Webster University Geneva’s

3rd ISSUEMAY 2017

RHYTHM OF YOUR SUMMERCAN’T MISS MUSIC FESTIVALSGET OUT OF TOWNSTUDY ABROADSHOWCASEWEBSTER’S CREATIVITYPROCRASTINATION(READ THIS LATER)

Dear Students,

I am proud to introduce the student magazine, 78 Magazine, and in particular this issue on CHANGE. Webster Geneva is going through a time of change and transformation. Although change is often difficult at first because it questions the status quo, discards accustomed practices and creates uncertainty, it is also dynamic and exciting. It concentrates the mind, encourages us to focus on and contribute jointly to the fulfillment of common goals. Opening ourselves to change enables us to develop a new culture of collaboration, to transform, to build, to develop, to create, to innovate, and to be proud of what we accomplish together.

We are developing a new Webster Geneva plan, looking forward 2017-2022. By strengthening the global component of our academic programs, we will equip our students with the instruments necessary for them to carve their own future and contribute to their respective societies. By pushing ahead and working hard to obtain Swiss accreditation, we are seeking to bring our international commitment into a more balanced relationship with our Swiss context. Students are a central part of this process.

As students you are in the midst of transformation; this is a wonderful part of your life, learning, growing, developing your mind, working on your dreams. I am impressed by the creativity of our students and encourage you to pursue new initiatives such as this one. This is change, and change will transform you as well.

DIRECTOR’S LETTER

Clementina Acedo, Ph.D. Director, Webster University, Geneva Campus

REVIEWS

A Taste of Mexico in Geneva: El Catrin Search no more, the best Mexican restaurant is here

Artisanal in Geneva: Boréal Coffee ShopCoffee so good, you’ll be wanting more

The Hidden Gem: Restaurant du Creux-de-GenthodGood food, great view and nice staff? Head to Restaurant du Creux de Genthod

Another Magical Detox Infusion: Détox et MoiDétox et Moi, a French detox infusion with no false hopes

Zooming Along on a Zenith: Pure Deluxe IIIDiscover Zenith’s electric bike

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FEATURES

The Great Block of ProcrastinationHow to break through procrastination

Colors Records presents: Rico Tha KiddGet the scoop on young rapper RicoTK’s success in Geneva

Are Tattoos Really Addictive?Trying to answer the question of whether tattoos could be considered as addictive

Jonas Monge: In-between Geneva & Los AngelesTalented photographer between two different cities

Exercise your Body and SoulAll about yoga, the popular new fitness trend

A Travel Guide forPartying in EuropeParty, party, party your summer away

Cities to Visit this Summer:Traveling on a BudgetAffordable cities to visit this summer

5 Music Festivals in Europe you Can’t Miss This SummerChoose the rhythm of your summer

The Future of Webster Geneva’s Media Department78 Magazine talks to Francesco Arese Visconti about the direction of the department

New Activities in the International Relations DepartmentDr. Foppiani shares the department’s academic news

Changes in Webster Geneva’s Walker School of Business & Technology 78 Magazine talks to Dominique Jolly about the school’s activities

Inside the Psychology DepartmentDr. Roslyn Thomas explains important developments in the department

ACADEMICS

TRAVEL

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HOT TOPICS

Internet Slang DictionaryGet on with the new slang and be lit

Nature’s Bright FutureStreetlights may be replaced by bioluminescent plants

The Emoji LexiconLike all languages, Emojis too have rules to follow. Get your emoji game on!

“Vegetarian Meat” Medium, Rare, or Synthetic?What if meat was grown instead of butchered—in labs instead of farms?

Tips of the Trade:Job InterviewsFind out how to ace that interview

A New Home Away from Home:Studying AbroadDiscover Webster University’s campuses around the world—the chance to study abroad

Antarctica—Home to Glaciers, Penguins, and Competitive JobsJob opportunities in Antarctica

Ready, set, leave home: Tips for living aloneSimple effective tips to help you adjust to living alone

Writing Ain’t EasyA student’s realization that it’s not easy being a writer

The Evolution of SmokingWith the recent smoking restrictions at Webster University Geneva, it’s time to look for a healthier alternative to normal cigarettes

Wine, Ghvino, Vino or Vin?Like love, wine never dies. Learn about wine etiquette in different countries

Ultimate Guide to “Natural” MakeupEasy, simple and quick guide to the “no effort look”

Hottest Fashion Essentialsfor SummerPrepare your wardrobe for this summer’s hottest looks

LIFESTYLE

Cover Photograph by:MAYA KOMAROVA

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+ SHOWCASE WEBSTER’S CREATIVITY p. 88

Webster University Geneva’s

78 MAGAZINE TEAM

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Aliaa ElSherbiniMANAGING EDITOR Jumanah Abualkhair

LAYOUT DIRECTOR Merima Huseinović PHOTO EDITOR Molly PetersenCOPY EDITOR Maria PyatakovaART DIRECTOR Maya Komarova

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR David StoicescuASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Karina Ivankova

ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR Peter MurrASSISTANT ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Nazli Turkmen

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Keith W. Strandberg

CONTRIBUTORS

Zain AbbasLayan AlMuhtaseb

Salah Al NabiAnna Arutsiunian

Athena Carey Tino D’ArpaPaola HenaoKristian Skeie

Tim Young

Dear readers,

Change is inevitable, it’s all around us, and we should accept and embrace it, not fear it. Change is the theme of this third edition of Webster Geneva’s 78 Magazine where we talk about the newest slang, fashion, make-up and traveling trends, reviews about local restaurants in Geneva, the coolest party places and festivals to hit up this summer, the interesting competitive job environment in Antarctica and much more.

There are articles and tips on everything for everyone, from preparing you for living alone to tips on interviewing for that great job you’ve wanted. The Showcase is one of the highlights in each 78 Magazine issue, a section where students and faculty continue to unveil their creative work. And we don’t stop there. We’ve embraced the concept of change in this year’s edition and have added a new Q&A format, interviewing young talented artists from Geneva. There’s also a new Academic section, where students and their parents can find out about all the new certificates, research, and courses offered for each of the four departments at Webster Geneva.

Each year, new students arrive at Webster while others graduate—both embarking on new stages of their lives with new opportunities and challenges. Three years ago, I was a shy freshmen coming to Webster, and now I’m an assertive senior that’s going to be leaving it. It’s a big change to go from high school to college and an even bigger change to go from college into the “real world”—you grow and learn a lot in those years. I’ve had an unforgettable time at Webster University, learning, working and meeting people from all around the world. But I wouldn’t have evolved to the person I am today if I hadn’t learned to accept change. The day I stopped fearing change and started embracing it is the day I became a more open-minded and happier person, someone who is able to face the lessons, experiences and joys that life has to offer.

Whether you’re new to Webster, still have a couple more years of undergraduate studies or graduating, you have to stay positive and welcome each new chapter of your life.

I hope you enjoy reading 78 Magazine as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Have a great summer, make it count.

Aliaa ElSherbiniEditor-in-Chiefaelsherbini49@webster.edu

EDITOR’S LETTER

Special thanks to our printerGRAFIKA ŠARAN

SARAJEVO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

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INTERNET SLANG DICTIONARY

MOLLY PETERSEN SKOVGAARD

In our technological age, the Internet has allowed today’s youth to further embrace a language based on what is trending in pop-culture. Below is a list of the most trending Internet slang with their respective definitions:

AF: Abbreviation for “as f***.”

Bae: Acronym for “best at every-thing.”

Basic: Average, boring or routine. A “basic b****” is someone who is average and unaware of it.

Blowing up: Refers to the state of someone’s phone and/or social media by having a sender (or more) abuse this medium with constant communication.

(You’re) Bomb: Really cool and/or good looking.

Bounce: To leave.

Bye Felicia: To dismiss someone who is insignificant. Also used as a sign of disrespect by not acknowledging the person’s name.

Cancel: To delete something or someone out of your life completely—the more intense version of “ghosting.”

Chill: Relax.

Cray: Short for crazy.

Creep: A socially awkward person or someone with stalking tendencies. Cross-faded: Intoxicated from more than one substance.

Damn Gina: A way of expressing approval and appreciation for an-other person.

Doe: Short for “though.”

Dope: Cool.

Faded: High/drunk.

Flexin’: Showing off one’s talents in a shameless manner.

Fly: People who refer to themselves or others good-looking use “fly.”

FOMO: Acronym for “fear of missing out.”

Ghosting: The act of ignoring the person someone is dating by cutting off all communication. It is done with the hope that the “ghostee” will take a hint and leave the other person alone.

HAM: Acronym for “hard as a motherf*****.”

Hella: Very.

Hook up: Could refer to a kiss or a sexual activity.

Lit: Definition according to Urban Dictionary: “The state of being so intoxicated (regardless of the intoxicating agent) that all the person can do is smile, so that they look lit up like a light.”

Netflix and chill: To “hook up” with someone.

Ratchet: A derogatory term commonly used for females who are not virgins.

Ride: Initially referred to someone’s car, but now used for any automobile that is giving a person a lift.

RN: Abbreviation for “right now.”

Salty: Bitter, whiny and defensive.

Savage: Cool/violent.

SMH: Abbreviation for “shaking my head.”

Squad: A clique of girls that regularly hang out. TBH: Abbreviation for “to be honest.”

TD: Abbreviation for “to die.” Used when something is amazing.

Thirsty: Desperate.

Throwing shade: To insult a person.

Turnt: High/drunk.

Screenshot of a conversation between Molly and Aliaa using Internet slang.

HOT TOPICS

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NATURE’S BRIGHT FUTURE

JUMANAH ABUALKHAIR

Imagine walking down a road where streetlights are unnecessary. Imagine the same road lined with trees instead, lighting the way without the addition of any electricity. That’s the vision that new bioluminescence technology proves is possible.

Bioluminescence is the emission of light by any living organisms. And it’s not anything new. Deep-sea creatures, fireflies, and even bacteria have been able to do this all along. What is new is the application of this very same phenomenon on plants as well. Professor Michael Strano from MIT shows in his research study, “Bionic Plants,” that inserting nanoparticles into plants makes it possible to increase their range for capturing light. The plants then turn into a “chemical sensor,” which emit light after detecting particular pollutants.

The research quickly grew popular among scientists and developers, generating more ideas and results. Among them is the Starlight Avatar, a commercially available plant that glows in the dark for about two to three months.

Created by Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde, Alexander Krichevsky (from The State University of New York, Stony Brook), and the Missouri-based company, Bioglow, the Starlight Avatar is the first commercial “autonomously luminescent” plant on the market.

Glowing Plants, originally a Kickstarter campaign, is another project that creatively brings science into homes. With their “Maker Kit,” anyone can genetically modify their plants into light stands. At $300, the kit comes with instructions, necessary chemicals, plant seeds, a small pot and soil. The company also sells ready-to-display glowing plants—along with a packet of 50 to 100 seeds to plant.

The success of such projects could easily change the aesthetic appearance of our world. And the disappearance of streetlights could be just the beginning. Buildings and alleys could be coated with the same material as plants, allowing them to light up in just the same way. Instead of neon lights and dark alleyways, cities have the potential to turn into light displays of art—all courtesy of the natural world.

Glowing Plants (www.glowingplant.com)

“Instead of neon lights and dark alleyways, cities have

the potential to turn into light displays of art.”

Photograph provided by TAXA Biotechnologies/Glowing Plant

HOT TOPICS

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Genuine smiley face.

Fake smiley face. Used when you don’t really mean to give a smile.

Tears of laughter. It is LOL come to life. More than three in a row is too many when talking to anyone besides your best friends.

Shows coolness. Refers to something/someone or to yourself as being cool.

Wink face. Used when flirting, making sexual sugges-tions or when teasing someone—making your words seem playful.

Smirk. Same meaning as the wink face, but with more obvious playfulness or dirty jokes.

Relieved face. Often used to show innocence more than relief.

Smiling face with halo. Shows innocence, or pretend-ing to be innocent, when your words don’t seem in-nocent at all.

Devil faces. Used when you’re up to no good and you’re showing it off.

Heart-shaped eyes. Used to show love and adoration. Can be used when obsessing over a person, a place or a thing.

Unamused face. When you disagree or are not pleased with what the other person is saying.

THE EMOJI LEXICON

ALIAA ELSHERBINI

Woman with bunny ears. Refers to “let’s party” or friendship.

