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SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSTIY’S STUDENT MAGAZINE
ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2013
1 / WS / Editors ///
EDITORS
E D I TOR’ S LE TTE R
/ Editor / Sam Everard / Deputy Editor / Amy Sandys / Head of Design / Amy Harwood / Online Manager / Jake Sharpe / Imagery / Sasha Spaid / Features / Tahlie Cooper / Kerry Sclater / Science and Environment / Johanna Blee / Politics / Victoria Low / Lok Yan Patrick Leung / Winchester / Diogo Lopes / Opinion / Isabella Hunter-Fajardo / Xanthippe Waldron / Travel / Tayler Groom / Lifestyle / Konyin Aromolaran / Emma Hobbs / International / Dimple Vijaykumar / Sport / Adam Jones / Joe Taylor / News / Emma Cheshire / Shaun Harvey / Pause / Andy Haywood / Publicity / Jack Kanani
So, our second issue: the difficult second album, the sequel that tries to live up to the hype of the original. It has been almost a month since Freshers’ Fortnight began, and term-time fatigue is setting in. You keep guiltily going back to the library as if it were an illicit, nerdy lover that you wished you could quit. The work is stacking up, and keeps messing with your alternating Jesters/Sobar schedule. The nights are drawing in and your student house is getting cold enough that you can see your own breath indoors. It’s looking pretty bleak. That’s where we come in. We can’t help with any of those things, of course. But hopefully taking some time out to read this magazine might make things more bearable for a short while. This month, there’s the results of our student drinking survey, a call to arms for girls to get to the weights section of the gym, and a look at how luxury tourism affects countries like Indonesia. There’s plenty to get you through to Halloween and beyond! Keep an eye out for us around campus, and remember to check our website for daily updates. You can get involved with us at any point in the year, so it’s never too late! Enjoy the October issue, and keep on truckin’. Sam Everard Editor
Front Cover by Helen Scibilia
/// Societies / WS / 2
SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSTIY’S STUDENT MAGAZINE
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3 / WS / Features ///
THE BIG DRINKING SURVEY: THE RESULTS / Kerry Sclater /
Partying and drinking- two concepts that have become synonymous with student life; two concepts which have also been latched on to by the media, much like an annoying terrier with a bone. It seems that you can’t so much as turn a page, click a link or change a channel without bleary eyed young people staggering about the place: but are we really that bad? Alcohol has played a central role in society since Ancient Egypt, and we’ve got along fine so far, right? Well, here at the Wessex Scene we launched a survey, to find out the truth behind our drinking habits... 1. Do you drink? Unsurprisingly, 93% of you said that you do drink- a result affirmed by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse, who suggests that 4/5 students drink. 2.How Often? Almost half of you of you said that you drink 2-3 times a week, meaning by the NHS standards men should stick to 3 pints of beer a night, and women to two glasses of wine... even a Jesticle is pushing it! This could also potentially mean 3 hangovers- think of all those lectures missed! 3.Do you purposefully drink to get drunk? This is a tricky question, as the issue of ‘purposefulness’ is not always clear-cut, and even less easy to own up to; but still 19% admitted to drinking in order to get drunk, with 59% saying they sometimes do. Most of us are well acquainted with the less glamorous side to alcohol, so it will be interesting to see why people intentionally get into that state! (see question 5) 4. Would you consider yourself a binge drinker? The good news is only 32% classed yourself as a binge drinker, the bad news is- in
reality the percentage is actually probably a lot higher. The National Office of Statistics’ definition for Binge Drinking is drinking more than double the daily unit guidelines for alcohol in one session- so guys that means 3 pints or more, and girls that’s two glasses of wine! How-
ever, the NHS does acknowledge the potential issues with this definition, providing an alternative one: “drinking lots of alcohol in a short space of time or drinking to get drunk or feel the effects of alcohol”... Cue everyone awkwardly looking at the ceiling and whistling.
Whilst these definitions may not be 100% infallible, it is clear that many of us may be either in denial, or have a distorted view of the sheer quantity of alcohol we ingest. 5. For what purposes do you drink? Moving on from that slightly depressing point, only 18.75% of you said you drink to forget, with the most common reasons including to have fun, and as a social lubricant . So on the whole, we are after some (relatively) innocent fun. Perhaps the problem (if it is in fact one) lies not in why we drink, but in knowing our limits, and paying respect to the dangerous side to alcohol. 6. Do you think you change when you have drunk alcohol? Let’s refer to this as the Jekyll and Hyde question, as a massive 64.95% of you admitted to changing after drinking. Although the question doesn’t make the nature of this change clear, it is still a pretty shocking statistic that an overwhelming amount of us (mostly intentionally) drink with the knowledge that, on some level, we are sacrificing our personality and individuality. 7. Does drinking make you feel happier/have a better time? The majority of you with 57.73% answered that it depends on other factors, with a close second of 37.11% confessing that this was the case. This question may provide some reasoning as to why so many students drink to the extents they do, although it does beg the question: Why can’t we have as much fun without the booze?
8.On the whole are your experiences with alcohol negative or positive? Slightly worryingly, only 11.46% of our survey participants agree that their alcohol related experiences are always positive, with the majority saying that they are mostly positive. On the surface this seems reassuring, but not when you think about the sometimes negative experiences- what makes us drink so much under the knowledge it might end badly? 9.Do you often regret things you have done whilst drunk? 62.5% occasionally regret things when drunk, which in the face of public perception is not too scandalous, although exactly what these dark deeds include we may never hope to (or want to) know... 10. Do hangovers often impede your daily activities? (e.g. skipping lectures...) Interestingly, 47.37% said that hangovers only occasionally hinder their daily activities, whilst close behind 38.95% say they never do. Whilst reassuring, it seems that even this may
be enough to have a significant impact in everyday life, as the NIH reports in one study, 25% of students reported academic consequences of their drinking, and more than 150,000 developed an alcohol related health problem. Overall the survey has succeeded in raising a lot of new questions, but generally results were as expected: most survey participants drink regularly, but mostly with harmless intentions and avoiding major disaster. Comparing our results with official data on the other hand, suggests a slight incongruence between our perceptions and the reality of risks. A student culture without drinking is unimaginable, but turning our attentions to changing our outlook on alcoholism will help us to better understand the risks we willingly and regularly subject ourselves to. Thanks to drinkaware.co.uk, the NHS and niaaa.nih.gov for statistics and advice.
