It’s the last week of the Summer Term! Congratulations for everything you’ve achieved this academic year. This is the last weekly ‘What’s On’ email of the academic year. 

This week you can apply for financial support, attend careers workshops and get excited for Kent Summer Fest. 

Phase 3 of the Covid-19 Hardship Fund is now open 

If you haven’t already received funding from the Covid-19 Hardship Fund, you can apply now for a £300 award to help with unexpected costs due to Covid-19. This could be due to a loss of income, childcare costs, travel or rent. 

Apply for the Covid-19 financial hardship fund 

Events for you to try this week:  

• Breaking down job descriptions on Tuesday 15 June, 10.00-11.00 
• Finding LGBTQIA+ inclusive employers on Wednesday 16 June, 11.00-12.00
• Food and mood workshop on Wednesday 16 June, 13.00-14.00
• Plant a seed at Kent Community Oasis Garden on Wednesday 16 June, 14.30-16.30 
• Creating a great CV on Thursday 17 June, 14.00-15.00 
• The Summer Festival of Food: Flavours of Kent, 14-18 June 
• Sausage and Cider Festival on Saturday 19 June, 12.00-18.00 

Browse all events 

Have you read this?  

• Pride Month: Being an ally
• Marks now available in KentVision 
• Kent Summer Fest events (21 June – 2 July)
• Online exams – including past papers, support and guidance  
• Exam Calm events and support to help you feel prepared and relaxed for exams 
• Choose to reuse this World Refill Day! 
• Autumn 2021 FAQs 
• Information for Kent Finalists 

Browse all student support 

Keep an eye on:  

• Student Guide 
• Our Instagram stories 
• University emails 

Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk  

Around the world, June is recognised as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) Pride Month to commemorate a tipping point in queer human rights history — the Stonewall Riots uprising. Find out more about Pride Month.

Pride Month presents a chance to express support for friends, family, co-workers or other LGBTQIA+ people.

Here are just some of the things you can do as an ally, not just during Pride Month, but all year long: 

• Get educated, get involved:

Educate yourself in the history and weight of Pride and the LGBTQIA+ rights movement.

You could:

• Watch The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson  — Marsha P. Johnson was a transgender woman, LGBTQIA+ activist and one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall Riots uprising in 1969
• Listen to Queer as Fact, a podcast looking at queer history from around the world
• Read Boy Erased, a memoir written by Garrard Conley about the struggles of his childhood, in which he was forced to enrol in conversion therapy by his religious family

• Use inclusive language and unlearn common stereotypes:

Commit to using inclusive language, which recognises and honours diversity. Avoiding using gendered language like “girlfriend” or “you guys” are small ways to normalise sexual orientations or gender identities besides your own. Similarly, don’t try to ascribe individuals to dated and often sexist attributes or responsibilities traditionally delineated as “male” or “female.”

• Use the right pronouns:

Don’t be afraid to offer your own pronouns or to respectfully ask someone theirs. Consider adding your pronouns to your email signature too. (Pronouns means how you identify — he/him, she/her, they/them, for instance — and how you’d like other people to refer to you. This is a great, inclusive practice for everyone — especially if you’re cisgender!)

• Speak up & be vocal about your allyship:

Being a good friend or family member means having your LGBTQIA+ friend’s back. Speak out against disparaging remarks or jokes that stereotypes LGBTQIA+ people. Speak supportively of LGBTQIA+ activism in different settings. This helps normalise talking about and supporting LGBTQIA+ issues.

Look out for more LGBTQIA+ stories this month on our social media around being an ally and support available.

The Government recently launched a scheme to support current students who have experienced hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. £15m in additional funding is being provided to English universities of which Kent has been allocated £122.5k.

The Covid-19 Hardship Fund can be used to support current students who have incurred unexpected costs due to Covid-19. This could be due to a loss of income, childcare costs, travel or rent.

Phase 3 of the Covid-19 Hardship Fund is now open and current students can apply for a £300 individual award to help their finances. There is a simple application process outlined on the Covid-19 Hardship funding webpage.

Applications for the third phase of the fund will close 31 July 2021 or sooner if all the funds are awarded before this date. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can. During phase 2, all the funds were awarded in a number of days.

There is also further financial support available through our range of emergency hardship funds.

Please contact our Financial Aid team or Kent Union’s Advice Service (Canterbury) or GKSU’s Advice Centre (Medway) for more information on what fund may be suitable for you.

