Megan&nbsp;Harwood-Baynes graduated in 2017 with a BA in American Literature with Creative Writing. She is now a Social Affairs &amp; Health Reporter at Sky News. In this interview, she tells us all about how experience at&nbsp;UEA set her up for a career in journalism, and why she is <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/page/running-for-the-matthewathon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">running the marathon</a> in memory of her father.
<h2>What have you been up to since you graduated?</h2>
After graduation, I moved to the Isle of Wight to study a journalism apprenticeship. After two years learning from some of the best reporters and editors, I made the big move back to the mainland and worked on the social media team at PA (formerly known as the Press Association).
I was one of the first in the newsroom assigned to write about "this new illness coming out of Wuhan", which was something I would continue to cover in depth for several years. This heightened my interest in writing about health inequality.
Recent work has included covering the trade of illicit abortion pills on social media and being one of the only reporters in courtroom seven at the trial of Lucy Letby.
<h2>What was your ambition for your career when you started at UEA? Did you have a specific career path in mind?</h2>
I have wanted to be a journalist from about the age of 15. My dad encouraged me to pursue writing as a career (my first choice was actually a lawyer, but we both agreed I couldn't base a career off the fact I enjoyed arguing with people...) and he encouraged me to apply to UEA, which has the best creative writing course in the country.
<h2>Tell us about your experiences studying at UEA.</h2>
My dad graduated from UEA about 30 years before me, and Norwich was always a special place to him. When I started to show an interest in writing, he encouraged me to think about applying for Creative Writing.
He drove me to a UEA Open Day (about an eight-hour round trip for us) and I fell in love with the University; stepping onto the campus felt like coming home. He was delighted when I was accepted onto the course and even more excited when I moved into his former digs, Norfolk Terrace. He used to tease me that it was more fun in his day because they could climb out onto the roof to sunbathe (the closest I got to that was rescuing a drunk student who had climbed out someone else's window...).
I loved living on campus so much that, after my year abroad, I moved back into it. It made it easier to run Concrete, the student newspaper (I spent about 90% of my fourth year in Union House - if I wasn't in the media office, I was behind the Unio bar making coffee).
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/1200x909/4a7adc7c99/megan-harwood-baynes-and-father.jpg" border="0" alt="Megan Harwood-Baynes and her Father celebrating graduation" width="500" height="379">Image: Megan Harwood-Baynes and her father celebrating graduation
<h2>How did your year abroad help with your career?</h2>
It certainly made me more employable, but perhaps not in the ways you would expect. Because it was a pass-fail year, I was able to be a bit more relaxed about the academics, so went out and got an internship at a local magazine (I sort of forced them to let me do it, and kind of just kept turning up at their offices every week until they would let me write things). I ended up covering some amazing stories about the local community which helped me get my first journalism job after graduation.
<h2>What personal or professional achievement are you most proud of?</h2>
I was named NCTJ Apprentice of the Year in 2018. This meant a lot to me because it was also the year my dad died, so to be able to achieve so much in my career while also dealing with that was huge for me. I just wish he had been around to see me pick up the award (the ceremony was two months after he died).
<h2>What were your experiences of Norwich as a city?</h2>
Living in the Golden Triangle was brilliant. I love the centre of the city - there was always new food to eat, new bars to try, new things to see. If journalism wasn't so London-centric, I would move back in a heartbeat.
<h2>Is there any advice you would give to current students wishing to follow a similar career path to you?</h2>
Join Concrete! Write as much as you can for them, and then find as much work experience as you can - don't take no for an answer.
The number of job rejections I have had in my career must be more than 50 or so now, but keep going, you'll get there. (And if you can, get a job on a local paper and work your way up).
<h2>What is next for you?</h2>
The London Marathon!
I am running the marathon to raise money for the hospice who looked after my dad - something I would never have even contemplated as a student. But I have always loved a challenge.

UEA graduate Megan Harwood-Baynes is Social Affairs & Health Reporter at Sky News. In this interview, she tells us all about how her experience at UEA set her up for a career in journalism, and why she is running the marathon in honour of her father.

