From June to December 2011, I was enlisted as a journalist for an up-and-coming regional magazine called Hello Birmingham, a document informing residents and tourists about the local area. For this work experience I was a writer, model, and Facebook administrator, so I acquired a variety of different roles, which consequently enabled me to develop many skills. I also had a regular fashion piece called "Style on the Street", where I set off into the town centre, (paired up with a freelance photographer) to locate and interview fashionable members of the public. You can find this fashion piece on my "Style on the Street" page. Here are the articles I constructed for the magazine:
TASTE THE NATIONS IN ONE LOCATION
Succulent steaks, fresh fruits, luscious lattes…whatever tickles your taste buds, Birmingham never disappoints!
Boasting a vast array of high quality restaurants and bars, Birmingham caters for all preferences, guaranteeing an enjoyable dining experience for even the fussiest of food lovers.
Notably deemed the curry capital of the nation, Birmingham is renowned for having the best choice of Asian and Indian restaurants in the UK. These award winning eateries are scattered around Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Moseley – more famously known as the Balti Triangle – perfect for those craving creamy Kormas or tantalising Tikkas.
For oriental delicacies, dine in the colourful Chinatown, a prominent complex on Hurst Street.
A sophisticated dining quarter comes in the shape of the Mailbox, where stylish waterside diners serve delicious cuisine from different nationalities including Mediterranean, Mexican and Japanese.
For a tasty treat, head to Selfridges - the chic food hall in the Bullring. Savour the flavours packed into the Serious Pig Snacking Salami or enjoy the delights from the Happy Cupcake Company; the new indulgent additions that have recently graced the sophisticated department store.
If you desire a more chilled retreat, bask in the tranquillity of the scenic Brindleyplace. The picturesque landscape promises a peaceful ambience, as the 30 restaurants and bars are set amongst aesthetic tree lined streets overseeing calming canals.
Quaint cafes, romantic restaurants, traditional pubs…you’ll be spoilt for choice with the ever increasing variety in Birmingham.
LIVING IN BRUM
So you’ve flown the nest and are ready to embark on an exciting new adventure. And what better place to spread your wings and soar than the big, bustling city of Birmingham? Leaving home marks the beginning of a new chapter, and choosing to live in one of the most student-populated areas in the UK will ensure that this journey is both enjoyable and unforgettable.
Buzzing Birmingham has everything a student could possibly need. With accommodation dotted conveniently all over the city, undergraduates can easily access all of the amazing places Birmingham has to offer whilst remaining close to university grounds – whether that may be Aston, Birmingham City or the University of Birmingham.
With your new posse of friends you can enjoy exploring the vast array of shops in the city centre, wine and dine in the various bars and restaurants and hit Broad Street, the renowned clubbing scene. And after partying hard you can sleep it off in the comfort of your very own accommodation; flats situated in compact communities comprised of fellow students.
There’s a vast selection of properties available in the area, including university halls, student housing (such as UNITE) and private rented accommodation in locations such as Edgbaston, Selly Oak and Perry Barr.
Accommodation is all about the experience; making new friends, relaxing after working hard at university and enhancing life skills. Moving is a big step – why not take the opportunity to flourish in youthful, vibrant Birmingham?
BIRMINGHAM: PARTY PARADISE
The night is young and yet the streets are already heaving with excitable partygoers. Pulsating clubs and buzzing bars form a youthful, exhilarating city where the atmosphere is always electric…home to the infamous Broad Street, it could only be Birmingham!
The glamorous Oceana has seven rooms and four VIP suites. Situated on Hurst Street, the glitzy club has regular celebrity guest appearances – N-Dubz, Chipmunk and Wiley have all performed at the futuristic venue.
For cheap and cheerful fun, Walkabout is the place to be with its crazy, unique events. The Australian themed bar throws messy foam nights, vibrant beach parties complete with sand and the kooky I Love Tom’s Mum event where a male mascot frolics about dressed as a busty blonde.
To enjoy cheesy classics of yesteryear, head to Flares for a groovy 70’s party or Subway City Tuesdays to innocently indulge in 90’s guilty pleasures. For the more alternative crowd, indie club Snobs offers great music, cheap drinks and a rocking atmosphere.
If clubbing isn’t your scene, venture to the world class Birmingham Royal Ballet, revel in the delights of fantastic theatrical performances at the Hippodrome or admire exquisite displays at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
However, with Europe’s youngest city population, Birmingham is brimming with vibrant nightlife. Refreshing alcoholic beverages await you, and the dance floor beckons. So, what are you waiting for? Come join the party…
PLANES, TRAINS AND CANALS
Getting lost is easily done in the huge, heaving city of Birmingham. Luckily, many forms of transport are prominently featured all over the town to swiftly aid tourists and locals to where they need to be.Trains, trams and buses appear to be popular public transport choices for locals. The bus routes in Birmingham are operated mostly by National Express West Midlands, who account for 80% of all bus journeys in the city.
Used by approximately 40.1 million people annually, Birmingham New Street is considered the busiest railway station in the UK (outside of London) and acts as the city’s main platform for travelling by train. Snow Hill station is the terminus for the Midland Metro and another key train station in the area.
From the east of the city centre, precisely six miles away, lies Birmingham Airport. Connected by flag carrier airlines to major international centres such as Dubai, Frankfurt and Amsterdam, the airport is a fundamental base for airlines including Flybe, Bmibaby and Thomson Airways.
Travelling doesn’t have to be just another regular trip to get to a required destination. In Birmingham, you can use transport leisurely to admire the scenery, particularly with its extensive canal system. Remarkably, Birmingham has more miles of canal then Venice, marking the area as a notable tourist attraction.
Because of its central location, Birmingham is brimming with transport systems, so you needn’t worry about travel arrangements. However, just for clarification, you may need to invest in a map!
HEALTHY HOTSPOTS
Staying fit is of the upmost importance, and this can be achieved more easily with the vast assortment of gyms and spas just waiting to be discovered in Birmingham.
Head to the heart of the city centre to be pampered with the luxury treatments available at Bannatyne’s Health Club. Situated in Queensway and Brindleyplace, the resorts specialise in improving health and fitness and pride themselves on being suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
Bannatyne’s beauty salon features saunas, steam rooms and hydrotherapy. Consisting of mineral baths and water jets, hydrotherapy is a treatment which relieves aches and pains, so slip into a Jacuzzi to feel the tranquillity of the bubbles as they caress your skin and enjoy the invigorating experience.
Bannatynes can help you lose weight, tone up and de-stress in an enjoyable environment. The Health Club refreshes the body and stimulates the mind; proving the perfect place to relax after a hard day’s work.
Those who prefer to work up a sweat with challenging exercise routines can hit The Gym. Located on the High Street, its open 24/7, so gym junkies can get their physical fix regularly.
A unique gym experience can be found at Fighting Fit City Gym. Deemed Birmingham’s friendliest and best equipped boxing club, the centre promises first class personal training, top notch nutritional advice and coaching from experienced boxers.
So, pull on your joggers, lace up those trainers and get involved!
