{"result":true,"posts":[{"ID":18301,"post_author":"0","post_date":"2026-04-03 22:10:21","post_date_gmt":"2026-04-03 22:10:21","post_content":"
@thedurhamstudent<\/a>

almost forgot #durhamuni<\/a> #durham<\/a> #university<\/a> #almostforgot<\/a> #fyp<\/a> <\/p> \u266c Almost forgot that this was the whole point - Take my Hand Instrumental - AntonioVivald<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> ","post_title":"Tiktok post 387250299 (7624658791547604246)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tiktok-post-387250299-7624658791547604246","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-04 01:00:03","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-04 00:00:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/social_post\/tiktok-post-387250299-7624658791547604246\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"social_post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"curator_id":"387250299","network_id":"25","network_name":"Tiktok","source_identifier":"7624658791547604246","source_created_at":"2026-04-03 22:10:21","text":"

\n
@thedurhamstudent<\/a> <\/p>\n

almost forgot #durhamuni<\/a> #durham<\/a> #university<\/a> #almostforgot<\/a> #fyp<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c Almost forgot that this was the whole point – Take my Hand Instrumental – AntonioVivald<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n","is_html":"1","image_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387250299.jpg?width=480","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/p16-common-sign.tiktokcdn-eu.com\/tos-no1a-p-0037-no\/oMQggFLSjdHoAhMTiWef8ki1IVHIvQ2AIfHZDZ~tplv-tiktokx-cropcenter-q:300:400:q72.jpeg?dr=9232&refresh_token=45173a2b&x-expires=1775340000&x-signature=wOGsEtRqMGvSeGvXxC6tBDl57gM%3D&t=bacd0480&ps=933b5bde&shp=d05b14bd&shcp=8aecc5ac&idc=no1a&sc=cover&biz_tag=tt_video&s=TIKTOK_FOR_DEVELOPER","has_media":"1","image_width":"576","image_height":"1024","image_large_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387250299.jpg?width=850","extra_images":[],"video_url":"","video_width":"576","video_height":"1024","post_url":"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thedurhamstudent\/video\/7624658791547604246?utm_campaign=tt4d_open_api&utm_source=aw1u9zv4fyzlo52w","comments":"0","views":"86","likes":"19","hashtags":"durhamuni,durham,university,almostforgot,fyp"}},{"ID":18300,"post_author":"0","post_date":"2026-04-03 21:13:44","post_date_gmt":"2026-04-03 21:13:44","post_content":"

@thedurhamstudent<\/a>

catching up at a cafe is the best post-lecture remedy #durham<\/a> #durhamuni<\/a> #cofeespot<\/a> #fyp<\/a> #fu<\/a><\/p> \u266c Small Change - DON WEST<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> ","post_title":"Tiktok post 387248472 (7624644211643518230)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tiktok-post-387248472-7624644211643518230","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-04 01:00:03","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-04 00:00:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/social_post\/tiktok-post-387248472-7624644211643518230\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"social_post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"curator_id":"387248472","network_id":"25","network_name":"Tiktok","source_identifier":"7624644211643518230","source_created_at":"2026-04-03 21:13:44","text":"

\n
@thedurhamstudent<\/a> <\/p>\n

catching up at a cafe is the best post-lecture remedy #durham<\/a> #durhamuni<\/a> #cofeespot<\/a> #fyp<\/a> #fu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c Small Change – DON WEST<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n","is_html":"1","image_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387248472.jpg?width=480","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/p19-common-sign.tiktokcdn-eu.com\/tos-no1a-p-0037-no\/o4kdEiFTLAAIZDjeAIJYeAZAQN8GoLfsFIILmI~tplv-tiktokx-cropcenter-q:300:400:q72.jpeg?dr=9232&refresh_token=210d43b1&x-expires=1775336400&x-signature=vPmW4UFyOnyDayDHGBmYBa73Dao%3D&t=bacd0480&ps=933b5bde&shp=d05b14bd&shcp=8aecc5ac&idc=no1a&biz_tag=tt_video&s=TIKTOK_FOR_DEVELOPER&sc=cover","has_media":"1","image_width":"1080","image_height":"1920","image_large_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387248472.jpg?width=850","extra_images":[],"video_url":"","video_width":"1080","video_height":"1920","post_url":"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thedurhamstudent\/video\/7624644211643518230?utm_campaign=tt4d_open_api&utm_source=aw1u9zv4fyzlo52w","comments":"0","views":"47","likes":"4","hashtags":"durham,durhamuni,cofeespot,fyp,fu"}},{"ID":18299,"post_author":"0","post_date":"2026-04-03 13:36:13","post_date_gmt":"2026-04-03 13:36:13","post_content":"

