Studying English Literature over the last 3 years and encountering the variety of new opportunities related to my course, both at UEA and outside of it, has allowed me to develop a pre-existing passion for storytelling, and to turn that passion into a presence which is alive, and ultimately something which is more than alive; something which is living . Norwich is a city with a creative presence which lives not just in its two universities, but in its streets as well, and so it is well worth exploring all its vibrant creative opportunities during your time at UEA. The city centre is host to a variety of Literary events including poetry and prose readings, workshops, open mics, lectures, and talks, which are advertised regularly at the Book Hive, and it always well worth visiting local record store Venus Vinyl, located on Magdalen Street in the north of the city, as well as Soundclash on St Benedicts St, to see posters for other creative events and gigs! Norwich is home to countless music venues, including The Waterfront, The LCR, The Arts Centre, Voodoo Daddy's and the Louis Marchesi, just to name a few, and there is no end of artists from all genres performing all the time! Some of my favourite gigs in recent years have included Slowthai, Wetleg, Loyle Carner, Jockstrap, Black Country New Road and Slowdive, as well as there also being countless DJ sets hosted at Gonzos on London Street by artists such as Joy Orbison and Ross from Friends! Voodoo Daddy's in particular is a venue I would highly recommend any one to check out and visit as frequently as possible, as they host both large and smaller local artists with equal pride and passion, and the atmosphere is always great. Some of my favourite local artists include Sebbuku , who has himself performed at Voodoo's a number of times, and Eezy . Both are amazing, talented rappers and lovely dudes! There is also no shortage of amazing restaurants and bars in Norwich. In terms of bars, I always tell people to go to The Playhouse just over the bridge in NR3. The atmosphere in there is always amazing, the ceiling is decorated vibrantly with a model of Norwich City, as are the walls with childhood photos of the bar staff, as well as a variety of other trinkets and knicknacks to treat your eyes to whilst you wait for your Guinness to settle. The tables are painted with equally bright and wonderful designs, and it has been a long time hub for both UEA and NUA students to meet and relax. By virtue of this strong student presence, as well as the wider creativity of this wonderful city, it is also an ideal location to have a drink whilst engaging in creative pursuits, and it is not uncommon to find people reading and writing in there at any time on any day. The music played by the bar staff is always eclectic and wonderful, and more than half my playlist is a result of me shazamming over a pint! Norwich market is also a fantastic location to meet a friend and grab some lunch, and just some of the amazing vendors there include The Big Deals Bodega sandwich stall and Tasty House, along with a variety of cuisines, including Japanese, Jamaican and Nigerian, and Oriental Express, an amazing Asian supermarket selling products from a variety of mostly east and southeast Asian countries. There is also the Grosvenor fish bar, a Norwich institution over 100 years old, and Brick pizza, which is located directly next to The Garnet pub (getting a drink with your pizza is one of life's great pleasures!), another amazing Norwich pub. The Bicycle Shop on St Benedicts Street is another wonderful bar and restaurant, and is a great place to meet in the morning for coffee or brunch, or in the evening for a drink or one of the many fantastic local creative and social events they host every week! These are hosted every Thursday evening and include Open Mics, 'Vinyl in the Dark', a fantastic evening during which a DJ plays a selection of diverse and interesting music and encourages guests to talk amongst themselves about the music, and '33s', a night when you're allowed to bring your own vinyl records to the bar and listen to them over a drink! As well as opportunities to appreciate and participate in the local community socially and creatively, there are also plenty of opportunities to volunteer and gain experience in a variety of creative industries. Over the last two years I have been a volunteer for The National Centre for Writing, a Norwich based organisation which serves as a hub for writers, participating in a rich variety of events and activities such as heritage days, which celebrate the rich history of Dragon Hall; its architecture, its people, and its stories, as well as literary events such as the recent publishing fair, which hosted UEA’s own Publishing Project! The Writer’s centre is also running a writers’ room, a free space for anyone who wishes to have a quiet and special place to write, which I’ve greatly enjoyed using whilst researching and writing my dissertation.