Who thought that spaghetti, banana, and tofu with a generous sprinkling of garlic and the bonus of being seriously burnt would be a tasty combination? My mother, of course! The severity of the acrid aroma that permeated the house as she prepared what she thought was the culinary equivalent of Buckingham Palace is permanently etched into my mind. Minutes felt like hours as my sister and I had to eat every last morsel. That night, we used a lot of...

Unlike my friends, I remember grocery shopping as a child with fond memories. At first, I would scream until my mother bought chocolate, or sneakily open a bag of crisps so she’d be obliged to pay for them. However, as my perceptions and ability to read improved, trips to the supermarket took on a new significance. I observed how, with the help of my rough numerical skills, that the “special offers” my mother would jump for joy at were...

Last summer, in London, I recognised a Dukie by her t-shirt. Deciding I had nothing to lose, I nervously introduced myself and asked about her experiences. What followed is why Duke resonates with me so strongly. She went above and beyond, vividly describing Durham, K-Ville and Randy’s Pizza, dropping anecdotes and bursting with spirit. Although I had yet to step foot on the campus, I could picture myself weaving in and out of the gothic architecture, cheering on the...