Berna Ucel, who is studying for a degree in Creative Events: Design and Production at the University of Kent Medway campus, is flying out to Beijing this summer to work alongside members of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Berna will be helping to produce and stage-manage a special handover ceremony at the end of this year’s Games, where the Olympic flag is passed from the Mayor of Beijing to the Mayor of London.

Billed as a theatrical spectacle which will invite the world to London for the 2012 Games, the ceremony will be watched by tens of thousands of spectators in Beijing and will be screened to approximately one and a half billion people around the globe.

This is an edited version of her blog which she will be contributing to during her time leading up to and whilst in Beijing. For more on Berna's China adventure visit the University of Kent website

Wednesday, August 5

I started the week with a trip to Wembley Stadium. All of the cast and part of the crew met-up in the morning to be shown around the stadium to get an idea of what the Bird’s Nest in Beijing will look like. It was also an opportunity for the press to have interviews with some of the cast and get some photos.

This was a great opportunity as we were able to walk around the grounds and get a clear idea of the scale of the stadium we will be working in when in Beijing.

Our Director, Stephen Powell, had a quick talk with us to point out certain things about the performance and connection with the location. After our walk around the stadium and the press taking their photos and speaking with the cast we went back to our rehearsal venue.

The visit to the stadium was a good start to the week as we all returned with a clearer idea of what we will be facing in Beijing.

Personally I felt that I was able to be more productive this week as things have started to move much quicker and there is much more going on. Everything has started to take shape as we put one more week behind us. Apart from making sure rehearsals are running on time we have been busy with sorting out costumes and making sure all the cast attend make-up checks.

It has been hard working in the heat as my job involves a lot of running about but again it is probably better to get used to it as it will be much hotter than this in Beijing.

This Friday all eyes will turn to Beijing as we are all looking forward to seeing the opening of the Beijing Olympics 2008. It is hard to believe that we will soon be there and continue to prepare the handover ceremony that will mark the moment when the Olympics are given-over to London and the UK.

The week started in a great spirit with the meeting at Wembley Stadium. It has been a busy week and very productive as I have really started to feel part of a team.

Monday, July 28

It is getting closer and closer to the 2008 Handover Ceremony at the Beijing Olympics. I am extremely excited as well as being very nervous.

It is a huge organisation and I have a big responsibility as I am representing both the University of Kent and my degree course.

I am now one week into my work experience for the Handover ceremony. So far everything is running smoothly.

At this time there is not much to do in terms of being ‘hands-on’; however, this will slowly change as we get nearer to the day of the ceremony.

I have been observing rehearsals and preparations for the event. I am sure as we go further into the weeks I will picking up some very useful skills to keep in mind at all events.

Very soon we will be heading to Beijing after rehearsing in London. This truly is going to be a spectacular experience.

I must admit at the beginning of everything I was very apprehensive in that it is a huge event to be part of. Being so far away from home in unfamiliar surroundings will be another challenge.

I will be happy to keep in touch and let you know how things are going along the way to the ceremony.