There is no talking without listening. 

Some people believe that being VP means carrying on a battle, that it is just something to relentlessly fight for. I believe that it means to be ready to listen, more than anything else. I have lived in the UK for five years before coming to Cambridge. For five years, I have been feeling like I wasn’t being listened. I have seen a lack of communication between students and staff members, and a lack of group cohesion, preventing us from finding solutions together.  

I want to change this.  

I am an international student and I know the struggles related to changing lifestyles, experiencing different cultures and having to adjust to a different educational systems. Since I joined Anglia Ruskin University, I finally felt part of something.  I truly love the SU as an organisation, and the people working within it made me feel accepted since day one.  I have never felt this way before in my academic career, and a willingness to make this University a better place for everyone made me want to participate even more: that is how I became a Course Rep.  

I have never considered myself as someone who would stand out from the crowd, but my experience as a Course Rep as well as a recent recommendation to stand for these elections made me change my mind. I believe that having an active role in order to improve the University will give me the opportunity to grow with it.  

So, I started wondering: “How can I help even more?”.  

I have noticed that everyone seems to have something to say, but there are not as many people who are willing to use their time to listen to others. 

I have 3 objectives: 

• LISTEN. 

Listening to ALL students and working in order to provide the best university experience for everyone.  

Being an international student and having lived in the UK for five years before moving to Cambridge, I believe that I will be the best candidate for representing such a diverse University. I have also experienced different University systems across the UK (in fact, I am currently attending my second master’s degree!) and I will be able to provide insights and suggestions based on the experience of previous managements/initiatives.  

My classmates have been very happy of my work as a Course Rep and I have been complimented for being an excellent listener, as well as being able to tackle problems as early as possible and not being scared of seeking help through challenges. I promise to do my best to represent students by listening actively to every individual’s needs and by communicating effectively to the staff. 

I may not have all the answers at the time being, but I can listen and try to help or offer a different perspective. 

• RAISE AWARENESS. 
  Weather and its impact on mood. 

In our busy lives, we often forget how important self-care is. My campaign values mental health initiatives very much.  

A lot of them are organised by the University, however the impact of weather on our mood is rarely discussed or even acknowledged. It is not unusual for people to experience mood swings during winter, as well as feeling lethargic and experience symptoms of depression. In medical terms, this is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Coincidence? ...I think not! 

SAD happens because the body responds to daylight differently, producing higher levels of melatonin during winter, therefore making us feel lethargic and …SAD!

The main recommendations to beat SAD are related to building healthy habits and keeping active. During winter, it is very important to get as much daylight as possible and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Activity has been proven to be extremely effective against depression and can contribute in modifying the levels of mood-regulating serotonin in the brain. 

As your Vice-President, I will do my best to:  

• Provide additional information about non-institutional outdoor activities that allow us to meet different people and get through it together; 
• Raise further awareness of mental health programmes; 
• Help smoothen the transition into University life, by offering tips on how to eat healthy food without declaring bankruptcy. 

• ACT. 
  Cafeteria menu & more sanitary products available at the Student Union. 

I plan to carry on what has started with the #ARUsatisfied, when enquiring about students’ satisfaction on the cafeteria range of items. I will be happy to listen to further feedback and put in practice the one received so far in order to suit the needs of everyone, such as: 

• Widening the choice by including bigger soup containers; 
• Extending the cafeteria opening hours after 3pm; 
• Adding variety to the menu. 

I also believe that pads and tampons should not be a luxury item. 4.3 billion sanitary products are used each year in the UK and not everyone can afford them. In fact, it has been estimated that more than 137.700 women have missed school in the year 2017, due to “period poverty”. Women should not be taxed on something that cannot be avoided, and I am planning on improving and expanding the already existing supply of sanitary products that can be found in the Student Union’s toilets.  

I am Giulia, and I am #HereToListen, it is your turn to express yourself.