Sassy girl. Shows assertiveness, confidence or sarcasm. Put as many as you feel like in a row—the sass is endless.

Smiling poop. Used anytime, mostly as a joke.

See/Hear/Speak no evil monkeys. Shows excitement, embarrassment or shock.

Eggplant. Yes, it’s used for referring to what you’re thinking about—a male’s geni-tal. To stay on the safe side, just don’t send it to your parents.

Used to refer to something as cool/dope or authentic, “keeping it 100% real.” Can also mean acceptance of an idea or statement.

Fire. Usually used when referring to a hot person, event or object.

Heart. Shows love and romance. Don’t use it too soon with your crush. We don’t want them to think you’re desperate.

Colored hearts. More casual affection than romance. If you receive these from your crush, you’ve probably been friendzoned.

Emojis are taking over. They are used everywhere, from the web to text messages, as a communication tool. They are not just cute little characters—they have meanings and insinuations. Emojis can sometimes describe feelings that we can’t fully express with words. So, we have to understand them better.

The magazine staff did a quick survey of Webster University students, and here’s what they had to say:

“I use emojis to express my emotions—they show my feelings better than words.” -Junior

“I think too many emojis in a message make the text seem silly and immature.” -Sophomore

HOT TOPICS

“When I don’t have enough time to type what I want to say, I use emojis.” -Junior

“When I want to break the tension, I like to use emojis.” -Junior

“I think emojis help bridge the gap between the tone and the text of the conversation.” -Sophomore

“Everyone has their own way of using emojis. Sometimes it’s hard to figure out which emoji to use for each person.” -Senior

“I use emojis to show affection for my family and friends.” -Sophomore

Here is a brief guide to the most used emojis, their meaning and when to use them.

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“VEGETARIAN MEAT”MEDIUM, RARE, OR

SYNTHETIC? JUMANAH ABUALKHAIR

What if scientists took over the food industry? What if meat was grown instead of butchered—in labs instead of farms? What if, like experiments, our meals were “created” and not cooked?

A new type of agriculture is form-ing to make these hypothetical situations an actual reality. Cellu-lar agriculture is a growing field of biotechnology, where scien-tists are developing the process of tissue engineering. Through its application, Dr. Mark Post at Maastricht University (in the Netherlands) has constructed synthetic meat. First introduced in 2013 through a public dem-onstration in London, this new $330,000 cultured meat (also called in vitro meat) presented a new change. Gastronomic science officially became a big deal.

People are now able to eat “fake” meat—as if it’s the real thing.

Though there’s no escaping growth hormone injections, cultured meat isn’t a genetically modified organism (GMO) product. By using

animal stem cells, scientists can monitor the meat in a controlled lab environment. That means no animal cruelty, less disease and bacteria, a healthier environment and cheaper food.

But at what cost?

The product isn’t consumer-ready yet, but it seems to be an inevitable prospect. The concept of eating man-made meat is still foreign and uncomfortable to some—distasteful, even. Already, people have started dubbing this phenomenon “Frankenmeat.” Despite people’s initial reactions, this new development is spurring a new wave of what can only be dubbed as “Future Food Culture.”

Bistro In Vitro (www.bistro-invitro.com), set in the Netherlands, is a “fictitious restaurant” that makes it possible to book a fictitious table based on fictitious meals that could one day be served to you at a real restaurant. The “restaurant” introduces a variety of meals—creating a place where the laboratory meets haute cuisine.

Gourmet (and imagined) dishes range from appetizers to deserts. The Crane Origami, wafer-thin cell sheets of meat skillfully arranged into a crane, brings Japanese mythology to the plate. Another starter, the See-Through Sashimi, is made of pure blue fin tuna without any blood vessels, nerves, or organs—crafted to out-taste the “natural” sashimi. A more kid-friendly option is the Magic Meatball main course, which mixes healthy vitamins with galaxy-themed meatballs in a pasta dish.

The Bistro In Vitro website also sells The In Vitro Meat Cookbook—a recipe book featuring 45 synthetic meat-based meals, skillfully illustrated with supporting articles and information. Unlike the restaurant, the cookbook is real. It takes all the what-if speculations and turns them into anticipated situations. The cookbook even won the Dutch Design Award in 2014, earning many positive reviews from the press.

And through the website, customers can also book an actual Ice Cream Car (only within Amsterdam), which serves six odd futuristic flavors: meat fruit, polar bear, bacon, ice queen, dragon and chocopanda.

In the end, there must be some truth in the saying, “you are what you eat.” The future we’re building towards is quickly evolving. So, instead, it might be more fitting to say, “We are what we will eat.”

Photography provided by Submarine Channel Next Nature Network

Bistro In Vitro

Hyperlinks: www.submarinechannel.com

www.nextnature.net www.bistro-invitro.com

HOT TOPICS

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TIPS OF THE TRADEJOB INTERVIEWS

ALIAA ELSHERBINI

You’re a grown-up now (LOL, not quite yet). Well, at least you think you are. You’re done with university, earned a bachelor degree, maybe even two, and landed a job interview—officially not a kid anymore. All of that sounds exciting, but are you really prepared for that interview? Here are some tips based on my experience and others’ to help you:

Motivate yourself.Go in front of a mirror and encourage yourself. Yes, I know it’s a cliché, but it works.

Talk about your positive traits clearly.Show the company that you can be a benefit to them, and that they practically need you.

Don’t be afraid to ask ques-tions. It is a sign of interest, and there’s no shame in asking for more information about the position you’ve applied for.

Wear suitable clothes.Sadly ripped jeans and a chemise are not very appropriate. Not all jobs require you to wear a suit and tie, so know where that job you applied to is and dress accordingly.

Go prepared.Do some research about the firm/company you’re applying to so that you seem interested both in the position offered and the place offering it. All employers like to see the person they’re interviewing being excited to work for their company. Know exactly what you need to bring with you—whether it’s a printed CV, a copy of your ID, or previous work samples.

Show confidence, but don’t overdo it. No one wants to hire a smartass who thinks they know and can do everything.

Now that you look all professional, and have all of your documents prepared, go in with confidence. You’ve got this.Good Luck!

Illustration by Merima Huseinović

HOT TOPICS

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A NEW HOME AWAY FROM HOME STUDYING ABROAD

MOLLY PETERSEN SKOVGAARD

University is a perfect time for individuals to gain once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And what could be more adventurous than studying abroad for a semester? Webster University has developed a multicultural society by creating a global network with a mission to enable students to welcome diversity and expand their opportunities. Webster offers students plenty of choices for studying abroad, as they can choose between eight locations: Austria, Italy, Greece, The Netherlands, England, Ghana, U.S and Switzerland. So if studying abroad sounds exciting to you, here is a little more information about the seven other Webster campuses.

If you adore vast green spaces, are a fan of contemporary music and enjoy cities with historic charm, then Webster’s Vienna campus may be your ideal option. Vienna is the capital of Austria and is 50% nature—as well as renowned for its imperial sights, cozy wine taverns, and cultural events.

You could study abroad for a semester in a city ranked one of the most beautiful cities in the world by Forbes: Florence. Webster’s Italian site is optimal

for students who appreciate art and architecture, as Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance. In Florence, you could indulge in the delicious Italian cuisine or explore the acclaimed Renaissance art, architecture and monuments.

The ancient Agora, the museums at the Acropolis and the Benaki collections could all be within minutes of your university—if you chose to study abroad at Webster’s Greece campus. You could find yourself in the birthplace of modern ideas, exploring intellectual and cultural heritage at the Athens campus. The city is engaged in many cultural events: recitals, concerts and theatres—which are just a few of many events that students can enjoy.

Leiden is home to the Netherland’s Webster campus, which is perfect if you’ve been searching for a quaint university town great at welcoming students. Studying in Leiden comes with the benefits of affordable public transportation. There are various incredible museums and galleries for students to visit. The town is located halfway between The Hague and Amsterdam—making Leiden an accessible town to travel to or from. Official photographs

of Webster University campuses worldwide

Find more at webster.edu

LIFESTYLE

Webster University Bangkok

Webster University Vienna

Webster University Leiden

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ANTARCTICAHOME TO GLACIERS, PENGUINS,

AND COMPETITIVE JOBS

JUMANAH ABUALKHAIR

Have you ever wanted to start over? Get a new job, a new home, or even a new life? The hottest destination isn’t Fiji or Tahiti—it’s Antarctica. While many think of Antarctica as a snowy wonderland south of everything, it’s also a competitive workplace. Despite the extreme weather, temperature drops as low as -89° C and skewed sunlight hours, prospective employees remain eager to apply. All for the sake of science and, depending on the job, some change.

Life in Antarctica revolves wholly on the nature of the job.

Jobs requiring transportation of goods or outdoor research mean more time braving the cold weather, while jobs cooking and sorting technical difficulties require being indoors instead. What people don’t

realize is that there’s more demand than supply—meaning there are more people wanting to work than there are jobs available for people to actually work on.

In fact, statistics show that in 2015 around 1,500 people applied for the same four positions. And these positions are often limited to science-based posts (geologists, oceanologists, meteorologists and others) and support-based or trade posts (mechanic, electrician, car-penter and more). Since the Ant-arctic research stations are the most populated areas of the conti-nent, Antarctica produces its very own newspaper, The Antarctic Sun. To keep it going, there’s a National Science Foundation program spe-cifically focused on finding suc-cessful writers and artists—includ-ing photographers, historians, and painters—work in Antarctica.

Simply applying requires a lot of luck and perseverance.

Candidates would have to undergo physical and mental examinations. They might even play the role of “understudy”—waiting for another qualified employee to drop out. Cost of transporting personnel is expensive, causing future employees to commit to staying for long periods of time. To ensure their capability of doing so, prospective employees are given a trial period during the summer months to test out their “resilience” against the environment. If they pass and still manage to maintain a positive outlook, they’re then allowed to “Winter Over”—staying for roughly eight dark months with no contact from the outside world. Living and working in Antarctica may be as foreign a concept as living and working on Mars—but it is a popular one. Documentary films, like Antarctica: A Year on Ice, Antarctic Edge 70° South, and Frozen Planet portray Antarctica as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The beautiful scenery, the brightness of the stars, and (in all seriousness) penguins all contribute to the expectations of the Antarctic experience. And these expectations became the driving force for the sudden competition in the Antarctic job market.

“In 2015, around 1,500 people applied for the same four positions.”

Photography provided by Poseidon Expeditions

LIFESTYLE

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READY, SET, LEAVE HOMETIPS FOR LIVING ALONE

ALIAA ELSHERBINI

Don’t go spending all your money at the beginning of the month. (You will starve by the end of the month.)

Don’t lose/forget/break your room or apartment key or you will sleep on the street!

Give a spare key to one of your friends—just in case.

If you’re getting an apartment by yourself, get a small one. You won’t have the energy to clean it. No, you won’t. Don’t fight this.

For a quick meal, boil your pasta in the kettle, and then put it in a bowl with some canned tomato sauce and, voila! An easy, filling dish.

Your alarm is going to be your new best friend. So learn to accept it.

Don’t pile up your dirty laundry. Mommy isn’t here to wash it for you, and you won’t find anything clean to wear by the end of the month.

It’s okay to come in the sweatpants

and hoodies that you’ve already worn “twice” this week. We won’t judge—life is hard. We get it. (Still, do your laundry!)

Try to clean your living space as much as you can. No one will find a week old pasta bowl and clothes on the floor attractive.

Go treat yourself to a good meal at a nice restaurant every once in a while. You deserve it.

Have the phone numbers of the police, hospital, fire department, and (most importantly) pizza places written down somewhere in case of an emergency. Better safe than sorry.

Find humor in the failures and obstacles you might face.

Don’t get too distracted by your social life and forget to study. Study well and do your homework in advance.

It’s okay to miss home.

All set now? Don’t be worried. You’re going to have a blast!

It’s exciting, but quite scary, to move out from your parents’ house to go to college and live alone. So much freedom, so little money … and many new experiences ahead. Whether you moved into the university’s dorms or got a studio, here are some tips to help you adjust to living alone:

LIFESTYLE

Photography by Merima Huseinović

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It’s that idiotic feeling when you have infinite ideas in your mind up until you sit down, open your laptop, and stare at it helplessly. You literally look at it and concentrate, observe every little angle of the stupid object in front of you—yet none of those wonderful ideas arrive. You’re in a catatonic state. Your mind is conflicted. You start wanting to smash your laptop, only to regret it seconds later.But during dark times, there is always a solution. That would be the “writer’s balance,” which I just invented. I devised a ratio in my writing, and calculated that the best balance is 65% you and 35% the audience.

