Week 8 ¦ A month gone... ¦ Personal and Professional Development

How I have been here a month already is completely beyond me, it has flown by so quickly! I’m surprised at how well I have adapted to this new found environment and culture. I’ve already established treasured friendships with my classmates and even though my mum and dad wouldn’t be so happy to hear it, I haven’t felt homesick once. Aarhus feels a lot more homely than it did this time last month!

On Monday we had class with our tutor Dorte on the Nature aspect of our course. We talked about how each of us would interpret our ideal natural environment. It was interesting to hear how different individuals from different countries had a wide range of ‘perfect’ nature surroundings. Mine for example would have a scenic view of the mountains, not too warm but also not too cold and it would have to be sunny, whereas my classmates from sunnier countries said the beach would be the number one aspect of a perfect landscape, with very warm weather. I guess it’s just what your used to as an individual and what you were brought up to know as typical natural surroundings. We discussed how it is important to talk to children about their views on nature and how exposing them to different people’s views on nature can develop their understanding and interests in nature and the natural environment.

After our classes were finished we were informed that we were off on Tuesday and so decided to host a surprise birthday party for Lara, whose birthday was on the Tuesday.  We all decided to meet at Álvaro’s dorm and tell Lara we were having a movie night. Lea made a yummy Swiss Pancake cake, made up of many stacks of pancakes, fruit and cream. Of course Lara was over an hour late ;), unaware that we were all waiting on her but when she arrived she was so shocked and delighted.

On Thursday, Ian informed the class that there was a handball match playing at the local arena, the Ceres Arena. As Ian is big into his handball, we thought we would all come along and see what the fuss was all about. I did not expect such an overwhelming atmosphere, there was music blaring, drums and roars from the crowd, it was amazing to see all these people come together to support a sport I didn’t previously acknowledge as very popular. Throughout the game Ian explained to us what was going on, as we were novices when it came to handball and as the game progressed I could feel myself becoming more and more involved and by the time it was over I was ready to watch another! Even though according to Ian it wasn’t a very professional match and quite predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed it and being part of the exhilarating atmosphere was enough to make me want to go back.

'A mind that is stretched by new experiences can never go back to it's old dimensions' - Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr

On Friday we went to Skjoldhøj bar, where we hung out with some of my flatmates and played some beer pong and foosball. The bar is no longer new to us as we were becoming some of the regulars and it’s a great place to go after a long week and better still it’s right around the corner from my dorm!

On Saturday, we went to my new favourite place that is Tir Na Nóg to watch the Ireland v England six nations match. Even though we watched Ireland get royally stuffed in the second half, we still left the pub with our heads held high in true Irish spirit

On Sunday Ana from our class decided to host an Oscar’s Party, at 1am! We all agreed we would sleep until that time then get up and head over to hers where we would stay up and watch the Oscars all night. It may not have been the most sensible idea but it was a great night and come morning time we all made breakfast together before heading off to class. It was interesting to see what different breakfast items everyone brought as previously us Irish had been shamed for having such a breakfast as an Ulster Fry. This breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, breads, jams, cheese and cold meats and also cookies!, which in my eyes is much weirder for breakfast than a good sausage! After breakfast we quickly raced for the bus, ready for a new week at university.

References:

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr - http://quotesgram.com/quotes-about-new-experiences/