Day: Two

On our second day, the sun is hiding from the cloud. After having our breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in the morning, everyone is being called into the activity room and ready for the first workshop – ‘Practices and effect of interventions to body (group discussion)’.

At the beginning, there was a video showing how the social media affect our body image judgment and the effect of youngster’s behaviours. After that, we split into 6 groups and the leader allocate an same question sheet into each group for us to discuss –‘Some people think they will be happier and have a better life such as having a successful career, a loving partner, good friends, a nice house, a fast car) if they are more attractive and have a better body or long, shining hair. Are you agree or disagree? – That’s the question.

Regarding to the ideas from my groupmates, we agree with the topic but we believe it is not the truth because if people think in this way, they are gently increasing the pressure by themselves. To change the situation, this is necessary for them to change the way they think by talking to them that focus on our inside beauty is far more important than outside appearance. It is hard to change the media today due to financial challenges but we can still keep our mind clear on our concept of body image.

We are discussing the question in group and finally different groups have to give a short presentation about their findings. 

After the presentation, we are going to have our second lunch in the University of Balikesir. In afternoon, we are going to have another workshop which is about the role of beauty industry and media. It is interesting to note that social media has revolutionised the way that cosmetic companies connect and communicate with customers worldwide. It has changed the cosmetic industry, such as in 200 million blogs, there are 95,000 beauty blog has been posted and discussed among the age of 35 to 40 years old women.

Considering to the relationship of body image and the media, media always provide a necessary and valuable community service, however it is unrealistic and also the images of the ‘perfect’ body type are commonly across many forms of media and advertising, including social media. At the end of the workshop, questions are given out to each group for discuss. Regarding to my group (Gary), we believe that media, culture and community are the major components that constructs our idea about beauty.

We are preparing the question for the presentation later on.

In evening, there would be a cultural presentation night organised by Romanian and Czech people. Each country has presented greatly for their history of their home, typical food, drinks and traditions. We are super enjoying the moment when we start dancing followed by their traditional music. It is a fresh night to start understanding the new culture and traditions from different other great countries.

Cultural night presented by Czech Republic and Romania youngsters