Episode 09: Sports, hobbies and interests

Meet the cast

Inara Vanessa André is a second year BA History, Politics and Economics student. Her topics of interest are Pop culture, global politics, sports, weightlifting, university life.

Keira Gazzingan is a second year BEng Biomedical Engineering student. Her topics of interest are wellbeing, fitness, social media, student mental health, life outside of studies.

Sophia Mencatelli is a third year BA Comparative Literature with Italian student.  Her topics of interests are extracurricular activities, university life, live music and ArtsUCL.

About

Watch

Transcript

Episode Nine: Sports, hobbies and interests

00:00:00:02 - 00:00:22:03

Sophia

Welcome to Campus Conversations, brought to you by UCL Student Success Team, your go to podcast for all things student life at University College London. On today's episode, we're talking about sports interests and hobbies. As usual, we'll have some topic related questions in the chat that we'll pick out and discuss. I'm Sophia, I'm a final year comparative literature student.

00:00:22:05 - 00:00:25:03

Kiara

I'm Kiara and I'm a second year biomedical engineering student.

00:00:25:05 - 00:00:31:16

Inara

I'm Inara and I'm a second year in history, politics, and economics. And it's up to me to pick the topic today.

Ooh. Okay. Yeah, we can do this. In tough economic times. Government funding for the arts is usually the first to receive cuts. What, in your opinion, is the value of studying and engaging with such? With arts such as music, dance or literature?

00:00:59:07 - 00:01:01:05

Sophia

I feel like I'm very biased about this one. I just think we have, like, an endless stream of things to learn from the arts, like literature and theatre, especially a made with such, like, intention. Like, I think you'll never watch a show that hasn't been crafted like, to every specific detail, like with the purpose of teaching something or like educating people about something. And like theatre nowadays especially, is constantly seeking to, like, amplify the voices of underrepresented communities. And it's just it's great.

00:01:40:12 - 00:01:55:08

Keira

Art connects people of different cultures, different generations. And I think that definitely leads to a more empathetic society. I feel like a society that values creativity, and art is a society that is more empathetic.

00:01:55:11 - 00:02:16:02

Inara

What do you think specifically about the government funding aspect of it? Because I totally agree with the value of arts, but government funding is a big question as to whether, you know, these a lot of these theatres, most of them aren't really profit making. So, I mean, what do you think about should the government from them? I think they should because for listed reasons above. But what your view is in that sense?

00:02:18:00 - 00:02:58:05

Keira

I definitely feel like funding is required because all like I said, it connects people and also it can also it can help mental health as well. Art is in my opinion, art is freedom. It's about expression, discovery and like finding what your own passion is. And I think or is it's essentially what gives people that purpose. Like if you think logistics, not logistics or logic analytics, like numbers, they help the world run. They kind of run society, I guess. But it gives us the will to live. I think.

00:03:05:21 - 00:03:07:12

Sophia

So was a quote from Dead Poets.

00:03:07:13 - 00:03:11:07

Keira

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I think so.

00:03:11:09 - 00:03:19:01

Inara

It's like these they, they list Stem subjects and say these are noble pursuits. And then the woman is saying, but these arts and stuff is in the soul. Something like. That. And so true. Yeah. It is really true.

00:03:21:07 - 00:03:30:01

Sophia

And I also I hate the narrative that like, the arts are somehow lesser than, science or maths or…

00:03:30:03 - 00:03:39:18

Keira

Yeah, yeah. No, this is really random. But like my A-level choices, I did physics, maths and all. And so whenever I'd give that combo. They'd be like, oh like, why? I feel like, why not, why not. Yeah. And I think that subject literally saved me. Like I loved it so much. It was definitely such a stress reliever. I know that people, other people that might argue otherwise because. Yeah, is quite other things. Yeah, yeah. But I genuinely think personally it was such a good choice, coming into uni and as an engineering student, I found it really difficult to stay in touch with my creative side. And honestly, I do get quite upset thinking about it because I grew up very creative as well. Like I was always drawing something like I would force my mum to hang my drawings on the wall even though they were literally so rubbish. Anyway, I think it's definitely part of my identity and I think as a STEM student, it has gotten really difficult to maintain that. I've tried to, do sessions with like art society, and essentially it is up to me now to like, produce my own art, stay in touch with that side, because it's not like I have, you know, art lessons from A-levels to force me to do. I have found it really difficult.

