Week 21 - Personal

One word for this week; Awful. The full week was mostly filled with goodbyes and tears as everything was coming to an end and even as I sit here at home in Northern Ireland I miss Erasmus so much beyond belief. Anyway, the week was filled mostly with endless nights of parties, talking and having fun so that we all together could make the most of our remaining time. To be honest it was probably one of the best weeks of Erasmus that I will remember as everything was chilled out and relaxed and really everyone just didn’t want to have to say the dreaded word of ‘goodbye’.

We had our closing ceremony on Wednesday and it was hard to describe for me. I was happy in a way as

Farewell Dinner Party

everyone got to see how everyone felt about each other by us all having to present certificates to one other member of the group. Also, each country made a presentation about their time in The Netherlands and this was awesome to see how everyone depicted their experience differently but the main thing was friends and fun. As I sat and looked at each presentation it really was like my life flashing before my eyes as the past five months have seemed to have disappeared right in front of me. This then made me feel sad as I then realised goodbyes would be said soon.

Me and my right hand man, Mikael

We also had a party where we had all made a dish from our own country and brought it with us… to also add an advantage to this was that the bar was free so we all made good use of that! Haha! That night we attended a birthday party but then we all sat had drinks and chatted with the people who we had got closest too. That night we also had to say goodbye to the Irish girls but I knew it was okay as we would see each other more often than the others but still it was hard to say bye... Thursday came too quick and I had to say goodbye to one of my closest mates Mikael. One of the hardest goodbyes but I know we will see each other anyway as we plan to travel together next year. Thursday seemed a bit like a blur as we packed up our stuff; squeezing and stuffing clothes into the tiniest places just so they would fit in. It also felt weird not hearing from Mikael that day and it made me realise how sad the end of Erasmus was. This was further proven that night as the remaining people met and chatted together but even at that, the place was quiet including me as I was missing my right hand man who I would normally mess about with. The room would be full of laughs one minute but then an eerie silence would follow after. Everyone was feeling the same… not wanting to go home.

As Friday came I had to another difficult goodbye to say to my wee American ‘bronze beauty’ as she likes

Beth the Bronze Beauty

to name herself, Beth. Again a tear was shed but I will see her again when I travel to America or vice versa. We then made our way back home and landed safely in Belfast where I was met by my family and it was just great to see them.

Erasmus was truly amazing and I will never ever forget it or the people. Now as I sit and write my final post I think of all the memories and I miss everyone like crazy. There are no words to describe how you feel when you are at home for a few days. Happiness to see your family and friends but then depressed and sad at the fact you aren’t going back or seeing your Erasmus friends for a while.

As I think of words to finish of this wonderful experience my top tip for this week is enjoy every last month, week, day, hour, minute and second of Erasmus as it finishes so quickly and on a final note…

Erasmus 2013... I love and miss you.

Erasmus was the most amazing thing that I have ever done in my life.

Week 20 - Professional

Mixed emotions

As this is the week before the last week of our Erasmus study feelings in the group were different to say the least as everyone was either stressed about the work load we had, sad about having to saying goodbye soon or happy just to still be here. If I could change the title of this week’s blog I would change it to emotions or feelings as this week has been so strange.

The week really wasn’t filled with anything all that exciting mostly filled with doing assignments and trying to meet the deadline. As I am generally organised and hate being disorganised I had already made a start on most of the assignments due to one of the assignments being on our school placement that ended up to be six pages long which was very unexpected! I always see that through my organisation it does pay off for me as it leaves me with less stress as the deadline date closes nearer.

“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.” Hill, N.

Things coming to an end...