This balance will save you tons of stress, breaking computers and punching walls. And you’ll be able to maintain your qi. Personally, I think to solve writer’s block, you just need to write—no matter what it is, even if it sucks. Because, as Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So be patient, follow this formula, create a masterpiece, and don’t forget the most important part—writing for your own peace of mind and happiness.

WRITING AIN’T EASY

DAVID STOICESCU

It was a dark rainy Tuesday morning when all of a sudden, inspiration dawned on me and I decided to write a full-length movie script. After having failed all my classes and being at rock bottom, it was the light at the end of the tunnel that gave me the hope I needed to get back up. I took full advantage of this moment and focused on that, and that alone. Weeks had passed, and not once did I leave the house. After many sleepless nights, I found myself at the end of my so-called script. It was a masterpiece, one that led me to mental and physical exhaustion. I thought the hardest part was over...until I received my first criticism. Then it started to get complicated.

It wasn’t so much the criticism that bothered me, but the reason behind that got under my skin.

I asked, “Where did I go wrong? How can I improve?” My mentor at the time explained it wasn’t that I didn’t do a good job, but that it wouldn’t “appeal to most audiences” and had “too much thinking” involved instead. When I heard that, I was shocked. I thought to myself, “Well, isn’t that the point? To think, to be interested, motivated and actually gain some sort of knowledge?” Then, I realized that if one wants to sell, they would need to think not of what is actually good, but what most people think or see as good.

Following my ordeal, I bit the bullet, took into consideration the advice I had heard, and went into an even worse encounter. Far worse than having to degrade my writing, I found myself in a situation known as “writer’s block.” Or what I personally call: the “writer’s hole.”

LIFESTYLE

Graphics by Merima Huseinović

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THE EVOLUTION OF SMOKING

With the recent smoking restrictions at Webster University Geneva, it is time to look for a healthier alternative to normal cigarettes. Smoking has been popular among young adults for a long time. But the market has expanded in the 21st century. We now have several devices that are similar to cigarettes, which have all been proven to be less harmful for your body—like electronic cigarettes, iQOS, vaporizers and vape pens.

“Smoking kills.” All smokers see and hear this phrase everyday of their lives. Daria Harrison, an everyday smoker of almost 10 years, says that “life-threatening consequences just don’t seem that bad when you get the pleasant feeling from having that first cigarette with your morning coffee, or the one you smoke after having a big meal. After a while, you just don’t think of the harm that it causes.” To get that feeling and fix of the nicotine craving without the consequences, try using an e-cigarette.

E-cigarettes are not completely risk-free. However, they have been proven to be less harmful than normal cigarettes. The portable device vaporizes a flavored liquid, which is then inhaled by the user. According to Doctor Lubov Pyatakova, “E-cigarettes do not carry as much harm as regular ones. They contain less chemicals and there is no smell or second-hand cigarette smoke.” However, electronic cigarettes contain propylene glycol. It is a chemical that’s used in cosmetics and food flavorings, which many people are allergic to. So check in with your doctor for allergies before purchasing an e-cigarette.

There has been evidence that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking. They contain nicotine, but not tobacco. You can even regulate your nicotine intake depending on your preferences. A good way of quitting is slowly reducing the nicotine levels day by day—down to zero mg. Another reason for some to choose e-cigarettes is the economic cost.

Purchasing an e-cigarette is way cheaper than buying a pack of cigarettes every day. The prices for the device start from $15, while one pack of cigarettes costs around $10 (depending on where you live). A regular e-cigarette will last you about 300 puffs, and many of them come with a charger or spare batteries.

In 2014, Philip Morris created iQOS devices, which are basically smokeless cigarettes. This invention for smokers was introduced in Japan and some European countries, including Switzerland. According to an advertiser for Philipp Morris, “iQOS is still not very popular due to the limited distribution, but there has been progress.” The device uses small, real Marlboro cigarettes, which makes it different to regular e-cigarettes. The iQOs device also heats the tobacco inside to 360 degrees, with no smoke or tar leftover. The amount of toxic chemicals released is significantly lower than from smoking normal cigarettes. “When tobacco is burned, it produces more than 2,000 chemical constituents,” says a Philip Morris advertiser. “Heating the tobacco reduces health risks. Furthermore, the odor is reduced and there is no ash.” The only negative aspect is smell of heated tobacco, which really takes some time getting used to.

MARIA PYATAKOVA

Photography by Maria Pyatakova

LIFESTYLE

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Vaping has become a trend since 2015. Vapor smoke has been proven to be less harmful than cigarette smoke. Vaporizers are designed to heat up the e-liquid, which then produces water vapor—earning its name. The concept is very similar to smoking a hookah. So far, there has been no evidence to show that vaping has life-threatening consequences. In addition, vaporizers use very little to no nicotine. There is no smell, no bad breath and no nicotine stains. In the long run, vapors are more cost-effective than cigarettes. The highest quality vapors are in the $40 to $80 range. One small bottle of e-liquid costs around $10 to $15, but will last you approximately as long as a whole carton of cigarettes.

It’s normal to vape more than you smoke, as your body will start adapting to not receiving the chemicals that are in regular cigarettes. It will take some time, so just be patient. A positive side to vaping is being able to do it in more places (as opposed to smoking) due to its odorless feature. It’s also an extremely

easy device to use. You don’t have to take out a cigarette and light it. You just press a button and “vape.”

A former employee of “Sweetch” vape shop says, “The demand for vapors has been extremely high since 2015.” At the local stores in Geneva and Lausanne, they sell “around 50 variations of vapor devices and over 200 e-liquid flavors that you can try out for free.” They have all the best brands, such as Mr. Good Vape, Cosmic Fog, Cloud Vapor and Joyetech. According to Lagrouni, the most popular vapor flavors are raspberry, popcorn, strawberries and cream, cinnamon, vanilla and cotton candy.

As you can see, there are a lot of alternatives to cigarettes. Opt for an iQOS device if you cannot live without the taste of tobacco. If you’re not a fan of the smell, try using an e-cigarette as a healthier option. And choose a vapor if you want something that will help you quit smoking—which will smell and taste delicious. Or better yet, quit smoking all together. A smoker can dream, right?

Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease, blood clots, strokes and lung cancer. It can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can even affect bone health and decrease immune function. For women, smoking can make it harder for them to get pregnant and can affect the baby’s health before and after birth. For men, smoking affects their sperm, which leads to reduced fertility. Quitting smoking reduces your

risks of cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. Most smokers are well aware of the risks and harmful consequences, yet continue to smoke.

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WINE, GHVINO, VINO OR VIN?

Ever thought of wine as a big glass full of love that fills you up with warmth? Well, that’s not a coincidence, since “wine” comes from the Sanskrit word “Vena,” which translates as “love.”

Italy, France, Switzerland and Georgia are amongst some of the most sophisticated wine exporters. Each of these countries have their own special method of wine production and specific rules and traditions that come with this drink.

Italians consider wine to be their national drink, and therefore appreciate and respect it. Such dedication resulted in the creation of certain traditions of wine drinking. For instance, lunch should always be accompanied by wine. Statistics show that people in Italy drink 33 liters of alcohol per year per person. Even children are welcome to have a glass of wine diluted with water at family dinners. Being proud of their national product, Italians tend to choose local wines over foreign ones.

You can hardly imagine the French at a dinner without a good bottle of wine, either. Statistics show that the average French person drinks about 90 liters of wine per year. In France, wine is carefully selected to perfectly match the dishes. Very often, French people open different bottles of wine during dinner according to the meals they serve. White wine is usually served with appetizers and fish; red goes with snacks and meat; and dessert wines are saved for the last course. Moreover, the French have a habit of combining local cuisine with wines that are produced in the same region. The French see this as the true expression of gourmet. Also, they like to eat and drink wine outside the house—the country has a huge number of excellent restaurants.

France is considered to be one of the most romantic countries in the world, that’s why French men really like to arrange a romantic evening for their significant others. For them, it is very important to impress a woman on the first date, so they order an

exquisite bottle of French wine at the restaurant. One of the golden rules of the French is moderation in everything. They know their own limits and do not exceed them—one glass of wine at lunch and one bottle at dinner.

The Swiss are famous for being polite and responsible. Such characteristics are applied to drinking wine as well. No one at the table takes a single sip of wine unless the toast speeches are finished, so the ceremony is pretty strict. The host of the house coordinates the entire evening. Sometimes, the dinner already comes to the end when the host suddenly remembers that they have not even started drinking wine. Then, they finally raise a glass of wine and start drinking. People in Switzerland are very moderate in their drinking; plus, delicate details about grape origins are not much of their concern. This is the reason why they prefer to order French or Italian wines.

Georgia has a very unusual tradition of drinking wine—it’s imperative to decide what they are toasting before each glass of wine. Georgian men are very proud of their national drink, that’s why all holidays are spent in big groups of friends and are accompanied by several bottles of wine. The first glass is usually for health, the second one for happiness and the third is always for love. The toasts might take 10-15 minutes, and everyone at the table should listen to them very carefully with their glass held high. Good wine demonstrates the wealth of family; the richer the collection, the wealthier the family.

For Georgians, wine is not only a drink, but is also considered medicine, one which keeps you healthy and young. Children are allowed to drink with their parents. During different celebrations and feasts there must be at least five different bottles of wine on the table.

Even though there are lots of different choices in alcoholic beverages, petites bouteilles de vin are always on the table. Wine, like love, never dies.

KARINA IVANKOVA

LIFESTYLE

Photographed by Todd Wight https://www.flickr.com/photos/theoceanview/31709228724/

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Step 1: Prep your faceRemoving any dirt and excess oil from your skin is the most important part of your skincare routine. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and exfoliate if needed. Pat dry and use a moisturizer that suits your skin type the best. Let your skin soak up the product for a few minutes, and then apply sunscreen all over your face and neck. Some moisturizers already contain sunscreen, so you could skip this step.

Step 2: PrimeAlways use a primer before applying foundation. It will create a smooth base for your makeup, soften your skin and minimize the appearance of pores. And most importantly, it will keep your makeup looking fresh for a longer period. There are many different formulas out there, so choose the ones that suit your skin type.

Today’s hottest makeup trend, the “no effort look,” takes less time than you realize. As a student, you want an easy everyday look that looks flawless but natural at the same time. Anyone can achieve the perfect look with the use of the right products. Think of this article as your ultimate guide to a radiant complexion that helps your makeup stay in place all day.

Step 3: Apply baseYour foundation varies on the level of coverage that you would like to achieve. For light to medium coverage, use a blemish balm (BB) or color correcting cream (CC) instead of your usual foundation. Otherwise, using your foundation daily can feel a bit heavy on your skin. Doing this would brighten your face and even out your skin tone—while lightly covering problem areas. Blend the product using a beauty blender or a soft foundation brush.

Step 4: ConcealIdeally, you should have two different types of concealer. For your under-eye area, look for a liquid formula concealer— preferably a hydrating one. For concealing problem areas, use a stick or cream formula, as it gives you more coverage. Blend your concealer using a small beauty blender or a brush.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO“NATURAL” MAKEUP

MARIA PYATAKOVA

Step 5: Define and highlightFully contouring your face everyday can be exhausting. For a more natural look, apply a matte bronzer along your cheekbones with an angled brush. To make your complexion look more alive, apply powder blush on the apples of your cheeks. Start with a small amount of product, slowly building it up if needed. Make sure to blend well. If you want to add a bit of glow to your makeup (get the #GlowUp, gurl), use a cream or liquid highlighter above the bronzer, applying it on top of your cheekbones. This would make you look radiant.

Step 6: Set with powderWhen setting in your foundation and concealer, always choose a powder that is a shade lighter than your foundation—or a loose translucent one.

Step 7: Apply eye makeupKeep your eye makeup subtle, using neutral shades. For light skin tones, apply a light eye shadow, such as beige, pink or peach. If you have a darker skin tone, try using a brown color that is one or two shades darker than your skin. Don’t go above the crease of your eyelid to keep your makeup looking natural. Next, curl your lashes and apply a thin level of mascara. If you cannot live without eyeliner, line your upper lash line as close to the roots as possible. Smudge it with a brush if desired.