Megan Harwood-Baynes's multi-generational UEA story

<h6>Left-to-Right for above group photo:&nbsp;Michael Marriott (CHE 72), Andy Dunkerley (CHE 73),&nbsp;Martin Howard (CHE 72),&nbsp;Debbie Hays (n&eacute;e McCloughlin) (EUR 73),&nbsp;Hilary Talbot (n&eacute;e Smith) (EAS 72),&nbsp;Teresa Marriott (n&eacute;e Collins) (EUR 73),&nbsp;Nigel Davis (CHE 72),&nbsp;Andy Oliver (CHE 72),&nbsp;Jane Oliver (n&eacute;e Palfrey) (BIO 72),&nbsp;Rob Thorpe (MAP 72),&nbsp;Pete James (CHE 72),&nbsp;Richard Skegg (CHE 72),&nbsp;Stuart Cottam (MAP 72),&nbsp;Les Thelwall (CHE 72), Geoff Stuttard (CHE 72),&nbsp;Terry Clough (MAP 72),&nbsp;Ed Bennet (MAP 72),&nbsp;Lilian Hodgson (n&eacute;e De Souza) (CHE 72),&nbsp;Ian Chapman (MAP 72),&nbsp;Gary Hays (CHE 72)&nbsp; </h6>
<h4>We are delighted to share more from two groups of alumni from the 1970s.</h4>
Firstly, the group pictured above is a collective of alumni from the 1972/73 intake of students. Leslie Thelwall of the group would like to share the following message:
"In August 2024, 23 UEA alumni (20 in the photo) largely from the 1972/73 intake came together for a reunion in Norwich. It was not our first as we have been meeting in Norwich for several years. It&rsquo;s over 50 years since we first met and are still going strong! If you know any of us and would like to make contact and/or be part of the 2025 reunion, please get in touch via the Alumni team. We would love to hear from you. Thanks, Leslie Thelwall (CHE 72)" 
<h4>The second group featured represent students who studied in our School of Environmental Sciences starting in 1978.&nbsp; <img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/1536x2048/af2b068a3e/env78-bunch_2024.jpg" border="0" alt="Group of UEA ENV alumni on field trip" width="300" height="400"></h4>
<h6>Left-to-right: Stefan Bort, Nick Allen, Petra Brown, Graham Bunn, Robert Brown </h6>
One of the group, Petra Brown (nee THOMAS), had the following to share about their recent meetings:
"Although our lives and careers have taken many different paths (from earth observation, data management, GIS, law, teaching, Information technology, to name but a few), the glue that continues to stick us together is our love for all things &ldquo;ENV-Y&rdquo;! A group of ENV78 alumni met in northern Spain, not far from the location of countless geology and soil science field trips, to enjoy the spectacular natural environment of <a href="https://www.turismoasturias.es/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asturias </a>&ndash; Spain&rsquo;s green paradise in the lesser-known part of the country. A province full of mountains, rivers, forests, wild coastal landscapes and great cuisine! Since graduating in 1981, our ENV studies have become so much more relevant and significant, now commonly reported in mainstream media. Our ENV lecturers prepared us well to observe, appreciate and interpret the world around us and the impact that we have as human beings. Moreover, taking careful note of the creatures in the air and on land, diversity of plants and forest life, geology and surface processes shaping the earth, and changes in our climate &ndash; a topic prominent in global governmental discussions, although not prominent enough. An amusing debate was had on interlocking spurs that no-one could clarify! We were privileged to spend three days together, catching up on many missing years which had been absorbed by the busy-ness of life. Only now with many of us on the cusp of retirement and still with loads of energy (!), do we have time to revisit activities from those ENV days &ndash; so many field trips, rendering so many unforgettable memories! For three days, we immersed ourselves in Asturian rural life. We hiked in mountain scenery dominated by limestone, marvelling at formations such as blow holes (&lsquo;bufones&rsquo;) by the sea, tilted bedding planes and intrusions, waterfalls and underground caverns. We visited an underground coal mining museum, offering deeper insight into a bygone era when coal mining was prevalent in Asturias. Today, much like in Great Britain&mdash;where coal once formed the backbone of industry and shaped the cultural landscape&mdash;mining has nearly disappeared. And to top it all off, we can't overlook the excellent Asturian cuisine, along with its renowned local cheeses and wines that had to be experienced. The pioneering School of Environmental Sciences at UEA equipped us with a solid foundation of scientific knowledge which is crucial to tackle the mounting environmental challenges of our time, and continues to do so for others who follow. If anyone from ENV78 - or those from shared courses - wishes to make contact, please get in touch via the Alumni Office. We&rsquo;d love to hear from you!"
