Study in the UK Blog

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!  Welcome to 2012..  I really feel that this will be a great year for me and my friends.  There are many things I will (hope to accomplish) such as getting my Master’s Degree and travelling to many more places.  I even wrote a list of New Years Resolutions!  What are your resolutions?

Being able to spend Christmas in Vienna was quite an experience.  The city is just beautiful.  Vienna is a clean city and the people are very polite.  The architecture is just gorgeous on most of the buildings in the main city centre.  The only downside is I felt Vienna was fairly expensive and went over budget while I was there.  Just something to keep in mind for those wanting to travel there.  If you go out most meals were between 10-20 euros in a pub/restaurant and if you want a coffee or hot chocolate those ranged from 3.50-6 euros!  It adds up really fast.  Plus the museums are not free, but most do offer a student discount.

I only had 8 days in Vienna, but I felt like I saw almost everything I wanted to (granted I was definitely a tourist, and if I go back I want to be a traveller next time-yes there’s a difference).  I first went to the Upper Belvedere which has been converted into an art Museum and houses the works of Klimt and many many others from different art ages.  I didn’t have time to tour the Lower Belvedere which houses their special temporary collections.

I also was able to see Sleeping Beauty Ballet and the Vienna State Opera!  The building was just beautiful, but it was hard to see the performance from my seat on the upper level because everyone was leaning forward blocking any view I would have gotten.  But I made due and enjoyed a fantastic evening.  It really is a must and a great excuse to dress up.

Then there were a couple of days spent touring the Hofburg which has numerous museums (you have to pay for each seperate one) so I picked to see the Armoury/Crown Jewels and musical instruments as well as the Sisi Museum/Imperial Apartments and Silver Collection.  There were many other’s that I wanted to see, but just did not have the time this trip.  The Hofburg was great and is in a wonderful location.  From here you are in the Museum Quarter with the Natural History Museum, Parliament, and Rathaus and here are were some of the best Christmas Markets are located (at least the largest from what I found).

The Christmas Markets were wonderful. Shops with different items such as pottery, ornaments, paintings, toys, pastries, and more.  Here I bought hot chocolate that comes in a christmas mug that you can keep if you want.  I did, but I love collecting mugs!

I also went to a mozart performance at the Mozart House.  There are several performances you can go to including one in the Hofburg, but I thought it would be neat to hear his music played right where he played it when he was alive!  It was a small intricately painted room in the Mozart House, but the acoustics were beautiful.

For Christmas Eve I attended Midnight Mass at St. Stephans Cathedral.  It was one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have been too.  The The choir singing, the organ playing it was amazing!  The service was mainly in German, but they did offer a prayer in English for visitors.  I feel so lucky to have been able to experienced the service.

On Christmas day I went to the Schonbrunn Palace which seems a popular place for families to go on Christmas since it is one of the few things that are open.  The palace was huge and the tour was quite extraordinary.  Though when I went quite a bit of the palace was being restored.

Before leaving I went to the Prater which was a small amusement park.  Here I rode the Wiener Riesenrad and the Prater Turm.  The Prater Turm was scary!  It is a swing type ride but climbs 311 feet in the air!  I’m a tad bit afraid of heights and I hate ferris wheels but I survived both rides and am so glad I sucked it up and went!

I’m sure that I am missing quite a bit of detail here, but lets just say Christmas in Vienna is worth it.  Especially if you don’t have the opportunity to spend Christmas with your family.

I still have exams coming up towards the end of January and then begin my second semester!  I better get back to studying!

Stay Safe,

Caitlin

The Belvedere!                                                     The Hofburg!

St. Stephans Cathedral!                                   Rathaus Christmas Market

Main Shopping Streets in Vienna                           Schonbrunn Palace at Christmastime

It’s hard to believe that this semester is almost over already!  Where did the time go?  I’m currently working on finishing up an essay that is due friday and  a presentation that is due on Tuesday and then after that I’m free until exams in January.  This has felt like a whirlwind the last few months and non stop.  It’s been a wonderful time.  This last week in itself was quite an experience.  My flatmate and I decided to take a trip to Glasgow on Sunday to see a concert at the SECC.  We arrived early and toured the city for a bit, stopping off at the Art Gallery and the Glasgow Cathedral.  We also went to the Christmas in Glasgow event.  I absolutely love the Christmas season here it’s beautiful!

