New face of Birmingham-Lovely sunny weather...

Now there are new topics for interaction for the past couple of days.

Guess what, it is all about the lovely sunny weather.

“What a lovely day!”

“Let’s enjoy the good weather.”

“Let’s have picnic by the lake.”

“Oh mine!  Let us go for a walk.”

“I will be going out without a jacket on.”

“Ok, let me get my sun cream, it has been ages since I’ve seen it.”

Relaxing by the lakeside of the uni on a lovely sunny day.

These present some new lines of interactions. For the past couple of days, the weather has changed drastically perhaps for a good one.

It is sunny, one can dress pretty casual, and of course have picnic around the lake of the uni.

Now my counts for not wearing jacket to the city centre have increased. Let us start, one, two, three, four, five ; ok I think today is the sixth time. This is how interesting it is to have a lovely sunny weather. We hope this will last for long. Fingers crossed. I love today’s weather!

The face of the new build(student accommodation) on a lovely sunny day.

Term 2 in Aston

After a busy and fulfilling term 2, we had a break for three weeks. The holiday was an interesting one especially during the Easter seasons. I joined the Stations of the Cross from St Michael to St Chad’s Cathedral. With songs and prayers, with the catholic community here in Birmingham, we walked through the city center to the cathedral where we had our final service for the day. There was social gathering in one of the halls at the cathedral where we had time to chart with lovely people from various parishes.

Interestingly, the city center was less busy during the season, which to some extent symbolises the solemnity of the period. In the evenings, there were social events in the city one could attend.

One may not have the holidays entirely free. I may sometimes have to sleep with one eye opened, thus not too much fun. Why? Deadlines are due just upon resumption. No extensions unless for exceptional cases . Sometimes, one may feel quite nervous when the days are getting closer to the deadlines. The available resources and the supports, however, give hope.

The vacation as a whole was interesting.   Meeting up with friends for couple of hours helps to relax for the academic work.

Some Communication and Linguistic Experiences…

Hello, Good morning! Does this always require a reply? Or just a smile back is enough, or a head nod?

Alternatively, does the response require a handshake or a hug? Or maybe a kiss on the chick is the best option in a given setting. And if a kiss on the chick, how many?  Where do one has to start from, right or left. Ok, when gender comes in, how many kisses for a lady or a gentleman. This is how diverse Aston is even just at the level of greetings. I hope you wouldn’t want to know about that of ‘Good afternoon!’ and ‘Good evening!’ They also have their own responses. However, this is what makes life very interesting at any point in time. One gets to learn about different cultures and expected ways of doing things. And I think this is what international exposure is all about, learning new things and appreciating other cultures. This Aston offers both students and workers just under one umbrella.

 

One amazing thing for me here in Aston is address terms for both fellow students and our professors. Those of fellow students are usually easy to negotiate just by referring to the person by the first name. What of our professors? Is it by their first names, surnames, or title and surnames?   When it comes to ‘cultural crossing’ from this perspective, I think I have not crossed yet and I assume some other colleagues too.  Actually, I can admit that culture is a very complex phenomenon, and as far as it is dynamic, one cannot get it all. All these and other experiences make life here in the Uni very interesting.

International Scholars Reception…

Aston from my perspective is so dynamic in many ways.  Guess what, on the 23 January 2012, the university acknowledges over 100 international scholars for their awards of scholarship to study for undergraduate, postgraduate and Phd programmes here at Aston. This day to much extend shows how much culturally diverse the university is.

In her speech, Prof Julia King, Vice Chancellor of the University, acknowledges how much international students contribute to cultural and interpersonal development of home students as these are brought to them right here at Aston without necessarily traveling abroad for such experiences. In the same way, we international students get to learn from home and other international students at every point in time.

All the scholars were issued with certificates bearing their scholarship awards. This is a great honour to all of us. Thank you Aston University for your great acknowledgement and we express our appreciations. We are looking forward to join the great society of Aston Alumni.