Step 8: Define eyebrowsStart with brushing your eyebrows in an upward direction. Next, use a brow pencil or a pomade to outline your desired brow shape. Use a powder to fill your brows in to look more natural. Finish with a brow gel to set your brows in place.

Step 9: Apply lipstick or lip-glossBefore applying your lip product, use a lip balm to moisturize your lips. For just a hint of color, use a tinted lip balm or lip-gloss. If you want to wear lipstick, it is better to use a lip primer. Line your lips with a pencil, and then apply the desired color. Peachy and pink lipsticks are always great since they look very natural. For a matte look, go for nude lip colors that are a few shades darker or lighter than your skin.

Step 10: Set your makeup with sprayOpt for a formula that suits your skin best. For dry skin, use a hydrating setting spray. For oily skin use one with a matte finish. There are some great balancing setting sprays for people with combination skin. If you have normal skin, just pick the setting spray that you like best, or opt for formulas that benefit your skin—ones that contain different vitamins.

Overall, achieving a natural makeup look is not as exhausting as you might think. The whole process takes around thirty minutes to an hour, depending on how experienced you are. So find the products that suit you best and try to think of doing your makeup as a way to spend some time on yourself.

Photography by Maria Pyatakova

LIFESTYLE

BASE

EYEBROWS

SET WITH SPRAY

CONCEALER

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HOTTEST FASHION ESSENTIALS FOR SUMMER

The summer trends for 2017 have already been decided. So why not prepare your wardrobe for this season’s hottest looks? From rocking casual pool slides to sheer clothing, along with a new take on fuchsia pink and bralettes— there are plenty of styles for you to try out this season.

Sheer clothing is still in, with the spring/summer 17 (S/S’17) collections showing body fitted lace dresses, perspex trousers and crochet bottoms. Add contrast to your daytime look by wearing a black tank top under a white sheer shirt. For a more colorful look, opt for a pair of statement pants.

Bralettes are the perfect trend for those who enjoy flaunting their bodies. They come in a va-riety of styles—strappy, covered in floral prints and in velvet tex-tures. For fancy events bralettes can be worn with a maxi skirt or paired with high-waisted shorts and a sheer white t-shirt for a daytime look.

Pink was the color that flooded the S/S17 catwalks and is the hue you cannot go wrong with this season. An effortless way of wearing pink is by color-blocking a statement dress with a fuchsia-colored coat.

A White Dress is a timeless staple to have in your summer wardrobe. If you want to follow this season’s trend, go for a floaty white dress as showcased during the S/S17—where beachwear meets eveningwear.

The Slogan Tee has returned to the catwalks, seen with sassy logos and political statements. A slogan tee goes perfectly with a maxi skirt, perspex trousers or a leather mini skirt. It could be both a daytime and nighttime outfit.

Ankles are in this season—whether you are showing your ankles off by accessorizing them or wearing shoes that strap/tie around the slimmest part of your leg. Anklets are cute for the beach and can also be matched with a pair of heels to add more details to your outfit.

Slides have hit the fashion scene being worn with everything from jeans to sweats to minimalistic slip dresses. They are comfortable and add a sporty twist to any look, coming in a variety of styles: striped, furry and logo-printed.

Check out the following photo-shoot as a style guide for you this summer.

MOLLY PETERSEN SKOVGAARD

LIFESTYLE

Dress: Philipp PleinCardigan: Odd Molly

Heels: Chanel

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Stylist: Molly Petersen Skovgaard Photographer: Paola Henao

Models: Karina Ivankova and Maja Rončević

“Add contrast to your daytime look by wearing a black tank top

under a white sheer shirt.”

Button-down shirt: ZaraBlazer: Chanel Pants: Barbara

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“The Slogan Tee—a daytime and

nighttime outfit. ”

“For a more colorful look, opt for a pair of statement pants.”

Jean jacket: Burberry Brit T-Shirt: EtsySkirt: Balmain Clutch: Chanel.

Tank top: ZaraPants: Missoni

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Dress: Isabel Marant Étoile

Pantsuit: BCBGMAXAZRIAHeels: Dolce & Gabbana

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THE GREAT BLOCK OF PROCRASTINATION

(AND HOW TO BREAK THROUGH IT)

PETER MURR

Procrastination is something that has plagued an unfathomable number of people across the globe in all walks of life. Be they passionate content creators or regular university students.

But what is procrastination?

At its most basic definition, it’s putting off doing something because you don’t want to do it. Sometimes, it’s a brief episode that springs up after a particularly rough day. Other times, it’s a persistent daily affliction. Maybe even to the point where the person will shrug and say, “It’s just how I work.” Estelle Besnainou, a psychology student at Webster Geneva, describes it as “the willingness of not doing something—now or ever.”

But what do you call it when it seems to go beyond even that?

You know you have to do some-thing. You know how to do it. You want to do it. But you still don’t.At first, it can seem baffling to not tick any of the “boxes,” yet

still suffer. Cripplingly, it becomes a pandemic of procrastination.

Discussions with several profes-sionals in the field of psychol-ogy—including psychiatrist Dr. Basile Vareltzis—has provided a greater understanding into the situation. Despite seeming like procrastinators are just be-ing inexplicably and excruciat-ingly lazy, there can, in fact, be a deeper cause behind their be-havior.

Now, Dr. Vareltzis is quick to point out that nothing is ever quite so cut-and-dry, and that there is seldom a “definite” measure of a given problem. Each individual can, and usually will, exhibit some variation—some nuance—that distinguishes their case from the next. Owing to the fact that, just as individuals are unique, so might their particular exhibition of a given issue be.

But, over the course of numerous studies and observations made by many researchers in psychology, Dr. Vareltzis explains that victims of procrastination can be broadly sorted along three main categories:

1.Pleasure-seeking/HedonistsThey tend to be what one typically pictures when thinking of “procrastinators.” They won’t put much effort or enthusiasm into doing something, unless they can derive some personal pleasure or satisfaction from it. The less pleasurable something is for them, the less value it will have.

Generally, attempting to impress upon them the importance of the bigger picture—to explain to them that they need to think about their long-term future—will yield poor or no results. For pleasure-seekers, what and how they feel now is what matters the most. Any positive feedback they can feel in the present is infinitely more motivating than any nebulous, far-off promise of it in the future—one they might receive if they just deny themselves their present gratification and focus on the unappealing tasks asked of them.

Thus, a potential solution is to break the road ahead of them up into sections, and then mark each with a goalpost. As Dr. Vareltzis says, “Give them a carrot instead of the stick.” Say that, once they finish reading and studying one chapter of a dry textbook (as opposed to trying to read the whole thing in one go), they can go out for an hour and play soccer with their friends. That way, they won’t stay cooped up for hours on end whilst daydreaming about a break, never getting to the end because they just can’t get started on the monolith of work in front of them.

Photography by Zain Abbas

FEATURES

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2. PerfectionistsThis type of procrastination is much more subtle. People who procrastinate as a result of being perfectionists do so because they’re so afraid of not doing something completely right in their first try that they ultimately end up doing absolutely none of it.

As can be understood, the fact of the matter is: they know, or at least understand, how to do what is asked of them. Often, they even know how to do it too well—to the point where they obsess more over the execution of which particular ‘how’ more than anything else. And they most certainly want to do it. Otherwise they wouldn’t even care enough to obsess about it in the first place.

But they’re so terrified of not getting it just right that they go over the mountains of notes and the piles of plans drawn up as quickly as they are discarded. All that effort done so it can finally measure up to what they think is the minimum standard, beneath which anything else isn’t even worth consideration. Dr. Roslyn Thomas, Head of the Psychology Department at Webster University Geneva, affirms that the most overpowering for them is “the fear of failure, of not being good enough.” In their minds, “you can’t

fail what you don’t even try [doing].”

Perfectionists feel fear at not being able to measure up to what others expect of them. Or rather, what they think others expect of them. They feel anxiety at being unable to perform at the level they think everyone else is—despite that their colleagues are, in all likelihood, putting in less than half the effort they are, yet still getting by just fine.

What perfectionists need is something to help them set realistic expectations for themselves. Give them examples of what is actually expected of them—an idea of what to strive for. Calm their fears that a single mistake has, or will, spell their doom. And give them specific instructions—both so they can very clearly picture the beginning, middle and end of their work, as well as to keep them from going overboard with ideas far beyond what they actually need to do.

3. Psychologically ImpairedWhile procrastination can have its roots in many causes, most of them are either bad habits, quirks or states of mind that can be redressed with the assimilation of better habits, the adoption of coping strategies and/or therapy. When one suffers procrastination as a result of a genuine psychological impairment, that is when one could almost describe it as a sort of “Super Procrastination.”

Procrastination is a classic symptom of many psychological conditions—particularly ADD and ADHD. Patients are distracted, poorly motivated, focused on the moment, suffer a deficiency in future planning, and their basic work routine can be summed up as: “start, distraction, interruption” repeated ad infinitum.

One part of it (and with ADD/ADHD in general) is that patients suffer from a dysfunctional prefrontal

cortex—the part of the brain responsible for planning complex cognitive behavior and decision-making, among other things. That there is a genuine physiological component, instead of merely psychological ones, is a big reason why this form of procrastination is both the most serious and difficult to handle. In this scenario, the prescription of some kind of medicine to help treat the condition is often recommended—like Ritalin or Conserta.

Data from recent studies suggest roughly five percent or one in every 20 people have some form of ADD. That person sitting next to you in class? He or she might not be exhibiting every symptom under the sun, but maybe the reason they have trouble in a certain class isn’t just because they’re lazy…

All of these different categorizations share a fair number of characteristics. And none of them are even mutually exclusive. A pleasure-seeking perfectionist suffering from ADD? Possible—and every bit as nightmarish as it sounds. So one thing to try and keep in mind when dealing with a procrastinator is to avoid being judgemental. They are not just being lazy, and they do not simply do it by choice.

Laziness is a personality trait. Pro-crastination is a compulsion rooted in maladaptive behaviors—none of which are beneficial, enjoyable or even constructive for the one suffering them—corroding their ability to properly move forward and build their future. Thus, many of them stay stuck in the past. To them, and to all the afflicted, Dr. Thomas offers these last words of encouragement: “To give up the hope of a better past is a potent weapon for a hopeful future.”

“Laziness is a personality trait, procrastination is a compulsion.”

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COLORS RECORDS PRESENTS RICO THA KIDD

MARIA PYATAKOVA

The Genevois hip-hop music scene is hot right now, with SuperWakClique (SWK) blowing up the charts. Their goal is to make music they love and speak their minds— without adhering to the basics. For hip-hop artist David Bonard, aka Rico TK (Tha Kidd), rap is a way of defining himself. The 23-year-old is part of the SWK rap group, which includes locally known Francophone artists like Di-Meh, Makala and Slim K. Rico TK (RTK) is often featured on Makala and Di-Meh’s songs. His verses can easily be recognized since he’s the only artist rapping in English.

78: What nationality are you?RTK: I’m half-Filipino half-American. My father is from the United States and my mom is from the Philippines.

78: Where and how did you grow up?RTK: I grew up in Maryland, right outside of Washington, D.C. My grandmother raised me. I moved to Geneva, Switzerland at the age of 12.

78: How and when did you get into music?RTK: Music was around me all of my childhood. Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved music. My mom bought a lot of vinyl CDs back in the 90s. I remember her bumping SWV and Whitney Houston, real RnB music. I got into listening to hip-hop later on in my life.

78: When did you start rapping?RTK: I started rapping when I was nine years old because I wanted to be in a video game. I remember when Def Jam: Vendetta came out, and I was like, “Damn, I gotta be in that game.” Seemed so cool to me as a kid. I wrote my first verse and that’s when I really started listening to rap.

78: Who are your musical in-fluences? What do you listen to?RTK: Not just rap and hip-hop artists. John Mayer is one of my musical influences. Anything that moves me when I listen to it. I always pay attention to the lyrics and the instrumentals. I’m also influenced and inspired by new artists my age.I do listen to a lot of hip-hop music. I love Kendrick Lamar, Chance

Photography provided by Rico TK

FEATURES

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78: Any new projects coming up? RTK: I am working on a mixtape. And in 2017, I will put out videos and new songs.