00:04:58:23 - 00:05:32:08

Sophia

I definitely considered drama school and like, I'm still considering it, like as a master's or after UCL, but I've just had the best experience with arts within UCL. Like, I honestly had like so many opportunities and even within my course I've been able to take like drama modules like this term, I'm doing a dramaturgy module in the classics department, and I've done so many theatre modules and then like obviously in extracurricular societies, we have access to the Bloomsbury Theatre and the Bloomsbury Studio. And like it's like there are so many. Yeah, opportunities within arts within UCL. Like we have such a massive arts community, but it doesn't feel like I necessarily sacrifice anything by doing academics. Alongside that.

00:05:48:06 - 00:06:11:03

Keira

For my course, we do quite a bit of designing and so I do get to tune into my case. I read a little bit, but probably not as much as I wish. But again, like it's up to me to pursue that myself because I don't think my degree will provide the creative elements that I want.

00:06:11:05 - 00:06:31:00

Inara

One of my special subjects is material culture, so I have to pick, well, you don't have to do special subject. You can do a freestanding dissertation. But I'm leaning towards special subjects just because it's easier to get it done. And one of them is material culture in the Soviet Union. So it's just me mean the arts in the Soviet Union, which is super interesting. And we have a huge film collection as well, like of Soviet films. So I do feel like I'm able to explore like that kind of film. Things that I'm interested into. UCL is quite good for it, I think. But just like you mentioned, yeah, I don't feel like I've lost anything by doing a degree and and having the option to do a graduate job, but also having explored my interests in a way that I really like.

Keira

Okay. I'll give this one. Has the rise of digital photography, particularly smartphone cameras, diminish the artistry and value of traditional photography methods like film?

00:07:10:22 - 00:07:22:08

Inara

I did GCSE photography, so this is a fun question. TLDR no. Too Long Didn’t Read, you know, the abbreviation thing.

I think no, there was more of an appreciation of like, cameras and like, physical ways of sort of using, I don't know, taking pictures, things like that. I think you appreciate it more because it's not as widespread. So I think we all have like a friend that brings a digital camera when you go in night out and then like you get the pictures in a couple days and they're like ‘Guys, that pictures turned out so nice!’ And I think you appreciate it more because it is sort of that physical way and you stay present. So, yeah, I mean, the lesson there is of something like the more aware it becomes and the more value there is. Right? So yeah. But what do you think?

00:08:09:00 - 00:08:22:11

Keira

I feel like smartphone cameras are more accessible than traditional photography methods because film nowadays is so expensive, like incredibly expensive. Which is why I feel like more people turn to smartphone cameras now.

00:08:22:14 - 00:08:48:10

Sophia

Within Arts UCL. Like there are so many photographers and like every time you're part of a show, a student photographer will come in and like, take insane pictures or they'll do like head shots for the program in the Instagram. And like, people are really talented and it's yeah, it's great to see like on social media people using. So I definitely do see like a lot of student photography, you know, happening in that side of it.

00:08:48:12 - 00:09:02:19

Inara

That's the thing. Like the only like to play devil's advocate, the only that bad side of it is sometimes it's so much that you don't even realise what you're consenting to. Like my friend said, me, both of them actually, I'm like the same week, sent me a video of myself and I was like, where did you get that? I was like, you're on the student union website. I'm like, on the street. And I was like, what? And I open the student union page and I'm like, on that. And I was like, oh my God, it's not like a bad video, but was just like, why am I on here?

Keira

No, this is really random. But I was just sitting in the IOE like, you know, this is like when you walk into the ivy, that's just like the seating area. I was just doing my own thing. I turn around, there's a camera. Sitting next to me, like taking a picture of me like I was. I had to get up and leave because I was in no way…

Sophia

Can't let your guard down on!

Inara

Even People visiting, right? Do you have that? Like tourists?They'll they'll be like, this is like they'll be on their phones, but they'll just be filming this dude. Sort of like, can you not film me please?

00:09:50:17 - 00:10:05:22

Sophia

Okay. Generations often criticised by previous ones for being less resilient or snowflake. Do you think that human resilience is becoming weaker or is it that modern challenges are becoming more complex?

