Back from Ireland (Georgie)
I am finally home! I got home two days ago after a very long flight from London. Though I probably shouldn’t complain as I got an aisle seat the whole way and was lucky enough to have a spare seat next to me on the way to Bangkok.
So I spent christmas in Ireland with family, which was really great, but I missed home a bit, which I suppose is to be expected. And then I spent New Years in London with a couple of friends which was good. I had a really awesome time on exchange, but in the last few weeks after I finished uni I was starting to look forward to coming home. Especially to longer days and nicer weather!
Now I just have to scrounge around for money as I am going on the trip to the US for a history subject in the middle of the year, which shall be brilliant, but expensive. While I could go back to the bookshop to work, it’s a little bit far and my mum has just sold her car and so I have to rely solely on public transport. I’m thinking I might try and get a job at the brand spanking new Westfield in Doncaster, but am a little worried about the ease of getting a job. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
And what else? It was a bit weird coming home and seeing everyone and sort of just fitting back in like I hadn’t been away. Great to see family and friends though, and giving the few presents I got was fun. Mum has also gone insanely clean in our house as we’re hoping to sell it, and being a naturally messy person, I am finding this a bit hard to adjust to.
I just found out that Hughsey off Nova 100 is going to be a dad, so I really have been gone!
Does anyone have any thoughts in SALP? I’m thinking I might start it this semester.
And finally, if anyone is thinking of going on exchange – do it! The biggest thing I was worried about was the cost of it, but there are always ways around that and it is possible for everyone. I’m so glad I went and it’s the best thing I’ve done in my life.
Hope all is well with everyone reading.
Cheers,
Georgie
Welcome back!
Also re SALP:
do it if:
– you didn’t volunteer much before and you want an intro to it
– you’ve never tried leadership stuff before and want a chance to try it
– you want to meet new people who don’t do your course
– you want to be in the loop re volunteer opportunities
– you want to do ‘something’ but don’t know what
don’t do it if:
– you already extensively volunteer
– you already know a lot about leadership or do a leadership program (SALP is very focused on getting the basics right)
– you don’t like paperwork
– you have one dream project already and want somewhere to launch it (much more efficient to get your own group because your SALP group may not want to do your dream project _and_ a lot of the first half is about exploring ideas etc.)
things that might be a consideration:
– time commitments (it’s very flexible and usually not a big time commitment at all but if your group members want to put in more time [mine didn’t] it can be substantial work)
– how cynical/idealistic you are (SALP sometimes lays it on a bit thick with the motivational speeches)
– how much structure you need/can tolerate (the pace your project moves at is very dependent on your group members, what seminars go on, paperwork deadlines)
– whether you can get the same experience with another program or doing independent work