Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Packing, Journey and First few days!
I have been in Ferrara for a few days now, unfortunately upon arrival I was told that the Internet was not yet installed, and that I would have to wait a few days - however, I have found a connection, giving me the opportunity to post this!
Eventually, I managed to narrow down my life into 31 kilograms of hold luggage and a rucksack full of hand luggage, including the most important items for an Englishman, 2 230g bars of Cadburys Dairy Milk, a packet of McVities Chocolate Digestives and 160 bags of Yorkshire Tea, and at 1am on Saturday 10th September my Mum, Hannah (my girlfriend) and I made our way to Gatwick Airport, where, after my last British cappuccino, I boarded a flight to Bologna. After a few hours on the plane, I arrived in Bologna, grabbed my things, hopped on a train to Ferrara, and was picked up from the station by my landlord and lady, Daniele and Cinzia. They showed me around my apartment, which I discovered on arrival was situated above Cinzia's mother's house, and offered me lunch, consisting of far too much food - Cappelletti (sort of like "pumpkin tortellini", exclusive to Ferrara), various breads, wine, fruit, mortadella, cheese, and much more! Everything was finished off with a coffee, and I was left to settle in in the apartment.
I had a little explore of the city - not a massive city, but a city nonetheless. It is like living in a little Italian stereotype, with little winding cobbled streets, medieval and renaissance buildings with new shops built into them, lots of people on bicycles not watching where you are going, and beautiful Piazze.
This morning, I went to the University to register, although I haven't yet enrolled on any courses (other than my language course). I was relieved to find that I am in the University records, and that I haven't just turned up to a University that is unaware that I am coming. I will be returning on Thursday morning in order to speak with a departmental tutor, who will help me register on various courses, etc.
Eventually, I managed to narrow down my life into 31 kilograms of hold luggage and a rucksack full of hand luggage, including the most important items for an Englishman, 2 230g bars of Cadburys Dairy Milk, a packet of McVities Chocolate Digestives and 160 bags of Yorkshire Tea, and at 1am on Saturday 10th September my Mum, Hannah (my girlfriend) and I made our way to Gatwick Airport, where, after my last British cappuccino, I boarded a flight to Bologna. After a few hours on the plane, I arrived in Bologna, grabbed my things, hopped on a train to Ferrara, and was picked up from the station by my landlord and lady, Daniele and Cinzia. They showed me around my apartment, which I discovered on arrival was situated above Cinzia's mother's house, and offered me lunch, consisting of far too much food - Cappelletti (sort of like "pumpkin tortellini", exclusive to Ferrara), various breads, wine, fruit, mortadella, cheese, and much more! Everything was finished off with a coffee, and I was left to settle in in the apartment.
I had a little explore of the city - not a massive city, but a city nonetheless. It is like living in a little Italian stereotype, with little winding cobbled streets, medieval and renaissance buildings with new shops built into them, lots of people on bicycles not watching where you are going, and beautiful Piazze.
This morning, I went to the University to register, although I haven't yet enrolled on any courses (other than my language course). I was relieved to find that I am in the University records, and that I haven't just turned up to a University that is unaware that I am coming. I will be returning on Thursday morning in order to speak with a departmental tutor, who will help me register on various courses, etc.
Monday, 5 September 2011
First Post!
I just wanted to fill up the empty space with something, so, a brief summary of what this blog will be about - I am leaving to study in Europe this year, at the Università degli studi di Ferrara, Italy, and Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, in Austria. I will keep this blog updated with photos, stories, and the day-to-day goings on in my life in Europe.
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