@thedurhamstudent<\/a>

TDS Street Interviews part 1\ud83e\udd2d #durhamuni<\/a> #college<\/a> #university<\/a> #fyp<\/a> #studentlife<\/a><\/p> \u266c OUT OF MY LEAGUE - xpepporoniz<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> ","post_title":"Tiktok post 387232088 (7624526309217078550)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tiktok-post-387232088-7624526309217078550","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-04 01:00:03","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-04 00:00:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/social_post\/tiktok-post-387232088-7624526309217078550\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"social_post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"curator_id":"387232088","network_id":"25","network_name":"Tiktok","source_identifier":"7624526309217078550","source_created_at":"2026-04-03 13:36:13","text":"

\n
@thedurhamstudent<\/a> <\/p>\n

TDS Street Interviews part 1\ud83e\udd2d #durhamuni<\/a> #college<\/a> #university<\/a> #fyp<\/a> #studentlife<\/a><\/p>\n

\u266c OUT OF MY LEAGUE – xpepporoniz<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n","is_html":"1","image_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387232088.jpg?width=480","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/p16-common-sign.tiktokcdn-eu.com\/tos-no1a-p-0037-no\/ooiFAEpIPdmBLCWwggkkefi6iEARDAz4GLhTAE~tplv-tiktokx-cropcenter-q:300:400:q72.jpeg?dr=9232&refresh_token=ab78ed98&x-expires=1775307600&x-signature=9h5dnsOv85D83Ad2YmoZesxMKpY%3D&t=bacd0480&ps=933b5bde&shp=d05b14bd&shcp=8aecc5ac&idc=no1a&biz_tag=tt_video&s=TIKTOK_FOR_DEVELOPER&sc=cover","has_media":"1","image_width":"1080","image_height":"1920","image_large_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387232088.jpg?width=850","extra_images":[],"video_url":"","video_width":"1080","video_height":"1920","post_url":"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thedurhamstudent\/video\/7624526309217078550?utm_campaign=tt4d_open_api&utm_source=aw1u9zv4fyzlo52w","comments":"0","views":"249","likes":"38","hashtags":"durhamuni,college,university,fyp,studentlife"}},{"ID":18298,"post_author":"0","post_date":"2026-04-02 13:39:07","post_date_gmt":"2026-04-02 13:39:07","post_content":"summer evenings where you don\u2019t have to wear a puffer jacket are finally within reach","post_title":"Instagram post 387187616 (18066665240324892)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"instagram-post-387187616-18066665240324892","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-04 01:00:03","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-04 00:00:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/social_post\/instagram-post-387187616-18066665240324892\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"social_post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"curator_id":"387187616","network_id":"2","network_name":"Instagram","source_identifier":"18066665240324892","source_created_at":"2026-04-02 13:39:07","text":"

summer evenings where you don\u2019t have to wear a puffer jacket are finally within reach<\/p>\n","is_html":"0","image_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387187616.jpg?width=480","thumbnail_url":"","has_media":"1","image_width":"736","image_height":"937","image_large_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387187616.jpg?width=850","extra_images":[{"url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387187616_1.jpg?width=850","width":0,"height":0},{"url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387187616_2.jpg?width=850","width":0,"height":0},{"url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387187616_3.jpg?width=850","width":0,"height":0},{"url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387187616_4.jpg?width=850","width":0,"height":0}],"video_url":"","video_width":"0","video_height":"0","post_url":"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DWoZphYjkCr\/","comments":"0","views":"0","likes":"1269","hashtags":""}},{"ID":18136,"post_author":"14","post_date":"2026-03-30 15:44:01","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-30 14:44:01","post_content":"\n

