Intercalary Year (2010-2011)
As I publish this as the latest instalment of randomosity to grace this website, I’ve just laid down my pen on the first set of multiple forms needed for next year’s séjour on the continent.
Given the joint nature of my degree - BA Hons French and Spanish (Applied Languages) – it was necessary to choose two locations where both languages are the de facto/ de jure ones of the Countries in question. I have hence chosen the towns/cities of:
- September – January: Université de Mons (Belgium, Province of Hainaut)
- January/February – June: Universidade de Vigo (Spain, Autonomous Community of Galicia)
Both choices are subject to University approval, so we shall wait and see if I am to be placed there...
While I have not denied in the past that I have had some apprehension about the Year Abroad, I think I'm starting to be at ease with it all, so fingers crossed I'll get to go where I want and that it will be an enjoyable experience!
Back to Uni
As I write this, the first Academic Week in UU draws to a close (thankfully it finished for me yesterday!) and some 20000 students spread across the 4 campuses of the University of Ulster return to their studies, it is a relief to be back, even though as every day passes we get ever closer to coursework deadlines and examinations.
University
Guess who's now a fully registered University student at the University of Ulster?!
That's right - after 14 years of a combination of Primary and Grammar School I've now progressed up the ladder to Full Time Third Level Studies following a programme which, at the end of, I will hopefully be a 'Bachelor of Arts of the University of Ulster with Honours in French and Spanish. Registration was on Monday 15 September 2008 at the Coleraine Campus and it was more a case of musical chairs (without the music!) as each student had to enrol for modules, have the form signed off, pay for tuition fees, send the form to the Registry Office and collect their ID/Library Card (which this year wasn't a pathetic piece of laminated paper!)
That done, there was an Induction for all YrI students in the Faculty of Arts, today - 16 September 2008 - whereby services of the University were outlined, tours of the campus and its facilites shown and queries raised. In the afternoon each had an interview with their Advisor of Studies. Al lthat remained to be done after that, for some, was to go back home and get pi*sed! Naturally I wouldn't do something like that...or would I? 