A Fulbright future in the US awaits Kent Law LLB student Amaka Agbandje-Boyce who has secured a prestigious US-UK Fulbright Commission scholarship at one of America’s top-35 ranked law schools! Congratulations Amaka!

Amaka beat off fierce competition to win a Fulbright Postgraduate Student Award at Indiana University – Maurer School of Law. The US-UK Fulbright Commission selected Amaka for the award after a rigorous application and interview process, assessing her academic excellence, cultural curiosity and leadership qualities. When selecting scholars, the Commission also looks for evidence of a range of extracurricular and community activities, demonstrated ambassadorial skills, a desire to further the Fulbright mission and a plan to give back to the UK upon returning.

Amaka said: ‘I think my involvement in many law-related extra-curricular activities really helped me in my application and interview. I drew upon my Kent Law Temple Society (KLTS) committee position and my involvement with Kent Law School’s mooting and mock trial programmes. In my first year, I secured an internship in Kent Union’s offices, which I also feel made my application a little bit more unique, as a lot of jobs with student unions are in retail and hospitality. I had such a different experience working at a desk and working on my own terms to a degree, which was great for demonstrating my independence and sense of professionalism. Being a law school rep for two years also showed by involvement in the campus community, which I think Fulbright looks for. They stress that academics only take a candidate so far, so I’d recommend anybody considering applying to really throw yourself into various activities during your time at Kent; you want to come across as an involved and invested, well-rounded student.’

Amaka’s award comprises a full tuition waiver and mandatory fee waiver, which includes health, sports and travel across the city of Bloomington and campus. As a Fulbright scholar, Amaka will also receive administrative support and a cultural education programme including visa support, a comprehensive pre-departure orientation, enrichment opportunities while abroad, a re-entry session and access to a global alumni network.

At Indiana Law, Amaka will be one of only 40-50 new “highly qualified” graduate students admitted to the LLM programme. And she’ll be studying on a campus ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as the third most beautiful college campus in the US.

Learn more about Amaka’s aspirations and interview experience on Kent Law School’s news blog.

Take a break from revision by getting involved with Summer Music Week, have a look through the Kent Summer Fest website and sign up to a college mindfulness session.

Kent Summer Fest events 

Get excited for Kent Summer Fest, taking place 21 June – 2 July!

The Kent Summer Fest website is now live, so you can start planning activities with friends! Together with Kent Union and GKSU, we have a range of events including film and sport screenings, food and drink, live music and workshops.

We’re keeping a close eye on changes to Government guidance and have designed our programme with flexibility and safety in mind – so while events are subject to change, Kent Summer Fest is happening!

View all Kent Summer Fest events

Events for you to try this week: 

• Practical steps to better sleep on Tuesday 8 June, 10.30-12.00
• Paint your own tote bag on Tuesday 8 June, 12.00
• Plant a seed at Kent Community Oasis Garden on Wednesday 9 June, 14.30-16.30
• Creating a professional online presence on Thursday 10 June, 13.00-14.00
• Summer Music Week, 6-12 June
• The Summer Festival of Food: Flavours of The Americas, 7-11 June

Browse all events

Have you read this? 

• How to wind down after an exam
• What is Pride Month?
• Covid-19: Increased testing in Canterbury
• Online exams – including past papers, support and guidance
• Exam Calm events and support to help you feel prepared and relaxed for exams
• Exclusive Master’s Scholarships for Kent Finalists
• Book a College Mindfulness Introduction session

Browse all student support

Keep an eye on: 

• Student Guide
• Our Instagram stories
• University emails

Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk

Around the world, June is recognized as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) Pride Month to commemorate a tipping point in queer human rights history — the Stonewall Riots uprising. Notably led by trans*women of colour activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, Stonewall began on 28 June 1969, lasting for 6 days sparked by the years of targeted police harassment at the Stonewall Inn located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, New York.

Pride month is celebrated every June to acknowledge and recognise the accomplishments of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement and our brave LGBTQIA+ advocates. It’s about the people in the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies who have fought and continue to fight for equality and recognized dignity.

It must not be forgotten that the first Pride was not a celebration. It was a riot led by queer people of colour. Pride was born out of a struggle. And now, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought struggle back to LGBTQIA+ communities, as they are forced to lock down with families who may not be accepting or safe. We see you; we celebrate you.

