-10 minutes and hang the fully washed print to dry in the darkroom to see the full effects!
Old wood birdhouse Finished? You now have a finished print and it hopefully looks amazing! I know that, as a student, this may seem like a fair bit of money to waste on photos that you could just print cheaply from your phone, but once you have the equipment you’re set for life. Also, giving a parent or loved one a photo of them which you uncovered from a negative would make their day.
If you wish to contribute to Waterfront's Photography Section, or show us what you produced in your own darkroom, please contact the editor at waterfrontphotography@ swanseastudentmedia.com
Reaching Wider Ymgyrraedd yn Ehangach
Recruiting now Recriwtio nawr Casual work opportunities for students to work with local young people. Cyfleoedd gwaith achlysurol i fyfyrwyr, i weithio gyda phobl ifanc leol. • Generous pay rate starting at £8.21 per hour Cyfradd tâl hael, yn dechrau ar £8.21 • HEAR Employability Award Gwobr Cyflogadwyedd HEAR • Gain valuable experience Profiad cyflogaeth gwerthfawr • Flexible Hyblyg • Free training Hyfforddiant am ddim
RELATIONSHIPS KATIE BREWSTER
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Romantic affordable dates for Valentines
BY JESS MOULTRIE
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it is hard to know what to do to celebrate with a long term partner, or even come up with original date ideas for a new love interest. What makes the choice more difficult is being a student who has to be budget conscious, choosing the location for a memorable date can be hard. This article hopes to solve these issues so your love can grow, and maybe be remembered for years to come as you both look back on your early relationship when you’re the cute old couple sat together in a nursing home. A bonfire at one of Swansea’s beautiful and relaxing beaches This one is a very effortless date idea where you can both gaze at the stars while listening to the waves crash. I have had a clifftop date beside one of the Gower’s many beaches, and we just talked about everything. The beautiful scenery made the date feel like something from a cheesy movie, and to have a kiss at a spot like this was something truly romantic. It's a calm and casual setting, which means you don't have to make an effort to dress up or pretend to be someone you’re not. Instead, you truly feel like you can be yourself. A cinema date A cinema date is infamous for hand holding and a cheeky kiss at the back, but it's also a great icebreaker as it gives you something to discuss afterwards. Now, if you’re anything like me, and you don’t like soppy romantic comedies, then the ‘Lego Movie: Part 2’ is perfect. It’s light-hearted, and best of all, is released right after Valentine’s
Day. However, if you do just fancy a bit of cheese, 'Isn’t it Romantic' is another new release, and is perfect for this time of year. A night in What could be better than having a relaxed night in, cuddled up to each other watching Netflix whilst indulging in some melted chocolate and strawberries? This is a good way of bringing you close together, and is the perfect idea if you are wanting to get to know each other better. Bowling Bowling is a casual, cheap and incredibly fun date - you can judge how competitive the other is, and have a few laughs along the way! If you’re a new couple, the informality of the situation will put you at ease, and will help you get to know the true person you’re dating. All of these are affordable dates you can do right here in your new home of Swansea!
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
ISSUE 285 FEBRUARY 2019
Eco-friendly living made easy? 9LVLW
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RELATIONSHIPS KATIE BREWSTER
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Blind Date
We send our blind date couples to JC's bar & Coffee shop on Singleton and Tafarn Tawe on Bay. Both serve a range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, speciality coffees, meals panini and homemade cakes.
BY KATIE BREWSTER
Our Editor-in-Chief Carys and international student Mustafa volunteered to take part in our blind date event. They met up in JC’s, drink vouchers in hand. Here’s what Carys had to say afterwards Why did you want to do a blind date? C Because I’ve spent years trying to come out of my comfort zone and, well, this was a whole new level of being out of my comfort zone! What were your first impressions? C: He was really sweet, a bit shy but that’s understandable. What did you think of their drink choice? C: Red Bull is always a fun drink and it was deadline time so that drink was 100% a good choice. Did you fancy them? / Were you attracted to them? C: Unfortunately not, he was a sweet guy, but there was no spark. How compatible do you think you were with your date? C: Unfortunately, we just weren’t
Carys & Mustafa enjoying a drink at JC's bar & Coffee shop compatible. We had a couple of things in common, such as both being interested in Marvel, but we had differing opinions. Although that did lead us to have a conversation about Marvel in general, even if it was a little brief. Were there any funny moments? C: From nervous laughter, a few. Where there any awkward silences? C: Yeah, 70% of it was awkward silences. How long did the date last? Did you want it to end sooner or last longer? C: It lasted just under an hour and I ended it due to sheer silence for nearly 5 minutes. I had to direct the conversation or we wouldn’t have talked at all. Sweet guy, just a bit too shy for me personally.
Were there any turn-offs? C: Unfortunately, his taste in music... I’m sorry, just not for me. Rate the date out of 10? C: A 3? Any chance of seeing each other again? C: Slim to none which sounds brutal but it’s true; we haven’t spoken since the date, so I’m going to say that we’re probably not seeing each other again. Unfortunately, Mustafa didn’t respond when we asked him to comment on the experience. Although this match didn’t work out, I am determined to find one that will! If you are interested in joining the dating scheme contact me at waterfrontrelationships@ swanseastudentmedia.com
ISSUE 285 FEBRUARY 2019
SWANSEASTUDENTMEDIA.COM
CALLING ALL STUDENTS Swansea City AFC challenges you to develop an idea to solve their business needs
Information night Thursday 7th Feb 2019 5pm @Taliesin - Free Pizza and Drinks Free Ticket to
Hack
Swansea v Millwall
@ The Taliesin
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th Feb 2019
@ The Liberty Stadium
https://bit.ly/2rK3xa4 WHY HACK?
Meet New People
Enables Business Opportunities
Learn New Skills �n�reprene�rs@s�ansea�a���k
Adds value to your CV ��ansea �ni�ersi�� �n�erprise
RELATIONSHIPS KATIE BREWSTER
39
by Katie Brewster
Should I be dating if I don’t have my life together? First off, what student has their life together?! I always think it is good to have time to yourself if you feel that’s what you need, but you don’t want to miss out on a relationship with someone who you could really work with. Just take things easy. If a date arises that’s great, maybe just don’t go searching until you feel ready.
I’m currently seeing someone who hasn’t come out to their family and most of their friends yet. As someone who has been out for years and who has had less than stellar experiences with closeted dating in the past, how do I approach this with an open mind? All I can suggest is to try and be as understanding as you can and try and help them through it by using your own experiences. If this person means a lot to you then you just need to keep being supportive without putting any pressure on them to come out. However, if your feelings aren’t that strong and you really don’t feel comfortable, then you are well within your rights to walk away. Your happiness is also important.
How do you know if you are completely incapable of love? I don’t think anyone is incapable of love. Love doesn’t just mean romance, it’s the love of our friends and family too. If you are capable of that then romantic love will follow when the time is right. However, if you feel that way then I think it’s important that you discuss this further with a professional. The Student's Union Advice & Support centre offers counselling and can be contacted at advice@swansea-union.co.uk
I am still not over an old ex. I've had another relationship since then, but she is still in my head. What should I do? The best thing to do is block them all on social media; just having them pop up on your feed every now and then will be enough to keep them in your mind. If you know this person is bad for you, don’t pursue any feelings you may still hold for them. Time is the best healer and eventually, you will find someone who is so right for you that you won’t think about your ex at all.