External forces have significantly influenced the Middle East for over a century. It is a fact that efforts to unite the area under Pan-Arabism and Pan-Islamism have failed due to the inability to bring together the ruling elites. This has resulted in a significant impact on the region’s development. For over a century, external powers...
Interestingly, researchers have looked into the specific behaviours of individuals through a series of surveys to identify how different religious upbringings, habitual religious activity, and the dynamic of the surrounding community can influence an individual and society as a whole. Understanding the influences one’s upbringing and lifestyle can have towards one’s view on life and...
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...
Having travelled to Istanbul before, this trip showed me a different side to Türkiye. The diaspora in the UK and in the West tend to be very patriotic about being Turkish, and this is the case in Türkiye, too. The streets are filled with pictures of Ataturk, the founder of Türkiye. However, lecturers from Beykoz...
Why Psychology? I get asked that question often, and my brain goes into overdrive, wondering where I should begin. I settle with the mediocre response of ‘It’s interesting.’ How boring is that? I wish I could have sat everyone down and told them exactly why I picked Psychology. But now here I am, with an...
One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, “Where are you from?” especially after moving to London. It’s a simple question for many; their answer might be very straightforward, like a specific country or a blend of cultural roots. However, for me, this query makes me question my entire identity. Unlike those who...
“To realize a world of equality and dignity for all, we will have to change laws and policies; we will also have to change hearts and minds.” According to the iSEE and VESS 2021 report, it is estimated that the number of LGBT people in Vietnam accounts for about 9 – 11 % of the...
Washington D.C., the political epicentre of the United States, is a city teeming with history, culture, and opportunities. As a Politics and International Relations student, my recent participation in the Working Cultures program in Washington DC was a transformative experience that gave me a unique window into policy-making and cultural heritage. In this blog, I...
In the heart of Hanoi University, a unique project is making a big difference. It’s all about helping kids who live in the faraway and rugged mountains of Vietnam. We’re passionate about being good global citizens and taking on social responsibilities, and this project is where it all comes together. Our main goal? To give...
What were you feeling the morning of your A levels? The morning when you were set to receive your university acceptance. Were you nervous, scared, excited? I was all 3 because I was scared I would die before I could attend my first lecture. I knew that if I did die, it wouldn’t be quick...
Speaking Welsh is like being able to do the Worm – you might impress a few people at a party, but it has very little practical use in real life. It’s an odd, rough language but poetic and lyrical too; to me, it perfectly represents the country in which it is spoken. I come from...