November 17, 2011, by Gael
From Britain to Brisbane…
While The University of Nottingham is where my heart is, the University of Queensland in Brisbane Australia is currently where my home is. I’m currently lucky enough to be participating in a student exchange programme for a semester, and experience the opportunity of a lifetime. As a third year student I have come a long way since I took my first tentative steps as a Fresher in September 2009. Time has flown by, and I have had the best memories, learnt great lessons and held onto so many moments that only student life can provide. Three years ago I would never have believed that I would be sitting on the other side of the World, exploring a different culture for six months. But that’s what The University of Nottingham does; it opens your eyes to our passions, provides opportunities, supports, encourages and provides the foundation for what can be the best years of your life.
I’m in my final year of a cultural sociology course which has increased my cultural awareness and prompted me to pursue a dissertation (final year independent research project) in cultural identity which I am currently beginning to research. The semester at UQ is currently drawing to an end as the term dates here are remarkably different to the UK – we’re about to ‘break-up’ for their summer holiday, but then again I have been studying here since early July.
Weekend Away at Byron Bay to Celebrate the end of Lectures at UQ.
My week this week has consisted of allsorts; last Wednesday I was sunbathing on a beach in the Sunshine coast. I watched the sunset over the sea, and listened to the waves as the stars rolled in. On Saturday I was invited for dinner at a real Australian family home, and got mothered, a home-cooked meal (the best! As a student) and tried to perfect the Aussie drawl. Monday saw a day with the UQ library, editing a final draft of an essay and researching in greater detail my research topic. That evening was Dance-Fest practice (tomorrow there is an inter-cultural college event called Dancefest which is basically a dance competition); 4 hours of perfecting a seven minute dance. I never thought I’d enjoy dance, but Fresher’s Fayre as-well as the endless opportunities to join different societies at Nottingham changed this. My Aussie life is quite different to my Nottingham life, but without UoN I would never be here. Not only because it offers it as an opportunity but because it has opened my eyes to what I wanted and where I wanted to go and encouraged and supported these dreams.
Next week will mark the end of my UQ experience as exams draw to a close and I prepare myself to say goodbye to the friends I’ve made from across the globe. But for now it’s back to those last few pending assignments…at-least I have the beautiful Jacaranda trees for inspiration, and the wonderful Aussie heat.
Have a great week – don’t let England’s rainy days have too much of an influence on coursework deadlines, get up and have a dance, or spend 30mintues planning your summer getaway – it’ll get you smiling in no time!
The beautiful Jacaranda Trees which motivate study.
Gael.
you have a great weblog right here! would you prefer to make some invite posts on my weblog?
I’m impressed, I have to say. Actually rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not enough individuals are talking intelligently about. I am very joyful that I stumbled across this in my search for one thing referring to this.
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it!
There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both boys and girls feel the impact of just a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
My brother recommended I may like this website. He was totally right. This put up actually made my day. You can not consider simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thank you!
I went over this website and I believe you have a lot of fantastic info , bookmarked (:.
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
Can I simply say what a aid to search out someone who truly is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You positively know tips on how to deliver an issue to light and make it important. More folks have to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant consider youre not more popular since you positively have the gift.
There are some attention-grabbing deadlines on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity however I will take maintain opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we wish more! Added to FeedBurner as nicely
You made some decent points there. I appeared on the internet for the difficulty and located most people will go together with along with your website.
It’s laborious to seek out knowledgeable individuals on this subject, however you sound like you realize what you’re talking about! Thanks
I like this internet site because so much utile stuff on here : D.
I’m impressed, I must say. Really not often do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your concept is excellent; the problem is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very pleased that I stumbled throughout this in my search for something referring to this.
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little evaluation on this. And he in actual fact purchased me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you develop into experience, would you thoughts updating your blog with extra particulars? It’s highly helpful for me. Massive thumb up for this blog submit!
Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity to your post is simply great and i could assume you’re a professional in this subject. Fine along with your permission allow me to grasp your RSS feed to keep updated with approaching post. Thank you a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.