Bianca Calascione

Keele in Canada Scholar 2013-2014

MA Global Media and Culture

Bianca in Union Square Bianca Calascione is the recipient of the 2013-2014 Keele in Canada Scholarship, which was created by the generosity of our alumni in Canada. She graduated with a BA in Film Studies from Concordia University, Montréal, in 2013. While at Concordia, Bianca spent one semester at Keele as a Study Abroad student in early 2012. We met Bianca just a few days into her Master's course to see how things are going.

So, Bianca, what are you doing at Keele now?

I have just arrived to start my Master’s degree and my first class is next week. I have joined the Drama Society and been elected as Social Secretary so I have to organise something for that quite soon. I also joined the tennis club. I have worked for eight years at the Rogers Cup Masters Tennis Tournament in Canada – won twice by Andy Murray – so I hope to play some tennis at Keele.

How did you first hear about Keele?

I knew that I wanted to come to England for my study abroad and Keele is a study abroad partner for Concordia. When I looked at the available universities I preferred one nearer to London but when I saw the photo of Keele Hall I changed my mind. I love history and the photo made me think of Harry Potter, so Keele was my choice. It turned out that Keele is in the middle of the country and I can get wherever I want to very easily – Manchester, Liverpool, London – so it worked out perfectly. I like the peace and quiet of the countryside and especially being in a campus community rather than a city. I also like the animation of the city and that is easy for me to reach too.

What was your first impression of Keele when you arrived in 2012?

Bianca by Freshers Gate I was a little bit jet-lagged but we were met by a Keele student ambassador at the airport and that was a wonderful welcome. I am a native French speaker so when Keele put me in a house in Plantation Park with two French students I was immediately reassured. We bonded very quickly and have become great friends along with our fellow housemates; another Canadian and a Texan. The French students were from the Vendée in France and my Québécois French was similar so we got on really well. Keele planned it all perfectly for us! I remember in the first week we went to the International Welcome Ball and then hurried across to the Students’ Union to see S Club 7 immediately afterwards. What a start to our time at Keele. I am interested in regional accents so when local people call me “duck” or “duckie” I love it!

What are your aspirations for five years from now?

Five years is a long time but I hope to have a cat called Timbits (from the Canadian coffee shop Tim Horton’s) and to be working in England and living with my boyfriend Dan Horton. We met at Keele and he is a third-year now so we can be together in Newcastle. Career-wise I’d like to use my degree studies and work in something to do with tennis or history, perhaps in broadcasting. I love visiting historic houses, especially from the Tudor era and I will have to be living in England to do that!

What do you hope to gain from your scholarship year at Keele?

I want to specialise and be successful in gaining real expertise with this course so that I can build a career using my degrees. I also want to make the most of the opportunities to travel and visit historic houses in England and the other parts of the UK.

Anything you would like to add?

Yes, I want to thank Canadian Keelites for supporting the Keele in Canada Scholarship. They don’t even know me but they have helped me fulfil my dream. I wanted to come back to Keele so much and the scholarship has made all the difference. And it reassured my mum too – she visited Keele for one day and saw at once why I wanted to come back. Thank you!