Brighton next stop

I must have had thousands of ideas swirling in my head, and not only did I know little of what I was in for – I was not even able to realize if I was scared or looking forward to it. What was that feeling? I know now. Of course it was a bit of both, and I had good reason.

Despite a few difficulties at the airport, I finally boarded my plane and waved goodbye to Prague, which was getting smaller and smaller. Before I realized it, we landed in London. As part of the “Orientation Program” for international students, two nice girls in purple T-shirts saying “University of Brighton” on them welcomed me and showed me the way to the train station where my trip was meant to continue. I felt like in a dream; thinking back, everything was just blurred. That is, it was only until the train speaker said that the next station was Brighton. Yes, that was the moment I fully realized where I was and what I was doing there. “Why, I am a university student in England now,” I whispered to myself.

And suddenly everything was so quick - I met a whole lot of interesting and friendly people and schoolmates, and helpful older students showed me the campus where I am a student now, gave me a tour of the city, and offered a “ton” of useful advice.

The school started on October 4 – lectures, seminars, and workshops. Initially, I was afraid I might not understand everything, but my concerns started petering away after the very first week. My curriculum has six mandatory subjects, including one called “Academic Skills” that, as the name implies, teaches us the skills required to study at a university. By this point, our teachers have assigned many tasks to us spanning from regular homework, which we prepare for every seminar, to group presentations to essays. Aside from the mandatory subjects, we have an opportunity to join various clubs. I chose the investment and trade club.

And this is it from me for now, and I am looking forward to telling you more about my student’s life at the local university some other time.