While doing all the assignments all I could think of them as ultimate signs of Erasmus coming to an end. Trying to think of Erasmus from a professional point of view is difficult as the assignments are similar to the ones that are set back home in Stranmillis but sometimes there was a lack of guidance on the tasks set as well as no clear success criteria given. No matter I got all my assignments sent in on time and thankfully after a few stressful days, once I clicked ‘send’ I knew that I had more or less just been given my summer break! This was fantastic as I was constantly seeing on Facebook all my friends either finishing exams, finishing with essays to gain their summer holidays or seeing posts about what they had achieved in their degree. Now that I too was gaining my summer it again just made me think more of home…

Additionally we finished all our classes this week too! We had a group presentation which surprisingly made

Where to go from here?

me nervous and made my voice shake a little (strange as I normally like hearing myself talk haha) but no matter the presentation went very well! As others carried out their presentations I realised that all of us were all going to be teachers which made me think of our futures. We already have plans for next year to meet up and go to America but what about further future plans? Should we grow up too quick – graduate and get a job? Or should we travel? More or less it showed me that as Erasmus closes a whole new adventure is going to be opened up due to what this experience has done for us. It has changed me as a person and this will be influenced through my teaching.

“I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.” Einstein, A.

As the final week approached I am feeling very anxious as I don’t want to have to say bye to some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I also am anxious as professionally I have performed well here but going back to home I feel that it will be difficult to get back into the ‘Stranmillis’ routine. No matter I have no choice and I just have to get used to it.

P.s. Top tip for this week don’t dwell on the past and don’t spend too much time pondering on the future but live for the moment and acknowledge what you are doing right now during the present.

References:

Einstein, A. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_future.html#0I6Khpz6xX19u0l1.99. Last Accessed: 26/06/13

Hill, N. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/organization.html#rEz4KdSTwkGSxUHH.99. Last Accessed: 26/06/13

Week 19 - Personal

All my presents and cards

As each week feels shorter and shorter this was a week that I was going to try and make a memorable one as my birthday was on Thursday. I was turning the big twenty one and I had though awww I really want to be at home but as the big day got closer I was getting more and more excited and I realised it was going to be a brilliant day! On the Thursday I woke up early and was finally able to open the cards I had received during the week from my friends and family. It really made me think of home more but made me realise that I was going to be spending my birthday with some of the closest people in my life at the moment and who I will continue to be close with.

The jungle decorated flat

Now on my birthday at home the thought of going to class… well really I would probably not go. However, I went to class during the day and after a couple of Happy Birthday songs being sang in more than one language I actually enjoyed class on my birthday. Now as these past few weeks have went by, I have got to gain a very good friend from Finland, Mikael. As I said before if someone told before I had left for Erasmus that I was going to be friends with a Finnish guy I really would have told them to wise up. However, this is the case and so I went for usual birthday pints (of beer) with Mikael and we just enjoyed the beers and banter together! In the evening then we went back to the flat and Eimear, Beth and Sarah had made me my birthday dinner of a fry; it truly was awesome! A true taste of home! Also to make it even better Eimear and Beth had decorated the flat to look like a jungle for my jungle themed party… It really looked amazing! We then had a flat party that night with everyone on Erasmus and we really did have a good night. With many presents given and many drinks consumed I really did have a brilliant birthday with truly awesome people that I will never forget.

Reunited with Dojo!

To make the week even better we had booked to see our French friend Dojo (Jodie) in Bordeaux! Excited was an understatement! When we got to see her it just felt like we hadn’t left her! The weekend was full of laughs and memories/stories being retold. We got a true French taste of life in Bordeaux, walking through the city; down Europe’s longest street, tasting some Bordeaux wine etc. We also got to hit the beach and stay at Dojo’s beach house… words could not describe how beautiful the place was. The house was lovely and the scenery… unreal! One memory I will not forget was on the Sunday night sitting outside talking, drinking etc while a thunder and lightning storm lit up the sky! Even though saying good bye was very hard we still know that we will continue to see each other.

P.s. Top tip for this week, whenever a special occasion occurs in your life remember to try and realise how lucky and blessed you are to have so many things. 

Birthday memories!

