Webster Feminist Club Magazine

Webster Feminist Club Magazine

By Lorelei McCampbell

Introduction 

Lorelei McCampbell 

After spending three terms at Webster, I noticed the lack of community and organization surrounding gender advocacy—a topic which is often found naturally in university spaces. In creating Webster Feminist Club, my goal was to create room for discussion on campus surrounding the broad topic of feminism, in a space which welcomes everyone. Regardless of previous knowledge or thoughts on the subject, whether you are a passionate advocate or you have never heard of feminism before, the club is for you. 

The Webster Feminist Club magazine is a collection of art made by students and of art admired by students. Whether it be poetry, photography, drawings, or excerpts from books, students were asked to respond to the general theme of intersectional feminism.  

The theme is broad and purposefully so—Webster is a community of diverse identities, and this journal provides space for students to touch on any aspect of their identity they wish. 

 

Key Terms & Definitions 

So we’re all on the same page going forward, here are some terms and definitions which are important to know.  

Feminism: the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes.1 

       “Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression.” 

Misogyny: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women. 

Patriarchy: a system of relationships, beliefs, and values embedded in political, social, and economic systems that structure gender inequality between men and women.4 

Intersectionality: the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups.

Anonymous 

“My postpartum was the hardest thing I had to go through in my life. The people I loved the most were my enemies, and their support was their words of judgment towards me as a mother. I was disgusted at myself because I was disgusted at my baby.” 

The House

Lorelei McCampbell

The House: three girls, Mom and Dad. A house of femininity, dolls, basement dress-up. A house of dancing in the kitchen and singing too loud—cookies bake in the oven. A house of encouragement to daydream. Daydream like a romantic:

Open fields of wildflowers and summer evenings by the lake. Soft songs sung by a crackling fire, guitar soothes the room to sleep. The world is limitless and beautiful and warm in the House.

But the world grows fast and your mind does too. Because suddenly that girl in your seventh grade class gets prettier every day. And when you layed in bed with your best-friend freshman year, well, you’ve never felt that way before. And your chemistry lab partner makes you laugh so embarrassingly hard and you like it so much it’s bad.

The House asks:

how’d you all end up like this?

Heads get shaved, ears, noses, eyebrows, lips get pierced. You bring someone home to meet Mom and Dad but it’s not who they were expecting.

But it’s so good, god, it’s so good. We all get it.

We share our femininity as we share our rejection of it as we share our acceptance, our empowerment of it. We challenge the world and we try to be strong, but we know we cry so easily, far too easily (it must be genetic). Because I don’t know how we all ended up like this.

So different, each our own to the extreme. Yet so similar, the instructions on ‘how to live’ have been ingrained into us in the same way. To struggle and to blame the House to blame our lives. And to celebrate and to love the House and to love our lives.

How’d we all end up like this?

 

Journal Entries 

Anonymous 

 

Embrace and Empower 

Ashli Sartorelli   

This series captures the raw, unfiltered essence of femininity through close-ups of skin and form. Each photograph is a testament to the power of physical expression and the intimate embrace of one’s own body. These images challenge the traditional perceptions of femininity, celebrating the beauty, strength, and complexity inherent in the female form. Focusing on tight skin grabs and the natural curves of the body, the collection confronts societal norms and advocates for a feminist perspective that honors autonomy, consent, and personal identity. 

 

In capturing these moments, I hope to provide a canvas for viewers to project their interpretations and see a reflection of their inner selves within these frames. The session was a celebration of body positivity, marked by an atmosphere of self-acceptance and love. Through these images, I share a part of my identity and express a belief that everyone should embrace and love themselves for who they are and how they appear. It is my desire that this series not only resonates on a visual or aesthetic level but also inspires a personal journey of empowerment and self-discovery. 

was i raped quiz 

Anonymous 

Those quizzes I used to frequent on the internet: 

am i gay quiz 

anxiety quiz 

am i depressed quiz 

am i some-feeling-or-symptom-i’m-experiencing quiz 

 

If the results said what I wanted, then they were right. 