&nbsp;
If you would like to contact either group please first email <a href="mailto:@alumni@uea.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alumni@uea.ac.uk</a>

We are pleased to share reports from two different groups of 1970s alumni on how they are still keeping in touch. Both groups explain more about their reunions and invite fellow 1970s alumni to join them.

1970s Alumni reunions in focus

With spooky season in full swing, who better to speak to than one of our recent UEA graduates currently starring in a new zombie horror series?
Buket K&ouml;m&uuml;r, who graduated with a degree in Film Studies with English Literature in 2020, currently features in Ben Wheatley's Generation Z, a new six-part series on&nbsp;Channel 4, alongside Johnny Vegas, Sue Johnston and Robert Lindsay.
Since graduating, Buket has had a number of different acting roles. We caught up with her to find out all about her time studying at UEA, her decision for coming to Norwich, and the best parts of her job. Any budding Bukets should read on for some helpful advice for following her footsteps into acting!
<h2>Do you have any fond memories of living and studying in Norwich?</h2>
&ldquo;I was really lucky to meet my two best friends at&nbsp;UEA because we were all on the same course. Getting to live with them and hang out together on and off campus was such a special time. We&rsquo;d go from watching a 1920s film together in a lecture to clubbing at the LCR that same day &ndash; it was great!&rdquo;
<h2>You grew up in North London &ndash; what made you choose&nbsp;UEA and move to Norwich?</h2>
&ldquo;It sounds really simple but I remember visiting the University on an open day and feeling really comfortable walking around. I could actually imagine myself there as a student which I hadn&rsquo;t felt when visiting other schools. Plus it was one of the only universities that offered a joint honours course in film and English literature, which were my favourite A-level subjects.
&ldquo;I knew I wanted to be an actor, but I also knew I wanted to learn more about the industry I was getting into from a different perspective. During the week, I&rsquo;d learn about film and writing on my course and then on weekends, I&rsquo;d travel back to London for acting classes. A lot of my student loan went on train tickets!&rdquo;
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/960x622/5209fb8816/buketwheatley.jpg?cv=1730453357300" border="0" alt="" width="838" height="543">Image: Buket on the set of Generation Z with director Ben Wheatley
<h2>What is the best part of your job?</h2>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;d say it&rsquo;s the variety &ndash; getting to play and collaborate with so many incredible people to create something together. With Generation Z, the show had so many themes and stories to explore outside of it being a zombie show, so every day we got to work on something different which was really fun and rewarding.&rdquo;
<h2>What advice would you give to a current or prospective student who wants to follow in your footsteps and get into acting?&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;I feel like I&rsquo;m still figuring out the industry and the best mindset to have around it myself, but the one thing I&rsquo;d say is to prioritise learning. To watch films and plays, to go to acting classes, to read great books in order to always find something to discover and be inspired by.
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a lot of aspects to this job but as long as you find what it is that drives you, you&rsquo;ll enjoy the journey no matter what.&rdquo;
For more news on&nbsp;Buket, and to keep up with her continued success, visit her <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8858945/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IMDB page</a>.&nbsp;All six episodes of Generation Z are available on catch up <a href="https://www.channel4.com/programmes/generation-z" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on Channel 4</a>.
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/ba-film-studies-and-english-literature" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Study Film Studies and English Literature at UEA</a>