Week 18 - Cultural

The Lake/Beach

As this week approached we were very excited at the fact that our friends from home were coming to visit us here and we knew for sure that this week would be fun for everyone! I firstly though finished placement this week and it was quite sad to think that this was one of the first things to finish for us over here. The children gave us some presents and are making us some summer cards and are sending them to my home in Northern Ireland… This really made happy! The rest of the week was mostly just sunbathing as the weather has been brilliant this past week, with the sunglasses and shorts on we decided to head to the lake/man made beach. The beach was filled too with Dutch people and it showed that the Dutch are similar to us that we think, as back at home if there was one glimpse of sun everyone has their shorts on and head to the beach too.

Friday then came and it really was just like having a piece of home with us here in Nijmegen, as Rukaya and Shonagh came and reminded us so much of being at home and University. We talked so much about things and people at home and about the different things we miss here like foods, music, shops etc. It showed me how long we have been away for and how everything here in Nijmegen really seems so natural now but yet we still have our own culture that we miss.

“A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” Gandhi

Us meeting Barrack Obama!

We decided to show our friends Dutch culture by bringing them to the Dutch capital Amsterdam. Here we did a lot; Madame Tussauds, The Ice bar, The Heineken Experience, Flower Market and Anne Frank’s house. All of these different activities let us still bond more with our friends and reminisce about past events that we had at home and of course tell them about our experiences here in Holland as well as introduce our old friends to our new Erasmus friends. Through the memories and talking I found myself saying words that I would normally use at home, for example “Aye” or “C’mon” etc. It really reminded me of home and the way everyone understood your accent, common words etc. Again it showed me how I have changed; slowed my speech, my stuttering when I get excited is practically not there and I can deal with anger a lot better.

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Churchill

The Rainforest

On Sunday we went to The Zoo and without a doubt it was the best Zoo I have ever been to. It had different areas for example, the rainforest, the dessert, the ocean etc. In each area the landscape and surroundings were all made like that area so the dessert was covered with cacti, the rainforest filled with trees, vines and even rivers and waterfalls! Really the zoo was brilliant and I will never forget it!

We finished off with a relaxing day at the beach and it was just perfect, sitting talking and having nothing to do but soak up the sun. This week really has just reminded me of Northern Ireland and about my culture but in a good way. I am not missing home or home sick but just happy to be able to establish what my culture is and how I have changed as a person. 

Lazy day at the beach!

P.s. Top tip for this week when thinking of your own culture try and remember that Northern Irish people burn easily in the sun so don’t forget your sun cream or you’ll end up like me… A red faced lobster!

References

Churchill, W. Brainy Quotes. Available from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_change.html#vg0MhgkotzpgOEaY.99. Last Accessed: 11/06/13

Gandi, M. Brainy Quotes. Available from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/culture.html#RQW8wPpORvpYWb8W.99. Last Accessed: 11/06/13

Week 17 - Personal

Really to be honest my week has been pretty boring when I come to think about it. I just had a normal week with placement and with my other classes on a Thursday and Friday. The main event really for me was our spontaneous trip to Den Haag beach as we had got Tuesday off at school placement. The weather was beautiful; it was warm with the sun splitting the trees, so really why not? Put it this way the shorts were put on and I was a happy man!

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh

When we got to Den Haag again we were able to find our way and make our way to the beach through using the trams. This made us all think back to when we first arrived how nervous we were to use public transport especially as we didn’t know where we were going and we didn’t understand anything anybody said. Now however, we just jump on to the transport, look for our stop and jump off with it all just feeling so natural now. It made me think… this has changed in me so I wonder what else? It’s hard for me to think about what or how I’ve changed but I am sure people will inform me when I get back home at the end of my Erasmus experience.