78: “Hit a lick” hit 170,000 views. Are you happy/impressed?RTK: I’m real happy. To be honest, I never expected that song to be one of the favorites out of that mixtape. At first, it was Di-Meh and Slim K’s song. We were just vibing to the chorus, then found a hook, and wrote a verse. It was done and recorded in 24 hours. I feel like all the songs that people like the most [were ones] I did in a day or less. And the songs I actually work on, people aren’t really into.

78: How do you think the Internet affects the music industry?RTK: I honestly think that the Internet affects the industry in a good way. It brings the world closer together. You could literally live anywhere and listen to rap artists that come from all over the world. Before the Internet, this was impossible. It is way easier nowadays for rappers to get their music out—get the world to listen. You can post your tracks on SoundCloud and promote it through Twitter or any other social media.

78: Who do you most like col-laborating with?RTK: Most of my collaborations are with Pink Flamingo. I think he’s super talented. We like similar music; we have the same ideas and vision for things. Sometimes, we don’t even have to talk to each other. We just create, and it turns out exactly how we imagined it.

78: Do you see a future for yourself in the music industry?RTK: Yes, if God wants it to be that way. For sure, I can envision a future in the music industry. I want to become a legend, one of the greats.

78: What is your ultimate goal?RTK: I want to be a timeless music artist. I would love if, in 3016, people would listen to Rico TK. That would be dope. I want to create things, and it goes beyond making music. I would like to make movies, direct and act. I want to make art and do fashion shows like Kanye. I just want to be creative.

78: What would be your dream collaboration? RTK: I have so many artists going through my head right now that I can’t answer that question. If I had to list every artist I would like to put on one track, the song would be 24 hours long.

“I want to be a timeless music

artist.”DAVID BONARD

AKA RICO TK

the Rapper, Tyler The Creator, Future, PARTYNEXTDOOR and Lil B. When I lived in the States, I only listened to rap and RnB. But living in Geneva has changed things since it’s so multicultural. Now, I can listen to techno or I can listen to jazz, country or even heavy metal. I genuinely love all styles of music.

78: What is your career in-spiration? What makes you want to rap?RTK: I feel free when I rap. I can say whatever I want, whatever is on my mind. It allows me to show people who I am. It’s all about creativity and self-expression. For me, rap became a way of defining myself. And I mentioned being in a video game—so I’m just waiting for Def Jam’s new edition.

78: How did you all meet? RTK: We knew each other before SWK was what it is today—before we started to rap together. SWK actually started because Makala wanted to make a T-shirt and we needed a name. At first, there were just three of us. Overtime, it became a movement. People started coming into the group. It became a way of life—being able to express yourself and be who you are. We did not try to follow any wave. We wanted to do what we love and not care about other people’s preferences.

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In today’s world, tattoos are accepted and appreciated as body art by many. Some believe the drive to acquire body ink is addictive. The art of tattoos is as ancient as religion itself—mummies from 300 BC have been found with animal tattoos. But there has yet to be a limit set for addiction to body art. To find out more information about tattoos, and whether getting inked can be addictive, I asked Kara Winstanley (tattoo enthusiast), Ken Knox (tattoo artist), and Maria Pyatakova (tattoo client) about their personal and work experiences.

Winstanley was 13 when she got her first tattoo: a peace sign—which she regretted. She went through the process of having it removed in the 11th and 12th grade. From 18 to 20, Winstanley’s been tattooed six times. And she still plans to add more to her body. She explains, “I like tattoos

because I think they look dope on my skin, and I like it as a way of expressing myself. It’s a way of literally wearing who you are and what you represent on your body—something I can’t do through fashion, music, or other means.”

As for what Winstanley’s tattoos represent, she shares, “The Nefertiti head tattoo was my second, and it represents my mom as Nefertiti—the Egyptian goddess of beauty. My third tattoo was the numbers 1982 written in Arabic script, and it’s the year my parents got married. My fourth was roses, which I got to represent how much I’ve grown yet still blossoming into who I’ll be. The Greek baby is an unfinished piece by my favorite Greek sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which represents me. I plan to add a Greek godlike figure to represent my dad, and add doves. The FARAJ behind my ear [was another] I got when I started my clothing line, named FARAJ. It means ‘the cure’ in Arabic.

ARE TATTOOS ADDICTIVE?

MOLLY PETERSEN SKOVGAARD

FEATURES

Photograph provided by Chadillac Green

My most recent tattoo is a Hindu scripture on my waist. It’s a Ganesh mantra that means ‘overcomer of obstacles.’ I’ve had a lot of things in my life that I’ve had to overcome, and I like embracing my ability to power through life.”

For the designs of her tattoos, Winstanley explains the process with her parlor: “I give them an idea of what I want, then they draw something up. If I like it, I get it. If I don’t, I tell them to make another one. It’s silly to get something inked on your body if it’s not exactly the way you want it to be.” Winstanley is huge on her passion for tattoos, but admits: “I tend to get tattoos when I’m stressed, and it helps relieve my stress. I enjoy the feeling.”

For those of you wondering what acquiring body ink feels like, Winstanley answers, “I have a high pain tolerance, but it does hurt for a while. Then, my body becomes numb to it and it becomes a good pain.” The only thing in Winstanley’s way of getting more tattoos is money. “I’d say it’s an expensive addiction. I would have way more if I could finance them on my own since my parents disapprove.” For Winstanley, tattoos are about their appearance. She adds, “I love tattoos. I just love how they look, especially on me. They’re beautiful.”“I’ve never experimented with different inks,” Winstanley reveals. “I only use black ink—never any color. As for parlors, I have my tattoo hookup in Santa Barbara.”

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Winstanley’s trusted tattoo artist, Knox, works and partially owns a tattoo parlor, 805 Ink, with another artist. TJ. Knox was introduced to the industry through a friend while in art school. He explains, “My friend thought my artwork would translate well to body art, and offered to apprentice me.” Knox has no clue how many tattoos he has. He just adds that he has a lot, saying, “most of [my tattoos] are just for fun—nothing too serious. I approach it like an art collection, getting pieces from a wide range of artists.”

Knox also elaborates on his customers and store location. “Most of my clients are return customers. But in a tourist town, there are a lot of walk-in customers.” Winstanley is a returning customer who always comes with a design in mind, yet Knox shares that “the vast majority of tattoos are drawn by the artist. We make sure the design translates well to skin and will hold up over the years.” As for the experience of getting tattooed, Knox reveals: “some people just sit there like a stone, while others freak the hell out. It’s a very odd sensation, and people definitely react strangely sometimes.” He also shares that “the customers come in for the art, but the experience is also a big part of it. Especially for the nervous first timers.”

Maria Pyatakova got her first tattoo a month after her 20th birthday, after having wanted one for about a year and a half. Pyatakova says, “I never actually dared to go inside a parlor. So when I went to London this summer, a friend of mine recommended a good artist that he knew, and I just kind of thought ‘yeah, it’s now or never.’” She knew exactly what her tattoo was going to read—her father’s birthday. So the process was easy, as she describes, “I did not actually go to a parlor. The tattoo artist came to me. We sat down and drew out the design, chose the font and size together. He would draw it with a special pen on the back of my neck, take a picture and show it to me before using actual ink.”

What made Pyatakova want a tattoo was her love of art in all forms—and knowing the tattoo has personal significance, as opposed to being a random design that is aesthetically pleasing. She is happy with her tattoo, but doesn’t want another. She clarifies, “I only got this one because it’s something meaningful to me.” Pyatakova shares her experience getting tattooed: “for me, it was bearable—even though I didn’t keep the numbing cream on long enough.” It was not an experience to follow a certain trend, but a sign of how much she values her family. Although Pyatakova would not call getting tattooed pleasant, she can understand how some find it addicting.

She shares, “Getting inked does give you a certain adrenaline rush. I can see why people become addicted. It’s a unique feeling.” Pyatakova views tattoos as body ink, but it’s not her

“It’s a way of literally

wearing who you are...”

Photographed by Aliaa ElSherbini

Photographed by Chadillac Greennewfound passion. She states “In the modern day, I see tattoos as another form of art.”

The concept of body ink has developed into an art form for individuals to express themselves through meaningful tattoos or tattoos that are simply done for fun. The experience of getting inked differs greatly depending on the person—although Winstanley, Knox and Pyatakova all agree it is a unique sensation. Whether the drive to acquire more body ink is fueled by one’s own amusement, a passion for body art, or for stress relief, it is a decision made by individuals of today’s society.

KARA WINSTANLEY

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Jonas Monge, aka Jason Genom, has been into photography since he was 13 years old—running around, taking pictures of beautiful places with his cellphone. He has come a long way since then, from swapping his cellphone for a Canon to developing his own unique style that depicts his dynamic lifestyle. Jason Genom is a nickname that he created by reshuffling the letters in his name.

Monge, 24, is a Swiss-Peruvian photographer who was born in Geneva and moved to Los Angeles when he was only nine years old. Monge went back and forth between the two cities for four years, moving back to Geneva at the age of 15. But on the eve of his 19th birthday, he left Geneva again to work as a photographer in Los Angeles for three years.

When describing his experience of living in both cities, he said: “They’re two completely different cities, and I believe they correspond to two very distinct versions of myself. Growing

JONAS MONGEIN-BETWEEN

GENEVA & L.A.

up in Geneva was beneficial. I needed that ‘small town’ feel, security, proximity and I also needed to be confronted by the sometimes claustrophobic—both intellectually and physically—feeling of this small city. At nine years old in LA, I was overwhelmed. Too big, too crazy, too cruel. At the age of 18, the only thing I wanted was creative liberty. I needed to be somewhere teeming with life (and, admittedly, sheer chaos)—so LA was a no-brainer.”

When 13-year-old Monge realized the cellphone pictures of his favorite places in the city were too small to print, he found a solution. He bought a better camera to take bigger pictures. Monge became passionate about photography due to the desire to show his perception of everyday life. His style is quite unique. The emphasis of his photographic work lies in portraiture, architecture and concert photography. Various photographers like Benoit Paillé, Martin Chambi, Ryan McGinley and Wolfgang Tillmans, have inspired Monge’s work.

MARIA PYATAKOVA

Photography by Jonas Monge

FEATURES

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income while preparing them for the job market.” The network’s member companies include UBS banks, Hilton hotels, The Master Card Foundation and Nestlé.

When asked about what motivates him as an artistic person, Monge says he wants to “portray his lifestyle” and “stay true to his vision.” His mind is always buzzing with creative ideas for new projects. In addition to taking pictures and making EP covers, his hobbies also include filming. In the past, he has helped his friends direct and shoot music videos and short films.

As for future plans, Monge doesn’t see himself pursuing a career in photography—saying that he would rather direct short films. He sees his future in Los Angeles, due to the film industry being more advanced in the United States as opposed to Switzerland. His ultimate goal in the future is to “really make it” in the movie industry. For now, Jonas Monge is in the process of finishing his studies. He enjoys working in public relations, considering it a way of getting a great job experience while saving up money for his future career in filmmaking. As for any struggling photographers or directors trying to make it in the industry today, Jonas Monge has one piece of advice: “Have a backup plan. And keep that backup plan in mind. Once you’re not worried about money or time, you’ll be able to create freely.”

He describes his photography as “cinematic, sometimes bleak,” and says that in every picture he tries to “keep details but also interpret different textures.” In addition to his photographs, he also has a few websites (one being: dal-voyages.ch) and EP covers.

Monge never took any artistic courses, and didn’t even finish high school in Geneva, leaving for LA at 19. When Monge finally moved back to Geneva at the age of 22 to finish his studies, he then joined a non-profit organization called the Global Apprenticeships Network (GAN). Now, he’s in charge of PR and “writing and designing anything that goes out, as well as social media.”

The main goal of the organization is to “solve the youth unemployment crisis using the Swiss apprenticeship system to provide skills and work experience for underprivileged youth.” The network places great importance on the issue of youth employment, as there are 74 million youngsters around the world that are still unemployed. They work with young people in order to provide them with work experience to help them find jobs. The organization “ensures that every person’s training matches the need of the company that they want to work in, equips young people with important core skills and offers them a small

“Once you’re not worried about money or time, you’ll

be able to create freely.”JONAS MONGE

Self-portrait by Jonas Monge

Find more of Monge’s work here: jonasmbalkan.tumblr.com

jonasmonge.tumblr.com narc1ss.tumblr.com.