00:10:05:24 - 00:10:15:06

Inara

It's the same thing for every generation. There was like a post about this in like 1812 of a newspaper complaining about this generation not wanting to work. Yeah, I think it's just a cycle.

00:10:15:06 - 00:10:40:12

Sophia

I also think that, like a lot of the issues that we're facing in modern society have like developed and like weren't necessarily present, like, had more pressing issues and like concerns about climate change or, you know, increased conversation around mental health. It doesn't mean that like it wasn't an issue, but like, obviously there's been a societal shift towards talking about it more. That doesn't mean like people are snowflakey now. It just means that people are more open to discussing without stigma.

00:10:50:02 - 00:11:04:08

Keira

I just think every generation has that own issues, and problems like it doesn't take away, like the intensity of the severity of the issue. I just think we all just go through different things.

00:11:04:10 - 00:11:30:20

Sophia

I think sometimes people take advantage of extensions at university especially. I think now, don't we have like a rule that's like, you can get a dipole, you can get like two dabs or something a year with no questions asked. Not that like there needs to be loads of questioning, but I think sometimes people use it just because they didn't prepare and they're like, oh, well, I could do with having a few more days. And it's not necessarily for like good reason. It's just procrastination.

00:11:35:24 - 00:12:11:04

Keira

I've never used it like I haven't used one yet, but I think I like the idea of it being just in case. Because you never know, like what might come up. Honestly, I do quite like the ideas of gaps. I'm like, not being honest about why why you need an extension, for instance. Because I think, me personally, I only would get an extension if it was like, really, really needed or if I, I got really bad anxiety. So like if I had like a full on anxiety attack and I probably would not want to tell my lecturer though. And so I kind of like the idea that I will get what I need without being interrogated on it. I'm not too sure.

00:12:25:07 - 00:12:45:16

Inara

Yeah. I mean, I, I wouldn't say I'm an avid user, but I am more than you guys. Obviously. But then the thing is, that was before I got my ADHD diagnosis, so to friends, it would have just looked like, ‘OMG, you're just not preparing’. Or you could, you had no reason to actually need that extension when I didn't know that I was dealing with a neurodivergent condition. So now that I do have the permanent summary of reasonable adjustments, I saw it in place. It is like my net, and I do often just use it because just the way my brain works, like I just need that extra time. And again, with dots, you don't. The way that the system was for extensions before you had to give a very long, detailed explanation as to what it was. So if you've had like the most horrible thing happened to you and one of your immediate family members passed away or something, you'd have to describe that. You'd have to get a death certificate and put that in there, which is just like ridiculous. So I think the system now is how it kind of should have been already. So yeah, there's a lot of nuances to it.

00:13:25:16 - 00:13:44:15

Inara

Oh, okay. Is the gym / exercise culture contributing to negative body image and unrealistic beauty standards, or is empowering people to take control of the health?

I have another question as well. Did you guys see the controversy of that woman that was like, oh, my favourite thing is to be skinny. And everyone was like getting angry?

Sophia

No, I saw the other thing that was like ‘not eating so I can wear a tiny bikini’.

Keira

I feel like there's a lot to say about this. I think it is a very prevalent issue currently. Like with the rise of Ozempic, I don't know, diet culture. Again, people are saying that we're going back to was it the early 2000. So it was at its peak in.

Sophia

‘Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’.

Keira

Kate Moss. Yeah. Since you go to the gym.. what are your opinions on this?

Inara

This is the thing. Like in the. If I was just like a general bodybuilder, I also like a bit strength sports. I think it's different. Like the type of, it's not really so much like what kind of body type is push, but more just within weightlifting in particular, just like the bigger you are, but the more muscle you have that's like the best right. So like when you go to, like, national competitions, like people would be like, oh yeah, ‘love your muscles’. But like I'm like, I don't, I don't really like that. Everyone's like commenting on that all the time. And you know, I mean, like, I know it's something that you're supposed to like, like after working on your body for a few years and doing like, strength sports, it is something to be proud of. But also, I don't know, I used to feel quite uncomfortable because I'd be like, I don't know if you like a spectacle, especially in commercial gyms. So moving over to like only training with people that are also in strength sport makes me feel more comfortable, body image wise. But exercise culture is something else though. So like the pilaties and like social media stuff. So I'd be interested to hear what you guys have to say about that.

