An English phone with an English phone number! Well, technically, I don't have it yet, but Charlie does, and he'll give it to me in September! I'm so happy that he helped me with this, because it makes things so much easier and it was one of the things I was wondering about, like what I should do about my phone once I get there.
Charlie ordered me an O2 sim card and put it in an old (but working) phone of his, so I won't need to keep switching the sims in my current phone. I'll also be on their "friends and family" list, which means all contact between me and him/his parents/his sister will be free of charge. :D YAY!
Two and a half weeks until take-off. It doesn't really feel like it's such a short time away - it's just "some time in the future". Even the fact that I started writing a what-to-pack list didn't make it more concrete.
I guess I should really start preparing my flat for the next tenant (which fortunately happens to be my brother), or making sure that he has at least one drawer in which to put his things while I'm away!
Sunday 25 August 2013
Tuesday 20 August 2013
adapters + Sheffield talk over hot chocolate!
The title is so imaginative. It's very appropriate, though, because today I
a) bought two EU --> UK adapters for all my electronic appliances
b) met a girl from Helsinki University who had spent a year in Sheffield a couple of years ago, much like I will now.
Actually, exactly like I will now, because it was an Erasmus exchange and she studies English as well.
I'm really happy with the meet-up! I had never met her before, so I was a bit nervous, but she was really sweet and nice and answered all my questions helpfully. This was also so useful, because she had lots of little experiences and information that I wouldn't be able to find out online or in a book - practical knowledge, I suppose.
She mentioned a few nice places that she thought would be worth visiting, and if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be taking a cheese slicer or a brush for washing dishes with me! I knew that cheese slicers aren't that commonplace in the UK, but I wouldn't have thought of taking one with me...
Well, at least I'll have something with me that reminds me of Finland! You know, in addition to all those photos, Skype calls, and emails from home.
Until now, I had been thinking I'd try to survive without getting a British bank account. However, she told me that I would need a lot of cash with me, and withdrawing money from a Finnish account might cost extra, so we came to the conclusion that it might be worth it to try and open a new account once I get there. I'm not looking forward to actually doing it (I dislike that sort of official things), but in the end, I'm sure it'll be worth it.
It was lovely to see how positive she was and that she had obviously enjoyed her exchange year a lot. I had a great time chatting to her, and I'm really looking forward to finding out things for myself!
a) bought two EU --> UK adapters for all my electronic appliances
b) met a girl from Helsinki University who had spent a year in Sheffield a couple of years ago, much like I will now.
Actually, exactly like I will now, because it was an Erasmus exchange and she studies English as well.
I'm really happy with the meet-up! I had never met her before, so I was a bit nervous, but she was really sweet and nice and answered all my questions helpfully. This was also so useful, because she had lots of little experiences and information that I wouldn't be able to find out online or in a book - practical knowledge, I suppose.
She mentioned a few nice places that she thought would be worth visiting, and if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be taking a cheese slicer or a brush for washing dishes with me! I knew that cheese slicers aren't that commonplace in the UK, but I wouldn't have thought of taking one with me...
Well, at least I'll have something with me that reminds me of Finland! You know, in addition to all those photos, Skype calls, and emails from home.
Until now, I had been thinking I'd try to survive without getting a British bank account. However, she told me that I would need a lot of cash with me, and withdrawing money from a Finnish account might cost extra, so we came to the conclusion that it might be worth it to try and open a new account once I get there. I'm not looking forward to actually doing it (I dislike that sort of official things), but in the end, I'm sure it'll be worth it.
It was lovely to see how positive she was and that she had obviously enjoyed her exchange year a lot. I had a great time chatting to her, and I'm really looking forward to finding out things for myself!
Monday 19 August 2013
I can't wait for...
I keep having mixed feelings for this exchange - I'm really looking forward to it, but I'm also a bit scared of leaving home. Of course, I already live alone, so it won't be as difficult to leave than if I still lived with my parents. However, I want to stay positive, so here's a few things that I'm especially looking forward to (in no particular order):
1. Speaking and getting by in English. I want to be able to feel like a local, although I imagine my accent will always give me away!
2. Having easy access to KitKats. It's unfortunately difficult to get them in Finland, so every time I go to England, I bring back a hearty amount.
3. Buying bedding for my room and making it look like mine. They don't provide pillows, duvets, or sheets, so once I get there, I'll have some shopping to do! This is seriously one of the things I'm most excited about...
4. Being close(r) to my boyfriend. Being in the same country will make things much easier. :)
5. One of the first things I'll do when I leave is attend a wedding in the Lake District! I'm really excited about this, especially since it's only the second wedding in my life that I will have been to.
6. Going somewhere no one knows me and therefore has no expectations about what I'm like.
7. Checking out what the student union has to offer. I'd love to join a club or two!
8. (Hopefully) making new friends, of course!
1. Speaking and getting by in English. I want to be able to feel like a local, although I imagine my accent will always give me away!
2. Having easy access to KitKats. It's unfortunately difficult to get them in Finland, so every time I go to England, I bring back a hearty amount.
3. Buying bedding for my room and making it look like mine. They don't provide pillows, duvets, or sheets, so once I get there, I'll have some shopping to do! This is seriously one of the things I'm most excited about...
4. Being close(r) to my boyfriend. Being in the same country will make things much easier. :)
5. One of the first things I'll do when I leave is attend a wedding in the Lake District! I'm really excited about this, especially since it's only the second wedding in my life that I will have been to.
6. Going somewhere no one knows me and therefore has no expectations about what I'm like.
7. Checking out what the student union has to offer. I'd love to join a club or two!
8. (Hopefully) making new friends, of course!
Thursday 15 August 2013
the road so far
Some time in 2011/2012: I thought about it and decided to apply for an Erasmus exchange for the year 2013/2014. When I started uni, we were told that going on an exchange in an English-speaking country (or any country, really) would be really good for a translator student. Somehow it got stuck in my mind that the third year of studying would be a good time to go. This upcoming year is indeed my third year of uni, and even though it means that I'll write my Bachelor's thesis a year later than most of my friends, this is really the only chance for me to do this exchange thing. Well, not only, maybe, but this is the ideal time. I've always been interested in living abroad for a while - somehow it feels like it was meant for me to do. It's terrifying at times, but my heart has always leapt at the word "international", so I think it's only fair that I try this.
This stage included a lot of panicky emails from me to the poor amanuensis of English Philology at Helsinki. When I look back at my Sent folder, 2/3 of my emails started with "Help!" and ended with "Sorry". I'm still a bit amazed he was patient enough to reply to them all without excessive exclamation marks. I just wanted to make sure everything was absolutely right, because I wasn't going to mess this one up!
March 7th 2013: Find out that I was nominated to apply for Sheffield! I was at work when I got the email, and I remember being both excited and sort of shocked. Not shocked that I was chosen (sometimes I'm too confident and just coolly expect to get everything I go for - not so good) but shocked that I would actually do this. Me.
March 8th 2013: Get an email from the exchange coordinator of the University of Sheffield with the instructions on how to apply there.
June 2nd 2013: Submit my application and cross my fingers!
June 19th 2013: My name day and the day I got my confirmation of acceptance! Immediate Facebook status update time! Receive my Sheffield student number with which to apply for uni accommodation. Apply for accommodation right away.
Between these dates, complete certain required pre-registration tasks online.
July 19th: Receive an accommodation acceptance email!
July 23th: Accept all the conditions and terms of the accommodation contract and pay a £150 deposit on the room. It's now officially mine! I'm able to move in on September 21st. However, I'm going to need to arrive earlier than that for Charlie's aunt's wedding, so I book myself a slot on the Orientation Week, which includes accommodation and meals from September 12th onwards. Perfect!
August 14th: Book flights to Manchester and a bus from the airport to Sheffield. It was a nightmarish process and a stressful day, but it's all done and Sheffield should be ready for me!
Tuesday 13 August 2013
too smug?
Today we had this orientation/information session for all outgoing Erasmus students at the Helsinki University. First, there was an hour-long presentation by a lady who coordinates the international studies at the uni, then we were divided into groups by whichever country we were going to. Each group had their own "mentor", a Helsinki student who had spent last year in that country, who would then give their group additional information regarding the country and studying there.
Anyway. I have to say, I was actually a bit bored some of the time. It felt like the presentation was mainly helping students not leaving until spring, because there was a lot of information on applying to the foreign university and finding accommodation.
It was cool to meet other people coming to England, and especially Sheffield - it's actually quite strange thinking that you're not the only one doing this life-changing thing. The other two people coming to Sheffield in my little group apparently study law, so it's unlikely I'll run into them much when we're actually there, but it was still nice to exchange (yeaaaah!!!) some thoughts about the preparations and stuff.
The mentor had prepared a little leaflet for us, and she went through it and let us ask questions along the way. It turned out that none of the eight people there had accommodation yet - except me! All in all, I felt really good about myself during this meeting, because it seemed like I had most of the required things in order and the others did not. That sounds quite awful, but it was reassuring to know that I was actually in a very good situation, never mind how nervous or anxious I sometimes get.
People not coming to Sheffield were saying that they had had trouble finding information on their universities' websites and that their enquiry emails hadn't been responded well or at all - of course, this was the case for only some people, but it still made me feel like it was a blessing in disguise not to be chosen for my first option and going to Sheffield instead. I've had nothing but good experiences with my detective work on the website and my correspondence with the Sheffield people so far.
