With exams just
around the corner and the stress and anxiety brewing each day I don’t know how
I’ve managed to stay sane without pulling my hair out (quite literally). This
week proved extremely tedious with the continuation of revision in preparation
for my three exams taking place over the next two weeks. It makes it a little
easier knowing that I am not alone and there are other people in the same
position as me. One thing that I must admit is, I do not know how people who
live in hot countries study! Between the temptation to relax and sunbathe and
the constant sweating as temperatures rise...the struggle is real. Usually, I
am prepared for specific topics to appear in exams back home, however the
format, length and structure of exams in Malta are very different to
Stranmillis. With most exams only lasting around an hour and little guidance as
to which topics may arise: studying here in Malta has took me back to my GCSE
and A-level days studying everything. The thought of the unknown scares me,
however knowing that I have to answer short compulsory questions in addition to
one longer question thrills me, as I usually feel at a disadvantage writing
essays due to my small petite and extremely slow hand writing!
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| Study period in Malta |
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| A sneak peak of the President herself! |
There is only
so much time I can look at the four walls in my room in despair and so any
opportunity that has allowed me to escape the small confinement of my room has
been a pleasure! With revision commencing I was only glad to escape the reality
of exams for a few hours with a courtesy visit to the President of Malta on
Tuesday. The visit took place in San Anton Palace alongside the B.Ed. Physical
Education students and staff members to present a donation to Her Excellency
for the Malta Community Chest Fund (MCCF). This was a day not to be missed, but
with some frustration and panic in deciding what to wear, Monday night brought
about a fashion show on Skype with our parents. With that said, I eventually
decided on a dress and was looking forward to meeting the President of Malta.
As Tuesday morning arrived, I didn’t really know what to expect…until the day
of course! When I arrived I had no idea just how lucky and privileged I was to
be meeting the President of Malta. Despite Malta being quite a small country,
our fellow classmates informed us of just how few people have visited and met
the President at the Presidential Palace. Having been informed that this visit
only occurs every 4 years, I feel honored to have been given this opportunity.
It was a real pleasure to represent and act as ambassadors for the University
of Malta and additionally for Stranmillis!
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| Presidential Visit with our fellow classmates! |
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| Enjoying the beautiful gardens of San Anton Palace |
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| Enjoying lunch with the President! |
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| University of Malta and Stranmillis Ambassadors! |
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| Happy 21st birthday Andrew!! |
Through the
stress of exams, I also had the opportunity to celebrate a friends 21st
birthday this week! With a surprise dinner planned and steak on the menu I was
thrilled to celebrate Andrew’s 21st birthday with my fellow Erasmus
family at Fortizza in Sliema and enjoy a study break! In addition to this,
inevitably this week also brought more goodbyes. As more people begin to pack
up and leave, emotions are soaring high as each week draws to an end and
another face is gone from residence. Having said goodbye to my friend Stephanie
from America and the Irish boys, I don’t ever want this experience to end! Even
though I know we will be reunited soon enough I just can’t come to terms with
the whole situation. The hardest part is the unknown and not knowing when or
how you will ever meet these people again, but with it also comes some
excitement in planning to reunite with these faces and the people you now
associate not only as your friends but also as your family. Each day, I get
another glimpse and different perspective on life, one that I have not known
and that is something that excites me. Although the future is unknown, one
thing I do know is that through every encounter, experience, routine,
friendship and relationship I have grown as a person taking a little piece of
everyone I’ve met with me! Each day and each person we meet is a gift that we
acknowledge and learn something from and sometimes it really is the small
things in life that make a huge impact. Malta has changed my life forever and I
have no words to express or gratitude to show just how special this adventure
and chapter in my life has been!
Malta its been a pleasure!
Best wishes,
Louise.
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