Buket Kömür, who graduated from UEA with a degree in Film Studies with English Literature, currently stars in Generation Z, a new six-part series on Channel 4. She talked to us about her time studying in Norwich, and the best things about being an actor.

From campus to Channel 4: Buket Kömür’s journey to the TV screen

UEA Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International, Prof Steven McGuire, has visited China to develop the University's relationship and collaboration in arts and humanities with other Chinese institutions. Here, he keeps a daily record of his trip, and some of the exciting opportunities developing for&nbsp;UEA in Asia.
&nbsp;
We are at the Communications University of China, Nanjing (CUCN) to build on what is already a strong relationship with UEA in the arts and humanities. I was joined in the UEA delegation by Tom Roebuck, Karen Blackney, Tim Hubbard and Jeremy Qian. We met Prof Emma Chen, Ms Betty Shang, Ms Yifei Yang and Ms Elsa Shen.&nbsp;
UEA and CUCN are now working on a proposal for a joint institute to be housed on the Nanjing campus. The institute plans to offer a range of undergraduate courses across media, film, communication, and creative arts, with the potential for exciting trans-disciplinary collaborations across the university.&nbsp;
In addition, both institutions see the collaboration as a way of enriching the research environment at both universities, building on the success of&nbsp;CreativeUEA; joint funding applications, and publications firmly are on the agenda.  &nbsp;
CUCN is also keen to welcome our home undergraduates as visiting students. Interest in the creative industries is growing in countries like China, so we hope this collaboration grows strongly over the coming years. 
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Several of us travelled to&nbsp;Wenzhou - a medium-sized Chinese city of 10 million people - located south of Shanghai. Our China office has been working hard on concluding a novel, collaborative programme with Wenzhou Business College, a young university focused on the professions and now home to some 20,000 students.
The&nbsp;Wenzhou delegation was led by the Vice-Chancellor, Tang Ruo, and the Dean of International Faculty, Professor Cao Jiang. The session included a large number of students who plan to enrol on the UEA-Wenzhou partnership.
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x405/fcd5566ed9/wenzhou.jpg?cv=1730112298949" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="405">
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A day of meetings in Shanghai that perfectly illustrated the importance of UEA's broad subject offer. The morning was given over to a visit to the Shanghai International Fashion Education Centre (SIFEC). Located in a bustling neighbourhood in central Shanghai, SIFEC has developed exceptionally strong links with the significant arts, fashion and creative sector in the city. &nbsp;
SIFEC and UEA plan to work together to develop students' knowledge of business and management, notably marketing and branding through Norwich Business School. We also discussed ways that our complementary strengths across arts and media could be used in new projects. &nbsp;
The afternoon was an opportunity to visit Renji Hospital, a major medical school associated with Shanghai Jiao'Tong University. Renji is a vast and impressive operation, which utilises digital technologies to facilitate delivery of its services - everything from prescriptions to surgery - at scale and remotely. We talked about opportunities for collaboration on nursing education and on continuing professional development for their clinicians.

UEA Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International, Prof Steven McGuire, has visited China to develop the University's relationship in arts and humanities with other Chinese institutions, and explore new opportunities. Read updates of his trip via his diary.

Diary of a China visit

Earlier this month, a team of UEA students competed in a charity race across Norfolk, armed only with a map and a compass for their two-day adventure.