I don't want to seem too smug and like I think I'm better than the others because I've had good luck. It's true that things have gone generally pretty well for me, but I've also been active, applied for the accommodation the first day it was possible, and asked help whenever I wasn't sure about something. Of course, it helps a lot if the university websites are clear and easy to navigate (like Sheffield's), but I believe that anyone can feel as relaxed as I feel now if they're willing to go slightly out of their way to find all the information the need. There are no such things as stupid questions.
So, even though this meeting today didn't provide me with any information that I didn't already possess or wouldn't be able to find out myself, it gave me reassurance and the feeling that I can do this. I'll be fine. I'll weather the weather whatever the weather! And I'm looking forward to weathering it.
Anyway. I have to say, I was actually a bit bored some of the time. It felt like the presentation was mainly helping students not leaving until spring, because there was a lot of information on applying to the foreign university and finding accommodation.
It was cool to meet other people coming to England, and especially Sheffield - it's actually quite strange thinking that you're not the only one doing this life-changing thing. The other two people coming to Sheffield in my little group apparently study law, so it's unlikely I'll run into them much when we're actually there, but it was still nice to exchange (yeaaaah!!!) some thoughts about the preparations and stuff.
The mentor had prepared a little leaflet for us, and she went through it and let us ask questions along the way. It turned out that none of the eight people there had accommodation yet - except me! All in all, I felt really good about myself during this meeting, because it seemed like I had most of the required things in order and the others did not. That sounds quite awful, but it was reassuring to know that I was actually in a very good situation, never mind how nervous or anxious I sometimes get.
People not coming to Sheffield were saying that they had had trouble finding information on their universities' websites and that their enquiry emails hadn't been responded well or at all - of course, this was the case for only some people, but it still made me feel like it was a blessing in disguise not to be chosen for my first option and going to Sheffield instead. I've had nothing but good experiences with my detective work on the website and my correspondence with the Sheffield people so far.
I don't want to seem too smug and like I think I'm better than the others because I've had good luck. It's true that things have gone generally pretty well for me, but I've also been active, applied for the accommodation the first day it was possible, and asked help whenever I wasn't sure about something. Of course, it helps a lot if the university websites are clear and easy to navigate (like Sheffield's), but I believe that anyone can feel as relaxed as I feel now if they're willing to go slightly out of their way to find all the information the need. There are no such things as stupid questions.
So, even though this meeting today didn't provide me with any information that I didn't already possess or wouldn't be able to find out myself, it gave me reassurance and the feeling that I can do this. I'll be fine. I'll weather the weather whatever the weather! And I'm looking forward to weathering it.
Monday 12 August 2013
a month to go
I don't really know how to start. I had all these great plans about how I'll make a blog about my exchange and how it'll be so cool and yay. I have spent the last two hours fiddling with the designs, colours, and fonts, and now I don't know how to start.
Often, I think it's a bit pretentious when Finns write in English, but I know that there will be non-Finnish-speaking people reading this - and I trust my Finns to be able to understand me. Besides, I'm afraid I'm just too lazy to a) make two blogs b) translate everything I say into one language or another.
Which is a bit embarrassing, since translation is my major.
But really, what I'll probably end up doing is write a post in one language and maybe write a small summary in the other. Depending on the mood I happen to be in.
Anyway, I finally got round to creating this blog that was prying on my mind for months, and what a better day to start it - today it will be exactly one month until I'm set to leave my homeland for GreatUnknown Britain. I'm going to be studying English for two semesters at the University of Sheffield.
Not sure why the map wants to show these places exactly, but hey! We like clarity, don't we?
I'm under the impression that Sheffield is around the same size as Helsinki population-wise and (according to some statistics) the fifth largest UK city by population. Also, it has more trees per person than any other city in Europe (says Wikipedia)!
I'm looking forward to my exchange year and all the experience it will give me. It's a bit scary leaving home, and I think I will be homesick at first, but I hope I will get used to and enjoy it soon.
Let the countdown begin!
Often, I think it's a bit pretentious when Finns write in English, but I know that there will be non-Finnish-speaking people reading this - and I trust my Finns to be able to understand me. Besides, I'm afraid I'm just too lazy to a) make two blogs b) translate everything I say into one language or another.
Which is a bit embarrassing, since translation is my major.
But really, what I'll probably end up doing is write a post in one language and maybe write a small summary in the other. Depending on the mood I happen to be in.
Anyway, I finally got round to creating this blog that was prying on my mind for months, and what a better day to start it - today it will be exactly one month until I'm set to leave my homeland for Great
Not sure why the map wants to show these places exactly, but hey! We like clarity, don't we?
I'm under the impression that Sheffield is around the same size as Helsinki population-wise and (according to some statistics) the fifth largest UK city by population. Also, it has more trees per person than any other city in Europe (says Wikipedia)!
I'm looking forward to my exchange year and all the experience it will give me. It's a bit scary leaving home, and I think I will be homesick at first, but I hope I will get used to and enjoy it soon.
Let the countdown begin!
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