00:15:36:19 - 00:15:54:22

Keira

We do worry about our bodies quite a lot, and I think even me, I chased the smallest version of myself for like years of my life and only around two years ago I found like, my frontal lobe developed. And I realised that what am I even doing? Strong is beautiful. Being strong is beautiful. I feel like people should be more focused on strength and wellbeing as opposed to aesthetics. It is really difficult. Like even to this day I find it quite difficult due to the media that I can see I consume on. Social media. It kind of make it really difficult to remember that you should prioritise your health over anything else. Fitness influencers, they definitely do well. They can provide a very, very unrealistic expectations on what you should look like those. This one influencer who I was following, this one gym influencer and turns out this whole time she had a BBL. Like I was like, oh, I'm like, okay. And I just think it really does ruin your perception on, like, what you should look like. Like, why do I look like this when I should be looking like this gym influencer who had a BBL this whole time?

Yeah. And even with gym journeys, I feel like it is easy to compare yourself to these gym influencers. If you have been going to the gym around the same time, I've been going for quite a while, but I look nothing like this is the one girl that I've been following, who has gone around the same time as me. I'm like, has to genetics all of this, all of that, and people just forget that. And I think you really need to be mindful and critical of what you consume.

00:17:28:18 - 00:17:57:04

Sophia

I'm in two minds because I think they're definitely all like accounts that are trying to promote it in a healthy way, but I think the vast majority are just far too extreme, like the number of ‘what I eat in a day’, calorie deficit videos that I get on, like TikTok or any kind of fitness video, fitness content. They always begin the video with like body checks. And I'm like, but why? Because if you're just promoting like the healthiest version of yourself, then why are you, like advocating this ideal of like how a body should look?

00:18:08:07 - 00:18:14:12

Inara

And I don't know if we can like, say the name of her YouTube channel, but you know, the one that does the ab workouts that everyone was doing during Covid time. Was that her as an influencer I mean everyone began talking about her as influencer coincides with a negative body image. But now that I've been I think my sports especially they promote like positive body image. Your body is like fuel that food is fuel, e.t.c. kind of thing. So I don't think about it anymore. But it was bad when I was on that side of exercise culture. Instead of I feel like when you're trying to go into a sport, you're just training for sport specific things. So it's more about performance than it is how you look. And of course on your team, like depending on who just what you all look kind of different. So yeah.

Sophia

And also they're all like a lot of influences that are trying to undo the damage of others. Yeah. And like a lot of influencers felt like so this is how a real body looks and like this is what like a real day of eating looks like. And you can't hold yourself to impossible standards. So I think, like you said, you do just need to be mindful about the kind of content that you're consuming.

00:19:21:24 - 00:19:47:13

Keira

I think before, as a young person on social media, when I would watch those, what I eat in a day videos I would think, oh, if I thought I would look like that. But no, there's a lot that goes into it. And I just think a lot of misinformation is spread on social media. And just because, like if you copy out what someone does verbatim, that does not mean that you're going to look like them. And I think I'm so glad that I've grown out of that. And I focussed on, you know, being strong instead being healthy, because now I'm so much more confident than I was when I was literally, like I said, chasing the tiniest version of myself. You will gain weight during university like it's just a thing where you will either get a really skinny or just really fat during university. It's hard to look after yourself during university. Because, well, I lived at home, but I know that people have to cook for themselves. People are in charge of their own food shopping, in charge of their own nutrition, basically. And personally, I struggled with finding the time to make balance meals, finding time to literally even, and I think that has I don't know, I do see that quite a lot within university life, where they find it really hard to take care of their bodies.

Sophia

Yeah, I completely agree. Also like it's expensive to eat healthily as a student. Yeah, and like it's expensive to have a gym membership and yeah, it's tricky balancing those things as a uni student. Which is but there's a lot of like content on social media that's like oh this is meal prepping on a budget for students. I like things like that which are helpful.

Inara

Things like gym memberships, like anything related to that is is a necessity for me because it's my sport. So I think about it differently. So it's not like an additional thing in my head. I understand how it can be an additional thing, and it's difficult to keep up with if it's just like an additional thing that you do. But for me, it's like it's my sport. So if I'm on the go, what happens? Yeah, four days a week I will be training. That doesn't if I have to move a session or if I have to maybe like skip a class or something. Sometimes that has to happen. But yeah. So it depends on where it is in your life. I do understand that it's just convenient for me, because it's already like a I have to do that. I have to do anyway.