If the results said the very answer I was dreading, then they were very wrong. 

I wasn’t going to let a quiz (no matter how many said so) tell me I liked women.  

 

And years later I found myself in a similar position. 

Up later than I was supposed to be 

And typing questions into the search bar, scared for someone to find me. 

No one can know what words I’m typing, no one can know what links I’m clicking. 

And no one can know what answers I am filling into these inaccurate, stupid, fucking, quizzes. 

 

But perhaps the differences of the situation mean more: 

 

In front of my laptop rather than a hand-me-down ipod touch  

In a dorm room, not my childhood bed. 

 

And the series of letters, which made three distinct words in the search bar.  

The last word of utmost importance. 

One far different from what I used to search: 

 

Was       I       raped    ? 

 

And I clicked on the links. And I read the articles and did the stupid, fucking, quizzes.  

But they kept telling me incorrect information.  

They kept showing the very answer I dreaded. They therefore,  

were wrong. 

  

What is consent? they said 

That sounds like sexual assault, they said.  

Click here for more support, they said.  

Want to talk to someone? they said. 

 

But I wasn’t raped. 

Because the thing with rape, is that you’d know if it happened to you, because it’s 

Rape. 

If I was raped I would know.  

If I was raped I would know. 

 

It actually was everything but rape. 

It was a bad mistake, an unfortunate accident, some trauma I’ll deal with later. 

It was my fault, I slipped up, he did nothing wrong,  

It was just one night gone awry. 

 

But the thing online quizzes didn’t tell me when I was thirteen 

And didn’t tell me when I was eighteen 

Though I guess knew the entire time 

Was that they can’t tell you shit. 

 

And if you’re searching the question ‘was i raped’ 

Into the search bar, nine-out-of-ten-times 

you’ve answered it for yourself. 

 

Searching for internal validation through online quizzes 

Validation that can never be met 

Searching the internet because if it can tell me I was gay  

It can tell me I was raped.  

Title: Summer Bradford

Photography by Metin Volkan

Admired Artists’ Work 

 

Still I Rise 

Maya Angelou 

 

You may write me down in history 

With your bitter, twisted lies, 

You may trod me in the very dirt 

But still, like dust, I’ll rise. 

Does my sassiness upset you? 

Why are you beset with gloom? 

’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells 

Pumping in my living room. 

Just like moons and like suns, 

With the certainty of tides, 

Just like hopes springing high, 

Still I’ll rise. 

Did you want to see me broken? 

Bowed head and lowered eyes? 

Shoulders falling down like teardrops, 

Weakened by my soulful cries? 

Does my haughtiness offend you? 

Don’t you take it awful hard 

’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines 

Diggin’ in my own backyard. 

You may shoot me with your words, 

You may cut me with your eyes, 

You may kill me with your hatefulness, 

But still, like air, I’ll rise. 

Does my sexiness upset you? 

Does it come as a surprise 

That I dance like I’ve got diamonds 

At the meeting of my thighs? 

 

Out of the huts of history’s shame 

I rise 

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain 

I rise 

I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, 

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. 

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear 

I rise 

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear 

I rise 

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, 

I am the dream and the hope of the slave. 

I rise 

I rise 

I rise. 

Artworks created by Angel Gutierrez 

The Right to Sex

‘Talking to My Students About Porn’ 

Amia Srinivasan 

 

Peggy Orenstein’s Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape (2016), her bestseller about the sexual reality of young people in the twenty-first century, opens with a description of a welcome back’ school assembly at a large high school in California. 

