Is Prejudice a Problem in Durham University?

[@jothsnajeetun5024]

I've been offered a place to read Law at Durham. I'm from Manchester, I'm South Asian and gay and I am terrified that if I do go to Durham I am going to end up isolated the entire time. The university is really appealing to me but I also have an offer from Manchester and I am waiting on Edinburgh. Places like this appear more diverse and subsequently safer in my eyes so I am really conflicted on whether or not I should continue to consider Durham.

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I don’t think you’d be isolated any more than most students (I say this because the majority of students feel isolated at some point regardless of any other factors), a large proportion of Durham students are Asian and even though there’s always rogues that bring the name down, which you’d find in any uni, it’s still a uni in 2020 so the majority of students are very accepting and progressive. So I wouldn’t let any of this get in your way if you want to go, hope this is helpful x

[@jothsnajeetun5024]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers Thank you!!

[@harryarmstrong2002]

Just to say. I’m also gay and have an offer for Law at Durham. I’m thinking the exact same as you but I guess this shows there will be some people who will be like you (:

[@bani4581]

Hii! I am from India and I also got an offer for Law and am seriously considering durham in my top 2 choices. MAYBE WE'LL MEET THERE!!

[@arianas7866]

I am a lesbian and I can't wait to meet you guys

[@LynneKelly-vg6do]

As a very mature student, also from a very working class North East background, I definitely feel that there is an issue around class and wealth at Durham. However, we have a unique opportunity to change this. I have met a very diverse spectrum of people and I am loving it, although I am aware of one or two who seem to wonder how on earth I got there. I stick out like a sore thumb as a middle aged disabled woman but hey, I worked damn hard to get in ( I did foundation) and intend making the most of it. I enjoyed your video, thank you.

[@oakdeepvastforest2924]

I absolutely love your story. I wish you all the very best. As for class and all that rubbish, I have yet to see a single "high-class" British person regarding whom I truly think they are truly intelligent or truly cultured. Really, I am very very, ahem, "unimpressed" with them. And I definitely wouldn't waste my time the way they do in certain regards (and yes, I know they don't consider it a waste of their time and of their lives - it still is).

[@rebeccanicolecabrera]

I think you definitely painted a fair image of classicism at Durham - I too noticed how expensive it is to take part in some societies and I'm like that's money I dont have 😂

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Literally, I feel like there should be enough from tuition fees and jcr fees etc to make societies free 🤷‍♀️

[@rebeccanicolecabrera]

Lol don't even get me started on JCR fees 😂😬

[@arianas7866]

Hey, I am in the lgbt community (im a lesbian) and I'm from London and even here I get called slurs. I'm not even outwardly presenting as gay, I'm just not v feminine, and I'm worried I'll have to deal with more shit at durham. I hope it's not as bad but idk...

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Yeah, I know a few people that are part of the lgbt community and I've not heard of any incidents from them but obviously, it is a very messed up world we live in so it can't be guaranteed that there wouldn't be horrible people. But there are plenty of accepting people here, Durham does have quite a few ignorant rogues that give it the reputation it has, but on the whole, it is mainly a population of our generation who are mostly very accepting. I'd like to hope you wouldn't experience any kind of hate and I'm really sorry to hear that you have done in the past. Sorry if that's not very helpful xx

[@arianas7866]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers thanks so much for responding! No it has helped, I guess it is not fair to sum up the whole of durham with a few delinquents who hate on others for stuff they can't control. I promise you, if I could be straight I would change in a heartbeat 😂 but yh I'm glad to hear most are accepting :) as long as I find kind people like yourself I think I'll be fine. It's so much easier to deal with hate when you're not alone ❤🏳️‍🌈 Might see you there :D

[@indialilyperegrine3745]

Hi! I noticed that you said that an all girls school is not the greatest learning environment and i just wanted to say (as someone who went to an all girls school) i found it really beneficial for my focus and relationships with my friends as well. However, its not as if we never interacted with boys. We were given plenty of opportunities to met with people (including boys) from other schools. I am really thankful I went to an all girls school but i know others who didnt do as well in that environment. Overall, i think its really specific to each individual what their best learning environment is but other than that one tiny comment i really enjoyed this video :)))

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

You are absolutely right, in fact since this video I worked in an all-girls school for a year and I thought the environment was incredible and now completely agree with it so I definitely take that comment back :)

[@samburdis1917]

Been offered a place at Durham to do Law with a Foundation - Did the Sutton Trust Pathways to Law and am from a working class North East background. Still going to take it, but it's nice to be aware of potential *rseholes, your videos have been a real help :)

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Thank you, good luck with everything :)

[@sophiablass3379]

