Take care!

This semester, I am enrolled in ‘Force and Statecraft’ – a very interesting module examining the strategic, legal and ethical considerations of state leaders during international policy decision-making. Our tutorials require a lot of preparation but are very interactive and Dr Harkness has used simulations, historical debates and policy workshops to put us in the shoes of world leaders. Her approach is very engaging and she has deservedly won a teaching award for innovation in teaching.
I spend the rest of my study time on independent research for my year-long dissertation.  I focus on the representation of refugees and asylum seekers in the Czech media, with a particular interest in reporting on the conflict between national sovereignty and human rights. The subject is very topic and I look forward to the results.

This year, I have been offered to work as a coach in the School of Management and guide students through the process of setting up their own enterprise in St Andrews. I am grateful for this experience because I really enjoy helping others achieve their potential. I also work part-time in the University Library and have recently discovered that I can listen to audiobooks while I am at work (I can finally go over the very long list of books I have been planning to read!)

Having managed a demanding workload last year (often exceeding 12 hours a day), I have learnt how to effectively manage my time and succeeded in keeping my strong worth ethics this year as well. I have not only stayed on top of all my academic work (for the first time ever, I finished an essay a week before the deadline), but have also focused on taking care of my physical and mental health. I started swimming again, regularly do yoga and pay close attention to what I eat. More importantly, I make sure that I am doing well mentally. Last summer, I completed a mental health first aid training, which has equipped me with basic skills how to deal with a variety of situations (including depression, anxiety, self- harming or suicide). The course has been an eye-opening experience. While there are many young people who suffer mental health problems (one research showed that 1 in 5 UK students consider themselves to have a mental health problem), there still is a big stigma associated with it. I have been very glad to see a new Facebook campaign called “Nevypusť duši” that encourages discussion about mental health among Czech students. Whether you study in the Czech Republic or abroad, it is important to talk about your mental health and not be afraid to ask for help!