I feel immersed in all the lectures, learning details I didn’t know before.

Redwan Al Sayed Eid comes from Syria where he studied tourism as he wanted to become a flight attendant. Due to circumstances that did not work out, he ended up working for the Print, Electronic and Broadcast Media in Syria, and later in Turkey, both in Arabic and English.

“My destiny took me to the media kitchen and I realised I was already gifted in writing. That’s what all my editors said. I wanted to study journalism academically and I was planning to do it in Syria, but I didn’t have the chance to do so. Now I feel like I was lucky that I did not have that chance because now I have a better opportunity to study in a free and open environment here, and get the UK qualification. I applied to the University of Gloucestershire and I was accepted.”

Cheltenham

“Cheltenham is a welcoming society. People here are really warm and hospitable. I am a big fan of the UK, maybe because of the language, maybe because the majority of my friends are British. The positive experience with them made me inclined to judge positively about the British society here.

English

“When I first came, I was deeply frustrated that I couldn’t understand people. I felt like this is not the English I studied, or I used to listen to. There are more local accents that gave me a difficult time. At times, I asked people to repeat what they said once, twice or three times as I could not understand and that embarrassed me. But it is much better now.” “I am the only foreign student in the course, to study journalism in your second language is challenging. I still like it, adore it even, but it’s really very hard and challenging. My use of English tends to be formal, even though I’m receiving feedback. Some notes from my radio lecturer were like “Your English is amazing, but we really need you to relax it a little bit, to tone it down somehow, because for radio, we use a more informal language.” She also gave me some tips like listen to Radio 5 and things like that so that I can get this informal language and this is what I’m trying to do at the moment.”

Course

“I’m studying the main journalism course, which was my intention. We get trained to write news, we learn how the law institutions for journalism work in the UK. We study the difference between writing the radio or TV and writing for the print or electronic media. We get trained to work behind and in front of the camera. We work on our voices. We work on our accents and how we need to deliver what we present very clearly to the viewer, to the listener. We also are trained on some technical skills like using Adobe Suites for editing audio and video clips. This is the course of learning by doing, which is what I like.”

“I feel immersed in all the lectures. I’m learning details that I didn’t know before. I had practical experience before, but I am now bridging the gaps.”

Future

“It is a luxury to aim for the future because times are different now and with all honesty, you don’t have full influence over your future. It depends on the opportunities that are available in front of you.

I would really like to keep on working on my language, which they tell me is the Guardian’s tone. I would love to work for radio or for TV. I attended a workshop at the London College of Communication, where I met journalists from the BBC, The Associated Press, and other media giants. They told me that I my accent is good, and my face is good for television. So, let’s hope.”

Extra-curricular work

“I have taken part in the Refugee Journalism Program which is open to refugees who were journalists, or they practised the profession for a little time, but find it hard to continue their way in the UK due to their updated life circumstances. Credit goes to my personal tutor Erika Barnes because she encouraged me to apply for that programme. It was challenging and difficult to do both my course and this program at the same time, and at times I felt exhausted. But I really benefited from that. It allowed me to create some relationships with media personalities and get a real feel about what it means to work in practical terms for radio and TV.”

Scholarship

“The scholarship helped me financially because it was 50% of the tuition fees. It also meant recognition to me, that I am worth this scholarship. And showed me that the University of Gloucestershire really cares about such initiatives and it really cares about giving opportunities and helping people further their education.”

Aspirations

“I come from the Middle East and a world that sounds to be a little bit far from the West. I’m determined to be that bridge between the East and West and correct some wrong thoughts about us in the East, and our thoughts about the West. I like it to be a good ambassador of my people here. When people see a real example about what a Syrian person is or what someone from the Middle East is, they might understand. I’m not everyone, of course, but still. I’m delivering something from and about the culture in one way or another.”

Highlights

I’m being welcomed by my classmates. They do not make me feel that there is that gap between them and me, that I am a mature student, or I come from a different area. They say “Redwan, we do feel like you’re one of us.” I like it. I’m being appreciated also by my lecturers. They tell me I’m an addition to the class, which is really a huge thing for me.

I love my University and I would really encourage others to come and study in it. The lectures are great, and they do give a big deal of attention to students. Personal tutors are very helpful. They follow students’ progression in their studies, especially international students who encounter obstacles. They try to find solutions for them or refer them to sides that can help.

“The facilities that the university provides cover all student’s life needs.”