After reminders about attendance and warnings against alcohol and drugs, the dean addressed his female students directly: Ladies, when you go out you need to dress to respect yourself and respect your family… This isn’t the place for your short shorts or your tank tops or your crop tops. You need to ask yourself: if your grandmother looks at you, will she be happy with what you’re wearing?’ The dean then moved on to a discussion of sexual harassment. One of the seniors, a young Latina woman, jumped up and took the mic. “I think what you just said is not okay and is extremely sexist and promoting “rape culture”, she said. ‘If I want to wear a tank top and shorts because it’s hot, I should be able to do that and that has no correlation to how much “respect” I hold for myself. What you’re saying is just continuing this cycle of blaming the victim’ The rest of the students cheered.  

I finished high school in 2003. At the time, girls wore their jeans slung low, pocketless and tight on the ass; shirts and sweaters were cropped to reveal pierced belly buttons and (if you were lucky) jutting hip bones. At a faculty board meeting – I was the student representative – the teachers discussed their alarm at how the girls were dressing. I don’t see how the boys are supposed to learn the quadratic equation, my maths teacher complained, ‘if they’re staring at a girl’s thong? I remember hearing him say the word thong made me feel sick. Were the boys really distracted – they seemed fine – or was my teacher projecting? I was furious, but at the time didn’t have the conceptual resources – slut shaming, victim blaming, rape culture – to say anything articulate. I think I may have managed something about how schools should be a safe place for students to explore their self-presentation, that it was the boys’ responsibility to learn how to do quadratic equations, that no one told the attractive boys to put bags over their heads lest the girls be distracted. But maybe I just thought these things. After the meeting faculty members took it as their right to tell girls to pull down their shirts and pull up their jeans. 

The young women Orenstein discusses in Girls & Sex would have known, unlike my younger self, exactly what to say. They would not have been ashamed, as I and all my friends were, to call themselves feminists. How should we understand the relation between this raised state of feminist consciousness among young women, and what appear to be their worsening sexual conditions: increased objectifica-tion, intensified body expectations, decreasing pleasure, and shrinking options for sex on their terms? Perhaps girls and young women are becoming more feminist because their worsening circumstances demand it. Or perhaps, as Orenstein suggests, feminist consciousness is for many young women a mode of false consciousness, which plays into the hands of the very system of sexual subordination they take themselves to be opposing. Does a discourse of sexual empowerment and autonomy mask something darker and unfree? The feminist philosopher Nancy Bauer writes about asking her women students why they spend ‘their weekend evenings giving unreciprocated blow jobs to drunken frat boys’. They tell me they enjoy the sense of power it gives them,’ she writes. You doll yourself up and get some guy helplessly aroused, at which point you could just walk away. But you don’t.’  

 

Malak Mattar  

Mattar is a Palestinian artist from Gaza. She began exploring art during the 2014 Gaza War as a way to express trauma and emotions. 

Acknowledgements 

Thank you to all students who submitted work, making the first edition of Webster Feminist Club’s art magazine possible! 

Resources

Amia Srinivasan. The Right to Sex. Bloomsbury, 2021.
Malak Mattar.
Maya Angelou. “Still I Rise.” Poetry Foundation, 1978.
My Secret Geneva – Swiss Bliss: A Sweet Review

My Secret Geneva – Swiss Bliss: A Sweet Review

Introduction

Nestled within the pages of Diccon Bewes’s Swisswatching lies a captivating chapter that unravels the mysterious origins of Swiss chocolate, inviting readers on an intriguing exploration of this highly wanted delicacy. In the 19th century, the introduction of milk chocolate by Daniel Peter in 1875 and the subsequent collaboration with Henri Nestlé allowed Swiss chocolate to gain widespread popularity, revolutionizing the industry and solidifying Switzerland’s reputation as a chocolate powerhouse. Delving beyond the borders of Switzerland, this chapter embarks on a sensory quest to trace the journey of chocolate from its humble beginnings to the luxurious Swiss confections that grace global palates. At the bottom of this exploration within our group lies a thought-provoking thesis: the price of Swiss chocolate may not always serve as a reliable indicator of its quality. This chapter is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the intertwining narratives that have shaped the world of Swiss chocolate. Upon reading this chapter, our team was inspired to conduct an experiment on whether the price of branded Swiss chocolate is worth paying for. The experiment includes visiting four chocolate stores in Geneva, tasting different chocolates, considering the prices, taste and quality to be able to compare which chocolate is really worth its price tag.

