Go Global!

As previously mentioned, I had the great honour of participating in Go Global, a student exchange program with the university last July where I visited Beijing, China for two weeks. Definitely one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life, with some wonderful friends made because of it. So go! I say go! Yes you may find it a weird and out of your comfort zone, definitely a world away from our western European culture here in Bedfordshire, but you will learn so much seeing things from the other side of the world, and definitely have a story or two to tell the grand children - for example the time you tripped and fell while strolling along the Great Wall of China! Now that's got a punch to it!

A lot of our days were taken up in the classroom, so prepare yourself for that, learning about Chinese literature, history and language, and then out and about to practice that Mandarin! We visited the great Wall of China, the forbidden City, Summer Palace and more beautiful places with the individual flavour of China's rich historical culture. Alongside this we dined every day in a Chinese university and met with the students, thus getting the tourist as well as the real world of Beijing.

The application is straightforward until you come to the personal statement, and once again you must sell yourself! Think of every deep, intelligent reason why going abroad would be a great experience for your personally and career-wise, how you appreciate and want to learn about other cultures, and can apply this stepping out, exclusive experience to your psyche. And…here's a suggestion, even if you don't get on the trip, keep applying, or perhaps push yourself into taking your own trip abroad, doing some volunteering or staying in a hostel with some friends; university is unlike any other time of your life so I recommend making the most of it.

As my shot above represents, this year they are having two trips, one to China and the other to Vietnam, as well as the opportunity to report on your trip and achieve a Global Leadership Award, a fabulous plus.

Pictures speak louder than words so here are a few shots I took during our fantastic trip - thanks UoB!

Happy New Year!

In tradition of a New Year countdown, in order of awesomeness are 13 firsts from 2013. You’ll probably have a few questions that I will expand on these in the coming year.

Number 13: Finished academic year of university, something I doubted I could ever do – many thanks to my lecturers and partner for believing in me.

12: Wrote my first essay plan that I then wrote from in class.

11. Wrote my first 2,000-word report.

10: And my first 2,500 word essay.

9: Took part in my first mock case conference in the human services – terrifying but liberating.

8: Attended my first Portfolio Executive Committee (PEC) Meeting as Course Representative for my year group (more on this coming soon).

7: My first research project from secondary research - the research was already done and I applied my own research questions and reported on the findings. Lots of fun!

6: Took part in my first charity event with my society, such a good feeling of spending my time well and for others.

5: Learnt some of my first Mandarin words and phrases – “chigga chigga!”

4: Graduated from the University’s B-Innovate 12 week Business Course.

3: Organised my first social event, thanks to the inspiration of my course society.

2: Although not university orientated, my partner and I founded our own business in July and it has been growing since. This learning curve has boosted my confidence and flexibility in so many ways.

1: Visited Beijing, China, on the Student Exchange Summer Program. Definitely a coolio!

Happy New Year! – Here is to you following your dreams wherever they lead and living and learning to the full in the 365 days to come! x