After exams

At Exeter University, there is a one-month spring break, during which I enjoyed several events, including the competition of gliders in Zbraslavice or party for Czech students at British Universities at the British Embassy in Prague. I was glad to meet some Open Gate School alumni who also made it to this gathering.  

Once I almost got to the summer holiday mood, it was time again to return to Exeter and to start studying for exams. I have spent two weeks sitting either by my desk or in various libraries preparing for exams, so that I could spend the next two weeks actually sitting them. It surprised me quite a bit that by the end of exams I got used to studying so much that I felt sorry to finish them. I suddenly felt purposeless and empty, but only until I realized that now it is the great summer vacations coming, which will be filled with internships and travelling. The exam results should be announced in the middle of June - I really wonder if my effort will be rewarded with corresponding grades.

My first after exam activity however wasn’t as pleasant as I imagined it should have been - straight after my last exam I went to the activities and volunteering center where I was due to fill in the risk assessments for our Enactus expedition to Ethiopia. Until late afternoon we have been assessing the danger of loose loads, floods, terrorist attacks, exposed coils or old regulation standards. Once submitted, we were told that this was not the correct form, it was intended for field trip expeditions instead of volunteering expeditions; fortunately the second form was much shorter. I have spent several more hours by preparing the expedition. All aspects are almost ready - flights are booked, the partner University of Science and Technology in Adama is awaiting us and we are refining the method of production of bio char. We have all already got our jabs for yellow fever, rabies and other. The only thing we are still working on is education of all team members about practical aspects of travelling - certain unnamed participants wanted to take 30 kg of luggage in wheeled suitcases and also a bottle of washing gel… I am lucky to be experienced in expedition packing and hope to be even more once I receive the Duke of Edinburgh Award training for expedition evaluators next week. 

With team Biosmart we have won the British round of the Unilever grant competition for the best student social enterprise, winning the £500 grant. We hope that this money will be invested in Ethiopia for our project. The picture below is from Unilever headquarters in London, where we presented our project in front of the commission.

Evaluating this academic year, it was exceedingly successful. From the academic point of view, this year was by far the best - the subjects were related to each other and together created a broad image of academic economics and politics. My work for student societies was also rewarding and satisfying, especially the Biosmart success. I am already looking forward next semester, which I believe will be even more challenging. I would like to sincerely thank to the Kellner Family Foundation for supporting me during this gratifying and intellectually stimulating year at university.