The first location we tried was Martel Chocolatier at Rue de Cornavin 16 1201, Geneva. The store was easy to access as it is very close to Manor and visibly sticks out thanks to its clear window displays. Our overall experience was somewhat negative as the employees seemed to be dismissive of customers. They didn’t ask us if we needed any help or recommendations and quickly prioritized the french speaking customers. It appears the employees were rushed and didn’t aim to offer any special experience. The seating area was pretty full and loud making the atmosphere stuffy and a bit chaotic which wasn’t helped by the absence of music playing to drown out any noise. Comfort wise the tables were small and the chairs were of a plastic quality which didn’t make us want to stay very long. In terms of design, the look of the store is minimalistic with a gray and gold tone theme as well as large windows bringing in natural light to the store.

As for the chocolate, the taste is slightly above average. In our subjective opinion the chocolate tasted very artificially sweet with a strong aftertaste. The texture was hard at the first bite but became sandy as we chewed. For 11 francs the quality could have been better. There were no pre packaged bars as they offer asymmetrical cut pieces that are then weighed to determine the price. To put it into perspective, for the same price we could have bought approximately four more Lindt bars (2,50 francs). Packaging wise, no bag was offered aside from a thin plastic bag closed by a sticker.

Overall Ratings

Customer service: 4/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Comfort: 4/10

Design: 6/10

Taste: 6/10

Texture: 6/10 (sandy)

Quality based on price: 5/10

Packaging: 2/10

The second store that we visited was Guillaume Bichet, located in Rue du Rhone 17, 1204 Geneve. It was not easily located as it is overshadowed by the construction taking place just in front. We were welcomed warmly the second we entered the store by the employees. We started looking at the chocolates that were arranged nicely. After a few moments, the lady kindly offered us to taste one of their most popular products, the “Almond Princesses” which are chocolate covered almonds. After which, we purchased the chocolate. We then asked them if we could take pictures from their store and interview them, which they gladly agreed to, since they were so easy going and polite to the customers. Their nice and warm behavior made us feel free and comfortable to come up with our questions and inquiries about their store and job. The atmosphere of the store was quite pleasing as it was located near the lake and the limited number of seats led to a quiet and intimate atmosphere. Classical music could be heard which added to this ambience of leisure. Comfort wise, the chairs are plush, covered in a velvet material, making the store look luxurious. The view from the window of the lake only enhances this comfort, encouraging customers to stay longer. The design of the store is sleek with brown and white themed displays accompanied by many glass displays of their products.

In terms of taste, the chocolate was not overpoweringly sweet however the flavor was a bit muted. The texture was creamy and easy to chew. In our opinion, the chocolate was appropriately priced at 11 francs seeing as the store seems to be more catered to higher class customers. In terms of packaging, they kept it quite simple with a smooth white paper box with a plastic cutout showing the chocolate.

Overall Ratings

Customer service: 10/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Comfort: 6/10

Design: 8/10

Taste: 7/10

Texture: 8/10 (creamy)

Quality based on price: 7/10

Packaging: 8/10

Guillaume Bichet: Employee Interview

As the Guillaume Bichet employees were the most welcoming and patient ones, we decided to interview them and inquire about their products. We asked about their most sold chocolate, which was the “Almond Princesses”. We asked one of the staff members to see if they have any personal favorite chocolate and it turned out it was not really a popular chocolate within the store, named “Corsica” which is a praline chocolate. Regarding the origins of the chocolates, we found out their chocolates are produced in a factory in Versoix by specialists and are then delivered to the store. In terms of what differentiates their store from others they emphasized on the elegance they offer in their design with muted color schemes and an elevated customer experience.

