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.
I believe that England has a rich and beautiful culture, with well-organized and long-standing traditions. The country is renowned for its iconic landmarks and deserves admiration and preservation. England is an old country with charming towns and breathtaking natural scenery that combines old and new elements seamlessly. I enjoy watching English films and TV shows,...
I perceive that British people dress very stylishly, as we see in movies, with cool suits as they walk around. This is quite different from Thailand, where the hot weather means people prefer comfortable clothes that won’t make them sweat a lot. In England, people dress stylishly in a variety of ways. Personally, I love...
When I think of England, the first thing that comes to mind is its vibrant city. The country boasts a rich history and culture, with famous historical landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Additionally, England is home to world-renowned universities such as Oxford. The country’s culture is diverse and has many well-known...
Walking around Istanbul, it’s hard not to feel connected to the incredibly diverse history which has moulded this city. Coexisting around every corner are elements of Byzantine and Ottoman, traditional and modern, secular and religious, reminiscent of the various positions the city has held over the years. While Istanbul, and particularly its port, has continued...
On the 23rd of November, my classmates and I embarked on a transformative journey to Istanbul, Turkey, marking the beginning of an immersive exploration into the vibrant tapestry of its culture, culinary delights, and the warmth of its people. However, the trip also granted us the unique privilege of engaging with distinguished academic professionals from...
A few days after the field trip to Thailand has ended, it’s good to take a step back and consider more what was learned during the field trip and the whole course and how it was cultivated in real-life experiences at the end of the course. So, this blog will focus on connecting the field...
From the moment I enrolled in the “Democratic Engagement in an International Context” module, the anticipation of what lay ahead was palpable. Little did I know that this academic journey would unfold into an enriching experience, surpassing my expectations. The allure of the module extended beyond the prospect of a field trip to Thailand; it...
The past 11 weeks have prepared us for two goals: cultivating international collaborations and expanding our knowledge globally. When I first joined the module, all I knew was that I would be travelling to a country, but two 15-hour plane journeys later, I understood the importance of cross-cultural learning and putting my knowledge into practice....
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” — Anonymous. I’d like to start my blog by citing a quote that expresses my feelings. Born and raised in Hanoi, a girl who has been living in Vietnam for 20 years, I’ve made a decision that broadens my perspective of the world – joining the...
I was excited to return to Istanbul to see a city I fell in love with 4 years ago. The city has a way of captivating the mind, and looking out across the Bosphorus Strait and seeing the many beautifully ornate Mosques against its skyline will always be a sight I cherish. I feel a...
The city of Istanbul, situated at the intersection of Europe and Asia, possesses a distinctive political landscape shaped by its rich historical past, diverse population, and unique geographical location. Walking through the streets, we observed the architectural wonders of Istanbul, the city became a living testament to its historical epochs— from Jewish quarters to Ottoman...
The most fascinating aspect of Istanbul is its duality and contradiction. It’s the fact that East meets West, where a city is both in Europe and Asia simultaneously, where it is conservative and liberal, where secularism and Islamic ideas in politics coexist. The place where a church becomes a mosque and an identity the national...