Classes and Life in Leeds

(The Parkinson Building, the equivalent to the Bell Tower on State's campus)


(the local cemetery on our campus, right behind my new residence)


Time, space and memory. This is the basis of my design class this semester at Leeds. I don't know how the term will go, but I already know its not what I expected. For the past year and a half I have been sitting on a computer trying to figure out what design means to me. I've tested the waters in InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Dreamweaver, and now its back to the drawing board for me as I am I asked to create work that is more what my Fine Arts classes in high school required. The class is split up into different categories, including: painting, sculpture, digital media (what I am in) and printmaking. We then have one hour of lecture time each week and the rest of the time it is up to us to find inspiration, discover materials/mediums and explore what the project means to us. There is no "required" studio time in the sense that you need to come say hi and touch base and then you are free to leave if you need/would like to. How different this is from design classes at home.

At NC State, we have a very structured system consisting of 5-6 projects a term and due throughout. Here, we are working on one project the whole time. Exploring the subject in depth and creating a piece with deeper meaning and a more thought out path. This excites me, but it also makes me nervous. I have never spent that much time working on one project, instead I am asked to go through the whole design process for an in depth piece in two- three weeks. Now I have the chance to explore and discover as I please and I just hope I don't let myself down. Already I'm starting to ask the questions:

"What is a memory?"
"Does a memory fade or become enhanced depending on a situation or and experience?"
"Are we really aware of time? Or is it more of an idea that we can never fully fathom?"
"How can you express the passing of time?"

And my list goes on. But what excites me most is how this project can so easily relate to some of the other courses I am taking. In my course called "Philosophy of the Mind" we will be exploring how humans minds work. Whether technology or a robot has a mind, could they ever have a mind? Do we really of a soul? Can our body and mind really be aware of death? Etc. Another course is "Philosophy of Religion" and another "Insights into Creativity, Innovation and Leadership". All of these courses are about how much you want to take from it. We are asked to read certain things, but we can also explore additional texts if we are interested. There are no daily or weekly assignments due, just 2 essays to be turned in. This gives us the opportunity to really become and independent learner and take our own education in our hands rather than being told what we should learn and when we should do it.

It is different, but it is also refreshing to have this kind of learning at the tip of my fingers. As for the rest of my life here at Leeds, things keep getting better. Today I will be moving out of my current residence (which is a 30-45 minute commute to campus) and into a residence on campus. I am very excited about this move because I will be closer to university of life and have more access to all that Leeds has to offer!

I have also enjoyed a few nights out on the town, exploring the pub scene and getting to know a few of the locals as well as my new international friends. As each day passes, I can't be thinking more about how this is an experience that everyone should take. Because already it has helped me find my passion for learning again, explore my interest in different cultures and provide me with the opportunity to travel. So until next time! Cheers!

Slang/Culture Shock

So I have started to get the hang of things here in Leeds. I have met more people, started to figure out the bus system and tried to work through the academic system. However, there is still quite a bit to get used to. First of all there is the slang. I mentioned some of these things in my past post, but as I continue to speak with the English, I notice more and more that I have a hard time understanding their accent as well as their slang. Such as "cheers" to either say "goodbye" or "thanks". Another word I found interesting was the use of the word "love". As I was trying to figure out which bus I needed and where it went, the men I asked would say "oh you need to be other at that stop love" or "this is your stop love". It was fairly funny and something that I'm sure only sounds good with a British accent. You know if an American man said that we would think he was being creepy. Also, I've been encouraged by the English to start using these words, but I find whenever I say words particular to England I want to say them in a British accent and then I just feel like a phony or I smile/laugh wondering if anyone noticed what I just said.

As for culture shock, right now I'm just trying to get used to what people wear, what college kids do to have fun and how to work through the academic system. More and more I am confused by the outfits of people here in England. On friday night me and a group of exchange/Leeds students went out to a few pubs/clubs and we kept seeing women dressed in very short, skimpy dresses with heels and NO COAT! And its probably 2 degrees Celsius (30 degrees Fahrenheit) and windy! And guys are wearing jeans and t-shirts. I mean they look nice and all, but really! I was freezing and I had on a long sleeve shirt and a winter coat. Also, as for what people do here....well, they drink. And I mean this in all seriousness. Sure, they have movie theaters and sports facilities but they all drink. A few girls and I were looking for a low key night to go to a coffee shop and chill, but all we could find were pubs and bars. I'm wondering how this will work out, especially on my pocket. I've asked some Leeds students and a few mention they may have a beer rather than a meal...but I'm not so sure if I can do that.