Race Across Norfolk

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Two businesses spun-out from research at UEA&nbsp;have won awards during 2024&rsquo;s Cambridge Tech Week, seeing off some of the most innovative early-stage&nbsp;companies in the country.&nbsp;
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Cambridge Tech Week, which ran from 9-13 September,&nbsp;brought together world-leading experts, innovators and investors to share insights and explore future collaborations. This year&rsquo;s event was the biggest so far, with more than 5,000 attendees (a 400% increase on last year) and over 500 companies represented across the week. &nbsp; &nbsp;
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One of the highlights of the programme was the Innovation Alley exhibition space, supported by UEA, which showcased 50 of the brightest early-stage companies, alongside larger tech firms. Two awards were on offer for delegates, with both the &lsquo;Start-up&rsquo; and &lsquo;People&rsquo;s Choice&rsquo; titles being given to companies with strong links to UEA. <span class="EOP SCXW189679007 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp; <img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/89c369f272/innovation-alley.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="350"> Image: Innovation Alley
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Julie Schofield, Associate Director Business Partnerships at UEA, said: &nbsp; &nbsp; &ldquo;UEA&rsquo;s success and prominence at Cambridge Tech Week highlights our commitment to innovation and in supporting the pioneering work of academics and students across the world-leading Norwich Research Park. It was a fantastic opportunity to make new connections and showcase the innovative thinking and groundbreaking tech being nurtured at UEA. &nbsp; &nbsp; &ldquo;I was particularly thrilled to see Cellexcel and Virilitas scooping both prizes at the Innovation Alley awards &ndash; this alone shines a light on how high the calibre of expertise UEA has to offer is. I look forward to strengthening the relationship with Cambridge Wireless and to fostering new relationships made, and continuing to promote UEA across the East, England and beyond."<span class="EOP SCXW189679007 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}">&nbsp;
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Virilitas: Leading the change in men&rsquo;s reproductive health&nbsp; Winner: People&rsquo;s Choice Award
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&nbsp;<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/34ad2857a9/virilitas-receving-the-people-s-choice-award.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="350"> Image: Daniel Marcu receiving the People's Choice Award Dr Daniel Marcu, Co-founder and Managing Director at Virilitas and Senior Research Scientist at UEA, said: &ldquo;One in six couples face infertility, with diagnosis often taking over 3 years. Our technology bridges this gap, empowering men and couples on their reproductive journey. Winning the People&rsquo;s Choice and Founders Live Awards at Cambridge Tech Week is a profound honour, showing strong support for our mission and demand for our innovative solutions. We are thrilled to drive innovation and change in male fertility.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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&nbsp; <iframe class="'tinymce-iframe'" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AanWSNZ5e6I?si=2vSmjtCCShAESCGy" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe><span class="EOP SCXW120836064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp;
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<a href="https://virilitaslabs.com/">Discover more about Virilitas. <span class="EOP SCXW120836064 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}">&nbsp;</a>
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Cellexcel: Innovative technology for water resistant materials &nbsp; Winner: Start-up of the Year&nbsp; &nbsp; <img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/883c5ab879/cellexcel-and-virilitas.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="350"> Image: Cellexcel and Virilitas with their Cambridge Tech Week awards.&nbsp; Steven Curtis, Chief Operating Officer at Cellexcel Ltd, said: &nbsp; &nbsp; &ldquo;2024 has been an amazing year for Cellexcel. The recognition from Cambridge Tech Week judges reflects the traction we have gained helping companies adopt biomaterials in their products. We could not have accelerated our technology development so quickly without the help and support from UEA and Norwich Research Park and we look forward to being part of that community for many years.&rdquo;&nbsp; <iframe class="'tinymce-iframe'" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XUT26GPojSM?si=YXDSP_FnMybyZJJI" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe> <a href="https://www.cellexcel.co.uk/">Discover more about Cellexcel.</a> 
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Two businesses created as spin-outs at UEA have won awards during 2024’s Cambridge Tech Week, seeing off some of the most innovative early-stage companies in the country.

UEA spin-out businesses win big at Cambridge Tech Week

This week, the new international students have arrived on campus, ready to start their journey at UEA.
Their Welcome Week started with being greeted at Heathrow Airport in a &lsquo;Love Actually&rsquo;-esque welcome, to a variety of fun activities around Norwich and on campus.
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Steven McGuire, Pro-Vice Chancellor for International at UEA, recently sat down with The Free Press Journal to discuss the attraction of UK universities to international students and the welcoming atmosphere UEA provides, being &lsquo;a home away from home&rsquo;.
Speaking&nbsp;about why international students choose to come to university, he said: &ldquo;The UK educational landscape is highly international. British universities have become much more welcoming and better equipped to support international students over the past two decades. There is a strong focus on&nbsp;employability, with many programs incorporating work-experience or industry projects.&rdquo;
Durga Bagchi, who is from&nbsp;Kolkata,&nbsp;India and studying a Master's in Economics, said: "I chose England because of the offer of a one-year Master's course, and it's pretty affordable compared to other countries. UEA stood out to me in particular because the city is safe and has such a rich culture, and I'm excited to study my Master's here!"
Prof McGuire also spoke about how&nbsp;UEA has handled recent social unrest for international students: &ldquo;The UK has a long history of being a safe and welcoming destination for international students. At the UEA, we prioritise student safety and well-being. In the event of any unrest, we would work closely with local authorities and provide additional support to our international student community to ensure their safety and address any concerns.
&ldquo;The UK government has shown commitment to attracting international students, as evidenced by the graduate route visa. However, the landscape is competitive, and we're always working to enhance our offerings to remain an attractive destination for international students. At the UEA, we advocate for it by ensuring our students are well-informed about this visa by highlighting its benefits in our communications with prospective students.&rdquo;
At UEA, much of this week has been spent organising events to help new students explore the city, socialise with each other, and engage in activities that help the students ease into life on campus.
Shashidar R. Kolur has chosen to study Molecular Medicine at UEA, making the move from Bangalore in India. He said: "UEA was my first choice to study my course as the entire curriculum stood out to me, and I'm so excited to get the opportunity to study at&nbsp;UEA. I have always wanted to be a part of the research conducted at UEA, and hope to achieve this in my time here."
Prof McGuire continues: &ldquo;All international students face one common problem: that is of acclimatisation. At UEA, we have support systems in place, including dedicated course directors for large international cohorts, student academic advisors, and welfare support. We encourage all students to join clubs and get involved in university life to build a support network.
&ldquo;We are always looking to improve our support, so we welcome feedback from students from different regions to address any specific needs they might have.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

This week, the new international students have arrived on campus, ready to start their journey at UEA.