Image by Adam Carey
ARE YOU ADDICTED? / Tahlie Cooper /
We may not even realise it, but the majority of us become addicted to something in some way. From coffee to our mobile phones, it’s not just something we like having: it has become something we need in everyday life. ‘I’m literally addicted to twitter’, ‘I’m obsessed with Jesters’, ‘Can’t get enough of sprinkles!’. We all take the concept of addiction lightly in one way or another. But the things we say we are ‘addicted’ to…we may ACTUALLY be addicted to! Here are five of some of the biggest addictions us students deal with everyday…
Coffee:
Iced in summer, spiced pumpkin in the winter. We all love the idea of meeting our friends for a caffeine kick and a catch up, without realising we begin to rely on the boost on a regular basis. What we may think of as a social drink becomes something we can’t get enough of, with approximately 80% of us consuming it regularly.
Alcohol:
The regular trips to Sobar and Jesters eventually become routine for some of us. Young adults are least likely to create a regular addiction, however 22% of young males and 18% of young females binge drink at least once a week.
Drugs:
19.6% of 16-19 year olds abused various drugs last year, cannabis being the most common. And 7.2% of 20-24 years olds have abused Class A drugs in the past year. Closer to home! In recent months the ‘smart drug’ has
Image by Rebecca Hopkinson
emerged across various university ‘black markets’ – modafinil, a narcolepsy drug, is being sold to students at roughly £2 a tablet to help keep them more alert for exams and deadlines.
Technology:
We’re all guilty of this in one way or another! Whether it’s the girls moaning about the next ‘biggest hangover in the world’ or guys getting overly excited about GTA V. But above all, social networking is something we just can’t get away from. It’s become far too integrated into everyday life, according to re-
searchers at the University of Winchester. A study taken on ‘self-confessed’ facebook addicts showed that withdrawal of social networking leads to a breakdown in communication, with students commenting: ‘I haven’t spoken to my family in a week!’.
Shopping:
Now some of us think we have a real addiction to shopping… but do you have oniomania? Oniomania is the official term for a compulsive shopper, and roughly 6% of the population suffer from this.
/// Features / WS / 6
PROCRASTINATION
/ Tahlie Cooper /
Procrastination: the practice of carrying out less urgent tasks in preference to more urgent ones, or doing something more pleasurable in place of the less pleasurable. Nobody’s perfect, and we’ve all fallen victim to procrastination at some point during our time at university. Sometimes we know we’re doing it (and just don’t care), but sometimes we have no idea: for some reason our brain tells us that Breaking Bad is far more educational than entertaining. Are we in denial over procrastination? We convince ourselves that we hardly procrastinate as much as our housemates and friends. But reading for half an hour, followed by browsing through last night’s embarrassing snaps for an hour just doesn’t seem too productive! We always write a to do list for the day, which then becomes the to do list for the entire week and we just don’t know how to get out of this procrastination funk. Here are some common problems and ideas on how to overcome the wretched pressures of procrastination…
Internet
TV Problem: Whatever is on really right? A Big Bang Theory episode you’ve seen on numerous occasions, or yet again another heart-wrenching Corrie classic.
Solved: Why not print the pages you need for research? Turn the laptop off and get back to work! Funny cat videos can wait until after the deadline!
Solved: Instead of going home straight after lectures, head to the library and get on with some work, so when you get home you don’t feel so guilty when the latest episodes hit the screens!
Problem: A concept we just can’t keep away from. We need it to research, but trips us up with vine vids and twitter trash talk.
Image by Jasmine Cooke Email contact: features@wessexscene.co.uk
Friends
Problem: They can be our worst enemies at times, especially when it comes to deadlines! ‘Come on one night at jesters won’t hurt?’ Dragging you out for drinks or just being a pest? We love them but hate the biggest cause of procrastination! Solved: Turn your mobile off when working, don’t let the facebook notification get the better of you. Or head to Hartley when your friend’s incessant poking or whispers will be on the receiving end of the ‘evil stare’.
/ / Opinion / WS / 8
DAT ASS
/ Isabella Hunter-Fajardo /
Isabella Hunter-Fajardo looks at why there are so few girls weighttraining, and offers a few words of encouragement.
The Jubilee Sports centre gym is usually busy, with a fairly equal number of boys to girls. Unfortunately this ratio is not distributed evenly across the apparatus, the obvious girlvoid being the ‘weight section’ by the changing rooms. The reason for this is clear: fear. Fear brought by intimidation of the male majority in the area, fear of looking like an idiot when trying to squat 10kg next to the guy doing above his body weight, and also fear of acquiring Madonna-like muscles. I have yet the visit the Jubilee gym this year, as I’m on a year abroad, but my sources tell me the situation is the same as it was last year and the year before. The weight section is as off-putting for girls as ever. Boys prowl about like aggressive bears, often standing around for lengthy periods of time with no shoes on whilst ‘spotting’ (gossiping), and occasionally moving round like knuckle-dragging apes, depending on the state of their hangover. Ok I may be exaggerating a little bit: as a girl who does use the weight area I know that there are plenty of boys who mind their own business, withholding judging/pervy glances and just get on with their own training. Though this isn’t all
a girl has to fear: when she does venture into the section, the other affront often faced is unsolicited advice, especially when it gets handsy. This really needs to stop. Aside from this hostile environment, why else are there so few girls crossing the dumbbell threshold? Time to debunk the myth that weight training immediately results in melonsized biceps. It just doesn’t work like that. We have less testosterone than boys, meaning that our bodies are not as designed for adding large amounts of muscle mass. Unless, of course, serious training is undergone to do so. On the flip-side, the benefits of weight training are many. From improving life expectancy to reducing the risk of oesteoarthiritis and oesteoporosis, not to mention that you get fitter and more toned, and isn’t that why we’re at the gym in the first place? One of my favourite fitness quotes in favour of this is “What’s the difference between an ass and a bum? Squats.” True that. There have been attempts in the fitness industry to try and tackle this problem: starting first with making weight training environments more open, hoping that in time
ladies would start using the weights, and then realising that, no, bulking up does not happen overnight. Fitness First have done this with their new ‘freestyle’ sections in their gyms, featuring nice coloured plyo boxes. While this does sound a bit silly, if it gets the gals in the section, I’m a fan of it. So what can be done? Well more gyms should start with integrating the weight section more, and providing proper information to their female members on how to train, and how it won’t suddenly mean you could become arm wrestling champ 2013. Boys can help too, by making the section seem friendlier. No more peackocking, patronising and perving, please. Girls, you also have to do some work though: walk in there head held high, do your bench-press, dead-lift - whatever - and own it. The more of us who can build up the confidence to do this and forget the fears, the more will follow.
