Following a move from Auckland to Christchurch, Sean has found his community in many different places at UC. See his full story below.
To be in a place where your work and your identity are validated is so exciting. If you reach out, you'll be welcomed.
I think it's important to use academic knowledge to make a difference in the real world. The things I learn in cultural studies are inherently political. I want to take what I've learned here at UC and put it into action
I'd been studying performing arts for a while but I realised that while I love theatre, I didn't want to perform as a career. I found out UC was introducing a theatre paper so I signed up! Then I discovered cultural studies, which is just incredible – and a programme which is unique to UC.
Moving from Auckland to Christchurch as a queer person felt like a bold move to say the least! But I've found a real community at UC. I haven't faced any adversity because of who I am. There's a strong sense of inclusivity here.
I've been elected as president for MUSOC, the musical society. We produce shows and host workshops and social events. I'm interested in theatre management and artistic direction as a career, and MUSOC has given me the perfect opportunity to experiment with that in a lower stakes environment.
I mostly worked with their marketing department. It was super handy to do work for credit! Once I finished I just kept hanging around. Being able to find community in a professional environment has been super exciting.
It's given me a better understanding of how to navigate a professional environment. I've learned the importance of communicating clearly, getting to the point and making sure you've been heard.
I think it's important to use academic knowledge to make a difference in the real world. The things I learn in cultural studies are inherently political. I want to take what I've learned here at UC and put it into action.
Anyone starting university can feel alone and if you're queer it's doubly so. It's important to find your community and at UC that exists in so many different places. To be in a place where your work and your identity are validated is so exciting. If you reach out, you'll be welcomed.