International students arrive on campus!

Jade Cuttle, a UEA Creative Writing Master’s graduate has been named one of this year's BBC New Generation Thinkers, thanks to her work in nature poetry.

Poet, Plant Whisperer and passionate Singer-Songwriter: Jade Cuttle shares her journey to becoming a BBC New Generation Thinker

From studying Media Studies and completing an internship at UEA, to rubbing shoulders with celebrities as part of her work with the international charity, WaterAid, we caught up with Hana Bel Haj to find out her story.&nbsp;
<h2>What made you choose UEA?</h2>
"I initially chose UEA as an option because it was one of the leading universities for Media Studies. When I visited, that then became one of many reasons why I chose UEA. I loved the green campus, the city, and the feel and look of the place and the people. I also loved the media facilities, like the TV studio and the editing suites. I believed I could get the best from UEA."
<h2>What was your motivation for studying Media Studies?</h2>
"My main reason was how much I enjoyed studying it at A-level. It was the subject I was most interested in because of how diverse the range of work you study is.
"For-A levels I chose History, Psychology and Media and I felt like Media also encompassed the other two subjects. In media theory you get to look at why and how media can be used to change people&rsquo;s perceptions on certain things, and looking back at the development of technology and creative media was something I found fascinating. I could also see how the future could be molded and influenced by different forms of media and how they are used, which I found really exciting and interesting."
<h2>What were some highlights from your studies?</h2>
"I thoroughly enjoyed my course. I loved having the chance to be creative and develop my writing skills. I loved how varied it was and how I could choose the areas I wanted to focus on, I even did a politics module that looked at feminism in the media.
"The highlight of my course was the first term of third year doing a TV module &ndash; it was so fun to create a TV show, working in the control room and partially taking on the role of directing. Due to COVID, most of my first and second years were online, so I loved being able to do practical work and building friendships with my coursemates."
<h2><img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/27ee50030c/hana-bel-haj-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="350"></h2>
<h2>Were you involved with any of UEA&rsquo;s Clubs and Societies?</h2>
"I was part of the Ballroom and Latin dance club at UEA during my third year which I loved, and it was so lovely to meet new people and learn something new. I did it with a few friends and we even performed in UEA Strictly.
"I was also Social Secretary for the Arts, Media and American Studies (AMA) society, and loved using the Sports Park to do Zumba and play badminton with my housemates. I also worked as a Student Ambassador helping at events, which I really enjoyed."
<h2>What skills did you learn on your UEA Social Media internship? Has this helped you in your career?</h2>
"When I did my Social Media internship, it kick-started my career. I gained so many valuable skills and experiences, such as administrative skills, risk and crisis management, brief and strategy writing, content creation and editing, reporting and analytical skills.
"I learnt so much in those five months. It was a brilliant first role that allowed me to be creative but also learn foundational skills that have set me up for my career. I truly believe without the skills, support and positive experience I gained whilst doing my internship, I wouldn't have gotten the job that I love now."
<h2>Did anyone at UEA particularly inspire you?</h2>
"Two individuals at UEA that inspired me, and continue to do so, are Chris Price who was a lecturer on my media course and Elizabeth Starling, who was my manager during my Social Media internship.
"Chris has so much passion for media production and teaching, following his career at the BBC, and he inspired so many on my course to pursue a career in production. He genuinely cared about his students and made it such an enjoyable experience for us all; we had so much fun and for that reason we excelled in his module.
"Elizabeth was an incredible manager and mentor &ndash; exactly what you would want, especially in your first job. She gave me room to develop and be creative and was brilliant to shadow in all scenarios. I learnt so many valuable lessons from having her as a manager, including how to deal with crisis communications, which was a vital skill to take forward into my career in the media industry. I will always look up to her, not only as a manager I aspire to be like one day, but also because she is passionate about her job, constantly coming up with new and innovative ideas while still aligning with UEA's brand values and identity."
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/535ae58946/hana-bel-haj-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="350">
<h2>How did your course influence or impact your career?</h2>
"I am currently working as a Media and Celebrity Assistant at WaterAid. I always knew I wanted to work in the media industry, so my course was the stepping stone I wanted to lead me into my career.
"I have also always been fascinated by celebrities &ndash; while on my course I did a module called Celebrity which increased my fascination, how we put them on a pedestal and how they can be used as a force for good or bad. So, I definitely wanted to be on the side that made a positive difference, combining the work of celebrities and media for a positive impact."
<h2>What celebrities have you worked with in your job? Do you have any interesting stories to tell?</h2>
"We have worked with a lot of celebrities at WaterAid. Since I joined, I have worked with our Ambassadors Tyler West, Ellie Simmonds, Amanda Mealing, and met long-time supporters David Morrissey, Sophie Tea, Sir Tony Robinson and Dame Zandra Rhodes.
"I think my highlight was being at the Chelsea Flower Show and seeing so many people, from Nick Grimshaw to Indira Varma enjoying The WaterAid Garden. We even had HRH The Princess Royal pay a visit while we were there.
"My job is extremely varied, which is why I love it, and something I never expected to be doing. It,was great fun filming with different celebrities and influencers to create a campaign video; I ended up deadlifting Dr Sara Otung as part of the skit &ndash; luckily, I had been practicing my form and she is a personal trainer, &nbsp;so all went to plan!"