Image by Jasmine Cooke Email contact: opinion@wessexscene.co.uk
DON’T CHECK YOUR PRIVILEGE! Social media outlets such as Tumblr have been buzzing with words like “social justice blogging” and “white privilege” in recent years, with internet debates continually being linked back to race and social background. But what does it mean to tell somebody to check their privilege?
/ William Galliers-Bradshaw/
In short, privilege is, as the name implies, a special advantage that not everybody has. In the case of internet politics, this refers to whether a person has an “advantageous” race, sexual orientation, financial background etc. and if they do, according to social justice bloggers (those people on the internet who aggressively defend minorities), they are probably unaware of the struggles that some minorities go through. You can even do a ‘privilege calculator’ online to check whether you are privileged. For example, the calculator at http://checkprivilege.x10.mx/ tells us that being born in the Middle East gives you a score of -600, and being an investment banker gives you +25. If
slum and somebody born in Beverly Hills are going to have different ways of seeing the world because they’ve had different experiences.
your final score is above 0, you are generally privileged. Supporters of privilege checking argue that it educates people to see the struggles that minorities or the oppressed go through and to remind privileged people that they’ve had it pretty good so far, while critics call the use of privilege a way to positively discriminate against people. Is it right to use privilege? Probably not, since it still counts as judging somebody on the basis of their character rather than the arguments they use. Everybody’s background influences their opinions, we largely have no choice in that. Somebody born in an Indian
Social justice bloggers like to think they’re bringing everybody up/down to a level playing field where people are completely informed about issues and nobody has an advantage over another. In reality, social justice bloggers are judging somebody on the basis of their race, their gender, their social status. It’s not somebody’s fault if they’re born a white man, and they should not be penalised for it. Of course, if somebody is making ignorant statements like “poor people are lazy” or “gay people are just promiscuous,” call them out. But call them out on the basis that their arguments are unsupported and false, not because they’re rich or straight. If you really want to educate people to see the point of view of the oppressed or the downtrodden, do it in such a way that doesn’t condescend them and alienate people from the debate. People shouldn’t have to apologise for not being oppressed. Image by Jordan Stewart
EARTH’S NATURAL FIREWORK DISPLAYS
/ Johanna Blee /
With bonfire night approaching we are all waiting in anticipation for the night sky to be lit up by an explosion of fireworks. In a slightly different take on manmade fireworks, we take a look at the science behind some of earth’s strange and beautiful natural light displays. The Aurora, named after the Roman goddess of dawn, is a stunning and fascinating display that is most easily observed at high latitudes near the magnetic poles. This is because the solar winds responsible for the effect are accelerated along earth’s magnetic field lines. Solar winds are a flow of charged particles from the sun that collide with gas atoms giving them the energy to emit light. It is this light that forms the entrancing colours that are painted across the sky. The variety of colours within the aurora are created by different atoms at different altitudes. Oxygen contributes the common green when it is at lower altitudes, but at higher altitudes the rarer red. Nitrogen is also responsible for two colours, blue and also a purplish-red. Although visible aurora displays are usually restricted to northern and southern hemispheres, this year was an exception, with many of us in the UK being
lucky enough to get an unusual glimpse of the aurora. These displays are pretty rare, however, and are only made possible due to strong geomagnetic storms. Auroral activity runs in 11 year cycles, with this year being the year of maximum activity. Meaning: you haven’t yet missed your chance of seeing it here in the UK. If, like many, seeing the Aurora Borealis is on your bucket list, you can maximise your chances of seeing it by monitoring geomagnetic activity on the internet using ‘Aurora Watch’. If there is a strong chance of a sighting, then your best bet lies in the countryside or somewhere with little light pollution, between the times of 10pm and 2am. The geomagnetic storms that enable us to see these entrancing shows can have a more sinister side, however. The increase in charged particles interacting with Earth’s magnetic field can disrupt power grids, satellite communications and even radio signals.
Talking of sinister consequences, another strange and dramatic light display that the earth’s systems give us is ball lightning, which has been known to not only cause damage but in some cases fatalities. Throughout history there have been reports of ball lightning, which refer to strange luminous spheres that appear during a thunderstorm. These sightings do have inconsistencies which have led to confusion over the reliability of the reports. Although it doesn’t prove their existence in nature, the balls have successfully been reproduced in a laboratory. Scientists have attempted to explain the phenomenon and several theories exist to explain their occurrence. One of the main theories is that ball lightning is created by slowly burning particles of silicon formed in a lightning strike. A new theory announced this summer contradicts this and uses standard equations for the motion of electrons and ions. It is the first theory to try
Science and Enviroment/WS/12
and explain how the balls can appear to pass through glass, resulting in globes of light in people’s homes or in aeroplane cockpits. However, due to their rare and unpredictable existence, little data has successfully been taken of ball lightning, so that the existence of these fascinating balls remains unconfirmed and their possible origins a mystery. Lightning balls are strangely not the only unverified flaming balls, fireballs have also been rumoured to rise from Thailand’s Mekong River. Known as the Naga fireballs, they are described as glowing balls which rise from the river high into the air. The largest number of reports occur around this time of year, so if you’re desperate to find out if they are real you’re going to need to get a move on! Perhaps the simplest (but still
most magical) moving light that you can observe in the night sky is a shooting star. Shooting stars have long been a source of inspiration for a wide range of professions from scientists to songwriters and philosophers. Lots of us are not embarrassed to admit we get excited by the sight of a shooting star and will immediately wish on it. Although I’m sure most of us will be embarrassed to learn that actually in some cases we have instead been wishing upon a satellite! To avoid any confusion the key way of telling the two apart is speed. A shooting star will flash across the sky in a matter of seconds, where as a satellite will take several minutes. The magic and appeal of shooting stars is, if anything, increased by understanding their true nature. Shooting stars are not as the name may suggest
stars, they are in fact meteors. When you see a shooting star what you are actually observing is a meteor from outer space burning up as it enters our atmosphere. In some cases meteors are so large that they are not fully burnt up and their remnants fall to earth, landing as meteorites. These again pose a massive potential threat: in fact, if the asteroid was large enough, the threat could be apocalyptic. So, like Aurora Borealis, the seemingly innocent shooting star has a darker side. Hope you all enjoy bonfire night and good luck to you all in seeing these amazing, but potentially catastrophic natural light extravaganzas! Email contact: science@wessexscene.co.uk Image (left) by Tara Shore Image (below) by Hannah Reed
A LAND OF NO OPPORTUNITIES / Victoria Low / Will cutting housing benefits and Jobseeker’s Allowance for under25s really create David Cameron’s proposed ‘land of opportunity’, or will it just push young people into further economic distress? David Cameron has revealed that his party’s manifesto for the election in 2015 proposes to tackle the problem of ‘Neets’ – young people not in education, employment or training. According to the prime minister, ‘we should give young people a clear, positive choice: go to school. Go to college. Do an apprenticeship. Get a job. But just choose the dole? We’ve got to offer them something better
than that.’ In his closing speech in Manchester, the PM promised to create a ‘land of opportunity’ by boosting business and reducing reliance on benefits. Unsurprisingly, public reception has been less than favourable towards the new proposals arguing that in the wake of an economic crisis, now is not the right time to be sweeping the safety blan-
ket from under the feet of the worst-off. ‘Given the government’s awful track record of helping young people find jobs, the prime minister’s threat to ban the dole for under-25s will simply push hundreds of thousands of young people, including those with young families, even deeper into poverty.’ - TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady Despite the prime minister’s assurances that benefits will not be taken away from all ‘Neets’, and that those really in need will still have access to them, trade unions have cautioned that any cuts would affect the most vulnerable. Also, taking benefits away from those out of education and unemployed is not going to help them get jobs if the jobs aren’t there in the first place. The idea of lowering income tax may be a nice one but many young adults, including graduates, are pointing to the lack of job opportunities in the UK. With this in mind it is hard to see how taking money from those who are out of work will actually create jobs for them and realise Cameron’s dream of a prosperous Britain and opportunities for all.
/// Politics/ WS / 14
Economic Recovery Britain’s bounce back from recession was among the weakest in Europe with only Portugal and Greece having lower economic growth in 2012. According to figures, just over 1 million of 16 to 25 year-olds (20%) are without work in the UK whereas the unemployment rate in Germany stands at less than 10 percent. Young Germans stand a much better chance of getting a job than the British arguably because in Germany the economy revolves around an industrial heartland of medium-sized manufacturing firms that is well-suited for trainees, apprentices and interns which ultimately gets them a foothold on the employment ladder. Surely Cameron’s proposals for the 2015 elections should focus on expanding industry and creating jobs if he wants to see such a ‘land of opportunity’? Let’s take a look at the figures in the UK: according to the Office for National Statistics, between April and July of this year the number of people out of work fell by 24,000 to 2.49 million and in August the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell by 32,600 to 1.42 million, the lowest level since February 2009. Britain’s recovery in the past year or so may be stronger than previously expected but the economy remains fragile and continues to be weighed down by weak trade and business investment. It doesn’t seem like the right time to be removing the safety net from the generation who we expect to help build up the economy.
‘Educational underachievement costs the UK economy an estimated £22 billion a year. We will not resolve this massive problem by forcing young people into unstable, low paying employment or inadequate training.’ - Sally Hunt, General secretary of the University and College Union As it stands, the young and jobless lose their benefits if they work for more than 16 hours a week, so the system supports them if they are not working but stops helping them when they are. Many are actually better off when they are receiving the benefits than when they aren’t and it is therefore not surprising that lots of under25s, including graduates, want to wait for something better rather than just accepting any job that comes their way. The conservative party also run the risk of hurting young single parents, since they account for an estimated 40 percent of housing benefit claims by under-25s. David Cameron asks us not to
see the new Tory proposals as ‘callous’, whilst Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, says ‘it is always going to be the case that there are some people for whom you need not so much a nudge as a dunt [a firm blow or stroke] towards the workplace.’ The good news is that the move is unlikely to be introduced before the 2015 election, because the Liberal Democrats have already blocked proposals by Tory ministers to curb Housing Benefit for under-25s. However, even if the Tories do get re-elected, it looks as though David Cameron and his party will have to do a lot more than cut housing benefits and jobseeker’s allowance if they want Britain to fully recover from the recent years of recession.
Imagery by Michael Taylor Email contact: politics@wessexscene.co.uk
15 / WS / Politcs ///
Football Politics:
REAL MADRID VS BARCELONA / Lok Yan Patrick Leung / Even if you are no football fan, you will definitely have heard about the rivalry between the two world-class football clubs; Real Madrid FC and Barcelona FC. Have you ever wondered why the national derby is so significant that it is often recognised as the biggest rivalry in the football world? Real Madrid FC is located in Madrid, the capital of Spain, while Barcelona FC is located in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. Although Catalonia is geographically part of Spain, the two areas speak different languages. Those from Catalonia speaks the language Catalan while most Spanish people - by which I refer to those who live in Spain but outside Catalonia - speak the language Spanish. As of the late 20th Century, Catalonia has a stable and booming economy compared to other areas in Spain; thus, Catalans insist that Catalonia should enter the EU Community with its own identity. Catalans have always strive for Catalonia’s independence. Catalonia was an independent kingdom before 1469, but was regarded as part of Spain after monarchs of the two respective kingdoms got married. This led to the birth of the unified Kingdom of Spain. I will not bore you with history, but there is something you might want to know. In 1925, Barcelona FC’s fans hissed while the national anthem of Spain was playing during its home game, and the stadium was forced to close
down for 6 months by the government. Francisco Franco, the dictator of Spain between 1939 and 1975, who was also a famous football fan of Real Madrid FC, cancelled Catalonia’s autonomy status and prohibited the use of the language Catalan during his ruling. Franco also made an order to reduce the number of Barcelona FC’s fans and to execute Josep Sunyol, Barcelona FC’s chairman at that time, without trial simply because Sunyol supported separatism. Under Franco’s support, Real Madrid successfully signed Di Stefano,
the legendary Argentinean footballer, and came first in the major leagues and championships at that time. While Real Madrid FC is constantly signing big names like Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Beckham and Ronaldo, Barcelona FC has insisted on using players trained under its youth system which include Puyol, Pique, Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. The rivalry continues and it may continue even after Catalonia’s independence issue is resolved.
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THE COST OF LUXURY / Tayler Groom / The luxury tourist industry in Bali is thriving, with thousands heading to the island each year for 5* experiences - often at 3* prices. But what impact is it having on the local communities? Travel Editor, Tayler Groom, investigates.
In 2012, I was one of nearly three million foreign tourists to arrive in Bali, Indonesia. Escaping the crassness of Kuta, I followed in the footsteps of many, and made my way to Ubud, the artistic capital of the island. The town remains heavily populated by tourists, but has a distinctly chilled vibe – walk for ten minutes to the west of the affectionately named ‘Monkey Forest Road’, which runs through the centre, and the surroundings take on a much more rural, authentic feel. It was on one of these ‘short walks’ that my boyfriend and I became rather lost, and had to enlist the assistance of a local walking-tour guide, a number of times, for pointers in the right direction. The guide’s name was Wayan, unsurprisingly – a popular Balinese name, Wayan means ‘first born’, and it seemed that every other Balinese we met laid claim to it. Highly confusing. Wayan eventually took pity on us, as we hopelessly walked around in circles searching for the rice terraces, and agreed to take us on a tour for a small fee, even though it was his day off. It was just as well he did – even if Ed and I had managed to find our way there, we would definitely
have struggled on the way home. The route down to the banks of the Ayung River took us past the Four Seasons hotel – a truly spectacular resort sporting a ‘suspended’ lotus pond, and forty-two private villas. The hotel is surrounded by the emerald rice terraces hugging the river, which were brought to life on screen in the 2010 film adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, Eat, Pray, Love. Wayan told us, as he led us downriver, that many of his usual clients come from hotels such as these. It was easy to see why people are prepared to pay a premium for exclusive access to these incredible surroundings. As we were walking, we came across a gate, where we were met by a brow-beaten elderly woman, to whom Wayan handed a small amount of money. On enquiry, he explained that all of the guides who lead tours in that area have to pay a small subsidy to local farmers in order to cross their land. In some cases, this was up to half of the wages Wayan was paid to lead the tour. Whilst not ideal for Wayan and the other guides, it was a clear example of how the
tourism industry can benefit certain individuals in the local community. Luxury tourism in Bali is a growing industry, with several high-end hoteliers adding and expanding their portfolio around the island over the last few years. The latest of these, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, announced plans for a new resort earlier this year, which is due to be finished in 2014. Whether this is the right type of development for countries such as Indonesia remains to be seen. Before this trip, I had mainly associated the budget travel industry with negative impact on the local community – younger travellers, not totally unlike myself, who have little appreciation for culture, and rather more for the western drinking culture which has been imported into a growing number of countries around the world. Many are of the opinion that alternative tourism, including backpacking and ecotourism, offer far greater opportunities for local employment and positive environmental impact, as well as preventing the flow of economic gains away from towns and villages.
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Towards the end of our tour, Wayan looked back along the river somewhat nostalgically, and told us how lucky we were to have visited Ubud when we did. Much of the land we had just covered on our tour had recently been bought by large, luxury hoteliers, with a view to building more Four Seasonsesque resorts in the near future and, very soon, tours would no longer be allowed to take this route. Wayan would have to look elsewhere for work, which may even mean moving out of Ubud, and away from his friends and family. Whilst some were able to benefit from the
industry, it was clear that others weren’t so fortunate. Sadly, it seems that the only people who will be able to take advantage of this beautiful landscape in years to come will be those who can afford to pay for the privilege. No more impromptu tours for navigationally challenged travellers. Tourism is one of the main drivers of the Indonesian economy, and the development of the luxury tourism industry does not look to be slowing down any time soon. With this in mind, perhaps further energy needs to be channelled
into finding a balance between the 5* profiteers and the needs of those living in the local communities, in order to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from what is truly an incredible country.
Image by Zahra Warsame Email contact: travel@wessexscene.co.uk
Book Review:
MARY BERRY’S COOKERY COURSE
/ Emma Hobbs /
Are you looking for some new recipes to try out at university? Want to impress your housemates? Then look no further! After the success of hit BBC television show Great British Bake-Off, the nation can’t help but love Mary Berry, and now she has a new recipe book out! The Wessex Scene got the opportunity to review “Mary Berry’s Cookery Course”. Here’s how it went... Being such an avid fan of GBBO, I love Mary Berry as much as any viewer. So when DK Books approached the Wessex Scene with a proposal of reviewing her new cook book, Mary Berry’s Cookery Course (MBCC), I jumped at the chance. As a student, I find it hard to find recipe books that explain how to make exciting dishes in a simple way. This is where MBCC comes out to play. From it’s charming front cover to the helpful ribbon book mark, I found it to be just what I was looking for. It starts with a lovely introduc-
tion from Mary Berry herself, in which she gives some personal advice to both experienced and novice chefs. This is followed by a helpful section on which tools and equipment to use for different meals, as well as the “Technique Finder” which guides you to the right section of the book for different techniques. What really impressed me was the ingenious idea of having “Master Recipe” and “Secrets of Success” sections, where Berry instructs the reader on how to perfectly make staple foods such as a sponge cake, or how to cook the perfect pasta. The
egg section certainly ended a long-lasting feud between myself and a friend as to whether you should keep eggs in the fridge (I won, as did the fridge). This is very helpful for those who aren’t as confident in their cooking. The layout of the recipes themselves is clear and concise, with big A4 pictures to accompany them (very helpful if your final result doesn’t look quite how it’s meant to). Also, for those of us who are concious of our waistlines, each recipe tells you how many calories/fat/sugar there is in the final product, a neat little touch that adds to the overall friendliness of the book.
Herby Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Although this sounds like a plain dish, the fact that I had to make the meatballs from scratch caught my eye. Despite losing a quarter of my bodily fluids through crying when cutting the onions, this was a success! With just a hint of Tabasco in the recipe, you can make it as hot as you like. The recipe is so simple that if you wanted to alter it to add some more flavour it wouldn’t complicate
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things. In addition to the large picture of the final result, the recipe page as a couple of helpful images on how to mould the meatballs and fry them off. So far so good!
Blueberry Muffins
Now. This was a risk of mine. Partly because I have only just started liking blueberries. Partly because I had never baked muffins before. And partly...well... partly because Mary Berry is the Queen of Cakes (and they looked amazing in the picture). My expectations were low, but once they were in the cases things started to look up!
I did question the lemon zest that the recipe called for though. Personally, I am not a fan of anything lemony, so I was fairly hesitant. However, I assumed it was one of these things that ‘brought out’ other flavours, and I didn’t want to deviate, so chucked it in anyway! Unfortunately, I could still taste the lemon when it was time to try them, although the muffin itself turned out really well. Even so, the recipe is simple enough for you to emit it, so perhaps I will try that next time!
Despite the dreaded lemon, I found the recipes extremely easy to follow, and they both turned out how they were meant to (phew). On the whole, a brilliant cookbook that any student will be crazy not to try. Plus, Mary Berry’s smile on the front cover would win anyone over! If you would like to purchase this book make sure you get in quick, as there is a 40% discount on all Mary Berry titles to run along side the GBBO! Offer closes on the 31st October, so head over to www.dk.co. uk now!
Imagery by Martha Williams Email contact: lifestyle@wessexscene.co.uk
WHY IT IS ESSENTIAL TO READ
/ Konyin Aromolaran/ Reading. Remember that word? It’s the word teachers used to use right before your eyes began to close, the word your parents used to stuff down your throat along with Brussels sprouts and the word many English students dread to hear once summer holidays begin. But I wanted to share my experience of reading.
“I OWE EVERYTHING I AM AND EVERYTHING I WILL BE TO BOOKS” - Gary Paulsen
Image by Gabriela Mazowiecka
Books started out, to me, as a loveable companion; the imaginary friend my little brain was too distracted to come up with on its own, a world to escape into when reality was just too strenuous. But as TV made its way into my extra-curricular activities (well, as my only one), I abandoned my library in search of what I thought were greener pastures. Well, as I grew older and got over the torture that was my English GCSEs, I realised that reality wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and that nothing ever brought me more joy than escaping into the worlds those pages created.
ened view of the world around you. Why spend all that money on a backpacking trip round Europe when you can just open the pages of a novel?
The books I’ve read have changed me. And as much as I would like to dismiss reading as a silly little pastime I long outgrew, I can’t help but admit just how much those stories
have added to my life. Therefore, I have decided to give you a few reasons why I think it is essential to read: 1. It will expand your vocabulary No matter what course or job you’re doing, writing is a crucial part of all of our lives. We write personal statements, job applications, assignments etc. Whatever it may be, you need to have some form of literary prowess to dupe impress some professional into giving you a chance to succeed. 2. They sharpen your mind Books are acrobatics for the mind. Yes, you heard me. They develop your imagination and give you new ways of thinking. They allow you to enter into somebody else’s shoes, take your mind on journeys it’s never been before and give you a wid-
3. Libraries cost less than Blockbusters Much less. In fact, they are free. I’ve always wondered why libraries give out free books and unlimited renewals while Blockbusters charged a fortune for a smaller range of stories of varying production qualities. Nonetheless, books give you so much more than movies ever will. So put down that LoveFilm membership and pick up a library pass. And I put it to you, young student, that: ‘If you’re not fond of reading, maybe you just haven’t found the right book.’
Your path to a successful career Look out for the DLHE Survey 6 months after graduation and engage with our alumni services Research postgraduate pathways and support
Prepare for Assessment Centres* and Interviews by attending the Career Destinations Boot Camp and interview workshops
Login and go through our jobs vacancy portal*, exclusive to students at the University of Southampton
Be aware of application deadlines
FINAL YEAR
Attend the June Employability Festival* and get a head start on your final year
Consider global opportunities, working or volunteering abroad with our Global Advantage and Volunteering Weeks Check out the Excel Placement Programme* for Easter and Summer paid internships
FRESHERS
Check out the Career Destinations Events Calendar
Attend skills workshops* and prepare/update your CV ready for applications
Volunteering or part-time work help boost your CV and let you try out areas of interest
Get actively involved in University life by joining clubs and societies
PENULTIMATE Start building your network by YEAR participating in Insider Mentoring and learning from a Career Mentor
Attend careers fairs* and network with employers
www.southampton.ac.uk/careers
* Open to all years of study Career Consultancy A 1:1 meeting with a Careers Practitioner to discuss a specific application for jobs/ internships, further study courses and PhD positions.
Boot camp A day-long event of workshops based on assessment centre exercises and tips on how to excel in the selection process.