Pride Month presents a chance to express support for friends, family, co-workers or other LGBTQIA+ people.

P-eople – Pride is about the people in the LGBTQIA+ and allied community. Remember that our shared humanity is what is both celebrated and at stake in the global fight for full LGBTQIA+ equality

R-esilience Pride stands as a powerful claim of self-worth and community celebration in contrast to historic ostracization of LGBTQIA+ people.

I-nformation – Pride serves as an important milestone for employers to share information with their own workforce, customers and clients about the meaningful ways they engage with the LGBTQIA+ community and are advocates for equality.

D-iversity Pride is the culmination of struggle to fully recognize the diversity of the community.

E-xpression – The visuals that often come to mind from Pride month are colourful, campy and fun. From tiaras to boas to floats and DJs, Pride is a celebration of individual and community.

What does the Progress Pride Flag represent?

In 2018, Daniel Quasar updated the Pride Rainbow Flag, which is a symbol for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities, to better represent marginalised LGBTQIA+ communities. The Progress Pride Flag includes black and brown stripes to represent LGBTQIA+ communities of colour, and the pink, light blue and white represent the Transgender Pride Flag.

Look out for more LGBTQIA+ stories this month on our social media around being an ally and support available.

Do you worry about your exams and sometimes find it hard to take your mind off them? Sign up to our College Mindfulness Introductions to take a break from worrying thoughts.

Mindfulness is about appreciating the present moment in the ‘here and now’ and taking a break from our busy minds which are constantly thinking.

We will talk about the basics of mindfulness practice and how it can help us to deal with stress. Part of this session will be a short meditation in a small group setting.

The sessions will be run by Miriam, one of the College Life Officers at the University of Kent.

If in person, please wear comfortable and weather appropriate clothing which allows you to sit on a mat outdoors. In case of rain, we will meet at Locke Building (2nd floor), Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7UG – entrance is to the right of the Co-op on the Jarman Plaza (by the letterbox).
Social distancing will be in place. Please bring your student ID, water bottle and sunscreen (if applicable) with you.

The online College Mindfulness Introduction will take place on Zoom.

Book now:

7 June – Darwin College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

8 June – Turing College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

10 June – Woolf College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

11 June – Medway College Mindfulness Introduction – online

14 June – Rutherford College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

15 June – Park Wood College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

17 June – Keynes College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

18 June – Eliot College Mindfulness Introduction – outdoors

Please follow @unikent_ccl on Instagram for news on a wide variety of events and activities taking place throughout the year.

This week get involved with the online Paris Postgraduate festival, take a look at our virtual exchange and summer school opportunities, and find out more about volunteering. 

Play your part in Covid-19 enhanced testing and help keep Kent safe 

Everyone living, studying, and working in Canterbury’s CT1 and CT2 7 postcode areas is being urged to take part in Covid-19 enhanced testing over the next two weeks. This is in addition to your regular asymptomatic Covid-19 testing.  

It is quick and easy to get tested – with walk-in test centres on campus in Keynes and Darwin College car parks. You do not need to self-isolate after testing unless you are told to by NHS Test and Trace. Find out more about Covid-19 enhanced testing. 

It’s important that we stick to the latest government guidelines to help limit the spread, and remember Hands, Face, Space, Test. 

Volunteers’ Week 2021 

This week is Volunteers’ Week 2021, which celebrates the fantastic contribution that volunteers make to our communities. 

The Kent Volunteering Scheme recognises and supports student volunteers by offering rewards depending on how many volunteering hours you record. 

Find out more about volunteering opportunities at Kent 

Events for you to try this week:  

• Fiveweeks to self-confidence on Wednesday 2 June, 14.00-16.00 
• How to talk about your skills to employers on Thursday 3 June, 00-11.00 
• Outdoor cinema screening: Dazed and Confused on Friday 4 June, 21.30-23.00 
• The Summer Festival of Food: Flavours of Asia, 1-4 June
• Escapism:Online Paris Postgraduate Festival, 1-5 June 

Browse all events 

Have you read this?  

• How to stay calm on the day of an exam
• Online exams – including past papers, support and guidance
• Exam Calm events and support to help you feel prepared and relaxed for exams
• Kent Sport summer membership is back!
• Virtual summer school opportunities

Browse all student support 

Keep an eye on:  

• Student Guide
• Our Instagram stories
• University emails

Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk