A Blog about Education Abroad

Tag: Summer School

  • Kabelo in Berlin

    Pre-departure: 

    When I decided that I was going to apply to attend a winter school in Berlin I made the decision that I was going to give it my all, starting with the application process. I made a tremendous effort to compile a DVD interview that came with as much effort as it did with my own utmost desire to acquire it. On hearing that I had obtained the opportunity to go on my first trip abroad I was completely overwhelmed and extremely excited. After the pleasure settled in and it became more of a reality, I realized that it would entail much planning. True to my nature I compiled a brief list of all the relevant aspects that needed to be taken care off for this amazing trip. After booking my flight ticket, the second most important aspect was to apply for a visa. The process itself is relatively easy, as once you have complied with all the relevant requirements such as health insurance and presenting an official letter, you should get the green light. It is extremely important that you familiarize yourself with these requirements which are all available from the embassy’s website.

    Kabelo in Berlin
    Kabelo in Berlin

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  • Lionie at the Helsinki Summer School

    During August 2012 Lionie attended the Helsinki Summer School, here is her story.

    Pre-departure:

    I was extremely excited to have been accepted for a summer school course at the University of Helsinki.  To apply I had to hand in my CV, a motivational letter, a permission letter from my supervisor and a 5 minute video clip.  I will advise students to start with this as soon as possible to ensure that it is completed before the closing date of the application.

     

                                       Class of August 2012

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  • Esmarie at the Helsinki Summer School

    During August 2012 Esmarie attended the Helsinki Summer School, here is her story.

    Pre-departure:

    You are an Industrial Engineering student. You just got accepted for a summer school on the Finnish education system – a system rumoured to be the best in the world. Having spent the best part of the first semester on “the other side” of University education – drawing up assignments, marking projects and handling students’ queries – you are convinced that the system can be improved. Somehow. You have some ideas and they’re not half bad, but you just have this feeling that the Finns might have a few amazing things up their sleeves.

    I have raised two important issues already:

    • I am an engineer by training. Most of my friends are engineers. A lot of what we talk about would not interest most other people I know… You catch my drift. A month or so before leaving, it hit me – I would be spending three weeks with people who, instead of agreeing to his good sense, would probably laugh at the engineer who, given the choice between a woman, the clothes she had just been wearing and her bicycle, chose the bicycle reasoning that “the clothes obviously wouldn’t fit”.  Nerves started kicking in right about then.
    • On top of my fear that my classmates and I would have incompatible senses of humour, the pre-course assignment (and the many terms I had never come across before) was another reminder that I might be in over my head.  The assignment was not very difficult, but the terminology and structure of the articles differed significantly from the articles I had gotten used to on this side of Merriman. When people asked if I was excited, my eyes got really big, my voice really small, I did one of those “smiling would make this less awkward”-grimaces and said “I’m a bit nervous.”
    Me, Standing with a pop-up design
                  Me, Standing with a pop-up design

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