lundi 24 janvier 2011

Accounts from International students (1)

Here starts the serie of accounts from several international students I've met at the UWS. I hope you'll learn more about the campuses, courses, environment...


Andrzej, Bachelor of honours, Business School; 
Event management, 4th year


I'm a Polish student graduated with management (BA) and economics (MA). 24 years old. I’ve spent three months on Crete, Greece, where I worked in a hotel as a cook assistant.    I have never studied abroad before. 

·         Why the UWS?

Honestly saying, it was only one possibility for me to study abroad. My Polish university has an agreement with UWS so it was very easy to get here. Moreover UWS offers 1,000 accommodation discount for polish students (who come from partner universities) so it plays a crucial role in my case.

·         Which Bachelor? 

Bachelor of honours, Business School;
Course: Event management, 4th year;
I like the subject of my course – it’s quite interesting and this topic is much more developed in the UK than in Poland. However, my classes are not led in an interesting way. During the first semester I haven’t learnt anything new to be honest. The lecturers try to be more focused on practical aspects than it is in Poland.

·        Where do you live in Scotland?

I live at the university’s accommodation – Thornly Park Camps. In my double floor villa there are 3 people (including me). We have three rooms upstairs and a kitchen, a living room and a bathroom at the ground floor. My room has approximately 13 meters square. I would assess dwelling conditions as: satisfactory. The main minus of them are thin walls and you can hear every single noise from your flatmate’s rooms (e.g. when he’s brushing his teeth ect.). You might get used to that. The problem appears when your flatmate is listening to the music loudly in the middle of the night.
A kitchen in our villa is very well equipped, but we are an exception here. Normally the university’s accommodation kitchens is lack of basic cutlery.
In the Thornly Park there are a lot of parties. You can have a party almost every day if you want to. The problem is when you want to sleep at night rather than drinking and dancing…
Scotland is not bad place for the studies: they are free, because fees are covered by SAAS, people are nice and optimistic. However, please be aware that Scottish language (especially in Glasgow agglomeration, where Paisley is) is slightly different than English which you met at school. I bet you will have problems with understanding Scottish people at the beginning. The language of classes at UWS depends on particular tutors.   

·         Can we really progress in English?

Actually, everything is up to you in this case. If you like to chat with other people, to attend to the parties, if you are outgoing person you will have many occasions to upgrade your language. If you are not, that will be more problematic. Of course, you can try to improve it on your own (by reading newspapers ect.) but it is a hard task.
It is really hard to communicate with native Scottish because sometimes they seem to speak completely odd language.
Personally, I am disappointed with progress of my English. Of course I can feel a difference after four months, but I expected that my enhancement will be much faster. 

lundi 17 janvier 2011

Last year in Canada

The IUT of le Havre offers you the opportunity to follow a bilingual semester in Marketing at the Cégep André Laurendeau and the Vanier College in Montréal (during your second year in DUT TC). From mid-August to mid-December you've the opportunity to discover the North American "spirit" (however the semester takes place in Québec with another state of mind).
That's one added-value proposed by the IUT of le Havre (you're also able to join the bilingual class in 2nd year, do your second year work placement abroad...).

Have a look on the blog I've created regarding my last year experience in Montréal

However, I find that the IUT's website,  do not provide enough details. So i you want to learn more please ask the person in charge of the International Relations. I'm also here for specific info: scott.glasgow.1011@gmail.com

Work in progress...

I'm currently working with foreign students/friends to provide you different point of view and experiences from their studies at the UWS. Some are preparing a Bachelor in International Marketing, Business Studies or else. It'll be also related to their life in the campus.
Should be soon available.   

Available on Skype

I'm receiving several emails from current students of the IUT of Le Havre regarding specific questions: the campus, accommodation, courses, money.
For an efficient answer I'll be pleased to have a Skype conversation with you.
For those who haven't skype you can download it on : http://www.skype.com/intl/fr/get-skype/ (it's free and very useful when you study abroad).
Send me a message on scott.glasgow.1011@gmail.com so we can arrange a "virtual meeting".

samedi 15 janvier 2011

Glasgow city

Happy New Year ! 
I'm back in Glasgow for the "exam diet". The semester 2 will start on the 31th January 2011. New courses, new students, new schedule... I can't wait ! 

Here is a brief overview of Glasgow. Enjoy.
Buchanan Street

George Square
City center

West end

The GoMA, Gallery of Modern Art

Central Station

Over the Clyde

City center

Poppy's day