Travels to South Korea, 2010

After reading a recent article in the Guardian on the popularity of Soju, a traditional South Korean alcoholic drink, I was reminded of the amazing experience I had back in August 2010. I attended the Global Student Leadership programme along with student ambassadors from across the world.

 

 

My first time abroad and I was the only student ambassador from the United Kingdom. On my own, I was thrown into a completely new culture with a variety of languages I did not know, and at first it was a huge shock. Little things like taking your shoes off at every meal was new to me, but eventually I found myself falling in love with the traditions, culture and beauty of South Korea.

 

The first day I arrived in Seoul where I ate fish and chips in a wicker basket. Unusual, but it tasted so much better than traditional English fish and chips! I stayed at the Hyatt hotel and I had a fantastic view of the city. The shops were busy and thriving, open until late which was brilliant for me as I craved an ice cream to try and cool myself down in the new heat.

 

(The ice cream melted in the heat but still!)

 

The day after we arrived we travelled to Daegu Health College via the Subway. The college itself is situated in the heart of the busy city. Daegu (or Taegu) is situated in the South East of South Korea, and is surrounded by various mountains and high landscapes. I travelled in the middle of monsoon season, and so the heat was something I had never encountered before.

 

Overtime I forgot all about the heat and I was becoming more involved with learning and exploring the traditions of South Korea. My favourite moments were travelling to a Buddhist temple, a well-known film production strip which has the same reputation as Hollywood in South Korea. I also loved the rain in South Korea - it was never cold but the refreshing feel on my skin as well as the smell of the wet mountains. I wish it was something I could take home in a bottle because it really is a refreshing smell which I most likely will never have the opportunity to experience again.  

The beauty of the rain can be seen in the picture where the raindrops created tears on the face of the Buddha statue. Absolutely beautiful.

The seminars and lectures were also fantastic. I learnt a lot about the 'ugly' traits of Western society s well as the 'ugly' behaviour in South Korea. For example, it is incredibly rude to lick your fingers over in South Korea, and South Koreans will never apologise if they bump into you by accident. Other things included the fascination that South Koreans have with Western society, particularly the British. I was quite confused when everyone used to stare at me, or little children would run up to me just to say hello. It was quite a surreal experience at first, but it was also quite sweet, especially as I have recently started to understand the impact of British Imperialism and the ignorance I had to other cultures whilst living in my own little bubble. I also found that whenever I went into a shop, because I was British I would be offered gifts all the time. I declined simply because I was embarrassed from the attention, but the hospitality and friendliness in Daegu was phenomenal. I felt safe and welcomed throughout the whole experience, and even when I became homesick the rest of the group were always there to help me out.

 

The language barrier and the difference in food were my biggest obstacles. South Korean food tends to be quite spicy in a peppery way, and I found out the hard way why that is.

The pepper and spices helps to deter mosquitos and insect bites, and as I was unable to eat the food because I am far too used to the bland diet in Britain, I became a walking piece of steak for nippy insects. Thankfully my roommate, Dayoung, had various remedies and things to put on the bites to stop them from being so itchy.

The best thing about my experience in South Korea was the people I shared it with. I made so many lifelong friends, and I have so many memories which will last me until my last days. The friendship I experience, the way we came together as a neat little community and the lessons we learnt from each other are things I cherish even today, 3 years later.

I learnt a lot about myself and what it is to be British in a growing global network, and the opportunities which were presented to me after I returned are still happening. I would definitely recommend travelling abroad, especially in modern society where there is emphasis on having experience of international relations and taking the risk to be taken way out of your comfort zone and learn new things.

Some interesting articles about travelling abroad:
My school friend Alyshia is currently working and travelling around Australia. She keep a vlogging account of all the things she's been up to on YouTube, which you can find here: PsychoTraveller.

What do employers say about travelling?

The World's Best Travelling Blogs

British Watercolours 1750-1900: Travels in Europe and the Middle East


 

Students can eat healthy too: Bananas and almonds.

A cheap, healthy and tasty snack which has become my saviour over the last few weeks. Not only does it release energy gradually throughout the day, but it's super healthy and you can mix it up with some other ingredients.

 

It's a gluten-free meal, so for me this is perfect and so quick to make as well for when I need a short break from my studies.

 

 

You can always add other ingredients, for example dried fruit or for the days where I feel like I need a sweet pick-me-up, I drizzle some natural honey over with some natural yoghurt and ground cinnamon.

 

Whilst the initial cost of things like cinnamon and natural honey may seem a bit steep, they're cupboard ingredients which do last quite a long time. A medium pot of natural yoghurt only costs on average 65p depending where you shop. I always buy mine from Tesco as they have a medium pot which only costs me 50p, and I tend to get 3/4 servings from it.

 

If you don't like the taste of natural yoghurt or if you find it a bit hard to get used to like I did, then adding things like cinnamon really does help. Cinnamon is nice and festive too, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on any of the Christmas fun!

 

 

My shopping list

Natural Honey:

Rowse Natural Blossom Honey, 340g from Sainsburys, £2.59.

I use this because it's a squeeze-bottle, which means I have less mess in my cupboard and it's easy to take with you if you want to take this to work/lectures.

 

Almonds:

You can buy most dried fruit and nuts from local markets really cheap. I usually buy mine from the Birmingham Indoor markets and I normally end up with a big bag for a couple of pounds. However, out of all the large supermarkets I find Sainsbury's again are best. Flaked Almonds are best as they're not so chunky.

 

Natural Yoghurt:

I live quite far away from major supermarkets, and so I buy my natural yoghurt from a Tesco Express just around the corner. It costs 45p for a medium pot, and as I said earlier I normally end up with a few servings.

 

Bananas:

I love it when my bananas are a bit softer with the black spotted skin because they taste best, and so I always buy my bananas from the Birmingham Indoor Market. Even in supermarkets, you can buy a bunch for £1, so they're very cheap and student-budget friendly!

 

If you don't want to eat bananas, you can always try apples or just mixed fruit with almonds with natural yoghurt. If at the end of the week you find yourself with fruit leftover, then you could always make a fruit salad or even freeze them. I always freeze grapes and pop them into my drinks - lemons, apples, grapes etc. are all brilliant for this!

 

Next week: Sweet potato curry with brown rice.

 

I will eventually be transferring all of these tips to a new blog, but for now I will be posting them here just so I can get a feel for what works and doesn't work.

 

Also, if you have any recommendations or some ideas, let me know and I can always test them out for you :)

Changes.

As a BA History Undergraduate in my 3rd and final year (sob sob!), I have a number of thoughts and questions about what the next step in life will entail. At the age of 22, I am faced with a tough economic climate where I am competing against the rest of the unemployed population when it comes to job applications.

 

Researching into what I want to actually do when I finish is quite hard too, because there are so many options and so many things I want to try my hand at. I have always grown up with the philosophy that as long as I am happy, I don't mind what job I do in the end. I want to work in an environment that brings out the passion and life in me, and so I have narrowed it down to a few possibilities: Human Resources, Personnel, Administration, Research or teaching. (I also have a pipedream to become a wedding planner, but that's more for the romantic in me).

 

I used a number of tools to find out what I want to possibly do once I graduate, but I will recommend Prospects as this is what I used initially. It not only helped me narrow down my skills and match them with my interests, but it also lists numerous graduate schemes and opportunities available which start half way through next year. A great place to start!

 

The fact that I have decided to commute from home (which is in Birmingham) means I am able to set up my foundations here whilst also engaging in my studies, which I absolutely love, in Derby. The segregation has really helped, more so because I have recently been diagnosed with a condition which affects my health long-term.

 

The support which I have experienced at home with my family, partner and friends means I am able to keep the emotional attachments and distress at a bay when it comes to my studies - keeping them both in their own little 'boxes' has provided me with a great coping mechanism. I am now on a gluten/sugar/carb free diet, and I have found that this sort of diet is not really accommodated for with a student budget. Therefore, I am currently planning a few long-term projects to complete once I have finished my studies. The one I am most excited about is my own cookbook and blog - an online platform which I am currently putting together and collaborating with a very dear friend of mine to provide a healthy, student-friendly network and forum for those who just want to live a healthy lifestyle, or have medical/cultural conditions.