Image - The Bouregreg River from the Kasbah des Oudayas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my year abroad, I split my time between Rabat, Paris and Toulouse, and of those three, Rabat, Morocco was by far my favourite. Sunny days, glittering beaches, and noisy souks made up my daily routine in Rabat, and for no more than a fiver, a full day out and about could be had. Spend an average day with me and discover the joys of Moroccan cuisine and learning Arabic in its westernmost home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8:00 am - wake up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My days started with an early rise. Although at first a tough pill to swallow, I soon realised waking with the sun was a vital necessity in order to complete the day's tasks and be fully hidden away before the afternoon heat. As a woman in Morocco, clothing often looked like a long skirt, a linen button-up and potentially a headscarf to avoid sunburn. Of course, my California self revelled in the opportunity to wear sandals to class, and after a quick getting ready and grabbing my books, I headed through the streets of the Agdal towards my school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Me in the lobby of my school accommodation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8:30 am - class starts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At my language school, Qalam wa Lawh, class started promptly at 8:30. All students were offered a light breakfast at 8, and at half past, we began our lessons, which ran until 12:30. Our classes all began with the same question: \u201cMadha fa\u2019alti aams?\u201d(What did you do yesterday?), which gave us all a chance to wake up, use a bit of Arabic, and catch up on one another\u2019s goings on from the day before. Classes consisted of grammar practice, reading, and lots of speaking in Arabic, as most of the teachers above beginner level spoke only French or Arabic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10:30 am - Istiraha (break)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Halfway through class, we had a brief 15-minute break where some fantastic Moroccan shai (mint tea) was served along with the option to purchase a msemen (Moroccan fried bread) from the kitchen for 50p. Morning msemen often served as my breakfast and is one of the things I miss most about my days in Morocco. It provided a bit of routine, and you were given the option to fill your msemen with either Jubn (soft cheese) or Nutella. After the break, classes resumed, and we all got back to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The courtyard at Qalam wa Lawh school<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

12:30 - lunchtime<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the end of classes, those who had opted to receive school lunches received a traditional Moroccan lunch, homemade in-house, which ranged from tagine to pastillas, or sometimes just a nice warm spag bol. Lunches provided a delicious and easy way to discover more of Moroccan culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 pm - nap time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After class, in the middle of a Moroccan summer, the heat started to get quite intense, and the middle of the day was best avoided by a nap or film indoors. I would head home and turn on my AC before sprawling out on top of my sheets like a cat on a tile floor trying to stay cool. Moroccan houses are uniquely designed to repel heat and retain cool air (a stark contrast to the build of British houses), and I enjoyed avoiding the worst of the scorching sun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 pm - adventure into town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the worst of the midday heat, a bit more fun could be had, and I usually didn\u2019t start heading out into the city until 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Rabat is teeming with life well into the evening, and the time at which stores and restaurants close is incredibly flexible. In general, I found Moroccan culture to be remarkably laid back. I would usually start off my evening with a taxi to the Kasbah. A taxi across town rarely cost more than \u00a32, and once there, I could make my way down to the beach with a freshly fried sugar doughnut in hand for the cost of 10p. The beach was often filled with life until late in the evening, and for 50p, you could take a short boat ride across the river to Sal\u00e9 beach and spend a bit of time dipping in the waves of the inlet and enjoying the sounds of boys diving off the rocks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Rabat Beach with Sal\u00e9 in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
A rug vendor in the souk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7:30 pm - Dinner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A couple of hours at the beach well spent, it was time to head into the souk for some dinner and light shopping. The street into the souk from the Kasbah was home to some amazing juice stands, and some lemon juice or freshly squeezed orange juice could be procured for 50p, making an excellent accompaniment for wandering through the Medina. If you went a bit off the beaten path, you could find the more local-heavy produce markets and pick up fresh watermelons or figs for a snack at home later in the week. With dinner on the mind, I would pick up a habricha sandwich for 70p and it was filled with egg, rice and meat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