Here arrives Term 2…

Good memories of the holidays usher us into the beginning of a new term. The Christmas and the New Year here in Aston cannot be a forgotten experience.  Would you like to know why? Right, Wii and pizza night, curry and movie night, BBQ, day trips to Bath, Warwick and Oxford.  Oh mine, Aston made us feel at home, and all feelings of homesick were swept under the carpet.  City center were full of other events, which one could attend. Fireworks by the Birmingham City Council, I was right there with my friends before midnight to 2012. Exactly midnight, the fireworks began with a loud shout from almost everybody with that communal joy.   Although the fireworks lasted but for a while, it still gives one that feel of communal life.

While enjoying the season, one is not left without academic thoughts. One has exams and assessments due the beginning of term 2 in January.  You may not like to sleep with the two eyes closed. Like a watchdog, a person has to sleep with only one eye. This is where the intensive nature of the programmes come in. One is always warm up with academic experiences and this I think is a good training for further studies.

The term began as per the academic year schedules with exams and assessment submissions. Finally, things get settle down again for classes. We are looking forward to a fantastic term.

Spiritual Supports...

As indicated on the web page of the Martin Luther King Multi-Faith Chaplaincy (MLK), the chaplaincy “is concerned with issues that are religious, international, social and political. ‘They’ seek to help people explore life's great themes of Justice, peace, mutual understanding and the search for the meaning of life. ‘They’ are a support service for staff and students and seek to serve people of all Faiths and none.” These supports I personally experience so far during my time here at Aston.

Rev. Fr. John & Rev. Fr. Daniel in pix with other CathSoc members.



As a Catholic, I am part of CathSoc, which include interesting people from different countries. As the church is a universal one and does everything in the same way, one does not feel left out during celebration of Mass. During the Term 1, we were privileged to have Rev. Fr. John, former chaplain of CathSoc, with us. With his great sense of humour, one cannot wait but to continue listening to him. We had a multicultural mass on that day where different languages were used for different parts of the service. Songs were from Akan, Hausa, Hindi, and prayers were in Ewe, French, Swahili, as well as in English. This reminds me of same multicultural Masses in Ghana.  

After Mass, we had a party for Father and there were chicken curry as well as the vegetarian one all prepared by Rev. Fr. Raymond, our current chaplain. Not only do we have Masses on campus but also attend services at the St. Chad’s Cathedral in the City Centre.

One's spiritual, social and personal needs a catered for by our chaplains, and CathSoc really helps me in this regard.

Catholic Society (CathSoc) in pix



Academics…

One of the main purpose of being in Aston is to acquire knowledge and skills, which will make ones aspiration for the future a reality, and being ready for the job market as well. This Aston has to offer all who are under its academic umbrella. There are many resources: Learning Development Centre, Career Development Centre, International Workshops, Computer Training Programmes, etc., which will help one to have successful academic life. The academic week started with introduction to the modules for the term, and the assessment packages and due dates. These helps each one of us in these modules understand from the very beginning what to expect and what is expected from us. Initially it looks like it was too early for such details but it was obvious at the end of the day that it was the best ever. Personally, it helps me plan effectively and to do all the required readings before class.

                 



Some recommended readings.



Studying Applied Linguistics in the School of Languages and Social Science is a very fantastic experience, which anyone will surely want to have. The organization of the courses and the duration of contact hours are excellent. With our dynamic, friendly and hard working lectures, all academic needs are provided. Lecturers are ready to address our issues on one-on-one bases as well  as in groups. Feedbacks on assessments are always available on time.

Having fellow students from different linguistic backgrounds and working experiences make our class discussions very interesting,    and as the class sizes are small everyone is given the chance to contribute to discussions and ask questions. One of the things, which enable everyone in the class to talk is that our lectures made us understand that no contributions and/or questions are irrelevant.  These academic experiences extend beyond the classroom where my colleagues and I often continue with discussions behind cup of coffee at the café Tierra. The academic life for the Term 1 was really fulfilling and I’m looking forward to the Term 2. 

                                                                                                             

Social Life…

A day out with   friends to Gatecrashers.

Going through the programmes outline for the freshers’ week and other social events for the Term 1 confirm the idea that Aston is not only a place for academic development but also a place to build good social capital. It’s amazing how without any extra efforts I made lots of friends from different countries Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, India, China, Pakistan, and many others. These pictures were from some of the social events that were part of the Term 1 in Aston. I was in B4 Bar, Gatecrashers, Risa and some other pubs in the city center. These events were charaterised by lots good music from world class Djs, and excellent lightening to hide any of my left feet steps on the music. However, I think I’m a good dancer anyway. Just stepping on the dancing floor combining my Ghanaian dancing steps with that of  British, India and all. So fantastic to see how it all goes.