Then on Tuesday my other flatmate and I took a little trip to Edinburgh to attend the welcome event for International Scholarship Students being held at the National Museum of Scotland.  It was amazing.  I didn’t get to see much more of Edinburgh other than the Christmas Market, but I will definently be making a trip back down in the next couple of months.  While at the event I was able to meet the Cabinet Secretary for Education Mike Russell.  It was a very welcoming event and truly made me feel that Scotland is committed to it’s international students from all over the world.

Speaking of international… my other American flatmate and I decided to celebrate Thanksgiving dorm style.  Thursday of course we actually went out to dinner and then to watch Dreamboats and Petticoats.  Friday though was the big feast day which included a delicious potato casserole, stuffing, corn, rolls, and since we didn’t have oven space to have a turkey we improvised and made breaded chicken.  It was wonderful.  While preparing dinner we played christmas music and had chocolate mousse for desert.  It could not have been better!  Even if you are away from home on Thanksgiving you can still enjoy every minute when you have good company and good food.

I suppose I ought to get back to my essay..I just wanted to send a quick update!

If I don’t write before Christmas then EVERYONE HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-Caitlin

Some photos from Glasgow and Edinburgh

Hello All,

I recieved my first graded paper back and feel so relieved.  I now have a better understanding of the grading system here and also what I need to do to recieve high marks.  The first paper is always the worst especially if you’ve been out of school for a couple of years as I have been.  My next couple of assignments involve a 4000-5000 word essay on India-Pakistan Nuclear Doctrines and a team presentation on Counterinsurgency.  Should be a busy month!

Back home my parents just got a new puppy and ended up having a litter of puppies.  Of course they wait until I’m gone to have a house full of puppies!  I recieve picture updates and those Akita puppies are just beautiful.  If there is one thing I miss about home that I don’t have here (other than a car) it’s being around dogs.  Man’s best friend for sure!

This month for me is bound to be one of the busiest.  I have a friend visiting next weekend and two weekends after that I will be heading to Glasgow for ALTERBRIDGE (just to get a little taste of home), not to mention working on the assignments due just a little bit after that.  I keep forgetting I’m not just here to have fun!  I am here to recieve a degree and learn as much as I can!

Back home my friends, VanMarter Project, released their second single, Guaranteed Tomorrow.  The video was shot on a short tour they took to Utah.  On this tour to Utah they stopped at a Junior High and helped raise money for the school’s arts/music programs.  I was so proud of them.  Here is a link to their video.  I suggest you guys check them out!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLPHMFyoC6Q

Stay Safe!

Cait

It’s been five weeks since the beginning of the semester and I just now feel like I’m getting the hang of things.  There are about 15 people in my program and for the first time about 3/4 of us went out to a pub just to get to know each other.  It was a brilliant idea and one we should have started in the second week of being here.  The night was great and I think it will help with our studies for in class discussion, because everyone will be acquainted and feel more comfortable speaking up.

I also had my first in-class essay exam.  I’m a bit nervous to find out my grade.  I’ve never had an exam like that before, even in my undergrad.  I will just be glad to see how my professor marks his papers so I will know how to improve my writing.    I now can get back to normal with studying for both classes and learning Russian.  I wish I knew a Russian speaker so I would be able to practice more often.

Last weekend my flatmate and I traveled to St. Andrews with the International Society.  St. Andrews was very pretty and had a very nice small town feel to it.  The North Sea appeared alot more calm than here at Aberdeen, but St. Andrews was very very windy!  We visited St. Andrews Cathedral and Castle and walked around the town for the day.  I can see why Prince William decided to attend University there.

Photos from St. Andrews..

and because I couldn’t load any last time… here are photos from London

Very excited for my Christmas plans as well…Here I come Vienna!!

-Caitlin

Hello Everyone!

It’s getting late here, but I thought I would share a quick update of what I have been up to.  Currently I am a quarter of the way done with my first semester here in Aberdeen.  A pretty scary thought considering I am getting closer and closer to essays and exams!  I really need to start buckling down and studying more.  There has just been so much to see and do since I arrived.