9:30 pm - Homework<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the evening bustle starting to die down and shops beginning to close, I would catch a taxi back home to Agdal from outside Bab el-Had. Once home, I\u2019d make a cup of tea, grab my books, and settle down at the dining room table to get my work done for the coming day. Homework could be anything from learning vocab to writing a paragraph about a new topic, and it always helped to solidify the topics from the day in my mind. Once I\u2019d completed my homework, usually around midnight, I\u2019d shut down the AC, and head to bed, ready for the day to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Homework from Al-Kitaab in the evening<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Discover more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about Durham Global Opportunities <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create your own personalised prospectus here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find out more about student life in Durham, follow our students on Instagram,<\/a> TikTok<\/a> and YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"My year abroad - a day in my life in Rabat","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"my-year-abroad-a-day-in-my-life-in-rabat","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-03-30 15:57:01","post_modified_gmt":"2026-03-30 14:57:01","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/?p=18136","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"featured":false,"playlists":[15871,16727],"hex_rgb":"#7f7f7f","network_id":"999","network_name":"Blog Post","image_url":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/03\/the-bouregreg-river-.jpg","override_image_url":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/03\/the-bouregreg-river-.jpg","extra_images":[]}},{"ID":18290,"post_author":"0","post_date":"2026-03-30 12:38:03","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-30 12:38:03","post_content":"a durham hidden gem","post_title":"Instagram post 387046318 (18577999015020200)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"instagram-post-387046318-18577999015020200","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-04 01:00:03","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-04 00:00:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/social_post\/instagram-post-387046318-18577999015020200\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"social_post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"curator_id":"387046318","network_id":"2","network_name":"Instagram","source_identifier":"18577999015020200","source_created_at":"2026-03-30 12:38:03","text":"

a durham hidden gem<\/p>\n","is_html":"0","image_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387046318.jpg?width=480","thumbnail_url":"","has_media":"1","image_width":"640","image_height":"1136","image_large_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387046318.jpg?width=850","extra_images":[],"video_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/387046318.mp4","video_width":"0","video_height":"0","post_url":"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWgkKmOCMKD\/","comments":"1","views":"0","likes":"452","hashtags":""}},{"ID":18288,"post_author":"0","post_date":"2026-03-28 14:04:42","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-28 14:04:42","post_content":"

@thedurhamstudent<\/a>

Cheer Comp 2026!\ud83e\ude77 #fyp<\/a> #cheer<\/a> #durham<\/a> #uni<\/a> #durhamuni<\/a> <\/p> \u266c We Are The People - Empire Of The Sun<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> ","post_title":"Tiktok post 386972510 (7622307119701806358)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tiktok-post-386972510-7622307119701806358","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-04 01:00:03","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-04 00:00:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/social_post\/tiktok-post-386972510-7622307119701806358\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"social_post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"curator_id":"386972510","network_id":"25","network_name":"Tiktok","source_identifier":"7622307119701806358","source_created_at":"2026-03-28 14:04:42","text":"

