Access Granted

Episode 5 - Mental health, higher education, and institutional systems

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Access Granted, hosts Zhitong and Phoebe sit down with Yuxin, a third-year anthropology student, to explore the complex intersection between mental health, higher education, and institutional systems. Yuxin shares her journey navigating severe depression, academic interruption, and the challenges of returning to university life. The conversation unpacks how language barriers, cultural context, and institutional structures shape students’ ability to seek help and express themselves. The episode also critically examines the role of universities: Can flexibility in deadlines solve deeper issues in learning environments? What does meaningful support actually look like in large institutions? Through honest reflections, the discussion highlights the importance of human connection, inclusive teaching practices, and small, meaningful interactions that can make a lasting difference. This episode also experiments with the use of AI tools to bridge communication gaps — raising subtle questions about the role of AI in education and personal expression.

Episode 4 - Living Between Tempos — ADHD, Music, and the International Student Journey with Kaito Mizukoshi

In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest episode, hosts Zhitong Li and Phoebe Chen sit down with pianist and UCL Management Science student Kaito Mizukoshi for a conversation that flows between introspection, culture, and the unexpected rhythms of life with ADHD.  Kaito opens up about receiving his ADHD diagnosis in London, years after growing up in Japan where the condition is often overlooked—or even quietly associated with success. He shares how this new understanding reshaped the way he studies, practices music, and takes care of himself, revealing the strategies, struggles, and surprising gifts that come with a restless mind.  From five-hour piano practice sessions to battling distraction during coursework, from navigating UCL as an international student to finding connection across cultural gaps, Kaito reflects on identity, belonging, and the power of self-knowledge.  The trio dive into stigma, romanticisation of mental health, friendship, and the small but meaningful ways we learn to work with—not against—our own nature. Set to the delicate beauty of Debussy performed by Kaito himself, this episode is an intimate look at how one student turns introspection into empowerment and transforms challenge into creativity. Credits: Date of episode recording: 2024-07-04 Duration: 00:40:58 Language of episode: english Presenter: Zhitong Li, Phoebe Chen Guests: Kaito Mizukoshi Producer: takoua jendoubi Podcast Owner: Takoua Jendoubi

Episode 3. Step Out

Discover the transformative power of finding your place in education with our latest podcast episode of AccessGranted. Scott, a clinical sciences student at UCL, shares his story of resilience, self-discovery, and the pursuit of happiness. In the words of Scott himself, "If you feel like you belong at a certain university or in a certain city, trust that instinct." Whether you're a student, educator, or simply someone passionate about personal growth, I invite you to be captivated by the ebbs and flows of choosing the right learning environment and the impact it can have on your future. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking piece that reminds us all of the power of finding our true path. Transcript link: www.ucl.ac.uk/statistics/edi-wel…essgranted-podcast [https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucl.ac.uk%2Fstatistics%2Fedi-wellbeing%2Fedi-and-outreach-initiatives-and-events%2Faccessgranted-podcast&token=aade51-1-1745405339481] Date of episode recording: 2023-11-29T00:00:00Z Duration: 00:37:11 Language of episode: English Presenter:Yuxin Zhu and Kaixin Zhang Guests: Scott Booth Producer: Takoua Jendoubi

Episode 2. Amelia Meade: Dreams and Duties

How do you chase your dreams while supporting others? Amelia, a devoted UCL student, offers a unique perspective on balancing academic demands and being a steadfast anchor for her family, and long commutes and social life at uni. We invite you to dive into the rarely shared stories of a student who pursues her educational aspirations against all odds. Tune in. Your access is now granted. For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/statistics/accessgranted-podcast Date of episode recording: 2023-07-18 Duration: 00:27:43 Language of episode: English Presenter:Zhitong Li; Kaixin Zhang Guests: Jean-Marie Meade Amelia  Producer: Jendoubi Takoua, Zhitong Li, Yuxin Zhu, Kaixin Zhang

Episode 1. Beth Woolley: My Mental Health Can't Define Me

'Overcoming' can be a difficult and daunting task, especially when faced with personal struggles and academic pressures. In our first episode, Beth, who is autistic, anxiety-ridden, and a trauma survivor, recounts her struggles and her life-long journey of self-discovery. Rather than trying to fit into preconceived molds or forcing oneself to conform to certain expectations, Beth encourages everyone to explore your own ways of managing well-being. Your mental health does not define who you are. Podcast series created and directed by Takoua Jendoubi (Dr) For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/statistics/accessgranted-podcast Date of episode recording: 2023-06-30 Duration: 00:32:18 Language of episode: English Presenter: Zhitong Li; Yuxin Zhu Guests: Beth Woolley Producer: Zhitong Li, Yuxin Zhu