Offscreen Expedition 2007

STUDENTS

Samira, nickname “Sam”

Age 15 from Plashet School

My interests are drawing, exploring the internet and making websites. I also like music, specifically hip-hop. I am very interested in watching TV and their views on the world. I also love shopping.

I am looking forward to experiencing the Arab world from my own perspective. I know that this is going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity I am looking forward to producing pieces of art, from real life experience. I am looking forward to visiting Dubai as I have heard what a wonderful place it is to visit, I can’t wait!

Fahad

Age 16 from Forest Gate School

Hi, my name is Fahad. I am a student at Forest Gate school. I study art, drama and manufacturing. In my spare time, I like going out with my mates, and I like playing pool and winning (I am not happy when I lose).

I have already done some work with the British museum on Middle Eastern art. I am really excited about the expedition and can’t wait to see the wonderful landscape. I’m a bit nervous, but I’m ready for the challenge.

Sam

Age 17 from Crown Woods Community School

I like listening to music and art! I am looking forward to the camel-racing, filmmaking and balloon riding because they are all once in a lifetime things.

Radhika, nickname “Radz”

Age 15 from Forest Gate School

Hiya, My name is Radhika, I’m 15 years old and I come from Forest Gate Community School. For my GCSE options, I have chosen statistics, Art and design, history and French. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, do a little bit of art and love to play sports.

This is once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I think it’s fantastic and I think I will benefit a lot from this expedition. I’m looking forward in meeting the people, culture and religion (also the food!). Overall, I think it’s an opportunity for me to experience and explore the world of the Middle East.

Reagan, nickname “Ray-Gun”

Age 21 from Kingston University

I am a musician and I am interested in composing and writing my own music. I like incorporating different styles and genres into my music, these ranges from Hip-pop to R’n'B etc. I’m also very much involved in sports. I currently play football for a local team and Kingston University Football Team.

On the expedition I am looking forward to working with different artists and students. I am most excited with recording and creating sounds that I can incorporate into my course in university. But overall, I am excited to travel to the Middle East because it’s a whole new experience.

Lucy, nickname “Lu”

Age 17 from Crown Woods School

Hey! I am Lucy, I enjoy most things. I like playing guitar (well I am trying! I’m still learning).
I like to try new things, meet new people and just live life! I go to Crown Woods sixth form and I am studying Media, Photography and English.

I’m looking forward to hot air ballooning across the desert and I’ve never been to a desert and I’ve never been in a hot air balloon, so it sounds exciting and also a bit scary! I’m also looking forward to everything else because it all sounds like a once in a life time opportunity.

Zahrar, nickname “Noodles”

Age 16 from Dagenham Park Community School

Heya! I’m Zahrar from Dagenham Park. I enjoy creating and listening to music, I play bass guitar for my school band, I also enjoy drawing.

I’m looking forward to meeting people from different cultures and religions, and to find out how they live by experiencing it myself.

Julson, nickname “Juli” or “Jar”

Age 15 from Dagenham Park Community School

My name is Julson. I am a year 11 student at Dagenham park. I enjoy sport, I’m very good at basketball and football. In my free time I’m either with my friends or just doing course work.

I think this is going to be a very exciting experience and I’m looking forward to it. I am particularly interested in visiting the Omani deserts.

Giovana,nickname “Ana”

Age 15 from Plashet School

I like street dance and mountain dancing. I also like drawing fashion and flowers. I love listening to underground music,

hip-pop, rap and R’n'B. I also like to take pictures of my family and friends, and watching TV.

I am looking forward to going to the mall, where I can get a feeling about how people dress compared to the U.K.

UK EXPEDITION LEADERS

Stephen Stapleton

Age 30, Founder & Director of the Offscreen Education Programme and Expedition Leader

I am proud to be travelling with this team on Offscreen’s first student expedition. I look forward to returning to Dubai and Oman with such a creative and lively group of young people, in the spirit of creativity and friendship. I would really like to thank the people in the Gulf who have been so generous and welcoming in preparation for our visit. I can’t wait for the road ahead!

Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop

Age 30, Director of the Offscreen Education Programme and Expedition Leader

I have been involved with planning the Offscreen expedition for nearly one and a half years, using some of the lessons we learnt in Morocco to get the world to the classroom.

I am really looking forward to empowering young people in the UK, UAE and Oman to communicate with each other and learn about each others’ customs, cultures and countries. Putting young people in touch with each other either in “real life”, by taking them overseas, or virtually by encouraging a wider audience to participate in the experience online, can give our youth a fantastic opportunity to be more active in their world.

Ashia Oozeer

Age 38, Expedition Art Teacher

I am Head of Art at Plashet school, an all girls school in the heart of East London. I am very interested in a multi-cultural and interfaith approach to teaching art. Within my own art work I am very much inspired by natural forms, in particular, shells, fish and flowers. I am hoping that the expedition will help me to re-evaluate my own art and help me to develop a stronger sense of identity and culture.

To date our involvement and partnership with OffScreen has given us many opportunities to work with a range of Artists and explore new and exciting media. Our teaching of Islamic art and the way in which we promote cultural awareness and understanding has been challenged and as a department we now explore these issues, with greater understanding and confidence.

For the 9 students chosen, what they take to and bring back from the expedition will impact on others. I am sure they will be great ambassadors for Britain’s youth and I hope the experience they gain will enrich their lives and help to promote better understanding and tolerance of the Middle East, and of the Islamic community at home.

Barny Crocker

Age 30, Expedition Filmmaker

Um - this is an exciting opportunity for me to work with young people. I’m interested in the role film can play in this project. If we manage to capture and communicate the experiences of these students, it will send a powerful and meaningful message to its intended audience.