So I've been here for just over a week, and in that time I've managed to settle myself into Lugo fairly well. I've found a nice flat in a great location just over the road from campus (and practically next door to several lovely bars), and am living with two other guys: one from the Dominican Republic and one from Poland.
I managed to register for all my classes, then had to change most of them due to clashes. I'm now doing some kind of hybrid Economics/Translation/History course which is apparently OK. Most of my classes are with humanities, which is a bit like going back to school as the biggest module has 8 other students in it. Translation theory is me, some Polish girls, and the teacher, who informed us that because we're all Erasmus we can study whatever we want. My history teacher is slightly scary though.
One hurdle stands before me though, which is the mandatory police registration. It took me several hours of form filling and preparation before I was ready for this, when I duly hauled my paperwork to the Policia Nacional this afternoon. However, it was not to be, as they apparently only do registrations before lunch.
Oh, and Lugo is nice.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Saturday, 26 January 2013
Benvido á Lugo
So, less than a month after leaving Chile I'm sat in another foreign country: Spain. I'm going to start studying at the University of Santiago de Compostela, in the Lugo Campus. Lugo is a city of nearly 100,000 people in the north-west of Spain, in the autonomous community of Galicia.
I would say more, but I don't actually have anywhere to live yet. So, instead of writing this, I think I should find somewhere.
I would say more, but I don't actually have anywhere to live yet. So, instead of writing this, I think I should find somewhere.
Friday, 21 December 2012
Adios, y Gracias a Chile
Despite it seeming like I only arrived a short time ago, I've actually been here just over 5 months. In those months I've moved to the other side of the world, become "Mr Gabriel", met some incredible people, explored South America, and found out a huge amount about Chile and this incredible continent.
So here's a few conclusions before I board my flight.
1. Learn to peel and stone avocado. At some point, you will be required to do it.
Chileans adore avocado and eat it in large quantities. It's cheaper and tastier than in the UK, so I made the the most of it. However, people will judge you on your palta preparation skills. Learn.
2. Working with kids can be both maddening and insanely cool.
When they want to do what they're meant to be doing, the job is great. However, I absolutely hate dealing with kids who are misbehaving or are being difficult, and uncooperative classes can be more than a little stressful. Teaching can often be more crowd control than actual teaching.
3. Being old has it's advantages, but can be really boring.
My life over here is a bit as I imagined being 30. Working 9-5 (or 8-4 in my case) is a drain, and the weekends are amazing. I never before appreciated the true joy of a Friday night. However, old(er) people are actually quite a lot of fun, and it's nice having more money than a student. (Edit: I just realised I now have no money.)
4. South America is incredible.
What a continent. I only managed to see bits of three countries: Argentina, Chile and Perú. All three are so different, and have a huge amount to offer. Even in the developed Southern Cone, things are done very differently to the UK, and as you head North things get a lot more exciting. There's no way I'm not coming back.
5. Being British is good.
Whereas the general perception of Americans around here is of culturally insensitive idiots, the British have managed to keep up a sterling reputation. We're stereotyped by the Queen, being polite, gentlemanly, on-time, and drinking lots of tea. Aside from a few issues with Argentina, it's all good.
6. I love Chile(ans).
Whilst I've been here, the people I have had the pleasure and privilege to meet have been amazing, and the places I have had the chance to go to have been truly incredible. The hospitality and kindness that everyone has shown me was more than I could ever expect. As well as being filled with wonderful people, this country also has some of the most incredible cities, towns and landscapes I've seen.
Thank you Chile, thank you Redland, and thank you to the Prado family. It's been awesome.
So here's a few conclusions before I board my flight.
1. Learn to peel and stone avocado. At some point, you will be required to do it.
Chileans adore avocado and eat it in large quantities. It's cheaper and tastier than in the UK, so I made the the most of it. However, people will judge you on your palta preparation skills. Learn.
2. Working with kids can be both maddening and insanely cool.
When they want to do what they're meant to be doing, the job is great. However, I absolutely hate dealing with kids who are misbehaving or are being difficult, and uncooperative classes can be more than a little stressful. Teaching can often be more crowd control than actual teaching.
My life over here is a bit as I imagined being 30. Working 9-5 (or 8-4 in my case) is a drain, and the weekends are amazing. I never before appreciated the true joy of a Friday night. However, old(er) people are actually quite a lot of fun, and it's nice having more money than a student. (Edit: I just realised I now have no money.)
4. South America is incredible.
What a continent. I only managed to see bits of three countries: Argentina, Chile and Perú. All three are so different, and have a huge amount to offer. Even in the developed Southern Cone, things are done very differently to the UK, and as you head North things get a lot more exciting. There's no way I'm not coming back.
5. Being British is good.
Whereas the general perception of Americans around here is of culturally insensitive idiots, the British have managed to keep up a sterling reputation. We're stereotyped by the Queen, being polite, gentlemanly, on-time, and drinking lots of tea. Aside from a few issues with Argentina, it's all good.
6. I love Chile(ans).
Whilst I've been here, the people I have had the pleasure and privilege to meet have been amazing, and the places I have had the chance to go to have been truly incredible. The hospitality and kindness that everyone has shown me was more than I could ever expect. As well as being filled with wonderful people, this country also has some of the most incredible cities, towns and landscapes I've seen.
Thank you Chile, thank you Redland, and thank you to the Prado family. It's been awesome.
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