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NEW TREND EXERCISE YOUR BODY

AND SOULALIAA ELSHERBINI

Yoga this, yoga that, yoga everywhere. Three years ago, Webster was offering Zumba and Cardio classes. Now it’s offering Yoga and Pilates. I noticed this fitness shift, but it didn’t really hit me until a few months ago. I received a phone call from my mom in Egypt telling me that she had joined a yoga class. I’ve been hearing a lot about yoga and its benefits from friends and celebrities promoting it, making it a trend. I thought this trend would end in a few months—maximum a year—but if even my mom started doing it, then I guess this trend is here to stay. So I decided to try it out, and see what the fuss is all about.

Yoga is a group of mental, physical and spiritual practices that developed in ancient India during the fifth and sixth centuries BC. There are many types of yoga, but the main ones are Hatha, which is known to be the gentle yoga—consisting of a group of physical exercises and breath control, and there is Raja

Yoga, also known as “Royal Yoga” because it incorporates all the aspects of yoga: breath control, self-discipline, consciousness and posture.

Leslie Burgat, graduate student at Webster and certified yoga teacher with a degree from the French Federation of Hatha Yoga explained, “The whole point of yoga is calming the mind. It’s a step to meditation, even though you’re not necessarily going to meditate afterwards… In yoga your body is considered a temple, so you need to take care of it. You need to purify and strengthen it.”

Yoga originated from a religious meditation base. And over the years, it has been modernized to include health and fitness benefits.

Why did people start practicing it? Why did my friends start doing yoga? Why did my mother, who has not gone to the gym for over three years, start yoga classes with her friends?

Photography by Zain Abbas

FEATURES

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Nada Wael, a visual arts student at the American University in Cairo and a yoga enthusiast recounted, “I used to take dance classes since I was a kid. But when I started university, I wanted a more slow paced fitness class. I found yoga a year ago, and joined for a session just to try it out. I loved it, so I kept going twice a week ever since. It was what I needed, because it keeps me in good shape, and it’s not too crazy either.”

My mother, Azza Labib, said, “I first started going to yoga classes because all the ladies in my group of friends were going, so I thought of trying a class with them. As I kept going, I liked it more and more because it was giving me good posture in the class and outside of it—because I was getting used to being upright and conscious of my body.” Labib is a strong believer of energies around us—and how positive energy attracts the good, while negative energy attracts the bad. And she found yoga to be something that fills her with positive energy, calming her.

Yoga has been around for centuries, so why is it becoming a trend now? Burgat explained, “I see an increase in the popularity of yoga. I think that the world needs spirituality, and people are losing themselves with their busy-ness in their work and studies. They’re forgetting themselves.” She also added, “People need to calm down and focus on themselves, and that’s why they are seeking out yoga. I’ve been seeing more yoga teachers and yoga classes lately, which leads me to believe that it’s what the people want.”

American university student, Wael, said, “I think we just got bored with all of the other fitness classes that have been commonly practiced for years. Everyone in my community is focusing on being healthy. And I think that, like me, they found yoga as a physical and mental activity that keeps [them] active without having to sweat out all the water in [their] body for hours at the gym.”

Yoga is also a “physical” practice, with each branch serving a unique purpose. While Hatha yoga gives you a chance to sit and meditate, Americans have created other forms that are more fast-paced. “I was born in the US, and I’ve lived there for most of my life,” Burgat began. “I have a theory that Americans are big on extremes. Taking yoga to an extreme is sort of a trend, and it evolved more into a gym class. I’ll admit that I enjoy a class of fast-paced yoga occasionally, but you always have to be mindful of what’s right for you—and not hurting your body. If you go too far in those postures, you can hurt your body. You have to always build up to a difficult posture and listen to your body,” affirmed Burgat.

Even after interviewing people who practiced yoga, I was still not convinced. So I had to try it out for myself. One Friday, I wore my yoga pants, sport shoes and decided to check out the Yoga class offered at Webster. I went in the gym having no expectations, even preparing myself to get bored for the next hour. I followed Burgat’s steps, I took off my shoes, crossed my legs and sat on the matt.

Ready to meditate? Workout? Sleep? I was about to figure it out.

First, the instructor let us connect with the space we were in—connecting to the ground to link with our bodies. Then, we started stretching while sitting down, while standing, and even while laying down. This was Hatha Yoga. That was when I found out that Yoga is about flexibility and balance—which I had none of. By the end of the session, I felt calmer. The muscles in my body were relaxed, and I can now understand why people want to practice yoga—especially with the fast-paced lives that people have these days. It turns out that yoga can be pretty relaxing for me too.

Yoga has changed a lot over the years, evolving into “more of a fitness class,” as Burgat puts it. And it’s true. Yoga is now the new trend in fitness and the go-to gym class for all women of all ages.

If you want to start doing yoga, or want to give it a shot, you can check out the fitness class schedule at:

Silhouette Gyms:https://www.silhouette.ch/en

Geneva Country Club:http://countryclubgeneva.ch/

Or, you can just come to the Webster gym every Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 PM.

“The whole point of yoga is calming the mind. It’s a step to

meditation.”LESLIE BURGAT

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A TRAVEL GUIDE FOR PARTYING IN EUROPE

MOLLY PETERSEN SKOVGAARD

If you are finding yourself slightly bored with the party scene around Geneva and want to switch things up a bit, you should consider making one of these four party locations your next destination. These locations offer more than just simple, old parties. This travel guide is designed to maximize your partying experience. Many college students are looking for the next best party. And if you are one of them, continue reading because these destinations live up to their reputation of guaranteed insane parties.

Copenhagen, Denmark is highly recommended to visit during the summer months since the weather any time outside of them is cold and unpleasant. In summer, it is optimal to go for a drink by the canal after having visited the Nørrebrograde flea market. Denmark is famous for their øl (beer), schnapps and akvavit (traditional grain liquor).

But there’s a variety of candy-flavored alcohol in stores, as well. One of the best cocktail bars in Copenhagen is Ruby, located across from the canal from Christiansborg, the palace-turned-parliament of Copenhagen.

Mykonos, Greece is another summer party location—optimal from May to September—where lots of people gather on this beautiful island. Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Mykonos offers a relaxed and laid back summer atmosphere to party all day (and night) long at one of the many hotspots. Partying on the beach is a must-do activity as there are various beaches to visit. Scorpios Mykonos is a restaurant famous for its seafront views, where you can enjoy a drink on the perfect beach while watching the sunset. Nammos Beach is ideal for a wine-fueled lunch followed by loud music, a chic crowd and partying. Nammos beach offers a crowd of mixed ages with a carefree vibe, and is definitely worth visiting while on Mykonos.

London, England can be visited throughout the year since this city is always home to a variety of crazy parties. The weather in London can be notoriously cold, especially throughout winter with the biting wind, but visiting in December does give you a chance to visit Winter Wonderland. There’s even Winter Wonderland’s edition of an Oktoberfest tent mixed in with all the rollercoasters. There are a lot of mad night clubs in London, from The Box Soho that showcases three intimate, unorthodox and commonly quite weird shows throughout the night, to Cirque Le Soir in Mayfair that has playrooms and circus acts. Not to say that there aren’t plenty more clubs to go to for a more calm night, there’s a new club called Tape—also located in Mayfair.

Cannes, France is the perfect place to visit during spring and summer, and is famous for hosting the annual Cannes Film Festival—a star-studded event that turns the city chaotic for a week. To visit a place with a great atmosphere for enjoying too much rosé, you should make the trip across to La Guérite in Juan Les Pins. It makes for the perfect pre-party before a night spent dining and partying it out under the stars in Baolior at Gotha, another famous nightclub.

TRAVEL

Photography provided by www.visitlondon.com

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CITIES TO VISIT THIS SUMMER: TRAVELING ON A

BUDGETALIAA ELSHERBINI

As students in our early twenties, we have a lot of dreams, ambitions and other things aside from money. Summer is the time to relax and go wild. And summer vacation is long enough to be able to do both. Here is a list of cities to visit this summer when you’re traveling on a budget.

Let’s start with cities close by before expanding the horizon of possibilities.

LISBON, PORTUGAL Lisbon is cool, colorful and fun. You can get there by EasyJet, which can be very cheap if you book in advance and look for the lowest fares for roundtrips, then stay at a hostel to save your money. Lisbon is full of hostels—and not shady-looking ones but actually nice clean ones for low prices. Food and beverages are not exactly cheap, but compared to other cities in Europe the prices are good.

The night scene there is in Barrio Alto, a district full of bars in little streets with friendly people. It is full of graffiti with all shapes and colors on buildings. It’s fascinating there and you can actually take a guided tour to see the best street art around town.

Hostels (5 nights): 50CHF & up. Airplane Tickets: 45CHF & up.

SPLIT & ISLAND HOPPING, CROATIA Islands are the places to be seen during your summer vacation. They are the “hip” places to visit. You don’t need a private yacht or a villa by the sea to enjoy island fun, just head over to Croatia. Especially Split, where you can take a boat and go island hopping—Pag and Hvar islands—or take a week-long tour on a sailing yacht around the beautiful Dalmatian coast with SailWeekCroatia to explore the Croatian party life as it should be. Parties are great there

and not expensive, full of young and international people, clubs with every type of music you can dream of. Aside from the nightlife, the beaches are beautiful, with deep blue water—like what you see in movies. To complete the movie set-up, you will find many small cute restaurants all over the islands. These are islands for relaxing, water activities and parties, after all. Booking in advance is a must, as in July and August the cost triples.

Hotels (5 nights): 80 CHF & up. Airplane tickets: 300 CHF & up.

For more information about tours on the Dalmatian Coast:

https://www.sailweekcroatia.com/

BEIRUT, LEBANONBeirut does not only have a wild party scene at night but also one in the morning by the beaches. So if you’re looking for a fierce experience full of cultural richness away from Europe, this is the place for you. The food is amazing and very cheap. You will be introduced to all delicious dishes like manakeesh, falafel, tabbouleh and so many more that will satisfy all of your cravings. Eating food there is all about sharing it with the people you’re with. It’s all about different appetizers, which are called “Mezze.” Once you taste Lebanese food, you won’t be able to stop. Since it’s a touristic city full of young people, there are many hotels and hostels from expensive and luxurious to very affordable. Since the prices of hotels and flight tickets tend to increase during the months of July and August, booking months in advance is highly recommended to guarantee good affordable deals for your trip.

Hotels (5 nights): 100 CHF & up. Airplane tickets: 150 CHF & up.

TRAVEL

SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT Sharm El Sheikh is by the beautiful Red Sea, in the “Mother of the World” Egypt, so it’s as much about the beaches and water activities as it is about exploring the Sinai desert. Snorkeling, scuba diving, water games like banana boats and slides are a must-do there. The water is crystal blue, which permits you to see the magical colors of the fish and corals. There are things to do for everyone. So if you’re not a fan of water activities, you can still enjoy the view by renting a boat (a boat for seven people can cost 40CHF, with barging) or just sitting on the beach under the warm sun. The nightlife is also very active, with many clubs like Hard Rock Café and Le Pacha along the promenade in the downtown area “Na’ama Bay.” There, you will find local and international restaurants that are quite cheap. You would think that the flight would be the most expensive thing about this trip, but not in this case. The airlines offer cheap tickets to Sharm El Sheikh all the time, including package deals with all-inclusive hotels.

Hotels (5 nights): 105 CHF & up.Water activities: 77 CHF & up.

Package deals (flight + hotel): 600 CHF & up.

Photograph provided by @slhctl @LiveLoveBeirut

Photograph provided by SailWeekCroatia

www.sailweekcroatia.com

Photograph by @jubranelias @LiveLoveBeirut

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5 MUSIC FESTIVALS IN EUROPE YOU CAN’T MISS THIS

SUMMERALIAA ELSHERBINI

Music is everywhere. It’s alive all year long with non-stop festivals, especially during the summer. You’re on vacation, no more exams or assignments, and you are free to travel around, hopping from one festival to another. These festivals are not just about the music, they’re about the world they create—from decorations, atmosphere and famous artists to the food and chosen locations. Here are some of Europe’s most famous summer music festivals that you can’t miss.

