Meral is a 2nd year Journalism student at Carleton, having moved here from Dubai, United Arab Emirates for school. She is also currently a news editor at the Charlatan. She was part of the Friday Special Blend team during the winter semester last year and really enjoyed the opportunity. She cites working with CKCU veteran Chris White, and interviewing Amanda Carver—one of the organizers of the Ottawa Women’s March as some of the highlights of her experience. She and her new co-host Temur are eager to get back to the airwaves this fall with their new program/idea “The Nut Graf”, which will provide the inside story, the behind the scenes of the journalist’s headlines.
Meral credits Radio Carleton as providing some practical learning, hands-on experience and helping advance her studies; because the Journalism program’s introduction to radio only happens in the third year, she got a head-start into the world of radio. She learned some valuable interview skills here while having a lot of fun in the process! Although admittedly from a generation that generally doesn’t absorb that much radio, she soon discovered the value and importance of grassroots media like CKCU, the evolving ways that people listen, and the community it benefits and creates. It has introduced her to so many different people and aspects of of the local community.
In Meral’s own words: “CKCU helped me make Carleton home. Coming from a different country and ethnic background was a difficult transition, and more often than not, I found myself yearning for genuine human connections. CKCU made it easier for me to connect and interact with people both at Carleton and in Ottawa, and I think the process made it easier for me to enjoy my time here. CKCU is family now, and Carleton is my home, and I am so grateful for both.”
“Radio Carleton is for everyone. As a student, I had the opportunity to be trained and then not long after, to contribute to a show and gain experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re a student, someone who doesn’t know radio, or someone who isn’t from Ottawa. All that matters is that you show up and show interest, and you’ll find a place at CKCU.”