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.
An academic trip to Istanbul provides a priceless chance to enhance my knowledge of Middle Eastern politics and development. With its distinct geographical and social location at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, Istanbul provides an ideal setting for the topics covered in this module. Through direct engagement with the region’s complexities and a...
My passion for history and geography, which began during my school years, is what inspired me to pursue this course and module today. I have always been interested in case study topics and feel that this is what truly feeds my learning. From learning about the USA and Great Britain, Russia, China and India, I...
The field trip to Istanbul presents a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of the Politics and Development in the Middle East module through immersive, firsthand learning. Istanbul’s historical role as a bridge between Europe and Asia and its complex layers of politics, religion, and commerce makes it an invaluable setting to explore regional dynamics...
A key interest of mine lies in exploring Turkey’s influence as a central actor in the Middle East and understanding the multi-faceted factors that encompass development in modern Turkey. Falling at a crossroads between East and West, this trip to Istanbul presents an enriching opportunity to enhance my knowledge of its development and apply what...
Exploring the Crossroads: An Immersive Journey into Istanbul’s Living History As a country at the crossroads of East and West, the upcoming field trip to Istanbul, Turkey, offers a unique opportunity to connect classroom theories with real-world experiences. With Istanbul as a living classroom, the trip will not only be an immersive experience that is...
Growing up in France, my understanding of the Middle East was primarily shaped by a limited educational perspective, focusing almost exclusively on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a geopolitical angle. This focus left much of the region’s complexity and cultural diversity unexplored. Since coming to university, however, I have gained a broader, more nuanced understanding. The...
My name is Nawapon Sakulpan, and I am a student in international relations in the BA (political science) program at Kasetsart University. My early interest in the historical relations of countries, particularly involving the Arab world, was sparked by games, films, and documentaries. Over time, I realised that the portrayal of conflicts often carries biases...
My name is Pichapa Rungrueang, and I am a fourth-year student at Kasetsart University in the Faculty of Social Sciences, majoring in International Relations within the Department of Political Science. I am honoured and delighted to have the opportunity to study Politics and Development in the Middle East course at Westminster University. I am also...
I have limited experience with travelling, but I have heard that London is an amazing city that offers a unique combination of history, culture, and modernity. Its vintage atmosphere and breathtakingly scenery make it a must-visit destination for travellers around the world. As the most populous and bustling city in the UK, London has a...
As a proud resident of Hanoi, travelling around the city during the summertime can be a challenging experience. Despite the city’s undeniable beauty, the sweltering heat can make it uncomfortable to explore. That’s why I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to visit London. I immediately imagined all the exciting experiences I could...
The UK is often associated with its football team and accent, and it has always been a dream of mine to visit one day. As an Asian girl, UK culture has had a significant impact on my life. I remember my brother and I trying to emulate Adele’s accent, which was a lot of fun....
The United Kingdom is a country with diverse environments, encompassing culture, history, and people from various ethnicities. Despite being predominantly inhabited by people of European descent, the population is diverse, much like Thailand, the United States, and other nations. Visiting the United Kingdom is a dream come true for me. I have only seen and...