A visit to the British Museum exploring Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, and Enlightenment galleries, reflecting on history, culture, and intellectual progress. Visiting highlights included the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, Qing Dynasty relics, and Enlightenment-era scientific achievements.

The Student Alliance launched Winter Term with an inspiring event where members shared personal stories of family, historical figures, and experiences that inspired their aspirations. We ended the event with a spirited debate on whether higher education should be free.

The Student Alliance will strengthen connections through social events and expand recruitment. We’ll host 4–5 major events, including museum visits, a ball, and a policy debate. Guest speakers, journal publications, and cross-society collaborations will enrich our term.

We ended the winter term with a festive trip to Winter Wonderland after celebrating prize awards and engaging in thoughtful debates. Ice skating and the giant wheel gave us the chance to bond further, with first-time skaters impressing everyone and spontaneous singing adding to the cheerful atmosphere.

This discussion explored the nature of love, from its biological basis (oxytocin and dopamine) to its various forms, such as friendship and romance. Questions about fate, the essence of true love, and whether love is a choice or an uncontrollable emotion were debated. Cultural references, like Napoleon’s letters and Taylor Swift’s lyrics, added depth to the conversation, which also examined the challenges of love, including imperfect information and asymmetry.

We visited the UK Parliament and explored its iconic chambers, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Commons, with its green benches, is the heart of debate and lawmaking, while the Lords, adorned with red benches and ornate decor, serves as a ceremonial and legislative review chamber. A surprising realization for many of us was how much smaller the Commons chamber felt compared to its portrayal on TV.

The autumn term filled with diverse events. From thought-provoking discussions on global and national issues, such as the US Election and UK budget, to cultural and social experiences like the Winter Wonderland social and a trip to the UK Parliament, the term offered something for everyone. Members also celebrated the end of the year with awards, festive gifts, and a philosophical exploration of love, closing the term on a reflective and joyful note.