Keira

How are you finding that balance between, you know, your sport and uni? Because the gym isn't my small, my sport. I just go to it, like, for fun, I guess. And so I feel like it'll be quite different for you. Who has to do. You don't have to do it. But like…

Inara

Yeah. It's difficult. I mean, like, I talk about it with my other friends, that are also struggling and it's like time wise, especially like around exam season, you just have to worst case scenario, you just split up your days. So if I know that I need to study, okay, I will start my workout. Like I'll do this, focus on these exercises and then study and then come back at the end of the day and finish it off. So that's how I've had to I've had to just start splitting my days because a full training session is like two hours and it's like I have to split up. And also it's a thing where so people can study after training. Or I was talking about this to the friend where he was like, he has to do it right at the end of the day and the gym is open until like 10, 11 ish, the UCL one anyway, when he's like, no, I need to do all my studying and then go because after this I'm like too exhausted to do anything else. So yeah, but when you have an essay, do you you'll, you'll have to work through the exhaustion. So that's the thing. It's a necessity. So you have to do it.

Inara

Doesn't that get quite overwhelming. Let me just say.

00:23:08:22 - 00:23:12:00

Inara

I mean, I think once you get used to it, not quite. It can be. But like again it's it's things like I mean you can't compare it to brushing your teeth, but like, you know what I mean? It's like, you know, that you have to do it. Like, I know that I have to eat every day. I know that I have to study every day. It's just like, you know, you just find time to fit it in. But it does leave me exhausted.

Sophia

That's interesting because I don't know, I think it's so subjective because, like, when I'm really busy, exercise is like the first thing to go, yeah, I honestly so is like eating healthy. Like, if I have a really busy week, I'm like, well, I'm not going to be doing any exercise this week because I literally don't have enough hours in the day. So I think it's so like dependent.

Irara

I think that if it wasn't for my sport because then sport gives you access to nutritionists and like so, so many other aspects. So it's from that that I've learned how to generally maintain a healthy lifestyle and, you know, prioritise, exercise.

00:24:07:20 - 00:24:33:08

Keira

Your appearance and what you look like is literally the least significant thing about yourself. Yeah. And I think that that was a huge thing for me, because before I'd be so caught up in the fact that everyone is probably analysing what I look like, but come on, like, just no. Yeah, I'm on. I realise that, you know, people won't remember you for what you look like, but rather how kind you are, how you treated them. When I finally realised that, I think that shifted my perspective completely. And I definitely live a happier, more fulfilled life.

Sophia

I also think, like one of the main things in developing healthy habits is like talking to other people and knowing that, like, you're not the only person that's ever had these kind of thoughts. And like most people, if not all people have experienced body image issues or, you know, issues with exercise or diet culture or whatever. And so, like talking to people about it in a healthy way and like encouraging that discussion is also helpful.

Keira

Surrounding the people who you surround yourself with is so important. Yeah. Like I think the fact that I was surrounded by people who had healthy attitudes towards this, that I think that was honestly the reason why I managed to progress as much as I have. Yeah. And also making sure that the media you can see is isn't promoting all of these unhealthy, toxic things, which can be harder because some people might be in a place where they can't distinguish whether, between material that's healthy for them, unhealthy.

Sophia

Like calling out bad behaviour and unhealthy attitudes when you see them. Like I find it so jarring when I hear anybody commenting on what other people are eating. Like, I just find it so annoying. I'm like, keep it to yourself.

00:26:13:08 - 00:26:30:22

Inara

I mean, like, top tip is only follow dietitians and nutritionists like my nutritionists. I think like half of my feed is they're just doctors now it's a general because before, like when you're like a teen, I think it would have been sort of just people thought, okay, I want to look like her. I'm gonna get advice about what she eats. But now it's more just I only have doctors and nutritionists telling me what is good for you to eat on on my feed, which makes sense. You shouldn't have anyone else. Yeah, no one else is licensed to give you that information.