The third location, Läderäch was not easy to find because it was hidden among the buildings, at Rue du Mont-blanc 30, 1201 Geneva. When we entered the Läderäch chocolate shop, we were amazed with the design, as it was very captivating, yet reserved, giving it a wealthy atmosphere while keeping it interesting for the customer. There were chocolate sculptures, colorful chunks of chocolate bars and designed stands of a chocolate candy variety. It is a good place if you want to make a gift to someone and choose something sweet yet creative. For example, their petite boxes of chocolate popcorn with different flavors, or their gift boxes of minimalistic chocolate candies. There were no places where we could sit and drink coffee or rest, the shop was crowded, and the employees looked busy. We had to make a choice quickly and leave because the atmosphere wasn’t too comforting. When we tried to interview a staff member that wasn’t occupied with customers, she seemed to be not eager at all to answer any of our questions or interact. We had to stop our attempts because she looked clearly annoyed with our presence and we didn’t feel welcomed. As for the taste of the chocolate, it was moderately sweet with a clear taste of milk. The texture was crunchy at first and then creamy. The price was surprisingly lower than we thought, at 6 francs per bar, half as expensive as similar stores such as Martel, which added to the value.

 

Overall Ratings

Customer service: 3/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Comfort: 2/10

Design:7/10

Taste: 8/10

Texture: 8/10 (crunchy then creamy)

Quality based on price: 9/10

Packaging: 10/10

The last location we visited was Lindt at Rue de la Tour-de-L’île 1, 1204 Geneva. The store was easy to find, since it had a big colorful label and was not hidden by any shops or buildings. When we entered the shop, it seemed like a little museum because everything was very bright, colorful and designed in a way that attracted the most attention. There were big stands with rainbow coloured candy wrapped chocolates, brand themed toys, easter bunnies covered in gold wrapping, chocolate hearts and huge sculptures made of chocolate which was all very captivating. The store seemed to be great as a tourist attraction. Furthermore, it had a lot of choices: from raspberry flavored chocolates to coconut and dark chocolate flavors, valentine themed chocolates for couples, basic designs for average tourists and even funny little animal figurines for kids visitors. However, there was no place to sit, so we were expected to just buy chocolates and leave, which we were eager to do as there were quite a lot of people. As we were buying the chocolate, the staff members seemed friendly and polite. And as we left the store, buying a milk chocolate bar for a relatively low price, we were given 6 candies to try for free as a gift, which was very nice from the employee’s side.

As for the chocolate itself, it tasted quite good for the price of 2.50 which we paid. It was very sweet and milky, melting in the mouth, with some creamy aftertaste. However, it felt a little sticky and not as smooth when we chewed the chocolate.

Overall Ratings

Customer service: 8/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Comfort: 2/10

Design: 9/10

Taste: 7/10

Texture: 6/10 (creamy but sticks on teeth)

Quality based on price: 8/10

Packaging: 2/10

Coop

When we tried the coop’s vegan (oatmilk) chocolate bar, we were first excited to find out what this rather exotic chocolate is. But shortly after, we were hit with an atrocious taste that reminded us of grass mixed with sugar that also left a bad aftertaste and it felt ‘sticky’ in the mouth. The packaging was colorful and rather attractive, but the taste was very disappointing. The price was very cheap, similar to Lindt’s price but in terms of quality Lindt is marginally better.

Afterwards, we tried a regular milk chocolate bar from Coop for a relatively low price to cover the traumatic experience from the previous bar but it was almost just as bad, because it tasted too sugary with a hint of spoiled milk. The packaging was generic.