\n
@thedurhamstudent<\/a> <\/p>\n

Cheer Comp 2026!\ud83e\ude77 #fyp<\/a> #cheer<\/a> #durham<\/a> #uni<\/a> #durhamuni<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c We Are The People – Empire Of The Sun<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n","is_html":"1","image_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/386972510.jpg?width=480","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/p16-common-sign.tiktokcdn-eu.com\/tos-no1a-p-0037-no\/o8jA0DE7fxDCjmADeZxaF1PLfuIIGTQIvIQvwl~tplv-tiktokx-cropcenter-q:300:400:q72.jpeg?dr=9232&refresh_token=fde76156&x-expires=1775296800&x-signature=dLi2Y%2BHfjByfGkNz8AIhS4fShdU%3D&t=bacd0480&ps=933b5bde&shp=d05b14bd&shcp=8aecc5ac&idc=no1a&sc=cover&biz_tag=tt_video&s=TIKTOK_FOR_DEVELOPER","has_media":"1","image_width":"1080","image_height":"1920","image_large_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/386972510.jpg?width=850","extra_images":[],"video_url":"","video_width":"1080","video_height":"1920","post_url":"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thedurhamstudent\/video\/7622307119701806358?utm_campaign=tt4d_open_api&utm_source=aw1u9zv4fyzlo52w","comments":"0","views":"1804","likes":"135","hashtags":"fyp,cheer,durham,uni,durhamuni"}},{"ID":18282,"post_author":"14","post_date":"2026-03-27 16:16:34","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-27 16:16:34","post_content":"\n

When I first told my family I was leaving Pakistan\u2019s bustling metropolitan life for a small\u00a0city\u00a0in the\u00a0North East\u00a0of England, the reaction was a mixture of shock and confusion. Why trade a city of millions for\u00a0Durham? At the time, I\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0entirely\u00a0sure\u00a0myself \u2014 I came for the academics, drawn by Durham's School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) reputation and diversity. What I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0realise\u00a0was how much more I would gain from this place. I arrived with two large suitcases carrying my life;\u00a0I\u2019ll\u00a0leave with\u00a0far more than I ever expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Settling into\u00a0college life\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Durham may be small, but it has a way of expanding to fit you. Coming from a city where 35\u00b0C summers are the norm, my first Northern English winter felt like a personal challenge \u2014 one\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0proud to say I survived. I was\u00a0in\u00a0Hatfield College on\u00a0the Bailey, which made me feel close to the heart of the city. Weekly formals,\u00a0late-night\u00a0conversations, and meeting people from every corner of the world grounded me in a way I\u00a0didn\u2019t\u00a0anticipate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting my first job at the Hatfield caf\u00e9 was another turning point. It\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0just about earning\u00a0money; it was about becoming independent in a new country. Every shift made me feel like I was\u00a0accomplishing\u00a0something meaningful, building a life that was truly mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Hatfield College<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Sunset over the river <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First Impressions of SGIA\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The core reason I chose Durham was SGIA. I still remember the disbelief I felt when I received my offer \u2014 it felt surreal that a department so\u00a0well-known\u00a0and globally respected wanted\u00a0me<\/em>. Walking into the Al Qasimi Building for the first time\u00a0felt like stepping\u00a0into the\u00a0centre\u00a0of something bigger than myself. The walls lined with framed photos of student trips\u00a0\u2014 including volunteering in Cape Town \u2014 made me\u00a0realise\u00a0how many opportunities existed beyond the classroom.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I saw the display showing the 50+ nationalities represented in the department. For someone who had travelled continents alone, that moment mattered. It made me feel less like an outsider and more like someone joining a global community. SGIA doesn\u2019t just teach international relations \u2014 it lives<\/em> it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Al Qasimi Building<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A cultural exchange\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My first seminar was for Comparative Politics in\u00a0my first\u00a0year, and I remember walking in with nerves buzzing. Coming from\u00a0a very different\u00a0educational background, I worried I\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0fit in or keep up. Instead, the seminar felt like a cultural exchange. People shared perspectives shaped by their own countries, histories, and experiences. There was no judgment \u2014 only curiosity, acceptance, and genuine interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That atmosphere is what makes SGIA special. The diversity isn\u2019t just demographic; it\u2019s intellectual. You learn as much from your peers as you do from the readings. Discussions feel alive, shaped by real stories and lived realities rather than abstract theories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support that makes a difference\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of my biggest fears before arriving was whether I would be able to adapt academically. I didn\u2019t realise how accommodating and supportive the faculty would be. SGIA offers peer mentors, academic advisors, and generous office hours \u2014 all of which I used, especially in my first year. No question was too small, no confusion too embarrassing. That support allowed me not just to adjust, but to excel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s something empowering about knowing that the people teaching you genuinely want you to succeed. It makes the transition from one educational culture to another feel less daunting and more like a shared journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being a woman of\u00a0colour\u00a0in politics\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a woman of colour and an international student studying politics, I carried quiet worries with me. Would I be taken seriously? Would my voice matter? Those fears dissolved quickly. Seeing women and men \u2014 from so many backgrounds \u2014 in positions of academic leadership was inspiring. It made me feel like I, too, could excel in this environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What struck me even more was learning that SGIA was the first Politics department in the entire UK to receive an Athena Swan award<\/strong>, and that it now holds a Silver Award. Knowing that the School has been recognised nationally for its commitment to gender equality made everything I was experiencing make sense. I felt comfortable sharing my opinions in seminars, never feeling undervalued or out of place. That sense of belonging is part of what motivated me to become an ambassador for the School of Government and International Affairs \u2014 a role that still feels surreal and deeply meaningful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back \u2014 and forward\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, when I look back at my time here, I can say with complete honesty that choosing Durham was the best decision I\u2019ve ever made. If a girl who moved continents to a town she had never visited \u2014 where no one spoke her language and everything felt unfamiliar \u2014 can feel this safe, supported, and at home, then the community here is truly larger than life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Durham has given me more than an education. It has given me confidence, independence, friendships across continents, and a sense of belonging I didn\u2019t know I needed. And yes \u2014 British food really isn\u2019t that bad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at our School of Government and International Affairs<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create your own personalised prospectus<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find out more about student life in Durham, follow our students on Instagram,<\/a> TikTok<\/a> and YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","post_title":"From Pakistan to Durham: Finding my place at SGIA\u00a0","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"from-pakistan-to-durham-finding-my-place-at-sgia","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-03-27 16:16:36","post_modified_gmt":"2026-03-27 16:16:36","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/?p=18282","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"featured":false,"playlists":[15784,15875],"hex_rgb":"#7f7f7f","network_id":"999","network_name":"Blog Post","image_url":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/03\/bow-lane-students.jpg","override_image_url":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/03\/bow-lane-students.jpg","extra_images":[]}},{"ID":18268,"post_author":"14","post_date":"2026-03-26 14:50:52","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-26 14:50:52","post_content":"\n

