My journey to Vietnam was unforgettable; the culture, food, and geography were all incredible, and the people were warm and inviting, making us feel at ease. When we arrived, curious and friendly students from Hanoi University welcomed us to their country. We quickly realised that we were in an environment where they were as interested...
Gender and violence have been the subject of many discussions amongst academic feminist scholars in the Western world. Young’s article (2003) reflects on the events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent ‘war on terror’ in Afghanistan in October 2001, with a justification for liberating Afghan women from the ruthless Taliban. That was, however, only...
After the second world war and the slow transition from colonialism, many newly independent countries faced the tall development task. The results varied from country to country, but only a few states could match the success story of the People’s Republic of China (China). But is applying the “Chinese model”...
Hope and progression rarely describe Thai politics; after countless coup d’états and junta governments, Thailand’s most recent constitution ended liberal democracy. After five years of junta regime, the election with its new rules and regulations was explicitly crafted for a military-backed win. However, not even after a full term in government, the once-guaranteed electoral success...
Sustainable Development is significant for humanity but not at the cost of depletion of natural resources or harming individuals and the planet. As the world is interdependent, any problem in one part of the world could immediately have consequences for the rest. COVID-19 is an example of how the emergence of a disease in...
Over the summer, I participated in a summer school programme through the University of Westminster, studying a two-week course with the University of Nottingham Malaysia. I took a course about culture, media, and politics in Southeast Asia. My professor was half Chinese-Malay and half Singaporean. He is somewhat critical of the structures in his home...
The global pandemic of Covid-19 has marked the last two years. While the world and the media were focused on the pandemic, among young adults, the silent pandemic was taking lives. Anxiety and depression symptoms have increasingly risen over the last two years. However, this is commonly linked to the Covid pandemic; it is instead a result...
Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) selects a theme for World Mental Health Day to raise awareness and reflect on a pressing issue that people face worldwide. In October 2022, the theme is “Make mental health and well-being for everyone a global priority”. This is as important as it is close to us, especially...
I learned the definition of solicitude two months ago when I came across a video by a girl talking about what she learned about 2021. When the word solicitude is mentioned, most people think it means loneliness or sadness. I was one of them, but when you move to three different countries in less than...
When I discovered that I got into the University of Westminster, I had a range of emotions. I was excited that I got into University, but I was also disappointed that I didn’t get into my firm choice university. However, since I’ve started University, I am relieved and happy that I’ve come to Westminster university....
The fact that Europe colonised most countries worldwide may not surprise us. For example, following the invasion of Algeria by France in 1830, Algerian citizens endured 132 years of French rule until they fought back and won their Independence in 1962. While the country may have rightfully retrieved their Independence, it still needed to establish...
It has almost been five months since I last opened a word document to write something for DEN, a statement which increasingly draws more dread than relief the more I think about it. Summer had gone by at the speed of light, even though I spent most of it working. So many of the gatherings...