 

All of these changes have meant that I am now looking at my life and my future in a very different light. I am now feeling a lot healthier than I was a couple of weeks ago, and whilst I am still focusing on the now (which includes my lovely pile of essays), I am also focusing on  the "what next" questions.

 

I think it is a transitional process that no one can ever really prepare you for. There are plenty of places where you can find advice and guidance, but ultimately each journey is individual, which includes all of those little and big decisions. It's a transitional process which has been made easier for me because I am fortunate to study at a very supportive and student-focused university, but it is an exciting place to be standing. Exciting and scary!

 

My advice to anyone who is in the same position of facing the "what next" questions, then it's not something to worry about or hide away from. It's a position of great promise, opportunities and the chance to move forward in a journey where you will discover so much about yourself.

 

Tutorials, careers advice services, online forums and even social media are great places where you can find some of the answers to the questions you may have, but keep in mind that your happiness comes down to the decisions you make for yourself.

 

I will end this blog with what I'm currently doing now, as well as an interesting article I think you should read.

 

Favourite things right now:

- I've just booked a holiday in the South of England with my partner in May 2014!

- I've just achieved my first 1st grade this semester on an essay I didn't think I had passed!

- I'm reading An Immigration History of Britain by Panikos Panayi which is a fascinating book. It's helping me process all of the reading I've done recently surrounding an essay I'm writing.

- It's only 2 weeks until my birthday.

- That makes it just under 4 weeks until Christmas!

 

The article:

Zenia Malmer The Pineapple: displaying status.

 

 

 

This is Global

I will start this entry with some good news; I have successfully completed the Social Media Internship, which will appear upon my HEAR when I graduate in 2014. The whole experience has enabled me to develop my confidence with job searches, but to also self-reflect upon my abilities, achievements and goals. I am quite proud that through engaging my passion with writing, social media and communication, I now have another something on my CV and my HEAR certificate.

In relation to the title of this blog, I have applied for a work experience placement at thisisglobal Academy, with the hope of gaining some experience with Broadcast Journalism. I am waiting for a response to my application with all fingers and toes crossed. It would be an amazing opportunity, one which would really encourage all of my passions. This week I also wrote my second article for blog.grads.co.uk which focuses upon the essential skill of time management as a student, and the benefits of being well organised and time efficient - will be quite an experience to see something I have produced on a website and interactive blog which is accessed daily by such a large audience. It is exciting, but I am also quite nervous - it has been a long time since I have had something published (I occasionally write poetry, of which some has been published).

In the meantime, I am currently researching internships in Birmingham and the West Midlands. There are some fantastic opportunities already for what I want to do, but unfortunately they are in London. I am willing to travel to London each day if I could, but unfortunately my finances do not cover the costs of travel and accommodation. It is a shame, but it makes me ever more determined to succeed in Birmingham (hopefully!)

I am also focusing upon the Public History Conference as part of my BA History degree. The theme of Liberty, Emancipation and Equality is proving to be quite intriguing, and the group paper which I am involved with surrounds the UN and the influence it has on the social and cultural aspects of daily life in Africa. As this project develops I will of course update here, but at the moment it is still taking baby steps. I have the Making of Modern Medicine and Close Encounters modules running alongside this, as well as writing the first chapter of my Research Project. It's all hands-on and there are times where I am so tired, but I absolutely love what I am studying. The feedback I received from the Society, Culture and Politics of World War 1 module have really boosted my confidence. Overall I received as 2:1, which alongside the 1st I received in the Behind Closed Doors module, looks very promising.

Always moving forward, I will of course update this blog with any new developments.

Until then, best wishes.

Writing Opportunities

From a young age, I have had a passion and interest in writing. It was the niche I felt I had which enabled me to stand out against my siblings or my peers, and it has been a mixture of a hobby and a goal professionally for me.

I have been using the skills and tips learnt through the Social Media Internship to research writing opportunities, and have recently applied for a freelance writing opportunity through iTrigga which was advertised through Media Jobs UK and another which was a brilliant use of the social networking platform to advertise opportunities, @GumptionMag.

I will of course update this blog with progress on each opportunity, and I am still researching writing opportunities to develop my experience of writing, public relations and also editing - a skill which I have not had much experience with, so this is the next goal to achieve.

If you have any tips, advice or opportunities you feel I would benefit from, please contact me through the comments below and I will of course get back to you.

2013 and new professional developments

So it has been a while since I have written an entry due to essays and assignments, and of course Christmas. After finishing my first semester of my second year, the end of my degree is in sight and so is the prospect of entering the workig and professional world.

2013 has a few exciting opportunities in store for me, the first is the final touches of my work based module which I will be starting at Bournville College in May 2013. The project is confidential, therefore I cannot discuss anything in detail but it will definitely improve my confidence within the marketing and PR sector. The opportunities that this experience will bring are endless, and will provide me with essential experience and knowledge to present when applying for graduate jobs in June 2014.

My goal is to find a part-time job which will aid my studies and also my desire to finally learn how to drive. I have focused quite heavily upon my studies and education, and now that this is coming to an end in just over 15 months time, it is time I acquired life skills as well as academic.

Another aim of this blog is to highlight my achievements of 2012 working at Bournville College, Birmingham and being actively involved with a wide range of public relation and marketing roles. Many people ask why I am studying BA History if I want to pursue a career which is relatively unrelated, and the answer is quite simple. I had no idea what I wanted to do until I started studying History. The opportunities which a degree has provided have included becoming an active member within the University of Derby Students' Union which I have mentioned before, but it also required me to take on more responsibility for my future. Writing a blog, undertaking the Social Media Internship are both consequences of being a student.

As a History student I have been able to focus upon my skills of report writing, the collation of information, the method in which I communicate my objective understanding and the development of my communication and interpersonal skills. It has enabled me to develop my confidence working within a team and becoming a more assertive individual for what I believe to be true and right. I have developed my creative approach to problem solving and a whole range of other skills.

The internship I undertook at Bournville College gave me a taste of where I would like to be at the end of my degree. I wrote a range of articles for the college website and newspapers such as the Birmingham Mail, and I was also selected as the A-level success story despite finishing my A-levels nearly 2 years ago. I worked with deadlines, within a team and collaborating with the skills of my colleagues to ensure the successful promotion of the college and its' facilities.

(A link of all the articles I was involved with are listed on the right)

In the next eighteen months I hope to secure a placement as a writer within a magazine or newspaper environment, and improve both my skills and passion for creative writing. I also wish to complete my BA History degree and undertake a CIM, developing my CV and professional understanding of a marketing and PR environment and the responsibilities it entails.

Thank you.

CV Writing and Work Placement interview

It's coming to the end of the Social Media Internship with a few weeks left, but I'm going to continue writing this blog as a way of professional reflection, and how social media as well as other tools enable me to pursue the right path for me following my degree.

Two developments recently:

I'm in the middle of writing a graduate CV and covering letter, focusing on the Marketing and Public Relations industry. It was interesting to hear that people who use Windows Live accounts are not taken seriously when applying for jobs, so I will be using a new email address for any employment and work placement correspondances.

It's also strange to think of all the things I have done, and narrow them down to the essentials which will hopefully "sell" me to the right employer. I have been involved with so many projects over the past four years that it's quite an eye-opening experience as well as a frustrating one when it comes to writing down my skills and experiences.

I had an appointment a few weeks ago with a Careers Advisor at the University of Derby Career Development Center which has helped me move in the right direction, and I have also been using links from Prospect.ac.uk such as CV's and Covering Letters which again has been quite useful.

The second development is I now have a work placement interview at the Royal Shakespeare Collection after I followed them on Twitter, and saw the opportunity posted via a Tweet. For someone who is studying History and looking for more experience working within a History and Creative Arts industry this really excited me and I spent a good few hours writing my application form. I will be updating how this interview goes on Wednesday, so fingers crossed!

That's all for the moment, hopefully enter soon.