Let’s start with one close to home:

ZURICH OPENAIRThe name says it all. It’s an annual open air festival in Zurich, Switzerland. There are all types of music—indie, rock, pop and electronic. There are local acts and international ones to satisfy all audiences and encourage Swiss talents. The festival takes place in late August, just a few weeks before schools and universities start

the academic year. This year, it’s going to be from the 23rd to the 26th of August 2017. To end the summer on a good note, attend Zurich OpenAir.

LOLLAPALOOZALollapalooza is coming for another year in Berlin, Germany, and you shouldn’t miss it. It’s a music festival that was created in the US with its debut in Berlin, 2014. It’s a two-day festival, for all sorts of music genres—EDM, hip-hop, alternative rock and pop. The line ups include world-wide famous artists and bands like Kings of Leon, RadioHead, Kygo and Muse. There are plenty of stands that offer all types of food—burgers, burritos, fries, crepes, pasta and pizza. Before the first act of the day, there’s a yoga session. And at night there are several visual artists and magicians. Each year, there are new activities. You just never get bored at Lolla, and you don’t even have to attend both days. There are package tickets and single day passes. This year’s festival will be on the 9th and 10th of September 2017.

TRAVEL

Photographed by Derek Bremner, Wireless

Photographed by Ben Gibson, Wireless

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ULTRA-EUROPEUltra is an American electronic music festival that expanded to Split, Croatia in 2013. Now Ultra festivals have spread to 20 countries, making Ultra an international music scene. It went from being a two-day festival to a three-day one with a beach party for people who still have energy to party some more. With hard-hitting EDM sounds comes a show of colorful lights and fireworks, making you feel like you’re in a dream. It’s going to take place July 14th, 15th and 16th of 2017. And you should hurry up because tickets sell out fast, that’s how good the festival is.

WIRELESSThe UK presents one of its most famous urban and dance music festivals in London—Wireless. The four-day festival has been taking place every year since 2005, but in different parks around London. The program’s always getting better each year, introducing top artists like Daft Punk, The Black Eyed Peas, Drake, Jay Z and the list goes on. Wireless usually takes place in late June/early July, and this year it’s going to be in Finsbury Park on the 7th, 8th and 9th of July. This year’s line up is firing up with the hottest hip-hop and R&B artists, so get ready to rap and dance your heart out.

Let’s end the list with the biggest festival of them all:

TOMORROWLANDWho hasn’t heard of the biggest electronic music festival in Europe? It’s so popular that all tickets are usually sold out within minutes of their release. Tomorrowland has become an annual festival since 2005 in Boom, Belgium. The festival constantly introduces new themes. Last year, it was “The Elixir of Life” with A-list DJs from all over the world. The stages are known to be well decorated, with new designs that match the chosen theme. Tomorrowland’s organizers create a new world where people can immerse themselves for a few days, and forget about everything else. It will be held from the 21st to the 23rd of July, 2017 and, due to high demand, will take place for a second round from the 28th to the 30th of July. Will you be amongst the lucky ones to make it to Tomorrowland this year?

*Tickets get sold out quickly and line-ups are announced

months before, so stay updated all year long.

“These festivals are not just about the music, they’re about the world they create.”

Photographed by Johannes Riggelsen, Lollapalooza Berlin 2016https://www.lollapaloozade.com/en/

Photograph provided by ULTRA Enterprises Inc. https://ultraeurope.com/

Photographed by Matias Altbach, Lollapalooza Berlin https://www.lollapaloozade.com/en/

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El Catrin, a new restaurant that transports you to Mexico right when you walk in, opened earlier this year at 7 Rue de Richemont, 1202 Geneva. El Catrin knows the way to my heart—nachos, tostadas, guacamoles, tacos, tortas, molletes, quesadillas and Mexican rice. Their drink menu consists of frozen margaritas, tequila, mezcal and three types of Mexican beer.

They offer three different types of guacamole, all of them light, creamy and worth trying with chips. Between the savory chicken taco and the spicy guacamole dip, the frozen margarita balances the meal out.

The ambiance is young and cozy due to the small space—not to mention the colorful walls (not overly decorated) and the upbeat music. The portions of guacamole and chips are fairly small, so keep in mind to order two if you want to share .

The restaurant is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, starting from 6:30PM to 11PM and from Tuesdays to Fridays they also open for lunch from 12PM to 2PM. Make sure to reserve beforehand, because the place is small and always packed with people.

Head to El Catrin for a drink and a meal with friends that will leave your taste buds happy and satisfied.

Telephone: 076 770 15 54

Cost estimate: 20 CHF and up

Website: elcatringeneva.wixsite.com/elcatringeneva

Facebook Page: elcatrin.geneva

A TASTE OF MEXICO IN GENEVA EL CATRIN

ALIAA ELSHERBINI

Photographed by Aliaa ElSherbini

REVIEWS

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Boréal is a chain of cafés in Geneva, offering its customers delicious coffee prepared by skillful baristas in a comfortable seating area—perfect for studying, working, or simply socializing.

My favorite shop, in Eaux-Vives 2000, offers a variety of coffee and tea. They also serve salads, soups and savory pastries. When you order a cappuccino, it comes with a beautiful heart or flower design. If you have a sweet tooth and like your coffee with milk, then I highly recommend trying the mochaccino. And, if you like to brew and make your own coffee at home, they sell

ARTISANAL IN GENEVABORÉAL

COFFEE SHOPNAZLI TURKMEN

Photography by Nazli Turkmen

REVIEWS

freshly ground bean coffee that is specially prepared and roasted. They always keep fresh coffee on their shelves, changing the package every 15 days if unsold.

The center of the café hosts the coffee bar, atop which sits a gleaming chrome, ‘La Marzocco’ espresso machine—commonly referred to as the Rolls Royce of coffee machines. With the advent of some of the better-known coffee shops, the café experience had taken a turn towards more of a fast food-like experience. More recently, cafés like Boreal have reminded us how good a carefully and lovingly prepared product can be.

To discover more on Boreal Coffe Shop visit http://www.borealcoffee.ch/

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It is going to be warm and sunny soon, so get your shorts, t-shirts and sunglasses out and head for a meal at Creux De Genthod.

Its actual name is “Restaurant du Creux-de-Genthod”, and it’s at 29 route du Creux-de-Genthod. It’s open every day of the week for lunch from 12:00PM to 14:30PM, and for dinner from 19:00PM to 22:00PM.

Genthod and Creux-de-Genthod are known for their little ports and their amazing view of Leman Lake (aka Lake Geneva). What is not well known to us students, is the hidden restaurant in Creux de Genthod, which offers delicious

food and a great view of the lake.The menu is simple and enticing with four seafood dishes, four meat ones, and a couple of starters and desserts.

Their filet de perche is well seasoned, and the beef filet is juicy and tender. Their chocolate macaroon is a “must-try” for dessert, it has a rich chocolate flavor in both its filling and its crispy exterior shell—which tenderly crumbles in your mouth from the first bite.

For a personal treat, when you get your allowance or your paycheck, or craving an enjoyable meal by the lake, give “Restaurant du Creux-de-Genthod” a visit.

Reservations can only be made by telephone: 0041(0)227741006.

Website: http://www.creuxdegenthod.com/index.html

THE HIDDEN GEM RESTAURANT DU

CREUX-DE-GENTHODALIAA ELSHERBINI

Photographed by Aliaa ElSherbini

REVIEWS

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So which diet plan are you following? Which gym do you go to? Are you team FitTea or BooTea? That seems to be the most asked questions in our society today, since being healthy and working out happens to be the new trend.

I’m not making fun of the trend. Being fit and healthy is great, but detox teas have created a lot of controversies. They might seem like a quick fix to shed a few pounds, but they do not work the same way for everyone. And, it turns out, they have unpleasant side effects according to Teen Vogue magazine and many other websites.

I decided to stay away from those heavily promoted celebrity-endorsed detox teas, and instead found a detox infusion. I found Détox Et Moi (DEM) by Les 2 Marmottes (L2M)—it’s an infusion composed of fennel, verbena, orange petals and leaves, rose petals, cinnamon and chamomile.

DEM is a 100% organic infusion from local French plants, as the brand is based in the commune of Bons-en-Chablais in Eastern France. There are no added artificial ingredients or chemicals. The drink is supposed to calm the body after working out, clean it from unnecessary toxins and get rid of the bloating that some of us might feel.

This infusion is nothing like the other “detox teas,” since it is all natural and doesn’t promise any kind of weight loss or fitter shape after consumption—just that it will make you feel lighter. There is no indication of the quantity that you should consume, and it’s because there is no harm in drinking a few cups a day. A cocktail to drink all day long, “Un cocktail à boire tout au long de la journée,” as stated on L2M’s website.

I have been drinking two cups of DEM per day, one with my breakfast, one after dinner—and it tastes amazing.

ANOTHER MAGICAL DETOX INFUSION?DÉTOX ET MOI

ALIAA ELSHERBINI

Although it only smells like fennel, the chamomile and cinnamon flavors come out when you drink it.

Leave the bag in boiled water for about 5 minutes as written on their website, until you see the water turning to a light golden yellow shade.

A box contains 30 teabags and costs 4.80 euros. The closest place to buy L2M products is Carrefour in Ferney Voltaire. The company offers a big selection of organic drinks, 27 types of natural infusions, eight types of teas for better digestion, energy and sleep.

The packaging of all L2M products is very appealing. It was the colors and the neat-looking boxes that caught my eye two weeks ago when I first saw the L2M stand. Then the words “detox” and “organic” really sealed the deal.

I had no expectations of weight loss from drinking the infusion, my stomach just felt less bloated. It’s like drinking green tea but without the caffeine. It tastes good, it warms you up and makes you feel lighter—a good combination for a calmer body and soul.

“It tastes good, it warms you up and makes you

feel lighter, a good combination for

a calmer body and soul.”

Photographed by Zain Abbas

REVIEWS

78 79

ZOOMING ALONG ON A ZENITHPURE DELUXE III

PETER MURR

There’s been a boom in electric bike popularity in the past couple of years. In the past, they were a novel luxury, ridden only by early adopters who would rather have that than a normal motorbike or scooter. Although now with refinement of the bike’s technology, greater number of manufacturers, range of models, lower prices have all added more to this boom.

Firstly, the PURE DeLuxe III (PDIII) by Zenith Bikes is one such model. In a little over three weeks, the PDIII has performed to a level far surpassing my expectations. It’s titanium frame, weighing 26 kilos makes it robust, yet possible to carry even for a weakling like me. Lights come standard, increasing visibility and reducing risk on the road. The seat is well-padded, preventing soreness from prolonged use, and the bike comes with six levels of gears.

Secondly, the bike’s wheels are 28 inches in diameter, and the tires are certainly not tailored for the great outdoors, but still thick

and grooved enough to maintain a firm grip on the road. Also to manage crossing rougher terrain such as gravel. I personally do not recommend doing so on a regular basis, for fear of excessively wearing down the rubber. One might even cause damage to the chain and traction mechanisms. This bike is very much geared towards urban traversal, and not for off-road.

Thirdly, we get to the icing on the cake, the tire’s large size allow the bike to chew through distance easier. However what really makes this beauty an upgrade from regular bikes, as well as a practical, enjoyable alternative to motor vehicles is its electrical assistance system. Fourthly, its powered by a rechargeable Panasonic lithium-ion battery, secured in the rear underneath the basket, the bike’s “motor” has five levels for the degree of assistance. Controlled and adjusted from the handle-mounted microcomputer, these range from zero, no assistance, to five, making the climb of inclines and the passage of long flat stretches a literal breeze.

The rider still has to pedal, as the system merely assists, and cannot push the bike forward on it’s own. Although it still makes previously difficult obstacles manageable, and thus encouraging continued and continually eased use. The battery can last for a long length of time, a single charge allowing for approximately 80 kilometers, depending on the level of assistance during the trip.

In my experience, the trip between my home and Webster is five and a half kilometers, which takes me 15 minutes. This, by the way, is three times faster than taking public transport. Accounting for return trips, it lasts me practically the whole week. Helpfully, both the micro-computer and the battery have a display that tells you exactly what level of charge you have remaining.

I got the PURE to help me get around easier and get in shape. It has succeeded in both those regards, and I can only find myself as one more rider added to the growth tide of the electric bike wave.

“A practical, enjoyable alternative to motor vehicles...”