TOP TIP All appointment slots are bookable on the day of the session and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
TOP TIP Remain focused and motivated at an assessment centre: you may be observed at any point.
Careers panels Subject or sector-specific events: Meet alumni and employers from your faculty to find out where your degree could take you. TOP TIP An ideal opportunity to ask questions and get ideas of potential careers.
Student Enterprise Considering starting your own business? Take advantage of the Student Enterprise offering of workshops, start-up competitions and much more.
Employer Presentations and Skills Workshops Interactive exercises with graduate employers or Careers Practitioners. Perfect your CV and get to grips with the job selection process.
TOP TIP To generate contacts and get involved in fantastic projects, join a Student Enterprise society like Enactus Southampton or Fish on Toast!
TOP TIP You can gain valuable skills from employer workshops even if you have no interest in applying to that particular employer.
Careers fairs These allow you the opportunity to speak directly to a range of top graduate employers. TOP TIP Attend the ‘Prepare for the Fair’ session for hints and tips on how to make the most of those few minutes at the stand.
Job Vacancy Portal Graduate vacancies and work experience opportunities are available through the Job Vacancy Portal. Employers from over 20 sectors target University of Southampton students and these roles cover diverse industries and locations. TOP TIP Access this resource by logging in to your Student Portal.
Social Media Interaction Keep up to date with events and opportunities or ask us your employability questions on Facebook or at our Twitter handle @UoS_Careers.
/// Winchester / WS / 24
/ Amy Harwood / Jake Sharpe /
/ Image by / Email contact: winchester@wessexscene.co.uk
25 / WS / International ///
IT’S NOT ALL BRATWURST AND BEER: Re-examining the German Stereotype
/ Danielle Eddington / When I moved abroad for a semester, I was excited to meet people from different cultures that I could learn from. However, it soon made me realise how ignorant I was, not because I couldn’t always follow the dinner time discussions on the Euro, but because the majority of my expectations when meeting others was influenced by their country’s stereotype and history. While this was not a major issue, I could not help but be embarrassed when befriending German people initially because my first association would be with the war. So it turned out that over 65 years on, the task of moving on still is incomplete and I was very conscious of attempting to follow Basil Fawlty’s advice of not mentioning it. However, once it was brought up by one of my German flatmates, it soon became not only a topic of discussion, but also something we joked about. Obviously, these jokes did not belittle the events that happened, but I did wonder about their acceptability. One friend highlighted that I was rather prone to bringing it up, which made me speculate whether this was particularly an English trait. Many British TV comedy shows still use it as a source of humour, but at what point is the line crossed? Having now interviewed several German people, I have found that their interactions with English people have varied wildly.
Marvin Bartcsh said that an English person had never personally brought the matter up with him, but that “there are plenty of rumours told about German travellers in England… [who] got in an argument because of [their] origin.”Another friend Dana had told me that she had discussed it, but only with people that she had known for a while. However, one friend, Juli Zett, said that not only was the subject brought up frequently with her, but that most of the “jokes aren’t acceptable” and that she “felt unwelcome in England due to [her] nationality for quite a long time.”
Moreover, when interviewing for this article, it also came out that one person had been called a Nazi during an argument, and others had met individuals who assumed that all Germans believed, even now, in the Nazi ideology. One friend Martin Wolentowitz told me he had recalled how some even believed that Hitler was still in power. Linda Lindstrøm remarked that it could be “creepy” as “people in general ask very carefully what I personally think about all of this Nazi stuff. Sometimes, I have the impression that they expect us to like what happened in the past.”
I like to think of myself, and England, as quite friendly so the latter comment was hard to hear. It made me feel ashamed to be English and the only comfort was that given the other responses, it wasn’t representative of everyone’s experiences. Nevertheless, the fact that Germany’s history still vehemently affects how its population is perceived today is worrying.
Dana recounted how she had to tell some children three times that simulating Hitler moustaches was offensive before they believed her. Luckily, one friend, Helge, summed up the mature response by arguing that it simply “shows a lack of sensibility and knowledge of the German culture today.” However, the fact that such comments are still made challenges the belief that we
have moved on, as seen by the tensions that arise in England when a football match is played against Germany. Helge’s comment also made me rethink what I know about German modern culture, which is very little apart from the stereotype. When I conjure up the image of a German person in my mind, I see lederhosen, beer, bratwurst, a lack of humour and them rushing to put their towels on the sunbeds first when on holiday. I was curious to see how much of this had any basis in fact. There was a large consensus that the German passion
for beer was true, with Dana stating that, “beer is a big tradition in Germany.” However, many of the other counts were inaccurate or restricted to a certain group of people, the most common misconception being related to lederhosen, which is only really worn in Bavaria. It was also argued that the art of sunbed-stealing was not specifically a German trait, but belonged to many nationalities. In regards to Germans having no sense of humour, I can myself refute this as my German friends are also some of my funniest.
It’s clear to see that Germans do have the ability to laugh and love drinking beer; unfortunately the basis for their entire stereotype is not fully founded and is still mired in the past.
Image by Rachel Wootten Email contact: international@wessexscene.co.uk
THE END IS NIGH FOR THE GREATEST EVER
/ Adam Jones /
Roger Federer has dominated men’s tennis for way over a decade, and with 17 Grand Slam titles to his name, he may never be surpassed.Yet 2013 has proven a tumultuous year of realism and setbacks for the Swiss maestro, posing the question: just how much longer does he have left?