Overall Ratings

Vegan version: Taste: 0/10; Texture: 2/10; Quality based on price: 3/10; Packaging: 3/10

Regular: Taste: 3/10; Texture: 3/10; Quality based on price: 4/10; Packaging: 1/10

Conclusion

To sum up, our favorite store was Guillaume Bichet and our least favorite was Martel. However, in terms of chocolate we had different favorites. We found the Läderch chocolate the best tasting, while Coop had the worst tasting ones. Through this review we proved our thesis that price is not really the best indicator for the quality of products. To further test our thesis, we will conduct a blind taste testing of the chocolates we tried in class for our presentation.

Meet The Artist – Filippo Fior

Meet The Artist – Filippo Fior

Career Talk With Fashion Photographer Filippo Fior

During this Career Talk, organized in collaboration with Career Services and the Media Communications Department of Webster University, we speak with the talented fashion photographer Filippo Fior, who told us about his fast-paced professional life, which he spends shooting fashion shows, lookbooks, and catalogs for the top designer brands today. For a glimpse of his work, please visit https://www.instagram.com/filippofior/ and https://www.filippofior.com/.

Filippo Fior

by Julianna Sandholm-Bark

Greece Trip 2023

Greece Trip 2023

We are pleased to showcase three student-produced videos, each offering a unique perspective, from a captivating visual poem to exquisite portraits capturing the essence of Greece. We hope you take delight in these presentations.

Title: “To Be Found In Greece”

By: Angel Gutierrez

Presenting a visual poem with content captured during her study trip with Webster University Geneva in Greece.

Title: “Learning in Greece”

By: Sarah Fresard

Presenting a video based in Greece showcasing different parts of the study trip while exploring a variety of cities.

Title: “Webster University Geneva Greece Trip, 2023″

By: Antonella Borjas

A stunning portrayal of Greece complemented by enchanting bouzouki melodies.

 

 

 

My Secret Geneva

My Secret Geneva

Article written by Gleb Kruchenetskiy and Joe Tuipulotu

My Secret Geneva is a collective endeavor to unveil the concealed treasures and lesser-known wonders of the remarkable city of Geneva. Known for its international prominence, Geneva frequently hides its more mysterious facets which Joe Tuipulotu and I (Gleb Kruchenetskiy) have embarked on a journey to peel back the layers and reveal the city’s secrets and its lesser-explored charms. Through this collaborative effort, we aim to share our discoveries and offer a unique perspective on Geneva, the idea of it being an island within and having an effect on all districts that when shown in photos may make one single district look like 2 completely different places

 

Cornavin might be a place students are attracted to during the day and stray away from at night. Being the train station and having multiple fast food chains and tourist traps near it – Cornavin is a place full of life and uncertainty. One which students might both hate and love. But the most notable part of Cornavin is that within 10 minutes is a big Manor with fnac inside of it and lots of different food stalls along with good quality groceries. The manor and many different food options may be something students love about Cornavin, and the comfort and organisation of Swiss transport is a big plus. It is only recommended to avoid being outside of Cornavin in the evenings to avoid encounters with disgruntled drunks or beggars, but it is mostly common sense as no country exists with a completely safe and perfect district.

Plainpalais is home to Switzerland’s biggest flea market and the Patek Philippe Museum, it has lots of coffee shops around it, a burger joint (The Burger Foundation), and UNIGE within walking distance. Overall, the place would fit those who would like to explore the more cultural and lively part of Geneva. However, during the night it can be an unsafe space and has been ranked as the second district to avoid in the evening. (The first one being Paquis)

Balexert is mainly a shopping center with lots and lots of different stores and an IMAX cinema. The inside of the mall is very modern, clean, and polished, however, the outside of it isn’t maintained well and the overall area around it has the effect of a “landlocked island”. The mall itself isn’t too far away from the Gare, which might make it appealing for students to come visit it either after class or on the weekend for some shopping/grocery runs and cheap but delicious hotdogs.

 

Paquis is a very multicultural area, there are lots of shawarma and kebab spots, the prices are reasonable and the overall feeling is as if it is Geneva’s “Chinatown” except full of Mediterranean culture. On the other hand, this district is the most dangerous in the evenings and is the red-light district which may be off-putting for some students. Despite this fact, it may still be enticing for those who want good quality shawarma and a taste of culture.

