Failte,
It's funny. I keep thinking to myself that I have already done this whole “going to college and making friends” thing, but for some reason, it feels harder to do over here. Stirling University is much bigger than Susquehanna, and I think that makes it feel more vast. I keep wondering how I go about making friends. In the past few days, I've made some just by sitting in my suite kitchen and visiting the one friend I made earlier this week. It is almost like a pyramid. You start with making one friend, and you use that one friend to meet many more. Of course, there are always clubs as well, and clubs are a wonderful way of meeting people and finding a group to fit in with. Clubs haven't started here yet, but they will be starting next week and I am planning on attending a few. Namely: Shazam (Sci-Fi and Fantasy club), Harry Potter Club, Disney Appreciation Club, the Rock Society, the International Student Society and the Creative Writing Society. It is interesting here, however, that in order to join a club you have to pay five pounds. After thinking about it for a while, this actually seems like a pretty good idea, because it gives the club a bit of a start when it comes to fund raising.
I cannot express just how beautiful this campus is. Susquehanna is a pretty small and cozy and pretty campus, but compared to here, it is nothing. There is a Loch in the middle of Stirling University. Every day when I walk from my dorm to the Atrium, I have to cross the Loch and without fail there are always swans and ducks and usually reflections of sun and trees and distant hills. A few days ago, I took a walk around the Loch and took pictures. It was very quiet and peaceful and I just wish I could find that kind of place at home. At the end of my walk, I was up behind the school by the soccer fields, where there are benches that look over a small meadow and up at the hill where the Wallace Monument sits. There are mountains in the far distance, which I hope to visit later in the semester. It really is a beautiful landscape, and I have a feeling I am going to sorely miss it once my semester here is over.
Last night I got to sit with one of my suite mates from Germany and we talked a lot about politics and how social differences between our home countries and here. That is one thing I would suggest for anyone going abroad, engage people in conversation about politics and issues going on in their respective countries because it is extremely eye-opening to hear what other people think. One of the topics we discussed during our conversation was the issue of guns in America. It was nice because I got to hear her point of view, and I was able to speak my mind without feeling obligated to speak well about America. I myself have some mixed feelings towards America, and it was great to be able to speak freely with someone about it, and hear their viewpoint in return. I will definitely look for more discussions along those lines with other friends I make.
When it comes to classes, they are very different than in the States. I only have six one-hour classes per week, but I am expected to do most of the work outside of class. I am more used to having class a lot during the week, and only doing a few assignments and some reading on my own. The classes themselves I really love. My Victorian Lit. professor is the kind of person who loves what she does. The passion I see in her is the kind I want to foster in myself. My Scottish Lit. teacher is less enthusiastic but she is kind and understanding and a bit eccentric. My Marketing professor is Australian and hilarious. I have never had a teacher make so many jokes during a lecture. He is a very light spirited guy. All in all, I definitely look forward to classes rather than dreading them.
As a finish to this post, I am excited to say that I finally added some campus pictures to my album page! Feel free to check them out.
Beannachd leibh
It's funny. I keep thinking to myself that I have already done this whole “going to college and making friends” thing, but for some reason, it feels harder to do over here. Stirling University is much bigger than Susquehanna, and I think that makes it feel more vast. I keep wondering how I go about making friends. In the past few days, I've made some just by sitting in my suite kitchen and visiting the one friend I made earlier this week. It is almost like a pyramid. You start with making one friend, and you use that one friend to meet many more. Of course, there are always clubs as well, and clubs are a wonderful way of meeting people and finding a group to fit in with. Clubs haven't started here yet, but they will be starting next week and I am planning on attending a few. Namely: Shazam (Sci-Fi and Fantasy club), Harry Potter Club, Disney Appreciation Club, the Rock Society, the International Student Society and the Creative Writing Society. It is interesting here, however, that in order to join a club you have to pay five pounds. After thinking about it for a while, this actually seems like a pretty good idea, because it gives the club a bit of a start when it comes to fund raising.
I cannot express just how beautiful this campus is. Susquehanna is a pretty small and cozy and pretty campus, but compared to here, it is nothing. There is a Loch in the middle of Stirling University. Every day when I walk from my dorm to the Atrium, I have to cross the Loch and without fail there are always swans and ducks and usually reflections of sun and trees and distant hills. A few days ago, I took a walk around the Loch and took pictures. It was very quiet and peaceful and I just wish I could find that kind of place at home. At the end of my walk, I was up behind the school by the soccer fields, where there are benches that look over a small meadow and up at the hill where the Wallace Monument sits. There are mountains in the far distance, which I hope to visit later in the semester. It really is a beautiful landscape, and I have a feeling I am going to sorely miss it once my semester here is over.
Last night I got to sit with one of my suite mates from Germany and we talked a lot about politics and how social differences between our home countries and here. That is one thing I would suggest for anyone going abroad, engage people in conversation about politics and issues going on in their respective countries because it is extremely eye-opening to hear what other people think. One of the topics we discussed during our conversation was the issue of guns in America. It was nice because I got to hear her point of view, and I was able to speak my mind without feeling obligated to speak well about America. I myself have some mixed feelings towards America, and it was great to be able to speak freely with someone about it, and hear their viewpoint in return. I will definitely look for more discussions along those lines with other friends I make.
When it comes to classes, they are very different than in the States. I only have six one-hour classes per week, but I am expected to do most of the work outside of class. I am more used to having class a lot during the week, and only doing a few assignments and some reading on my own. The classes themselves I really love. My Victorian Lit. professor is the kind of person who loves what she does. The passion I see in her is the kind I want to foster in myself. My Scottish Lit. teacher is less enthusiastic but she is kind and understanding and a bit eccentric. My Marketing professor is Australian and hilarious. I have never had a teacher make so many jokes during a lecture. He is a very light spirited guy. All in all, I definitely look forward to classes rather than dreading them.
As a finish to this post, I am excited to say that I finally added some campus pictures to my album page! Feel free to check them out.
Beannachd leibh