Another thing I'll mention is the academics. I have already found its much more independent and I haven't even begun classes yet! Many of the classes don't have any assignments throughout the term, but only have the final exam which is worth 100% of your grade. So your expected to just keep

(this is my "timetable" aka schedule as of right now)

up with the readings throughout. I also just found out that first years can take any classes they want and do as well or poorly as they like because none of their classes that first year count towards their degree! Lastly, is scheduling. Each week you have to look up your schedule because each week it may be different. You may have a lecture one week, a "tutorial" another and maybe nothing for a class the next week. Its very hard for me to figure out which classes will work with my current classes because I can't decide if the schedules clash or not. And if they do, there's no way of really knowing until you've been accepted into the course and then you get an e-mail saying you have a "timetable conflict". I could probably go on a lot more about this little dilemma, but I think you get the gist.

Right now, I'm headed to bed, but I'll be back to fill you all in on my day trip to York and hopefully to have some pictures (because I have yet to really take any!...sorry!). Cheers!

Here in Leeds

It feels so surreal to know that just 48 hours ago I was in a totally different continent. I was at home talking with my parents, petting my dog and cats and driving to the store. I am now in a flat with grad students who stay to themselves, trying to find the cheapest food available and walking 30 minutes to get to campus. It is a big change. I knew this all along, anticipated it and even tried to prepare myself, but its so different now that I'm actually here and experiencing it.
From the moment I stepped out of the plane in Leeds my experience began. First of all, even though they speak English here, half the time I can't understand what they're saying or the slang they use. Such as "cheers", "topping off my mobile" and the "hash button". Secondly, I have learned very quickly that if you want to get anything productive done it better between 9 am - 12 and 1 pm and 5 pm. If you're outside of those times, either no one's in their office or they're gone for the day. For example, the taxi dropped me and my bags off at my residence hall, only to find that the warden that checks people in was not there and wouldn't be back until 5 that evening. So I waited outside the building not knowing what to do, and was without a phone to call anyone. Furthermore, I had no idea where I was and was sure I wouldn't be lugging my 3 suitcases around with me to figure it out (especially not after 12+ hours of traveling). Luckily, I have learned you just have to strike up a conversation and you'll probably be better off than before. So, lucky for me I asked the next person who left the building to hold the door, and low-and-behold, he asked what was wrong, offered me a place to put my luggage, lent me his extra "mobile", and was my tour guide and guardian for the rest of the day. It was probably the nicest thing that has happened to me so far, and at a time when I needed it the most.
From there, things have become just a little less hectic, but I have learned that its every man for himself here. You won't get much help if you ask for it from the locals, and when you do ask you probably won't get a detailed answer (or good directions). However, don't get me wrong, I am already enjoying myself. I have met Germans, Australians, fellow Americans, Africans, someone from Denmark, Holland, and the list goes on. It is a huge melting pot here and I'm loving that! So stay tuned as I share my adventures about this place called Leeds, England. It has already turned out to be an interesting one!

One Week Away!

So I'm leaving for England in one week and I'm getting very anxious!  I wish I could just jump on the plane and GO!  But just like many other times in life, I have to wait.  However, its not so bad, I'm reading books about England, finishing up my website and spending some time with my family and friends here in St. Louis (which rarely happens anymore).  

It was actually pretty funny, the other day when my mom and I were shopping at the Galleria, we stopped into "Sephora" and inside was a newswoman.  She asked me if I would mind doing an interview with her and while I wasn't too fond of the idea I thought why not.  It was about a new drug that could be used to help thicken and lengthen eyelashes.  I'm not a huge make-up wearer, nor am I very fond of excess spending on beauty products (especially medical ones), so I don't think I gave the answers the drug company may have preferred, but oh well, I had my 20 seconds of fame on the St. Louis news.  

I've also been trying to get used to the cold weather again.  After being in Costa Rica with my family for a week, I've been spoiled with 80 degree weather and warm nights.  But its back to the cold and each day it keeps getting just a little bit colder and its supposed to be 0 here soon....no fun.  I'm a big believer in if its going to be cold there might as well be snow on the ground!  But its just one other preparation for the cold weather in England I suppose and its probably just as well.