Being selected for the Chevening Scholarship and studying at Durham University has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my academic journey. Chevening is highly competitive, so it is a great honour to be part of this global community of scholars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I feel very privileged to study at the Durham University Business School. As someone who is strongly passionate about economics, learning in such a respected academic environment is both inspiring and motivating. Being here encourages me to aim higher and continue progressing towards my aspiration of becoming an academic economist and contributing to economic research and policy design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the things that first attracted me to Durham was the rigorous structure of the programme. The university\u2019s strong academic reputation and the wide range of optional modules were also very important in my decision. After several months here, I have been impressed by the quality of the Business School, the excellent facilities, and the extensive academic resources available to students. Durham has a truly academic atmosphere that encourages curiosity, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am particularly enjoying the intellectual challenge of this master\u2019s programme. The teaching is rigorous, classroom discussions are stimulating, and the support from professors has been extremely valuable. The programme is strengthening my analytical skills, deepening my understanding of economics, and helping me clarify my long-term professional goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Beyond academics, life in Durham is also very enjoyable. The city has a unique character, with its historic cathedral, castle, river, and colleges creating a special environment for study and reflection. I have grown very fond of this city, and it is a wonderful place to live and learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For anyone considering Durham, my advice is simple: be curious, work hard, and take advantage of the opportunities the university offers. If you are looking for academic excellence combined with a welcoming student environment, Durham is an excellent choice.