From studying Media Studies and completing an internship at UEA, to rubbing shoulders with celebrities as part of her work with WaterAid, we caught up with Hana Bel Haj to find out her story.

Water journey!

Many students across the UK will find out what&rsquo;s next for them later this week when they receive their A-Level results on Thursday (15 August). &nbsp;
For some students, this day will mark the next step of accepting an offer from their chosen university. Yet for others, this time will become a chance for redirection, to explore new possibilities through Clearing: the system used by UK universities to fill course places that are still open.&nbsp;
Whether you didn&rsquo;t get the grades you were expecting, have only just decided to come to university, or have had second thoughts about where to study &ndash; Clearing is an opportunity for you to get a place at university if you don&rsquo;t have one.&nbsp;
Lydiah Malova and Ozair Zamir, two current students who embarked on their university journeys via Clearing, have shared their different experiences of applying and reasons for choosing UEA, in addition to offering personal advice for prospective students heading down a similar path. &nbsp;
<h2>Lydiah Malova &nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;Sometimes unexpected paths can lead to the best destinations.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/21e23ca9ce/lydiah_malova_720x350.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="350">
Lydiah Malova is a first-year Computer Science student at UEA. After receiving grades lower than she hoped for, Lydiah was at first disheartened and felt she had to act fast to secure a place at university.&nbsp;
<h2>Tell us about your personal experience of Clearing.&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;It was a whirlwind of emotions &ndash; nervousness, excitement, and extreme uncertainty. My main worries were whether I could secure a spot quickly enough at a place I&rsquo;d enjoy, and how Clearing would affect my accommodation options. &nbsp;
&ldquo;It was a tough moment, but I knew I still wanted to pursue a degree in Computer Science so after taking some time to calm myself, I jumped into the Clearing process. On the day, I remember grabbing my phone, some breakfast and my laptop, and setting up a little command centre at the kitchen table. Once I got an offer from UEA, it felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Fortunately, everything fell into place smoothly. Looking back, Clearing was a bit of a rollercoaster, but it ultimately led me to the right place.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Why did you choose UEA?&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;UEA really stood out to me. Firstly, the Clearing team was incredibly supportive and reassuring. They made me feel welcomed and valued, which was really comforting in a stressful time.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Secondly, UEA's strong reputation for Computer Science. The course structure seemed robust, with a great balance of theory and practical application, and the facilities were top-notch.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The campus and surrounding environment also seemed vibrant and welcoming. I wanted a university experience that offered not just academic excellence, but also a supportive and inclusive community. Norwich sounded like a great place to live as a student &ndash; a city that's lively but not overwhelming, with a good mix of cultural activities and green spaces.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>What advice would you give to someone considering Clearing?  &nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;Clearing can be a stressful time, but it's also a time of new opportunities and exciting possibilities, so keep an open mind and stay optimistic. Remember that Clearing is an opportunity, not a setback.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Research your backup options. Before Results Day, do some research on alternative universities and courses that interest you. That way, if things don't go as planned, you already have a list of options to consider. &nbsp;
&ldquo;Be open to exploring new courses or universities that you might not have considered before. Sometimes unexpected opportunities can lead to amazing experiences and career paths. &nbsp;
&ldquo;If your results are not what you expected, don't panic. Clearing is a great opportunity to find a course that suits you. Take a deep breath and start making calls to universities offering courses you're interested in.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Did joining through Clearing change your university experience at all?&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;It added a unique dimension to my university experience. Initially, I worried it might feel like a setback, but in reality, it opened doors I hadn't even considered.&nbsp;
&ldquo;For one, it made me more adaptable and resilient. The process of navigating Clearing, researching options, and making quick decisions boosted my problem-solving skills and confidence.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Clearing also introduced me to UEA, a place I might not have chosen initially but which turned out to be the perfect fit. The community here is incredibly welcoming, and the support systems in place are fantastic. I've made amazing friends and found opportunities that align perfectly with my interests and career goals. &nbsp;
&ldquo;Starting my journey through Clearing gave me a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to be at UEA. It&rsquo;s a constant reminder that sometimes unexpected paths can lead to the best destinations.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-computing-science?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=BSc_Computer_Science" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Study Computer Science</a>
<iframe class="'tinymce-iframe'" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OUBVNCQO-bk" width="560" height="314"></iframe>
<h2>Ozair Zamir &nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;If you don&rsquo;t do as well as expected, you have other choices.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<img src="https://a.storyblok.com/f/185167/720x350/9c888af7e9/ozair_zamir_720x350.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="720" height="350">
Ozair Zamir is a second-year Biochemistry student at UEA. &nbsp;
After initially wanting to take a gap year before university, Ozair decided last minute to apply after receiving his grades.&nbsp;
<h2>Tell us about your personal experience of Clearing.&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;On A-Level results day, I went onto the UCAS Clearing website and looked at biochemistry courses, as I was already considering doing this before applying for university. I saw that UEA was offering a good course and that I had the grade requirements to apply, so I did. &nbsp;
&ldquo;I was worried but also excited about applying for university. There was some pressure for time on the day as I had to write a personal statement in a few hours and submit it that same day.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I was happy to get on my course through Clearing as I&rsquo;m able to spend a year abroad studying, which is something I always wanted to do, and still obtain an MSci &ndash; a bachelor's and master's degree &ndash; within a four-year degree.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Why did you choose UEA?&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;I visited UEA on the Clearing open day and made my decision after that. I liked the fact that the campus was quite rural and that there were many student jobs available with good pay. As of right now, I am a student ambassador, and I have enjoyed every part of my job.&nbsp;
&ldquo;As my degree is in biochemistry, I thought it would be great to have a School which values my degree, and UEA has great biology and chemistry departments. The advertisements for applying for internships with the <a href="https://www.jic.ac.uk/training-careers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Innes Centre</a> were also interesting, as I could get hands-on experience while studying to boost my CV and make me more employable in the future.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The campus was the complete opposite from what I originally wanted &ndash; to go to a city university and have a very busy university life. But after being here for a year and a half, I am glad to have made the decision for a campus university as everything is in one place and there&rsquo;s so many students on campus.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>What advice would you give to someone considering Clearing?  &nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;Research potential universities that have lower grade requirements than the ones you&rsquo;ve already applied for so, if you don&rsquo;t do as well as expected, you have other choices. Read through the modules they offer and see if it&rsquo;s the sort of syllabus that you will enjoy.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Look for any <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/visit/uni-open-days/virtual-open-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">virtual open day</a> and accommodation tours, as well as information for backup universities before A-level results day.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Make sure to have a personal statement ready before Clearing. Writing on the day in an hour was very stressful for me, but I was able to do it &ndash; especially with the help of my Higher Education Officer at school.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Find out what each university&rsquo;s stance on student welfare is &ndash; from what I have experienced, UEA is great with student wellbeing, and they offer to help a lot with queries. This can also be achieved by looking at the student university league tables to see the student satisfaction for the university you&rsquo;re considering applying for.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Did joining through Clearing change your university experience at all?&nbsp;</h2>
&ldquo;I&rsquo;d say that either way &ndash; applying through UCAS or applying through Clearing &ndash; had no difference on my university experience. The only difference was that the Clearing process was much more fast-paced than the conventional application process, as you&rsquo;re condensing months' worth of work and considering university options into a few days.&nbsp;
&ldquo;When you arrive at university, you also find that no one really cares how you got there, whether that be through UCAS, Clearing or alternative pathways. Most students are simply excited to live away from home and start their new course!&rdquo;&nbsp;
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-biochemistry?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=BSc_Biochemistry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Study Biochemistry</a>
<h2>If you are looking to start university in September 2024 and still thinking about your options, consider joining a UK Top 25 university this September through Clearing.&nbsp;</h2>
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/clearing?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=Lydiah_Ozair_Clearing_Stories" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Find out more about Clearing and view available courses</a>