00:26:42:16 - 00:27:05:09

Keira

Yeah, like I remember I don't know if they've ever come up with like your take up for your face, but like, there is two girls, who give the most crazy advice about how to stay skinny. And I remember one of them being like, you shouldn't wear a jacket if it's cold outside, because being cold. Being cold, like, increases your metabolism, so you'll burn more calories and you'll be skinny if you're cold. And I remember that was. So, I saw this guy on TikTok. Like, calling them up would be like, what the hell? Someone take away the platform. I think he was, I think he was qualified. Which is, I feel like the minimum. The minimum that you need to give out this type of advice. So. Yeah, you just see, like, these crazy things on the internet, and there are people who are impressionable people who will literally take that literally. Yeah. And so.

Sophia

And young people as well. And I think it's very easy to say it. I like the age of 2021, but I probably didn't have the same attitude when I was 15. And I could have like done with speaking to people who did have healthier attitudes.

00:28:18:08 - 00:28:30:08

Keira

Okay. Share a culture other than your own that you respect and appreciate and tell us why. And then discuss whether there is or needs to be a line drawn between appreciation and appropriation.

00:28:30:10 - 00:29:03:05

Inara

This is the thing that I think it's a bit easier for me just because I'm in an area studies department. You wouldn't study, though, unless you weren't interested in that area. And if you're not, you just switched departments. I guess. Siberian cultures in general are really interesting to me because I think I got there because I was initially interested in Native American cultures, and for my first year I was at the Institute of the Americas, and then I switched, but like the whole land bridge theory of how the Native Americans have got to where they are and how they're connected to sort of, native people in Siberia and sort of northern, not Europe, I guess. Like it's not Europe, but Northern Asia, I guess. Yeah. So it's not one culture in particular, but that group of cultures, we get to look at them a lot, study them. And of course, I'd love to travel there at some points. So hopefully they make a summer school where you can travel there. And then UCL kind of funds it. But in terms of like appropriation and like where the line would be drawn. So I have a really good band, like I think they're called Oticon, but this Iberian band, and so in terms of like listening to their music or maybe like if I was to visit, they're buying like traditional clothing stores. The appreciation part, I think would come from really being intentional, understanding what it is, if you are wearing it or if you post it, taking the time to share what it is, you know, and share that culture with other people. Whereas I think on the other side, appropriation would be, you know, ‘look at these cool fur boots’ when, you know, they're not just like, cool for boots for like a specific, you know, I mean, like a specific Siberian traditional way of making the boots. So, yeah, there is quite a clear line, I'd say.

Keira

Do you remember that picture of Adelle? In your opinion, was that appreciation or appropriation?

Inara

I think the thing is the with the context that she's from London as well. It's an interesting one, like, I don't know, like, because she had the Bantu knots and stuff, but it's not like she was out here saying, oh, yeah, ‘these are like some new hair knots that I created’. The American would be. I mean, I'm sorry, but like, it happens to be more of the Americans that are doing this. And they'd be like, you know. She's she's not out there like saying, oh yeah. These are like some knots. They, you know, it was clearly for and I think she was there for Carnival. So she was just dressed like everyone else would be. But I don't know what your views were on that?

Sophia

I think like the fundamental problem with celebrities is that like this debate about appreciation versus appropriation is but like, appreciate is engaging with elements of a culture in like a respectful way, whereas appropriation is like engaging with them for your own benefit in a way that's kind of exploiting that culture. And I'm not sure that celebrities can do it in a way that isn't exploitative, just because they have such a massive platform, say, like, if you're like, do you know what I mean?

Inara

Yeah, for sure. There are some that do it right, like there are some that genuinely take the time to like, travel for three months, and they happen to share it on social media that they're travelling to this place and they'll like, do, like Instagram lives and they'll like give space for indigenous people to talk about what it is that they're doing. I mean, like, the only person that comes to my head trying to think, but there are like, I'm sure that I follow somewhere like Jason Momoa. He is I think he is Hawaiian, but he also does a lot of work with other indigenous communities like Pacific Ones and his that he does like full on Instagram Live. So he's letting like the person that's like made his heart talk about what it comes from and the origins and stuff. And his whole page is just like set of people. He's not a good example because like of his views on other things. But for this conversation, like cultural appropriation vs versus appreciation. Yes. But yeah.

Keira

Like I think mentioning, when you mentioned how people exploit it. So that's where I feel like that is quite overt. It's a very common thing. Like I thought, I just thought about Sabrina Carpenter and she, she was wearing a shirt, I think, where it said Jesus was a carpenter. And like, I know a lot of people didn't appreciate that. I don't know if I'm allowed to find that funny. Like, I'm a Christian, but, like, I'm a Catholic, but I lowkey found that funny.