Finally, being a Chevening Scholar makes this experience even more special. The scholarship has connected me to a global network of talented individuals and provided valuable opportunities for personal and professional development. It is truly an inspiring community to be part of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about Chevening Scholarships \u2013 Durham University<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create your own personalised prospectus here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find out more about student life in Durham, follow our students on Instagram,<\/a> TikTok<\/a> and YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n","post_title":"My student life as a Chevening Scholar at Durham University","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"my-student-life-as-a-chevening-scholar-at-durham-university","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-03-26 14:50:54","post_modified_gmt":"2026-03-26 14:50:54","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/?p=18268","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"featured":false,"playlists":[15876],"hex_rgb":"#7f7f7f","network_id":"999","network_name":"Blog Post","image_url":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/03\/jonas-fernando.jpg","override_image_url":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/03\/jonas-fernando.jpg","extra_images":[]}},{"ID":18281,"post_author":"0","post_date":"2026-03-26 14:31:14","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-26 14:31:14","post_content":"

@thedurhamstudent<\/a>

#durham<\/a> #college<\/a> #durhamuni<\/a> #fy<\/a> #rankings<\/a> <\/p> \u266c Ribs - Lorde<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> ","post_title":"Tiktok post 386894185 (7621571796386565398)","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"tiktok-post-386894185-7621571796386565398","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-04-04 01:00:03","post_modified_gmt":"2026-04-04 00:00:03","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/durham-student.org\/social_post\/tiktok-post-386894185-7621571796386565398\/","menu_order":0,"post_type":"social_post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw","data":{"curator_id":"386894185","network_id":"25","network_name":"Tiktok","source_identifier":"7621571796386565398","source_created_at":"2026-03-26 14:31:14","text":"

\n
@thedurhamstudent<\/a> <\/p>\n

#durham<\/a> #college<\/a> #durhamuni<\/a> #fy<\/a> #rankings<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c Ribs – Lorde<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n","is_html":"1","image_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/386894185.jpg?width=480","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/p19-common-sign.tiktokcdn-eu.com\/tos-no1a-i-photomode-no\/b2b7105c4acc462c8344201479f16cb8~tplv-photomode-image-cover:640:0:q70.webp?dr=1350&refresh_token=69caff3c&x-expires=1776506400&x-signature=kRtXn1l3Nz91UhF1Jt2Q20yDyrQ%3D&t=5897f7ec&ps=d5b8ac02&shp=d05b14bd&shcp=8aecc5ac&idc=no1a&s=TIKTOK_FOR_DEVELOPER&biz_tag=tt_photomode&sc=cover","has_media":"1","image_width":"0","image_height":"0","image_large_url":"https:\/\/curator-assets.b-cdn.net\/9e05e64d-f9c6-43c8-ab2d-e08a11bfb82a\/386894185.jpg?width=850","extra_images":[],"video_url":"","video_width":"0","video_height":"0","post_url":"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thedurhamstudent\/video\/7621571796386565398?utm_campaign=tt4d_open_api&utm_source=aw1u9zv4fyzlo52w","comments":"3","views":"9603","likes":"604","hashtags":"durham,college,durhamuni,fy,rankings"}},{"ID":18265,"post_author":"14","post_date":"2026-03-25 16:45:03","post_date_gmt":"2026-03-25 16:45:03","post_content":"\n

Having just finished my first term at Durham University, I can tell you first-hand that student life can be expensive - especially when you don\u2019t know how to budget. And yes, that was definitely me last term: too many sweet treats from Tesco, a few too many college bar drinks, and one or two online shopping splurges. So here are the tips I wish someone had shared with me in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reality of food costs in Durham<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How much you spend will look very different depending on whether you\u2019re catered or self-catered. If you\u2019re self-catered, food becomes one of your biggest weekly expenses. Most students default to Tesco because it\u2019s convenient, but it\u2019s worth exploring cheaper options, such as Aldi, Lidl, or Iceland, and making the most of loyalty cards. Every penny really does count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you are catered, it\u2019s the \u201cextras\u201d that creep up on you: post-night-out takeaways, coffee between lectures, or brunch at Riverview Kitchen. These are completely part of the Durham experience, but they need to be factored into your weekly budget rather than treated as spontaneous extras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nights out are another major cost. A few things that have helped me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n