University of Aberdeen Blog

As mentioned in my last blog post I only came back to Aberdeen about five weeks ago after an extended stay back home in Luxembourg. And yet, it feels like I never left in the first place. My work as a student ambassador has kept me fairly busy as we had a number of Applicant Days in February and March. I always like helping out at the Applicant Days or the Open Days (the next one is on the 1^st September 2009) as it gives me a chance to meet more of my fellow student ambassadors and as it, more importantly, allows me to meet a lot of prospective students from all over the UK (and some from further afield). I really enjoy meeting new people and showing them around campus while trying my best to answer any questions about student life that they might have.

I’ve also been very busy with my PhD. I had a few meetings with my supervisor and the “dreaded” PhD Progress Committee and I now have a clear timeline of what has to happen when in order to finish my thesis in a timely fashion. I won’t bore you with all the details, but all in all it means that I will be a student in Aberdeen until June 2010. It’s a bit longer than I originally expected, but I much prefer this to having to rush things and hand in subpar work. So far things are going well and I should be able to stick to the new timeline. My first chapter is due next week and the way things are going right now it will be done on time. Of course, there is no rest for the wicked so after that it’s straight on to chapters two and three, which are due at the end of June.

All of this means that I while most of my friends are currently looking forward to the Easter break which starts next week, I am busy considering the implications that state-building has on the notion of sovereignty and other such things. Like every year the campus (as well as my social life) will quieten down greatly during the Easter break. But I don’t mind as it reduces the number of distractions and thus allows me to focus on getting some much needed PhD work done. And the gym will be less busy again, which is good as I’ve recently gone back for the first time in three months and I couldn’t help but realise that I’ve lost some of my fitness, which I hope to recover during the Easter break.

Of course, I won’t spend all of the Easter break at work, with my PhD, or at the gym. I think I’ll get tickets for Blood Brothers, which is coming to Aberdeen in early April and I am in the process of arranging a raclette for some of my fellow PhD friends that are staying in Aberdeen, too. Whatever you get up to during the next three weeks, I hope you’re having fun doing it.

Until the next time, be well in all things.

David

I’ve realised that last time I completely forgot to properly introduce myself- was so carried away with the happiness of my dissertation being over! But here is a proper introduction- I’m Amye and I’m a fourth year student of Economics and French. I’m actually from Aberdeen too and many think I’m sad for having stayed here for University too, but I don’t think I would have been any happier if I had moved away or not. Plus, getting to go and live, work and travel in France for a year makes-up for it too J

Well, since last time I wrote so much has happened! I think there’s also been too much play going on, rather than work so this weekend I’m knuckling down with the books. Though this morning I quickly went into town to get an 80s outfit for my sister’s hen night so if you see a group of crazily-clad ladies in April in Aberdeen that would be us! I’m really excited about my sister’s wedding which was 5 weeks yesterday. Her and her fiancé decided to get married in Elphinstone Hall which is part of Aberdeen Uni campus and is stunning both outside and inside. It’s a humanist wedding which I’ve never been to before so it should be interesting. At the moment she’s trying to decide songs for the ceremony so it could be The Beatles, or perhaps the Lion King. I’m trying to convince her to make the crowd sing the Star Wars theme as she walks down the aisle, but for some reason she doesn’t like that idea LOL.

Aberdeen had it’s MA Applicant day last Tuesday night/Wednesday and I was asked to give a Student Presentation. To say I was scared about talking in front of so many people is putting it mildly! However I am told by many that it builds good skills for the future. Luckily it went quite well and I successfully managed not to shame myself in any way and who knows I may even volunteer to do another?????

One of the things I like best about the February and March transition in the change in weather (don’t worry, not going to be one of those old people who talk about weather!) But seriously, you can smell the change in seasons and you get to bring out the sandals and skirts again. Ok, so maybe that is a bit premature at the moment, but I love hot weather and am easily excited about such things like summer. It also means that campus tours are altogether a nicer walk for both me and the guests.

With that I’m going to go enjoy the rest of the sunshine and maybe attempt some more work.

Till next time

Amye xx J

Hello everyone and apologies for my long silence. I have finally gotten back to Aberdeen after spending almost three months in Luxembourg. This was the longest I have been away from Aberdeen for a few years now. As always it was good to catch up with my family and friends. I am especially glad that I managed to meet up with one of my cousins I had not seen in a few years, as she is studying in Germany and I am studying here in Aberdeen. It can be tricky to synchronise our schedules, but this time around it finally happened. On top of some great social events I also took part in my theatre group’s annual production again. This time around I played the CEO of a very successful American company visiting one of his local managers. It was great fun and I got to put my English to good use during the play.

My stay back home was not all pleasure as due to some personal issues I had to stay away longer from Aberdeen than I normally would have. My PhD has unfortunately suffered a bit due to my prolonged absence and I will have to put extra effort into it in order to get it done on time. Thankfully, with all my business back in Luxembourg sorted out I am now able to make it my top priority and to focus all my energy into it. As such I am rather confident that I will manage to finish my PhD within the deadlines.

Being away from Aberdeen for so long has also made me realise that I consider it more of a home than Luxembourg now. Do not get my wrong, I still love Luxembourg and still have many good friends there, but Aberdeen is where my heart is right now. I have an awesome circle of friends up here and I really like the city and its atmosphere. On top of that one of my sisters and one of my cousins are studying here in Aberdeen with me and my other two sisters are studying in Dundee and Edinburgh. As such I can even meet up with (part of) my family when I feel like it. I will definitely be with a heavy heart when I finally leave Aberdeen. But I have about another year left, so no reason to think about that at all right now. Instead I am going to focus on my PhD and make sure to do a good job. Until the next time.