Inside Westminster aims to provide students from all types of courses with a platform where they can not only network with one another but also share their student journeys and experiences. DEN is mainly made up of Politics and International Relations students however, over the recent years, there has been an increase in students from Psychology, Law, English Linguistics, Business Management etc., who are daily contributors to the weekly DEN meetings. As part of the Democratic Education Network (DEN), we not only evolve as students but also embark on our professional journeys under its umbrella. Here is a collection of stories of students who have been part of DEN, sharing their experiences to inspire other students.
Innovation against standardization, the long-lasting dispute of rigid one-size-fits-all structures against fostering creativity and authentic learning for a tangible social impact. In a rapidly globalizing world, the intersection of education, innovation, and sustainability is increasingly complex, revealing both potential and tension across cultural contexts. During the first four weeks of the course Democratic Engagement in...
That was the most common way my parents introduced me to friends, family and strangers. That was the first thing people knew about me. That’s still the first thing people know about me, which is wonderful as I have a quick and easy explanation of why I chose my course. It might have been obvious...
My name is Layla, and in the summer of 2024, I embarked on a life-changing journey to volunteer in Pokhara, Nepal, travelling alone for the first time as a Black Muslim woman. It was my first time flying solo and navigating new environments, including communicating with locals in Nepali, which helped me develop confidence and...
If you asked 8-year-old Charlene what she wanted to be, she would likely have said she wanted to be a lawyer. I always believed I was born to become a lawyer, and many people around me convinced me that it was in my best interest to go down that route. Not to say I was...
My name is Mursal I am from Afghanistan. When I was young, life was vibrant and full of promise for my family and me. My mother, a dedicated head teacher, was a beacon of hope in our community, especially for girls who longed for an education. However, as the political landscape shifted, her passion became...
I am Ramadan B. Kamara, a proud Sierra Leonean with a deep passion for global affairs and a strong dedication to personal growth. My journey to the UK, particularly to the University of Westminster in pursuit of academic excellence, has been defined by unwavering resilience and determination. I will share the transformative experiences shaping my...
As an architect, my work extends beyond building construction projects. I am deeply committed to addressing urban challenges by creating spaces that bring people together and serve communities. My passion for human-centred design led me to explore the exciting field of “placemaking”. I am excited to share my experiences and insights in this area and...
In pursuit of my dream of becoming an event designer and organiser, I moved to London, the city of my dreams, less than six months ago. One month after my arrival, I found a job as a community organiser, which was as easy as finding a needle in a Haystack. I’m talking about waiting in...
I had always wanted to visit Turkey, which I had seen as the “Paris for Muslims” in some sense. However, I had some misconceptions about the country being conservative due to its secular nature. Upon visiting, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my assumptions were wrong. The country is stunning and one of...
Reflection on my time in Istanbul Prior to taking the module “Politics and Development in the Middle East” and going on the accompanying field trip to Turkey, my knowledge and perception of the region were limited. As a product of the United States education system post 9/11, I was taught to view the Middle East...
Istanbul is a fascinating city that spans two continents and offers a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. During my recent field trip to this enchanting city, every corner seemed to tell a story of empires, trade routes, and unforgettable experiences. We stayed in Kadıköy, which is located in the heart of Istanbul’s Asian...
Democratic Engagement I found the Democratic Engagement module to be very enlightening. The course brought together students from various degrees, allowing us to interact with people we wouldn’t have met otherwise. This has resulted in some interesting academic and social collaborations. Throughout the module, we discussed culture and explored the similarities and differences between different...