I am sad to say that this is my final post from
Coleraine. Before moving here for my
semester of University, I had so many unanswered questions. I can honestly say
that any doubt I had about my time up here was removed within weeks, the months
after only proved that you don’t have to go half way across the world to find
new experiences and cultures. I moved a couple of hours up the country and
across a “border” to find these experiences. I can honestly say that it’s been
one of the best experiences of my life, I’ve made memories that I’ll hold
dearly for life.
Going home for Christmas this year is a bit different,
I have more time beforehand to get things in order, all of my assignments have
been handed up and signed off but, I haven’t gotten my exams out of the way
yet. The exam period in UU Coleraine doesn’t begin until January 7th
meaning I’ll be busy studying over the Christmas period. This is a thought that
I find very strange. Normally I leave semester behind and don’t think about
college work until I start back in January, this year exams will always be in
the back of my mind. I am eager to complete my exams and move on to the next
part of my placement year, working.
Making friends up here was something I found a lot
easier than I thought it would be. I met a great group of people who I will
truly miss as we all move on. We spent out last weekend together watching
movies and playing games. Organising a time to get the whole group together was
tough but we wanted to spend time together before we all left. On Sunday we shared
Christmas gifts by playing a game called White Elephant, it involves exchanging
mysterious gifts within a group.
Being home for Christmas and spending time with my
family and friends is something I’m really looking forward to. It will be a
great chance to catch up with everyone and tell them all I’ve been up to. I am
however looking forward to meeting my international friends when we all go back
for exams in January. After spending a couple of months’ surrounded by them, it’s
been strange being away. I suppose we’ve become one big family, we spent our
time helping each other settle in and we were always there for each other when someone
needed a listening ear, after all we were all in a similar situation.
One of my worries prior to leaving home was how much
would change, and more importantly how I’d change! Well I did change and I can honestly
say it’s been a good change. The first half of my third year placement has
helped me to mature as a young adult through the situations and experiences I’ve
encountered. I always thought I was an independent person but the past few months’
have made me become even more independent. I’ve really had to stand on my own two
feet as I didn’t have family or friends to fall back on like at home. My time
in Coleraine has really opened up a window of future opportunities for me, its
allowed me to make worldwide connections.
See you all in the new year!
Áine. B
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