So we arrived at the beach and it was beautiful and because it was a random Tuesday there were not that many people so we really just had time to relax. We had a few drinks firstly at a beach bar and we all said you would think we were in a different country as it didn’t feel like The Netherlands at all. We then walked along the pier and then along the beach and it occurred to me that we didn’t have that long left in The Netherlands as we only had a few weeks left. This really made me think how weird it is going to be to go back to normality and not to see the people who I have become so close with within five months. Yes, I am excited to go back and see friends and family but as people say… “It will be some culture shock” to go back home.

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.” Oprah Winfrey

P.s. Top tip for this week whenever you have an opportunity to go somewhere or do something… Grab it for it may be the best decision in your life… So far.

References

Lindbergh, A.M. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/beach.html#iY2lhlYxzRQ2q1yg.99. Last Accessed: 05/06/13

Winfrey, O. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/adventure.html#Ji1EvMT4APbpDPYd.99. Last Accessed: 05/06/13

Week 16 - Professional

History Quote

As this week approached I was very excited about the class trip on Friday to Brussels, to go and see the European Parliament! This really was because I was getting to travel and see a part of Belgium and therefore broadening my horizons and seeing more. Before this however, we still had our usual class and one class really stood out for me which was classroom of diversity when the lecturer was placing stereotypes based on our countries to try and get us to tell him our own narrative. This made me then think of how history of something will never be forgotten, especially when it is about a country. As Winstin Churchill said:

“Study history, study history. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.”

The class also got me to think about how questions asked by someone really is the cornerstone of a discussion as the lecturer’s questions always got a good response and the discussion itself never fell silent but only from the instruction of the lecturer himself. This then reminded me again about the numerous times we are told at Stranmillis about open ended questions. As stated, open ended questions result in children who “are able to relate something of meaning and respond to the person/people with whom they are communicating. In this way, open-ended questions are used to positively build and deepen relationships.” This shows that the method worked well on me as I now relate well with this lecturer as he interested me and helped me discuss through the use of good questioning. This again proves what many theorists say:

“Questioning. Thinking. Understanding. These three processes interact in a dynamic fashion to advance student learning, performance, and achievement.”

EU Parliament, Brussels 

As the week moved on Friday came and here I got to take my first steps into Belgium by visiting the EU parliament in Brussels. The day consisted of going inside the museum where we got to read different facts and figures all about each country that was in the EU and of course I was very eager to read about the UK. We also got to meet a politician representing The Netherlands and here eager questions again were asked… and I also put my structuring effective question skills to good use as I asked a question about the Euro.

We then also got to take part in a role-play as we pretended to be politicians for the EU and we had different roles to take and participate in. Here I fully enjoyed being a politician as I am a nerd at times when it comes to politics (don’t tell haha) but also I got to step up my game and be the person in control of what my party did. This was loads of fun as I love taking on the role of being a leader! The day was full of fun and we did all fully enjoy ourselves.

We then got to finish of the day by travelling around Brussels on foot admiring the numerous chocolate shops

Belguim Chocolates

and waffle stands… as we all know this is what Belgium is famous for! To say the least the chocolate was incredible and after we had got dinner I didn’t get to try out the waffles but this gives me a good reason to come back some day! All in all, this week kind of went past me without me realising. The week was full of me being studious, social and of course continuing to build and grow closer in friendships! I just hope that my remaining weeks continue to be brilliant and full of fun with my friends here that I know I will never forget.

P.s. Top tip for this week… Never wish your life away because someday you will realise that your life time adventure will nearly be over (you won’t understand this until you are in a similar situation.)

