Partnership is the form DEN’s work has always taken. Across a decade, our students and staff have travelled to and welcomed colleagues from Westminster International University in Tashkent, Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Hanoi University, Istanbul University, and Further Education Colleges in London, building friendships that have produced joint conferences, jointly edited books, shared classroom projects and continuing conversations. These pages document the visits, exchanges and outreach activities that bring DEN’s network to life beyond the screen: trips to partner institutions led by students, hosting of international guests at Westminster, engagement with further education colleges across London, and the wider community work that grows from those relationships. Each visit returns something to the network: new ideas, new contributors, new questions for the next conference and the next volume. If you are an institution or community group interested in working with DEN, this is the place to start.
My visit to Türkiye changed many of the ideas I had before the trip. Before travelling, I imagined the country simply as a place between Europe and Asia, with the European side being more modern, safer and more similar to Western cities. I expected the lifestyle to feel European, even though most people are Muslim....
Before joining the field trip to Turkey, my understanding of the country was shaped mainly by my favourite novel, My Name Is Red by Orhan Pamuk. I imagined Turkey as a place where tradition dominated everyday life and where the cultural influence of the Ottoman Empire remained visibly strong. However, during the trip, several experiences...
Türkiye saw me not just as a traveller, but as a university student going on an international trip. My module explored how the Middle East has been shaped over the years of colonisation, empires, and trade. Therefore, I believed I had a fairly good idea of what to expect from the region, such as hectic...
Before visiting Turkey, my imagination was filled with familiar images: the domes and minarets of Istanbul, bustling bazaars perfumed with spices, and the shimmering Bosphorus, which links Europe and Asia. These iconic scenes often dominate global narratives about Turkey, presenting it as a bridge between East and West, tradition and modernity. Yet these images, while...
Moving beyond the Western lens, as I return from Istanbul, I find myself reflecting on how this journey has reshaped the expectations I had outlined before the trip. In my earlier blog, I wrote about wanting to challenge the Orientalist assumptions that often shape Western perceptions of the Middle East. Now, after walking through Istanbul’s...
My first impression of Turkey evokes images of a beautiful rug, famous Turkish ice cream, and the fascinating history of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey is a place where European and Asian cultures meet and coexist in harmony. Although Istanbul is not the capital city of Turkey, it remains the cultural and historical centre of the...
When I think of Turkey, I envision a remarkable country that bridges Europe and Asia, both geographically and culturally. Since Thailand and Turkey have different cultures and religions, I want to understand these differences from a sociological and anthropological perspective. Istanbul stands out as a city where the old and the new coexist. My first...
My Expectations Before Visiting Turkey As I get ready for my study visit to Turkey, I feel very curious and excited. When I think of Turkey, I envision a beautiful city by the sea, where cats roam freely, people smile, and the sound of prayers emanates from mosques. I also think about Turkish ice cream,...
When I think about Turkey, I picture the Blue Mosque, bazaars, and delicious food; however, these images I see are very surface-level, and my aim on our trip to Turkey is to look beyond them to gain further insight. I really want to learn about Turkish society, including how people live their daily lives, and...
In two weeks’ time, we will go on a trip with the university to Istanbul, Turkey, to explore new environments and widen our perspective on the Middle East. This journey holds particular significance for me as a student of Politics and Development in the Middle East. After studying the theories and geopolitics of the region,...
The global metropolis of New York exists because of its profound historical background and its active cultural life and ongoing development. It stands at the heart of international diplomacy, finance, and the arts. New York exists as a literary concept in books and news for numerous people, including me. The city allows people to discover...
New York is a major symbol of culture, history and international cooperation, making it anincredibly insightful destination for a field trip. Originally home to the Lenape people, the areaonce known as Lenapehoking was a land of thriving trade networks and deep environmentalconnection. Following the Dutch colonisation of Lenapehoking, it was renamed as NewAmsterdam in 1624....