Photographed by Peter Murr

REVIEWS

80 81

ACADEMICS

THE FUTURE OF WEBSTER GENEVA’S MEDIA DEPARTMENT

JUMANAH ABUALKHAIR

78: What sets the media department apart from others on campus? What are its key strengths?

FAV: The department is multi-disciplinary and interdisciplin-ary. The main difference is that media is so flexible, and it could be implemented in any curricu-lum. These days, social media and new devices are very accessible to everybody and can be applied to anything. If you want to find a job in the next years, you need to be able to think critically, analyze context, be flexible, and be reli-able. These are things you don’t learn from YouTube tutorials or books. You learn this through hu-man connection. And this is one of our strengths in our depart-ment, which is very particular to Webster Geneva.

78: What are some activities you’d like for prospective and current students to know?

FAV: We’re offering summer workshops related to video and photography for younger prospective students (12 to 16 years old) from July 3rd to the 7th and from July 10th to the 14th. Students will get to experience life on campus, and become a part of the university environment. Whenever possible, we try to implement projects connected to organizations and companies. This fall, we’ll have a class that will develop a project with IdeaSquare in CERN, running for 16 weeks at their site. The aim of this collaboration is to create an algorithm for hate speech on social media. These are just two examples of what we’re doing.

78: What direction is the de-partment heading towards?FAV: We decided to rejuvenate the program and emphasize on social media. The idea is not just to produce content on social media, but also to critically analyze and develop content strategically. This is what companies are looking for in employees. We also decided that it is important to produce research, which would help in understanding the general context when selecting what can be reliable. Later on, it becomes a forma mentis—an attitude and a state-of-mind.

78: What are some of the new classes or certificates being introduced?FAV: We are introducing a certificate in Digital Media/ Design and Production, with a strong emphasis in social media content development and strategy. We’re also introducing two new courses: “Fundamentals of Strategic Communication and Public Relations” (PBRL 1010) and “Public Relations and New Media: Content Creation and Management” (PBRL 2400). To support students’ academic preparation, we’re reintroducing “Introduction to Media Research” (MEDC 3190) at the beginning of the curriculum. By the end, we will require, as a fulfillment of the senior overview or internship, a thesis. So without taking Media Research, you will not be fully able to successfully complete your thesis.

78 Magazine talks to Francesco Arese Visconti (FAV) about the direction of the department.

Francesco Arese Visconti, MA Department Head a.i., Media Communications

Photography Program Coordinator

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NEW ACTIVITIES IN THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

DEPARTMENT

ACADEMICS

ORESTE FOPPIANI

PeopleThe International Relations Department welcomes two new Visiting Research Fellows: Dr. Robin Ramcharan, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Asia Center in Bangkok and Professor of International Relations at Thammasat University, and Ms. Oana Scarlatescu, Webster University Geneva’s alumna and expert at combating trafficking in human beings.

CoursesThe new graduate course: “Food and Water Security” (INTL 5585) will be offered for the first time in Fall 1, 2017. This graduate course as well as “International Disaster Law” (INTL 5535) were originated in our Department and will be taught all over Webster University’s global network of campuses.

The department is offering a new executive education course and certificate (3 credits) in “Food and Water Security” taught by Ms. Fiorella Picchioni of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Dr. Mara Tignino from the University of

Geneva. The course is open to all BA/BSc holders and will run from June 22 through June 29, 2017.

ResearchDr. Pierre-Etienne Bourneuf is working on the history of the League of Nations and its long-term legacy for the international system; Dr. Oreste Foppiani and Dr. Lionel Fatton on the new posture of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces within the U.S. re-balance to Asia; Dr. Elodie Tranchez on competition and overlaps in human rights’ interpretation among U.N. treaty bodies; Dr. Judit Kozenkow on informal cross-border trade flows, trade policy development, and their gender dimensions in Eastern and Southern Africa; Dr. Vicken Cheterian on sectarianism in the Middle East; Dr. Jubin Goodarzi on the Iranian policy toward the Syrian crisis since 2011 and the U.S. policy in the Persian Gulf region since 1979; Dr. Susanne Peters on energy security, geopolitics of energy, and the European Union’s energy and security policy; Dr. Carlo Marenghi on the “mutual trust” idea and the protection of personal data in the context of migration.

ConferencesOn May 16, 2017, Professor Giuliano Amato, Italian Supreme Court Justice and former Prime Minister of Italy, together with Professor Fausto Pocar, judge at the U.N. International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and President of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, will participate in and speak at a luncheon seminar on international careers. In September 2017, Dr. Otto Hieronymi will organize a conference for the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome (1957-2017) and the future of the European Union. The 23rd International Humanitarian and Security Conference will take place on February 15-16th, 2018. As usual, it will be held in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees: it will also benefit from the high patronage of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.

Oreste Foppiani, Ph.D.Department Head, International Relations

Dr. Foppiani Shares the Department’s Academic News.

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ACADEMICS

CHANGES IN WEBSTER GENEVA’S WALKER SCHOOL OF

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGYMERIMA HUSEINOVIĆ

78: What are some of the Business Department’s key strengths? DJ: As the Geneva campus of Web-ster University, we are a part of a large network and we have the opportunity to cover all domains of business including econom-ics, accounting, finance, law and regulations, human resources management, organizational be-havior, strategy, and marketing. Other strengths include our large range of programs from Bachelor to doctorate. Our DBA program is a continuation of education in Business Administration. Finally, we have a group of professors that are specialized in health care management that is not present in Switzerland as much.

78: What are the things you’d like for current and prospec-tive students to know? DJ: Webster University offers a double accreditation, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which are relevant for both current and prospective students. Currently, we are

pursuing the Swiss institutional accreditation, which would be the third accreditation we’d offer to our students.

78: What kind of activities or research is your department involved in? DJ: We cover a large range of timely topics. Current research that our department is focused on is Behavioral Economics by Krista Saral, Behavioral Finance by Michal Paserman, Agility by Aleksandra Jancikova, Electronic Communication by Fernando Lagrana, Internet of Things and Big Data by Claude Chaudet, and Healthcare System by Francoise Maillard. Also, I am focusing on Doing Business in China.

78: What are some of the new degree changes? DJ: We introduced a new Certificate in Entrepreneurship at the undergraduate level with an aim to help students in starting their own businesses, as this became a popular topic amongst our student community. Furthermore, our proposal for implementing a Certificate in

Research at the graduate level has just been approved. Upcoming changes include a Certificate in Cyber Security to be launched by Claude Chaudet in September, who works very closely in our school in the segment of information technology. This was initiated due to high demand, as current statistics from Cisco Systems, Inc. show that there are around one million vacancies open in the field of Cyber Security in the United States. Finally, we plan to launch other new programs that are still in preparation and development.

78: What is your aim and goal for the department? DJ: By preparing to launch new programs, we plan to have more permanent faculty members to enhance the dynamics and quality of our department, but also provide better care for students. Currently, we have seven permanent faculty members and close to 50 academic and professional adjunct faculty.

78: How are students able to contribute to the department? DJ: We organize many events where we invite experts, so our students can learn and have experience in their field of interest outside the classroom. For example, we had conferences on Behavioral Finance, the New Silk Road, Doing Business in Cuba, and the Future of the Petroleum Industry. Every event has a topic that we find essential for students to prepare for, as the field of business faces many changes along with the current situation in the world.

Dominique Jolly, Ph.D.Chair, Walker School of Business and Technology

78 Magazine talks to Dominique Jolly (DJ) about the School’s Activities.

86 87

INSIDE THE PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELLING DEPARTMENT

ACADEMICS

JUMANAH ABUALKHAIR

PeopleThere are sixteen faculty members in total, two of whom hold full-time posts. The faculty includes adjunct professors with both academic and professional backgrounds who apply that knowledge in the classroom. As the department grows, the goal is to engage more full-time faculty to provide more research and services for the campus.

CoursesStarting from the middle of May, the department will offer opportunities to shift to a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology, in addition to the current BA Psychology with an emphasis in mental health. More courses will become available in the next four years. The BS will allow students to focus on more scientific elements for research rather than therapy. The department also offers minors in Health Psychology, Educational Psychology, and General Psychology (in addition to its own Certificate). These

changes are an active attempt to make the program more relevant to the needs of today.

The Masters in Counseling program is a 48 credit hour graduate program offered by the department. This program is highly successful and graduates of the program meet a need for counselors working in the international community of Geneva.

ResearchThe department’s ongoing research project, a multi-site research on staff well-being and mental health within the humanitarian sector, is led by Dr. Roslyn Thomas, Liza Jachens, and Dr. Loredana Mihalca. The first report has been done with UNHCR, The Global Fund, OCHA, and WIPO—with the possibility of other organizations joining in as well. The department has a relationship with UN Secretariat in New York and UNICEF who have run the same project, and will eventually conduct a comparative analysis between all the different organizations.

Amongst many other research projects, Dr. Mihalca is writing extensively in meta-cognition; Chitra Subrahmanian is doing research on rituals and people who transition and move countries; and Catherine Butterly is working on training genocide-effected women in locations such as Bosnia and Herzegovina as a way to manage trauma.

ConferencesIn the spring semester between January and June, the Psychology Department offers a combination of lectures and workshops in the Living and Learning Center at Webster Geneva. These lectures are free for students to attend and hosted by specialists on weeknights. The weekend workshops are structured for professionals, and run during the weekend. Notifications on the Spring 2018 schedule will come out closer to these dates.

Roslyn Thomas, D.Phil.Department Head, Psychology, Sociology and Professional Counseling

Dr. Roslyn Thomas Explains Important Developments in the Department.

SHOWCASE LAYAN ALMUHTASEB

PAINTING

SHOWCASE TIM YOUNG

PAINTING

SCRIPT

SHOWCASE JUMANAH ABUALKHAIR

FADE IN:

INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY

DEAN sits with an arm slung over a chair’s backrest. He’s wearing a loose tie and wrinkled clothes. His hair’s a mess, eyes sunken and bloodshot.

DEAN(grinning)

Best night out, you know? It was so stupid. I can’t believe it. MADGE glares at him. She’s sharply dressed, wearing a navy ensemble with a name badge elegantly clipped to her scarf.

MADGE So you’re saying you like doing stupid things?

DEAN Stupid things can be fun.

MADGE Uh huh. They can also be stupid.

DEAN(exasperated)

You know what? Everyone has done something stupid in their lives. And not realizing that makes you even more stupid!

Madge’smouthslightlydropsinoffense.

MADGE What did you just call me?

DEAN mouths: stupid. Madge rolls her eyes. He grins. She huffs.He’sstillgrinning.

MADGE(sarcastically)

What a winning personality. I’m sure you’ll get the job. You got this.

DEAN(pausing)

Yes. Yes, I do.

A nearby door creaks open. The SECRETARY timidly walks out and motions for Dean to enter. He gets up, winks at Madge, and saunters over.

SHOWCASE MERIMA HUSEINOVIĆ

ILLUSTRATION

SHOWCASE ATHENA CAREY

PHOTOGRAPHY

SHOWCASE SALAH AL NABI

POETRY

HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO REBEL IN ORDER TO DEFEND SOMETHING YOU BELIEVE IN?

Behead your self tonight my son,Strangle your thoughts they’re not good enough

Kill your dreams and revive your deathFor days you’ll shiver in your bed

Phony men mumbled these wordsTo terrify you from the graves

They’re living in your spaceConsuming all your grace

Raise your sword of loveAnd free all the white doves

For today shall be great And all these men shall retreat

Cut down the strangles of bloodAnd terrify those who cannot dream

For you are magicalAnd all creatures are free

Plant white flowers By the river close to your feet

Do not one day dare to cut themThey shall live today and breathe

Strand all ideas of bloodAnd love all the Gods

For one night shall comeAnd we’ll all be gone,

For till the night comesDon’t hide in this shell

Go out and live the daysFor they’ll never be traced

Love women with hair like rainbowsStuck in the sunlight

With peace over the skyYou shall never sleep again with an open eye.

SHOWCASE ANNA ARUTSIUNIAN

PHOTOGRAPHY

SHOWCASE TINO D’ARPA

PHOTOGRAPHY

SHOWCASE KRISTIAN SKEIE

PHOTOGRAPHY

SHOWCASE NAZLI TURKMEN

PHOTOGRAPHY

SHOWCASE MAYA KOMAROVA

PHOTOGRAPHY