The 32 year old’s career is nothing short of astonishing. Breaking every record imaginable and completing the prestigious career ‘Grand Slam’ at the 2009 French Open, Federer is commonly regarded as the greatest player to ever grace the game. He developed possibly the most formidable sporting rivalry of the last two decades with Rafael Nadal and has managed to maintain, until the last few years, the emerging talents of the sport’s two new heavyweights; Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Aside from his incredible feats, Federer’s application to the sport in terms of his technique and all round ability is second to none, effortlessly moving around the court and gracefully disposing of his opponents without appearing to break into sweat. Yet, at an age well into his thirties and after a year of results which point to rapid decline, even the Swiss’ most ambitious fans must be starting to question what he has left to offer. There are numerous reasons that point to Federer’s drop to seventh in the world rankings; his lowest place for 11 years, but what is different about this year
from the previous decade is that he has actually struggled with a recurring injury. Federer’s back has given him grief pretty much all year round, resulting in him pulling out of various US hard court tournaments over the Summer including the Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal. Federer is never one to make excuses for poor performances, but his bad back certainly had an influence on his failure to pass the fourth round at either Wimbledon or the US Open. Until this year, Federer had always managed to restrict his schedule to the big events, in which he would usually exceed in, to allow his body to recover in time and prolong his career. He always had that advantage over Nadal whose personal game and the excessive force on his body put extensive stress on his knees. Nadal, as a result, was pretty much absent from the tour for the entirety of 2012, whereas Federer’s record of reaching a remarkable 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals highlights his ability to remain fit. Another reason for Federer’s recent decline is the changing face of the game in which players of extreme fitness and
groundstrokes seem to be surpassing that of the all-round player that the Swiss embodies. Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and even David Ferrer are possibly some of the best athletes in the world in a sport where points vary in length between a split second to a couple of minutes (Nadal and Djokovic had a 54 shot rally in the final at Flushing Meadows last month). Federer knows at his age he cannot allow himself to be engaged in long winded battles from the back of the court whereas these four, in particular, are capable of running for five sets and then replicating the feat two days later. That forces Federer into dictating the point himself and if his timing is off the result is a host of unforced errors and often a very disjointed performance. His shock defeat in the second round at Wimbledon this year to Sergei Stakhovsky also potentially underlined a growing level of complacency from the former world number one as he was comprehensively beaten by the type of player he is used to disposing of in the blink of an eye. The Ukrainian outplayed him and his rather unique serve
/// Sport / WS / 28
and volley style in the modern game completely outfoxed Federer, whose astonishing record at Wimbledon now has a severe blip on it. Andre Agassi played well into his thirties and even topped the world rankings at a similar age to Federer, but with the game now so orientated around fitness rather than technique the tennis purists will start to fear that Federer is well into the twilight of his career. Elegance and aesthetic beauty are not an integral part of the sport’s dynamics anymore and Federer’s inability to alter his game to that of a grinder like a Nadal, Djokovic or Murray is ultimately the reason for his performances taking a downturn this year. For the
first time in over a decade the Swiss is struggling to qualify for the end of season ATP Finals in London (in which the World’s top 8 men compete) which really is a pointer to how his season has unfolded. He is undoubtedly the greatest player in the open era and his record proves that, but if this year is anything to go by and his back problems linger, Federer’s common sense may kick in and it will be interesting to see what his attitude is at the end of the calendar. He has been the sport’s greatest ambassador; a man of six languages and extreme humility, making his decline all the more harder to take for tennis fans who surely desire to see him return to the
top for one more year. Unfortunately, the levels being set by the world’s top three may not allow that to happen.
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Email contact: sport@wessexscene.co.uk
29 / WS / Sport ///
WHY BOOING SEBASTIEN VETTEL FOR WINNING ISN’T FAIR
/ Joe Taylor /
While Sebastian Vettel edges closer to his 4th consecutive Formula 1 World Championship, there is still a general unrest in the sport among some fans. As both Red Bull and Vettel continue their fine form, they have been met not with resounding cheers, but with booing and jeering from the stands. Is someone with such natural ability worthy of the sneers? To actively boo something in sport is probably more of a theatrical gesture, usually emphasising the pantomime element of sport. But with Vettel, there seems a darker spirit behind the jeering. Michael Schumacher, whom Vettel is so often compared and contrasted against, said the only way his compatriot will win the love of most F1 fans is to join Ferrari. But to put it bluntly, why would he switch to a team struggling under the weight of expectation? Ferrari may have the hugely il-
lustrious history that few others have, but in recent years their cars have simply been sub-par in comparison to the competition. Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and the one-season-wonders of Brawn have all worked tirelessly to develop their cars and use every ounce of their potential. By contrast, Ferrari have tried numerous attempts to innovate and failed. It’s simply not Vettel’s fault that no driver has been consistent enough to challenge him or that no team has managed to match the Red Bull for sheer speed and grip.
Vettel himself has said it doesn’t faze him, and that Schumacher’s 5 consecutive titles were far more boring for the sport than his own success. Rather than be riled or concerned with his popularity, Vettel has taken it as compliment that his own performances, backed by Red Bull, have been so successful and consistent. Both Lewis Hamilton and Sir Stirling Moss have defended him and said that his success doesn’t merit the response it has generated at times. The best sportsmen and women are noted for their economy and ruthless desire to win, and F1 drivers are no different. The controversy surrounding Vettel ignoring team orders to pass Mark Webber isn’t the first time it has been done, nor will it probably be the last (Webber had himself previously done so). Whether it bothers him or not, booing drivers for simply being good at their job is a sad part of a fantastic sport. Sebastian Vettel is worthy of the respect he deserves for simply being the best.
Image by Ankit Singh
/// Pause / WS / 30
10 THINGS SCARIER THAN HALLOWEEN
/ Andy Haywood /
Screw the zombie apocalypse or sparkly vampires, here is Pause’s list of things that will chill the very alcohol in the blood of any Southampton student’s veins.
1. Jesters installing UV lights to show the hidden magic in the Palace of Dreams. 2. The classic Baywatch theme regularly being played in lectures, retirement homes or at family reunions. 3. The medic you’ve seen throwing up outside Sobar is potentially going to work in a hospital one day. 4. Roosters could set on fire again, as could Sprinkles. 5. DISSERTATIONS! 6. These are ‘the best days of your life’... and they are nearly over. 7. There are students here too young to drink, yet are still doing the same degree as you...and doing well. 8. Lectures could start even earlier than 9 am. 9. Your parents could decide to study here: why not get a twin room? 10. You need to get a job... applications are already open...some are even closed. Image by Rebecca Hopkinson
BONUS
What the hell is in Bubble Tea?!