Lancy Pont Rouge isn’t a spot one would expect to hear about, it isn’t a spot for shopping or sightseeing but rather parks, offices, and retirement homes. Schools and housing. Its very business and attention to detail on the streets makes me personally think of Zug – a small town right in the heart of Switzerland, being home to EV Aug and fostering lots of business around it such as Johnson & Johnson and Siemens.

How to get to each spot/cost to go there: If you want to travel to Gare Cornavin, Lancy-Pont Rouge, Balexart, Plainpalais, and Paquis the steps to get to each location are super easy. The price to get to one of the previously mentioned destinations depends on your starting point and the form of transportation you will be taking. To access the prices and transportation availability you can check them online using the tpg or SBB mobile app, or by reading the hard copy bus schedule and prices at each station, however, they usually vary from 3-10chf depending on the distance. A super money saver for students is to get a tpg Geneva area card to travel endlessly around Geneva, purchase a halbtax pass which allows you to pay half price for the whole year starting at 150, or buy a GA if you have lots of free time on weekends and have time to take a trip to Bern, Zurich, St Gallen and maybe Ticino & Lugano.

Interview

Our group member Joe Tuipulotu conducted an interview with WHA President Fatma who is a student at Webster University on the Geneva campus.

1. How do you think Switzerland’s landlocked location affects its economic and trade relations with its neighboring countries? The first thing that comes to mind is that Switzerland is a non-EU member. Switzerland’s status as a landlocked country was probably one of the driving factors that caused Switzerland to join the Schengen Agreement. Another reason for Switzerland joining the Schengen Agreement was to boost its economy because of its geographical nature and the surrounding European countries.

2. What has experience been like with Swiss people and do you agree or disagree with the metaphorical idea of Swiss people being coconuts? Since I’m an international student I was aware of this concept before making my decision to move and study here in Geneva. Personally, in my experience, the coconut analogy has not been the case. I am, however, aware that this analogy of the Swiss being coconuts is famous and in some other cases proves to be true.

3. What is your favorite activity to do in Switzerland? This might sound a bit nerdy, but the best part about Geneva is getting to explore International Organizations. International Relations is a field I have an undying passion for. Even from a young age, I would ask questions about national and international activities. When I first learned about International relations I knew at that very moment that it was the right field for me. One of the major reasons why I chose to study at Webster Geneva was the flexibility it provides for students who are interested in international relations to explore the fields they are interested in. Students who study international relations in Switzerland can also gain practical experience in the headquarters of international organizations which is unparalleled to any other country. Don’t get me wrong, I very much enjoy participating and doing other fun things in Switzerland, but the biggest highlight overall has been exploring and engaging in my passion for international relations.

Our interview with Fatma shed light on several intriguing aspects of Switzerland and her personal experiences, Fatma’s perspective on the “Swiss people as coconuts” analogy provided valuable insight into the cultural dynamics in Switzerland. While she, as an international student, did not necessarily feel this to be the case in her own experience, nevertheless acknowledged the existence of this metaphor and its application in certain instances. Fatma’s passion for exploring these institutions and the practical experiences available to international relations students in Switzerland was truly commendable and serves as a testament to the variety of possibilities that studying in Geneva has to offer to individuals with a similar passion.

Ultimately, “My Secret Geneva” provides a thrilling glimpse into the hidden facets of Geneva which reveals both its enchanting charms and safety concerns, this project may have a make or break effect on students – with our group being a prime example, having started initially with 4 members; Joe and I faced great challenges in communication and policing our teammates which in the end had the effect of break on our group having no other choice than be split up, but that’s when the making effect took place and bonded Joe and I together to organize, plan and fulfill our assigned duties in order to work together collaboratively on this project with passion. We strongly recommend this project for future students and implore them to choose smaller groups for optimal coordination.