When reflecting on my first term, I decided to go to the beach. Sitting on the pebble shore, I pick up a seashell. A typical pinkish hue shines in the sun, with odd nooks and crannies built in. A home once before to a hermit crab perhaps. Putting it down, I try to reflect on how much I might've grown in the past few months of being in uni.
I had no success.
While I feel I might've grown up as an independent, I didn't feel I improved as an individual. To me, these two factors are very different - an independent improves survival while an individual improves their personality and identity. That growth I didn't fully feel. Odd, I know, but I didn't feel it was something that was part of the experience as of yet.
However, all hope was not lost.
The amount of experiences I've had here is more than what I expected. New friends, new interactions, new experiences. All of them and so much more have made up for it on the first few months. Especially being by the sea, I can see sights I'd never get at home. The wind in my face, a hot drink on a bench, laughing at nonsense that only we understand, and explaining to the others why it's funny.
Time for the sappy section! We all love a good bit of that.
*Left to Right - Federica, Jenny, Roxanne (me)*
These girls? They've honestly been my partners in crime through my course so far. All aspiring journalists and all enjoying life. We have our own stories to tell, memories to share and laughs to experience and meeting these two has been the best experience I could have ever hope for. While I haven't grown quite yet, I know for a fact that they've helped me through bad times, just as I wish to be there for them.
Still have two more to mention though.
*Left - Jess* *Right - Nelly*
Two more people I wish to thank for such experiences is this dynamic duo. Since our uni allows dogs sometimes to stay over, I got to meet Nelly and spend time with her to the point she ended up greeting me first rather than Jess when I went up to visit her (sorry about that Jess XD).
Joking aside, I've loved all the outings and spontaneous ideas that I've been more than happy to go along with. "Wanna come over?" - Sure, always "Coffee?" - Yes please "Travel up to mine to see Nelly and take her for a walk?" - When do we leave? I'm in
Just a few snippets, but more than happy to do so. Love you guys so much!
Now back to our regularly scheduled moments montage.
A few pictures from the montage I've been taking over the past two and a half months. Ironically, I've used Instagram more than ever on this trip, posting a few pictures at a time on my private account (might post some to the public account to show off) if and when I feel it's a good thing to consider. While I haven't caught everything on camera, I've got lots of stories to tell, I'll tell you some before the year is over.
This trip hasn't all been fun and games though. I did come here to study, and that's exactly what I have been doing. Reading the materials, watching the asynchronous lectures, trying (and awkwardly) participating in synchronous lectures. I feel like a try-hard every time I seem to speak in class, with instant regret as soon as I do so. Nothing against the teachers, I've always been like this. Promise, I'll be better when I'm more comfortable.
The one thing that gets me now is going for a COVID test. The final barrier before I can leave. One thing I know that I'll be more than glad to be rid of is sticking that cotton swab to the back of my mouth. Almost all of us have had to do it, and the precaution is there to make sure we can go home. I'm no exception to that.
Overall, the term itself has been an eye opener about how other people in society can live. It's honestly been a joy to experience. There's been some downfalls, obviously, and a couple regrets, but being able to work through them and salvage what I can is all part of growing up.
An odd question I now have to find an odd answer for - Does the PM like pineapple on pizza? (Yeah, I don't know either)
-R (4/12/2020)
Comments