Sophia

But specific to like cultures I think with celebrities it's like sometimes it feels like, oh look, this is like my new hairstyle. I'm like, oh no, this isn't culture. And it comes from like a long history and tradition. And yeah, it's important to acknowledge that.

Inara

Can we talk about that? Sorry, but can we talk about Ariana Grande? These racial phases... There was Blackiana. There's somebody who did a montage, there was Blackiana where she was like, ‘that's my juice’. You know? And then there was the Asian era.

Keira

Arigato Ariana

Inara

What era is she now?!

Sophia

She's in Glinda era!

Inara

Oh yeah. She was in Italian x and then Latin x era

Sophia

She is Italian right?

Inara

But she was like really into it at the time. But now she's back on her Blackiana era. It was like that was her era where she was like embracing her own culture. And then I don't know how she got down the slippery slope today.

Sophia

But yeah, yeah, the montages are really, like, crazy. So bad.

00:34:48:15 - 00:35:04:24

Inara

Filipino society throws amazing boat parties and I've missed every single one. And I need to go to at least one before. And everyone goes to those. Really everyone. Everyone goes to Filipino boat society. And I'm like, what? And you just see it like one evening your whole story. And I'm like, how did I miss the other night? I missed it again. Yeah. So shout out to them. They're just really good. Like I mean Filipino society in general, it's quite mixed. It loads of people are in LA. And cultural wise as well. I celebrated my first Diwali this like this academic year with friends that I met at UCL. So I love, love the international community.

Sophia

In June I went on the like access UCL widening participation.

Inara

Oh wow. Oh my gosh. Tell us about that.

Sophia

It was incredible. So we went to Vietnam for a week. Oh my gosh, I like I've never I've never been out of here before. So like it was just a really like really incredible experience. And we went to I mean, we were staying in Hanoi, but we went to, like, this self-sufficient village, kind of like on the outskirts of Vietnam. And, it was just so, like eye opening to see how people are living in such, like, a different way. And they taught us about how they fish and how they, like, get their rice and stuff. And it was like, honestly inspiring, like one of the probably the best experience of my life so far. So that was definitely a culture that I was like very, very privileged to be introduced to.

00:36:31:14 - 00:36:43:11

Sophia

With the increase of women and girls participation in sports such as football and basketball, what more can be done to increase participation? And should sports still be separated by gender?

Inara

Yes. Sorry, but yes, I will die on the hill as somebody as I just grew up as a, as a female athlete. Like absolutely that it doesn't mean that there shouldn't be spaces for non cisgender athletes. There definitely should be a different place for them to be able to perform at the highest level in their sports. But if I go back to the Paralympics, the Paralympics didn't always exist. And when the conversation did come around about how do we include athletes, the quadriplegic or athletes that have limited sight? Yeah, of course, one of the suggestions was just let them compete in the Olympics, but it's not fair. It's not fair to other people in some instances. But it's also not fair to those differently abled people in the same way, competing against, cisgender people and non, non cisgender people going into that environment in a way that it could be a disadvantage to the cisgender people, it could also be disadvantage to those non cisgender people coming in. So it's not a level playing field. And the whole point of competing against someone and why they split it up with gender is to make sure that it's a level playing field. I completely get the arguments of inclusion, which in that case, that energy needs to be redirected into creating a league or a space for people like transgender athletes to be able to compete. But in terms of sports, it's fine how it is.

Sophia

I think at like youth and recreational levels, like there should be spaces for. Yeah. Mixed, sports. But yeah, I agree that like at a professional level for fairness, separation is kind of necessary. But in terms of like, Participation for women and girls and like how to increase that, like it comes back. Everything I think comes back to like, education funding and like creating these spaces of inclusivity from an early age, like media coverage, like obviously with the euros a couple of years ago. Like that was such an amazing, like turning point in the way that, women's sports are viewed. And I think it's great to see like girls now will have such a different experience of like, football than when we were growing up. And like women's football has come so far in terms of its perception in society than it was literally like five years ago.

Thanks for tuning in to campus conversations. We hope you had as much fun listening as we did chatting. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like and follow us on our various podcast streaming platforms linked in the bio. If you've got a story, question or topic you'd like us to cover, the link is in the description. Until next time on Campus Conversations.