For example I spent last weekend in London visiting a friend who is attending Kings College.  This was my first trip to London and for the most part I loved it!  I really am a city girl.  Which is funny that I chose to attend a University in a city not much bigger than my hometown.  Don’t get me wrong I love Aberdeen, the coast it’s just wonderful.  But there is nothing like a big city.

London was fantastic.  The attention to detail, down to the park benches along the Thames River just adds to the overall charming character of the city.  The weather was wondeful for being the middle of October.  The underground system is great for getting around the city even if the Tube gets a bit crowded at times.

The first day of exploration started down by Parliament.  I of course had the photo ops near the Eye and Big Ben.  Next stop parliament where we just happened to wander by right when Her Royal Majesty the Queen drove in for an anniversary to a charity.  I couldn’t believe it!  My first time in London and I see the Queen!  That pretty much set the day in motion for stops at Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus and so on.

The next day I attend a Chocolate Festival near Borough Market.  I never thought I could ever have to much chocolate…but as it turns out.  I have a limit!  It was fabulous.  After that I spend several hours at the Tower of London and seeing the crown jewels before making my way to Harrods.

I unfortunately only had two full days in the city and didn’t get to see any of the museums or shows.  My ‘must do’ list for my next trip down will be the British Museum the Imperial War Museum, a show at the Globe Theater and maybe a symphony.

I have to get some rest for class tomorrow.

Stay Safe!

Caitlin

P.S I was going to upload some photos from London, but I can’t get it to upload any on here.. I hope it works by next time so I can show you!

Now that I’m going into my third week of study everything is starting to become a routine.  I still haven’t found the balance between wanting to go out and try new restaurants and shopping with studying.  The way the program is set up is alot different from what I’m used to in the US.  Alot of it is based on self-study and choosing what you want to read.  There is so much you can choose from that it all becomes a little overwhelming.  Luckily the instructors are very nice and understanding and the classes are very engaging.

I am slightly frustrated with my housing situation though.  I love my flatmates, otherwise I would move.  The place I’m staying at in itself is alright, but because it is so cheap the rest of the buildings surrounding mine are filled with Freshman.  The maturity differences because 18-20 year olds and Postgrads who are 23 and up is huge!  I am trying to have patience! Just have to be thankful my flatmates are wonderful.  I guess it’s just all part of the campus living.

The weather is starting to change here.  It started out being in the high 50′s to mid 60′s and now it is dropping.  The wind is bitingly cold now as well.  Time to start bringing out the winter jackets!

I have had a little more time to explore as well.  Today I went to breakfast at a place called Archibalds and then wandered on over to the Aberdeen Maritime Museum.  The museum was wonderful!  I was surprised how fascinating it was and how large.  From the outside you wouldn’t think it would have been that big.  Makes sense considering Aberdeen has a large oil industry from the North Sea.

Tomorrow I will be going to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle!  Very excited to see more of Scotland.

I better get back to studying.

Here are some pics from the Museum.

My first week here has been very positive!  I am really enjoying exploring the city of Aberdeen.  The people have all been very friendly and helpful.  It’s quite a different experience going to a pub/bar/club here than it is back home.  You are just one big family with everyone.  Or at least that was my experience last  night at Triple Kirks.

Today was a beautiful day, sunny and 59 degrees.  My flatmate and I decided to finally make it to the beach.  It was exactly as I knew it would be.. Perfect.  One of the reasons why I wanted to come to Aberdeen was to be near the coast.  There is nothing quite like being near the water.  The sound, the smells, everything.  I will definitely be going back as much as I can.

I start my classes on Monday.  I only have two this semester and next, but I feel that I will be plenty busy with self-study.  I met my advisor/professor the other day and am quite excited to take his classes and be apart of the program I am in.  The campus is gorgeous and you almost feel like you are in another time.

This weekend I am going to plan out what socieities I will have time to join.  There are so many such as riding, snow, tai chi, ju jitsu, sailing, diving, etc.  The list goes on and on.  There’s also traditional scottish dances and the fiddle, plus the foreign languages.  I almost wish I had more than a year that way I could try all of them.

Tomorrow I think I’ll stay in most of the day and do chores, such as laundry and getting organized for classes start. I still can’t believe I finally made it.