References

Appalachia Educational Laboratory. (1994). Questioning and Understanding to Improve Learning and Thinking (QUILT): The evaluation results. A proposal to the National Diffusion Network (NDN) documenting the effectiveness of the QUILT professional development program. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED403230) Available: http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/6605_walsh_ch_1.pdf. Last Accessed: 29/05/13

Churchill, W. Brainy Quote. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/winstonchu111304.html#TRPfw0dzK5xqWiHE.99. Last Accessed: 29/05/13

Open Ended Questions (2013). Available: http://storiesandchildren.com/open-ended-questions/. Last Accessed: 29/05/13

Week 15 - Cultural

Quote on Teaching

As university and placement started back this week we really did get back into routine and this was evident that we weren’t used to it as many afternoon naps were taken when I returned from placement or class! In placement this week I continued to teach English to my group 8 class and on Tuesday ended up to be a brilliant day as we got to visit and experience a young toddler class (nursery) with children at the age of 2/3 years old. I thoroughly enjoyed this as I love playing and acting the fool with the younger kids! We also got to make a video for our teacher Ingerbord on our experience of the our school and what we were doing at The Vonkenmorgen. This was a video that was going to be presented to teachers all around the world as my teacher was going to a school conference in Northern Ireland (randomly!) and so Souzy and I were going to be movie stars! However I was excited at this because it got to show teachers why we were on Erasmus and as international students what we actually doing while staying here.

This week however for me mainly was to get my assignment on Dutch Culture and Society finished off completely as the assignment date was creeping up. The assignment consisted of selecting fifteen photos that I thought were typically Dutch to me. So anything that I now relate to being Dutch in my eyes was able to be selected and then I would have to write 200/300 words on why I have chosen these pictures.

My OV Chip card

One of my choices was my OV Chip card that I use for the bus for placement. The reason I picked this was because I never really use public transport at home and so now that I use it here it is a big change; making me more Dutch already as many Dutch people always use trains and buses etc. Plus the OV Chip card saves me money when travelling on the bus and this is always a big advantage! Furthermore, I will always keep this card as a constant reminder of my Erasmus stay here in Holland!

My Travel Wall

Another selection was my Travel Wall that I have decided to begin here in Nijmegen, as I have been travelling to a few places over Europe. Since being here I have travelled to Amsterdam a few times, I have been to Delft and The Hague and my favourite Berlin! It will also conatin ticket, brochures etc from Bordeaux when I go and Brussels too!  I also have kept boarding passes of flights, train tickets, museum passes etc. As much as I love to travel and see things I also love to look back and reflect of what I have done and where I have been. The wall is filled with my Erasmus memories and so when I go home and start to put the travel wall on my own wall in my bedroom I will always remember my Erasmus experience and of course my time of becoming a little Dutch here in Nijmegen.

“Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again.”

Willa Cather

Throughout completing my assignment I had fun when thinking of why the certain things were Dutch to me and made me reflect on how much fun I have had here in The Netherlands. It made me think how much I have learned and changed as a person. As Jane Austin describes in one of her books she states:

“Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours; whenever she was alone, she gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which she might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections.”

This shows that reflection gives an unexpected sense of happiness produced by looking back upon what you have done and I completely agree with this.

By the way here’s a list of all the fifteen things that I have chosen that are typically Dutch to me:

Nijmegen Bridge

1. Half Pints of Beer being served when you ask for a beer at the bar.
2. The crazy weather that’s worse than Northern Ireland.
3. The Dutch obsession with using beer mats with every drink and bottle.
4. My OV Chip card and use of public Transport.
5. The lack of WIFI in most places.
6. “Enjoy your meal” being said before each meal.
7. My new favourite oranges; Blood Oranges.
8. Public Peeing Stations on nights out on the main street.
9. My travel wall.
10. Nijmegen Bridge that I see/cross over all the time.
11. My precious bike lock.
12. The Windmill at the top of the hill so cycling gets easier after this.
13. My towel that acts as my pillow here on Erasmus.
14. Paying to Pee – paying to use the toilets in most places.
15. Wooden structures in front of people’s houses/gardens.

P.S. Top tip for this week whenever you have to look back upon what you have done, do not think of the ‘what ifs’ but think of how much you have done and achieved in your own travels.

References:

Austin, J. Available: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/reflection. Last Accessed: 20/05/13.

Cather, W. Available: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/memories_2.html#87jSheA4VAL8talM.99. Last Accessed: 20/05/13/