Halloween party at the Students’ Guild.



 I can’t forget about the Halloween party at the Guild Hall and B4 bar. With all the funny dresses, one can’t wait to snap pictures with friends. There are varieties of drinks one can choose from, a lot to eat. These events help one to get refreshed for the academic work as the weeks go by.

                                                                       

In The Beginning…

Two weeks left for the term one to begin in Aston and man does not have his visa yet. However, by adequate information provided by Aston visa advice unit and the supports from PFL Ghana, I applied for and got my visa exactly one week after submission of my application at the British Embassy-Ghana.

With a help from a taxi to the airport and hugs from my family, I set off to the check in point of Brussels airlines. On board, I was checking my time to be aware of the duration of the flight, which I roughly know. Interestingly, upon arrival in Brussels, my transit point, my Ghanaian time could no longer help. I was rescued by available time at the airport. The morning came and on board another flight to Birmingham. “Your traveling documents, your CAS, passport,….”, were sounding all over the counters at the UKBA.  My requirements were not different. I produced the required documents and all were checked.

I then move to the baggage area. There my bags come looking so tired. Surprisingly, they all arrived deformed, wheels off and handles nowhere to be found. Just said to myself, “Chineke, I don die finish”. I carried the bags using the ‘self support mechanism’ and looking forward to the ‘meet and greet’ services provided by Aston.  Just in time, there arrive charming and cheerful looking people in blue T-shirts full of smiles and enthusiasm. “Hello, you welcome! Waiting for Aston Uni.?”, asked one of the Aunties.  Before “yes” was replied, they took my luggage to my rescue.  Finally, on my dream Uni. Campus, and through the great support provided by the Aunties, I settled without any hassles.  Before the assisting Auntie left, the programme for the week was in my hand. Just guess the outcome of the programmes…

                                                                    

There are institutions that award various scholarships to students but I think Aston University is one of the Institutions that go the extra mile.

It is a fulfilling experience for me to win two scholarship awards from Aston for the 2011/2012 academic year. May 20, 2011 was a remarkable day for me where I got an e-mail with the caption “Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarship results.” Could the outcome of my application be favourable or not, I was curious to know. To open the message, I read “The Scholarship panel met last week to consider all Allan and Nesta Ferguson Scholarship applications. I am pleased to inform you that you have been awarded a scholarship for the 2011/12 academic year. Please find enclosed a copy of your confirmation letter stating the terms of the scholarship. I will post the original later today.” This looks like a dream but was a reality. Immediately an amount of £7,240 was credited to my tuition fees.

Regarding my second awards, I was just eating in a restaurant when I received a call, “Good afternoon. Please, I am speaking with Mr Yevudey?” “Yes please”, I answered. And she continued gently, “We are pleased to inform you that you have been nominated for a £4,000 awards from the Aston-PFL Scholarship for the 2011/2012. We will send you a letter of confirmation via e-mail , thank you.” This sounded like a spam but it was right there in my student's account. I got the confirmation e-mail in few minutes.

If you would like to know more about available scholarships in Aston , their requirements and deadlines, just click on the link below: “Yes You Can.”

http://www1.aston.ac.uk/international-students/finance/internal-scholarships/

Notwithstanding the financial supports of the institution, I chose to study in this institution due to its high reputation for academic achievements, and graduate employment.

Aston’s aim to promote ethnicity and cultural diversity, I think is a remarkable initiative that is promoting  a rich environment for academic and personal development.

In addition,  the Institution is not only concerned about the academic life of its students but also their social lives. This the institution has put in place through the Students’ Guild, where all sorts of events are organized that appeal to me. Other students’ groups and societies have various social programmes that make life here in Birmingham a complete and interesting one. It was really a good time during the fresher’s week, which was full of variety programmes. Wow, fresh memories from the welcome party, pajama party, Pub Crawl and UV Bubble party, and all. I think you need to come around to share in this dynamic environment….Best regards!