As part of the refurbishment project of Kings Boston, we decided to commission original work to go on the walls of the accommodation blocks our students use on the Pine Manor College Campus.
We chose to work with students on the Illustration degree at the University of Brighton. Art and Design at the University of Brighton is ranked 9th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2013 and we were very excited by what the students would come up with. The brief was to create artwork to inspire a home from home feeling, promote multiculturalism and appeal to the young and diverse audience our students represent.
The response from the Brighton Illustration students was enthusiastic and we got a lot of excellent entries.
The first artwork to go up on the wall was created by Leah Zobott, an Illustration student from Minneapolis College of Art and Design, who was on a transfer to Brighton for a term of her degree.
The mural is now decorating a wall of a common room in Block East 2 and it is a homage to Boston, showcasing some of the city’s main attractions. We will be soon unveiling more!
For details about the refurbishment at Kings Boston, including a video and pictures, go to www.kingscolleges.com/boston
For information about Art and Design at the University of Brighton go to www.brighton.ac.uk
For information about the Minneapolis College of Art and Design go to mcad.edu
On 3 May, a number of Kings London A-level and Foundation Year students visited the Bank of England with teachers Aqsa and Abiola as part of their studies on Monetary Policy.
Nikita Borozdin, Russian A-level student, reflected on the experience.
“The trip to the bank of England was an unforgettable experience. It was not just an opportunity to take a closer look at the remarkable monetary ‘gear’ of a vast and complicated economic system, but also gave us a chance to acquire vivid memories of our short and genuinely intensive school years in Britain. The encouragement of such activities is crucial as they provide an equally significant academic foundation as the knowledge that students obtain in classrooms, as you can see how things work in reality, rather than just on paper.”
Italian student Eugenio Fico describes the long-lasting impact of his experience in Boston, and his great respect for the people who he met.
All people have a story to tell; sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, sometimes it’s sad. Ultimately, it’s all significant and important because it is a story about LIFE. This is my story about how my life has changed through visiting this wonderful city (for the second time). My name is Eugenio, I’m in the Italian Military and I am studying English in Boston.
I’m here in Boston for my second time. Previously I lived and studied in the city for one month; it was by far the best experience I have ever had in my life. Being an international student allows me to meet a lot of people all over the world, to socialize, to share and to empathize with different feelings and cultures.
Here in Boston, I met the most interesting and diverse people who gave me all of themselves. When I went back to Italy I went back as a new man.
This time round I’ve experienced a very different two weeks. I lived another experience that will change my life and my way of thinking about everything.
On Monday 15th April, as all Bostonians, I went to the famous Boston Marathon to celebrate the “Patriot’s Day” in Copley Square,where everyone watches and supports thousands of international runners, who arrived here from all parts of the world, to enjoy this unique event full of meaning.
Staying by the “finish line” I really appreciated how all people, American or not,were enjoying that wonderful day as I stood under my home country Italian flag. I was about to take a picture of the flag when I was momentarily distracted by two Italian runners. I thought it was important for me to congratulate these men on their triumphant effort and so I started to follow them from the sidewalk towards the area past the finishing line. When I arrived to congratulate them the first bomb went off. Initially, I thought it as firework but seconds later, the second blast happened.
All people ran away in a panic, I stayed there and my first feeling was that something really serious was happening!
My first instinct had been to do offer help; so I talked to an officer, I said to her that I’m in the Military and could I help or assist. she showed her appreciation but said everything was under control.
Meanwhile, ambulances and police arrived so fast and I started to see many injured people. Then I realized what happened! Only when I saw the video of the bombings that evening, did I understand how lucky I was that day.
The picture I have attached is important for me to save in my mind and it will remain with me all my life. I will not reminisce on the images of people screaming and injured; I want to save the memory of how lucky I am. I took this picture by myself on a cold, windy day in Boston Common during my first experience here. I remember it was “Thanksgiving Day” and because of that special day I feel the need to say to all Bostonians and all the wonderful people I have met, all victims and those injured; to you I say this simple word….”THANK YOU.”
Fresh from the success of participating in the Fashion Show, Textiles Club at Kings London held an exhibition in the Link on Thursday 25th April 2013.
It was a great opportunity to showcase the items that the club has been working on since September. The members of the club have been working on a variety of projects from knitting scarves to making shoulder bags, cushions and hand puppets. They have also been making fabric and lace earrings.
If you want to learn how to sew or stitch anything, then come along on Tuesdays at 4.45pm in the Link, to try your hand at different styles of textiles. Who knows, you may even get to make clothes for next year’s Fashion Show!
Lynda, one of our hosts and a regular guest blogger, tells us about spending the Easter break with her current students Maggie and Clover.
Both our academic students have been on Easter break for two weeks. Maggie had planned a wonderful trip to Europe visiting Paris, Milan, Rome, Switzerland and Germany. She had booked to go with a Chinese friend, using a Chinese company that was going to take them by coach. Unfortunately, just a couple of weeks earlier, the travel company cancelled the tour. Maggie didn’t have time to organise anything else so she stayed with us in the UK. I think I was more disappointed than Maggie, because I know she would have loved to see more of Europe whilst she is here.
It is so easy to access Europe from here. Beckenham has good transport links to two major airports (Gatwick and Heathrow) with flights to every country in the world. The opportunities are endless and many places are close enough to visit for just a weekend – as long as you have the appropriate visa. I have even been on day trips to Paris, Barcelona and Marseilles. For Barcelona and Marseilles we took an early flight from Gatwick. Most international airports have good transport links to the city centre so you can take a local, inexpensive bus service. We would take a walk around the towns and find somewhere lovely to have lunch – the internet is great for finding recommended restaurants. Then another walk and head back to the airport for the flight home. It was tiring but exhilarating and we never encountered any delays. As there is an hour’s time difference between UK and mainland Europe we often arrived back in the UK at the same time we left our destination!
We have had many students from the Far East and Latin America who have taken advantage of Kings London’s fantastic location. One Korean boy finished his studies in June and then he went with a friend to travel all around Europe, often staying with other student friends he had made during his studies. Believe it or not, he met his wife on the trip and is now happily married with two children! Another student did a similar trip but she was not quite so adventurous – it seemed to be a European tour of McDonalds!
Clover had always planned to stay with us. Her and Maggie went shopping together on Easter Monday and Maggie kindly showed Clover how to get to Croydon by tram – the nearest tram stop is just behind our house. Clover visited friends for a long weekend. Apart from that both girls seemed to sleep a lot although they assured me they were studying as well. I do find it incredible quite how long teenagers can sleep. Anyway they are now back at school for their final term of the year. Luckily I have another week’s holiday so I will try and beat them at the sleeping game! A belated Happy Easter to you all, Lynda
As part of the refurbishment project of Kings Boston, we decided to commission original work to go on the walls of the accommodation blocks our students use on the Pine Manor College Campus.
