Between the 5th and 9th of May, I had the privilege of taking part in the DEN Summer
School, which consisted of two conference days. The week was intense and packed full
of learning, networking, and cultural exchange. I am grateful for not only the knowledge
that I gained, but also for the friendships that I made and the unique role that I got to
play behind the scenes.
The DEN Summer School started oF on the 5th of May, which bought students from
Uzbekistan, Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK together to explore shared histories,
memory, and dialogue. Personally speaking, this week has been much more than just a
series of academic events. It has been a great opportunity to engage with people from
diFerent backgrounds and perspectives, and to build connections across national and
cultural borders. I enjoyed being involved in the planning and organisation of the events.
I had a new sense of appreciation of how much eFort and cooperation goes into
creating space for international exchange by being able to see what happens behind the
scenes to plan out a week of activities like the DEN Summer School.
One of the highlights of the week was the VJ Day conference on May 6th, The conference
convened to reflect on the legacies of the Second World War, with particular reference
to the less credible and more often neglected realities experienced by individuals who
suFered during the war and whose accounts are integral to understanding war in the
context of Asian representation and narratives. I was moved in hearing the voices and
stories of those that regretfully remain supressed and not valued in historical
discussions. I left the conference feeling more informed about the importance of VJ Day,
I felt as if it is a duty upon the younger generation to do something to make sure that
stories like these are heard, shared, and remembered.
The DEN’s Annual Conference was held on the 9th of May to mark the end of the summer
school week. The conference was a fitting conclusion to the end of the week, which was
filled with critical thought and cross-cultural engagement. I was proud to be able to
present my work to the audience in the conference about sustainability practices in
Westminster, and I was even happier to have had my article published in the DEN
Annual Book, which was released during the conference. My role in the conference
involved me chairing one of the panels, managing the evening event, and presenting my
piece of work. I am immensely grateful for this experience, as it definitely helped me to
improve my public speaking skills, as well as other soft skills too.
I enjoyed taking the international students around London over the week. As someone
who lives here, I tend to forget how exciting the city can be for people who are new to it. I
was excited to be able to share my knowledge of the city to the international students. I
especially enjoyed taking the Vietnamese students, Thao and Cinny, on their final day in
London to Stratford, which is far away from the typical tourist hotspots. I wanted them to see the less touristy side of London, and show them the kind of places that reflect
how people actually live in London. They were both incredibly appreciative, and their
curiosity and openness made the experience even more rewarding.
There is something special about seeing the city that you live in through the
eyes of someone else. Sharing stories, talking about cultural differences, and laughing
over things that got lost in translation reminded me how valuable international
friendships are. I came away from the week feeling inspired and grounded. I am grateful
for the people I met, and for the opportunity to even take part in something like this.
The DEN summer school was more than just a week of academic events, it was a
reminder of how powerful it is to look into other cultures, and it was also an opportunity
come together to listen, to learn, and to connect. I am proud and thankful to have
played a role in it all, and I am excited to carry the friendships and lessons learnt from
this week into the future.
Salman Aziz