Caitlin

Hey everyone!

I arrived to Aberdeen on the 17th.  I have been so busy since I got here I only now realized I never updated my blog with my arrival.

After arriving at the airport I was able to shuttle to the University with other students.  I picked up my key and a student volunteer helped me with my bags to my flat.  My first impression was how small the bedroom, bed, closet, kitchen and shower was.  I knew right then it would take a slight adjustment to get used to everything.  I did see alot of charm in my flat though, with the windows.  I love how they open outwards and my view isn’t too bad either. 

So far I have four other flatmates, two from Africa, one from South Africa and the other from America.  All see nice and we are getting everything situated and figured out especially in the kitchen area. 

I’ve been able to see a little bit of campus and the city centre.  It is still confusing getting around, but I think it won’t take too long to have it all figured out.  The people here are very friendly and I have not had a bad experience yet.  Well as long as you don’t count the person I caught peeing on a doorway in an alley, but I found that pretty funny.

I completed registration today and met with my advisor.  I am very excited to start working with him and to meet other Strategic Study students.  I don’t begin classes until next week, but I have a lot of preparing to do in the mean time.  I’ll update with more detail later, but instead enjoy some photos from the city!

Here’s my little room for the year! (and yes…the curtains did come with the room)

This is King’s College part of University of aberdeen.  I have a couple of classes here   

This is the brand new Library.  I LOVE it.  So excited to study here.                  

           Small section of the City Centre

I will be taking a walking tour of Aberdeen tomorrow and will hopefully be more acquainted with the city and have more to share.

Take care,

Caitlin                               

Rise and Shine! 

I’ve currently been at the airport waiting for my flight for about an hour now.  Getting through Security was a bit interesting today because they wanted me to go through the body scanner.  Which I kindly opted out of.  So there I was waiting for my pat down while they searched through my bag because apparently a heart shaped heat pack is suspicious.   15 minutes later I was able to continue on my way with my heat pack!  Yay!  The employees at TSA were very polite and communicative with what they needed to do at least.

I’m sitting at a restaurant with my laptop plugged into the wall sipping on cranberry juice.  Apparently the credit card system is down and I don’t fee like pulling my US cash out of an ATM so the juice was all I could afford.  ( : 

I started using Skype, which I am pretty excited about.  I’ve already recieved one video chat and it worked great!  I’m so happy I’ll still be able to see my friends and family.

I spent the afternoon in Seattle with a friend of mine and my cousin.  We walked around Pike Place Market and checked out the Seattle Aquarium.  I’m a nerd about those things!  Had a blast.  It was a good last day in the States. 

I’ve got a long day of flying ahead of me until I reach Aberdeen!

Godspeed

Cait

Only a few more days until I leave for Aberdeen.  I still have all of my packing to do.  It’s pretty overwhelming trying to pack for a year, but I am trying to take it one step at a time.  Yesterday was September 11th and I spent the day remembering with my mom and grandma.  It was the last meal I was going to have with my family for a while so my mom made yummy lasagna and cookies for me as we watched the tennis US Open and updated ourselves on the Minnesota Vikings football game. 

 Afterwards I watched the history channel for a bit going over the events on September 11th.  A day I will never forget.  I was 13 when my mom came into my room to wake me up with the news that would shape a part of my life.  I remember going to school and watching the towers fall.  Wondering if the class trip to Washington D.C and New York would be cancelled or not.  I remember a week later watching a special on tv of the week during the middle of the night, crying asking why this could happen.  Realizing for the first time exactly what evil there is in the world and what people are capable of.  I think because of that day I wanted to get into law enforcement, security and defense etc., and why I love to travel.  To quench my curiosity on how the world works and other cultures, and also how to prevent another 9/11 from ever happening again. 

The class trip wasn’t cancelled and I found myself at Ground Zero just 9 months after the attacks.  It was a very emotional exerience.  I wish I had pictures to share, but they are not digital and I haven’t had them scanned into the computer.  Plus they are all boxed away with all the rest of my belongings. 

I will be in Aberdeen on the 17th!  I hope to post again before then, but if not I’ll update you all of my arrival and the events I take part in when I arrive.  I’m getting very excited and anxious!

I hope everyone is staying safe.  God Bless!

Caitlin