Sharleen Opia (2020, MML)
Nathoo Bursary
St John’s Studentship Scheme
I first began writing about music for Varsity in 2021 with a piece on UK underground hip hop. The article was chosen for print, and an artist I mentioned reached out to say he loved it! Since then I have written about music during my year abroad, including interviewing an artist in Spanish while I was in Medellín, Colombia, for the Cambridge Languages Collective. I also wrote for the same publication about my experience at Barranquilla Carnival – one of the most important carnivals in the world – and about the Comuna 13, an area of the city that is a beacon of using the arts as a means of social progress. My favourite article I’ve written so far, ‘Carnival, Sound Systems and African Music in Barranquilla’, allowed me to dive deep into memory, music and Afro-diasporic identity, which I will be exploring further in my fourth-year dissertation.
During my year abroad, I undertook a study exchange in audiovisual communication (sound design) at the University of Antioquia, where I created radio shows, podcasts, music and various other audiovisual creative projects. I particularly enjoyed writing a poetic analysis of one of my favourite albums, Control by SZA, as well as my final project on a collaborative, experimental music EP about peace and memory after the Colombian armed conflict. I was also a Staff Writer in the Varsity music section, and I am now the Music Editor. I have written about memories of music while travelling, how to use Spotify to learn languages and album reviews, and I recently interviewed a fellow student who had released their first Welsh-language EP – likely my favourite article for Varsity thus far. For another article I loved writing, ‘Travelling Cambridge’s Global Music Scene’, I interviewed student radio hosts from CamFM as well as the vinyl DJ who created Cambridge Dance (one of the best music nights in Cambridge, featuring funk, jazz, soul, hip hop, disco and more from around the world).
I first began DJing in lockdown, and I DJed around Cambridge in my first and second year at events such as the St John’s and Homerton May Balls, as well as at the Cambridge Junction. I have since had the opportunity to play at Peckham Levels in London and Casa de la Luna in Medellín, and I appeared on radio station Aaja Radio. Alongside my exchange in sound design at university, I took music production classes in my spare time, in which I learnt about the construction of music and basic elements of sound engineering. This has not only improved my DJing but has also allowed me to write better music journalism because I now have a deeper understanding of how music is made. It has also brought joy to my inner child, who loved producing in GCSE Music lessons.
In the second half of my year abroad, I undertook an internship at an NGO that works to create mental health support programmes in the city, especially for women. As a communications intern, I honed my skills in content creation, social media marketing, translation, copywriting and general administrative tasks. The most memorable – and stressful – part of the internship was navigating the bustling markets in the city centre to print merchandise for the organisation. It was overwhelming and took three long attempts; it really was not as straightforward as it sounds!
During my Year Abroad, I also travelled extensively. In Colombia I visited mesmerising places like the Amazon (a lifelong dream!), Santa Marta, San Andrés and Cartagena – all perfect destinations for a nature lover. I also spent over two weeks backpacking in Guatemala, where I hiked two volcanoes, Pacaya and Acatenango. I really challenged my body with the five-hour uphill trek, but the stunning cloud forest and surreal, planet-like landscape at the summit made it worthwhile. I felt stronger than ever before. Another highlight of my trip to Guatemala was visiting Semuc Champey, a lush green oasis where I climbed to a viewpoint and bathed in crystal-clear waters. Finally I travelled to Petén, where I explored the Tikal and Yaxhá Mayan ruins, hiking through the jungle and exploring majestic ancient temples. These national parks were the most spiritual and enjoyable parts of my trip. The structures were built with the sun in mind, and watching sunlight beam from the temples was magical; when the light hit the structures, it created a surreal atmosphere. I have always loved the jungle, and walking through the dense forests while listening to the symphony of animals, like monkeys marking their territory, was an unforgettable experience. The ancient architecture combined with the profound stillness of the jungle made it feel like a deeply spiritual experience.
After Guatemala I completed a two-week intensive Portuguese course for Spanish speakers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In Rio I hiked all the way up to Christ the Redeemer! This was one of my favourite hikes ever; it was so peaceful and tranquil, and I felt truly connected to myself and the nature around me. I even journaled and was able to use the stillness to strengthen my intuition and sense of self. My other favourite place in Rio was the Botanic Gardens, one of the most stunning places I have ever been. Once again I was able to journal and meditate there, and it nourished my spirit and wellbeing. This year I am studying Portuguese as my third language as part of my degree, and I am excited to see how this will align with my interests in music, given that Brazil is one of the most important places for the music industry.
The bursaries I receive at St John’s have completely changed my life. My family is unable to support me financially in any way, which comes with a lot of fear and anxiety around money as a young person; it is a lot of pressure. However, with the help of my bursaries, the financial aspect of my life is taken care of, and I have been able to live a life I could only have dreamed of: travelling and practising my languages; investing in equipment for my music endeavours; and prioritising my education every day.