Are there a lot of international (including EU) students? Is there segregation of overseas students? I’m from the EU and I’m thinking of applying but with the very high tuition fees (around £20,000 pee year & without access to SFE) = not having money to spend on fun things, and the fact that I’m not british I’m scared that I just won’t have any friends 😅👉👈

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

There is a huge international cohort! From what I’ve seen, they’re very well integrated. I attended an International Society event (I know I’m not international but it was an opportunity to learn about other cultures) and it was probably one of the funnest events I’ve been to, so many countries represented and the friendliest group so I’m sure you’ll fit in and find friends easily x

[@sophiablass3379]

Megan J thank you so much!! Loved the video and you look like a lovely person! ☺️

[@TheGram73]

@@sophiablass3379 I second what Megan says above. When I was at Durham (2011-2015), I think around 1 in 5 undergraduates were international - no need to worry!

[@charliee769]

I third this. I have lots of friends from all over europe who I met at Durham. The international students in my year (2009) started 2 weeks before the rest of us so got to know each other and sort little things out before term started.

[@TheGram73]

£5000 a month! Haha, ridiculous.

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Literally and she was complaining!!

[@nyxdoble9933]

Also hopefully I won't get decked for being a gay/trans mixed kid 😭

[@nimra9715]

Iv been offered a place to study Law and I’m considering forming it however I’m worried about stuff like this also I do wear a hijab so I don’t know if I will stick out even more, or would you say it has started to become more diverse?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I think, though Durham is probably more diverse than it was 10 years ago, there are definitely still many ethnicities that are still under-represented. However, I think this should be more of a motivation to come to Durham so that you can be part of the change, if you're comfortable of course. In terms of wearing a Hijab, I know of a few people in my class and in my college that wear them so although they are definitely still within a minority, they don't stick out at all so don't worry about that. Also, I know in my college, St Mary's, you can request to be in a woman-only corridor, this is specifically in place so that people of different religions or beliefs can still be a part of university life with fewer barriers in their way. I don't think you should let anything in this video hold you back, I can't lie and say there aren't some ignorant and offensive people within the uni that give it a bad name for racism, etc, however, this is only a small percentage of people, the majority of the student body is accepting and trying to change things. I've kind of rambled but I hope this is helpful and if not feel free to ask anything else xx

[@nimra9715]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers thank you so much Iv been stressing about this and you have calmed my nerves. I’m not going to let anyone stop me from my dreams❤️

[@britneyherrera6972]

Omg sis the wine thing I would’ve snapped

[@Jacob-mv2jh]

This video was really informative! I do have a question though. From your experience, what is the culture around political views?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I think with political views people are just free to be part of any party they want, from what I've noticed. It's definitely more left-wing than what you'd expect, though I think that's more in tune with our generation than down to classes, but I'd say all parties are represented. I don't think people's views affect social status that much because, aside from election time, I've never really heard people discuss their political beliefs, though that may just be the nature of my own friendship group. There's obviously a few well-known rogues around that have extreme offensive beliefs but aside from that it's quite chill. Hope that's helpful.

[@Jacob-mv2jh]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers Awesome thankyou for the response! I just wanted to ask because Im hopefully coming to Durham for this year, so this is good to know! And have the best birthday, you deserve it!

[@Jfalways]

While i cant comment on all your post as i dont go to Durham University i feel i must comment on your view that about in a classroom are a distractions as girls are also a distraction to boys in the classroom and it works both ways.

[@nyxdoble9933]

I'm so so broke so durham is going to be GREAT

[@paramidge8935]

Having a lot of money does not imply a lot of class. Although a majority of people have convinced themselves that it does. Putting the less well off into debt for exercising their natural abilities and intelligence is the most divisive thing that has happened in the last 20 years. Megan - please consider that this state of affairs is absolutely intentional social engineering and for heaven's sake - do not take my word for it - learn, research - it is your absolute duty to your society to fight back. Also - this notional 'poshness' is not 'unrivalled' at Durham - try Oxbridge or for even more pathetic examples the so called 'top' US universities - which in a peculiar reversal we are now increasingly falling over ourselves to emulate. Megan - please remember what Alice said " Why you're nothing but a pack of Cards". Play a different game Megan and the Reality of the world will open up to you. Again good luck. You are on the verge of discerning some truth's that have been insidiously hidden from you. Jump in.

[@kDawgroove27]

Hey no way, i'm from NW too! Starting first year next week cymru am byth

[@sadsade1850]

Really enjoyed this video! Tysm xx

[@tranquilitybasehotelcasino2932]

14:09 or because your personality is clearly also rubbish 🙄🙄 what in the pick me

[@phoebethomas3027]

Shut up man.