Reflecting on Diversity
This is an opinion piece by some of your elected officers, reflecting on their personal experiences in Winchester, academia and the UK as a whole. This particular opinion piece was written by your International Officer and Equality and Diversity Officer, to show how wonderfully diverse, educational and understanding Winchester can be.
We believe that all our students make up #OneUnion and one body. We believe in the importance of the academic education that you receive at the University of Winchester, but we also believe in the importance of a different type of education that we try to provide. Students from both the European Union and outside of it, make up a vital part of our community. Having this diverse range of students enables us to learn from each other, as well as discovering greater insights about ourselves. This type of diverse education broadens our students’ learning about how different our culture, religion, food and even behaviours can be.
Your Equality and Diversity Officer reflects on his experience at Winchester:
“My two years in Winchester have been filled with personal challenges, most of these have been in the public eye, especially with my transition from female to male. Winchester has not only been accepting, it has filled me with the courage to continue on my journey.”
Your International Students Officer also reflects:
“I have received excellent support from teaching and support staff, I was encouraged and given advice on how to write better essays, how to develop my English language skills, and when I had to go away during term time to serve my country I was happily accommodated to in terms of essay and presentation formats and deadlines. In return, I was able to contribute an international and European perspective on the direction I felt my course needed to be steered.”
Recent events may have sparked misguided assumptions of a divide within the country. We both feel that some have concerns, but we can assure you that Winchester remains a wonderful and excellent place to learn and live in. Your Student Union is always there for you; to ensure each member is represented and treated with fairness and equality. Together, your super green team headed by President Harry and two VPs Jordan and Sam, will make Winchester feel like a home away from home!
All of us are surrounded by supportive individuals, which include lecturers, the student body, staff members and many more.
We greatly look forward to seeing you all in September for our fabulous Fresher’s Fortnight! Check out our official Fresher’s Facebook page here for the latest updates in our events: https://www.facebook.com/winchesterfreshers16
