All is Well What Ends Well

Imperial gave and took. I got excellent education. Four years ago, I went to London convinced I am going to get an education of greater quality than I would ay home. And I was true, in a sense.
 
Rather than a walk through a beautiful rose garden, it was a walk through a blackberry shrubs however. It stung a lot and I got lost from time to time. A minute of silence for those who did not find the way out of the maze. At least the blackberries used to ripen yearly – and what summer feasts that were! Full of opportunities to taste the British flavo(u)rs, New Mexican chile, or smell the proper office coffee. They said such berries don't grow at home and they were right!

Imperial is a good university. I have learnt some physics and I am still passionate for it enough to continue for a PhD. As all universities, Imperial has a lot of professors. A lot of clever professors. However, as not every teacher can research, not every researcher can teach. As Imperial is a research focused university, research is the priority for the institution. As a result of that, the quality of education suffered from time to time and the time studying was not always as enjoyable as it could have been.

Take it as a radical point of view if you wish, but with all respect to the university, the way the institution works appears to be a bit absurd. Campus located in one of the most expensive areas of one of the most expensive cities in the world did not make things simple for my entire degree. Most people live on their own and as a result of that, I certainly did not feel any sense of community, or “belonging” somewhere. Not many people have enough time to meet and the daily commuting routine does not allow for too much free time either. According to a recent survey, about 75% people in my year suffered from depression (usually related to monetary problems, or essentially the location of the campus). Setting of (officially!) unsolvable exam problems did not help either. So did not the mistakes I happened to correct in the study materials/exams/exam solutions. All of this was a bitter, frustrating and disappointing experience for me as I would have never expect anything like this to be happening at the world leading university.

Enough ranting, I guess it's about the right time to change the air. I am therefore moving to the land of violet cows, chocolate, deep snow and big mountains to miss Einstein in the new office by a single centenary and eleven years.

I would like to thank to all of you who read my blog. Additional thanks belongs to the Kellner Family Foundation for doing great job and opening many doors. I really appreciate the experience I had a chance to obtain during my studies abroad – they moved me forward a lot. If I ever happen to discover something, it's going to be partly due to your support. THANKS!