Clearing is an opportunity for you to get a place at university – whether you didn’t get the A-Level grades you were expecting or have had second thoughts about where to study. Learn from two current UEA students about their own Clearing journeys.

Rewriting your future: Lydiah and Ozair's Clearing stories

Joe Skeet, Student Performance Sport Manager, and Serena Grace, a sprinter who was on the UEA+ Elite Scholarship Programme and was recently awarded a first in BSc Physical Education and Sports Health, visited BBC Radio Norfolk to talk to Chris Goreham about elite sport at UEA, the range&nbsp;of sports clubs on campus, and Serena&rsquo;s Olympic dream.
Chris: Why is Serena here? Well, according to the University of East Anglia, budding professional athletes can follow their academic dreams at the same time. With the Olympic Games underway,&nbsp;UEA is shining a spotlight on the scholarship programme that gives talented athletes, like Serena, the support to combine their sporting development with their academic studies.
So, Joe, people like Serena who have shown great talent in their sport get to a point where they traditionally feel like they've got make a decision. Do you try and go professional? Do you concentrate on your sport and just do that at the neglect of your studies? It's a tough choice, isn't it?
Joe:&nbsp;Yes, it's a really, really difficult choice. Which one do you focus on? You know, it's sensible to try and have a career and education as well. So, we try and be really flexible with that at UEA. All of our scholars get academic flexibility to help them manage that dual career, which is hopefully really exciting, and hopefully something that Serena can attest to as well.
Chris: How have you found it, Serena? Because you've got to that point now, haven't you, where you're promising enough to think there might be a career in sport, but anything can happen in sport, so you've almost got to have something else as well?
Serena: Definitely. I think it's wise to have a backup plan and I've always been quite academic as well, so I have very much enjoyed studying, gaining a degree, and sprinting at the same time. I've been able to develop my academic skills and and do well in it, but also have that community at UEA where I'm gaining that extra bit of support with my athletics.
Chris: I think stereotypically there is a thought that people are very good at sport, and I don't include myself in that, but you've got this sport and that's your main thing, and you don't really care about the studies as much. But from the way you're speaking, that isn't the case?
Serena: I think so. It is very common, like you said. But from my personal experience, I think because in an athletic world, you always want to do so well, you always want to give 100% and nothing less, I then implement that into other areas of my life.
Automatically I'm like, oh, my goodness, I just want to do well in this, that and the other, and just give 100% in everything I do - and I think it has paid off. I've just received a first in my degree at UEA and I'm also doing well sporting wise. So, I want to continue to study but also sprint at the same time.
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bsc-physical-education-sport-and-health?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=BSc_Physical_education_health_sport" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Study Physical Education and Sports Health at&nbsp;UEA</a>
Chris: You must be a nightmare to play Scrabble against.
Serena: I am!
Chris: The bit I would worry about is, if you're in the classroom doing your studies, is there a bit of you thinking, if I'm not out on the track, my times might suffer? How do you get your head around that?
Serena: Yes, 100%. I feel like because I've been at uni for three years now, I've definitely been able to learn how to balance things. Obviously, there's a great support network at the Sportspark with the UEA Sport Team.
So, I know that if I need that extra bit of support, I can either go to my lecturers or Joe, he'll be my first point of contact, and get that support if I need to. Because as an athlete, you do have anxieties. It's not like we're so strong minded we don&rsquo;t face those challenges as well, especially at uni, when you're having exams and assignments, it is going to get stressful. I think that's when it's so important to continue to run, continue to go to the gym, and things will definitely get better.
Chris: How do you aid people with that balance then, Joe? Because it can't be easy.&nbsp; 
Joe: It is difficult. They've got lots of commitments, all of the training, potentially working jobs as well to fund their degrees. We offer direct support through our performance team here, and we also offer, as I mentioned previously, academic flexibility, so there can be extensions if required, or if they're away at a training camp, they might be able to get authorised absences and things like that. We're also keen on sort of supporting athletes with their lifestyle as well.
We know it's difficult juggling numerous commitments and Serena does an excellent job of that - she&rsquo;s one of the busiest people I know! &nbsp;We sit down with them, talk through some of those challenges, and hopefully empower them make a decision that's going to suit their academic and sporting careers. We are very much empowering the athletes to make the decisions that are right for them, because it's their lives, it's not for us to tell them what to do.
Hopefully it comes across that we have a very friendly, very empowering network for athletes to use.
Chris: To prove that it works, Serena, we're lucky to have you in the studio because this time next week, we couldn't, could we?
Serena: No, I'll be away! Next Friday I'll leave to go to the USA, which I'm super excited about. I'm in the period where I'm packing and sorting everything out before I fly. I'm going to Iowa for my full scholarship to pursue my athletic career, but also further my academics, which will be amazing.
Chris: It feels like in the American system they are much more used to juggling education with college sports. The system is huge over there, isn't it?
Serena: Definitely. it's so huge. My future coach in the USA, he is so supportive, and I think that was a key deciding factor for me, to choose a uni where there's a support system, just like UEA, and they have amazing facilities there as well.
I just wanted to get away from this British winter weather really!
Chris: How inspiring has it been watching the Olympics?
Serena: It&rsquo;s been so inspiring. It's a shame that the Jamaicans weren't in the 200 metres, I was really excited to see Shelly-Ann Fraser run because she's one of my idols. It&rsquo;s been amazing watching them, it makes me want it even more. Hopefully, all being well, I can make LA 2028. That's the goal.
Chris: What about this, Joe?
Joe: I can see the determination. I've got to know Serena well over the last couple of years, and she&rsquo;s been sensible in managing all the academics, and she&rsquo;s so driven but so humble with it.
Chris: We&rsquo;ll want to see a Norfolk flag when you win your gold medal.
Serena: Definitely. I'll represent Norfolk all the way!
Chris: If we've got anyone listening who has family members, or they themselves are at a point where they're having to make a decision, how do they find out more about what you offer
Joe: First of all, there's the&nbsp;UEA Sports scholarship website, which details all of the information and lists the support and services talented athletes can access at UEA.
There's also a massive sporting programme at UEA in general for those that want to have a bit of fun and keep fit and healthy. You know, we have 57 sports club, we have an active campus programme where people can get discounted sort of activity sessions. There's dog walking, there's walks around the beautiful county of Norfolk as well. People can visit the UEA Sport or the UEA Sport scholarship websites and explore the whole breadth of what we offer. There's hopefully something for everyone there.
<h2>If you are looking to start university in September 2024 and still thinking about your options, consider joining a UK Top 25 university this September through Clearing.</h2>
<a class="ui-button" href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/clearing?utm_medium=other&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=clearing_24&amp;utm_content=UEA_sport_Radio_Norfolk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Find out more about Clearing and view available courses</a>

Joe Skeet and Serena Grace visited BBC Radio Norfolk to talk to Chris Goreham about elite sport at UEA, the range of sports clubs on campus, and Serena’s Olympic dream.

A Question of Sport

Gem Standen and Holly Gilman visited BBC Radio Norfolk to talk to Chris Goreham about their experiences as mature students, as well as offering advice for those looking to study later in life.

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