The Countdown!

Hi everyone!

So, I finally have just 1 week before I go to Finland! I'm extremely excited! I'll be there for 3 months in Tampere, about 2 hours from Helsinki, for my Erasmus exchange. From various different sources I've hard that this place is amazing, and even if it's not what people say, my New Years Resolution is to have a FABULOUS year, and that means making the most of every single minute in Finland! There is a group of us going and we're making a short film. It's not entirely different from what we normally do here in Salford, we're just doing it in Finland with less people! This means that we'll each have more than 1 job to do, I'm hoping for Sound (I'm going to have to fight this one out I know it!) and location scouting. But whatever role I get I'll make sure I have a fabulous time!

I know a lot of people don't like the idea of moving away from home, and 3 months is a long time to some people, but for me, I thrive off it! I'm already an Internation student (I live in Brunei) so living away from home is no big deal to me. It is hard, don't get me wrong, and I do get homesick, but there are so many opportunities that I can't say No to! Finland was one of them! How often do you get to make a film in another country, let alone Finland?! It's going to be different from just the weather point of view! When I go it'll be a mere -20 (I'm used to 30 degrees C!) so this is going to be a test on so many levels! It will be amazing no matter what, I can feel it. I also know that I am never going to forget this year for as long as I live!

So I guess this week before I go all I have to do is 1) pack up my room 2) pack for Finland 3) finish that assignment that hasn't quite been started 4) continue with my research project 5) catch up with friends I haven't seen in ages 6) celebrate my birthday at some point 7) do some filming 8) sleep. It doesn't sound so bad if you say it fast!

Don't worry, if you're at the point where you're applying to university, don't be scared! Everybody has to make a leap at some point, university is usually the first major one, and you'll find it's no where near as crazy as you imagined, for most people and for me certainly, it was the not knowing what to expect what freaked me out! I'm an only child so I had no examples, and it was just less than a million years ago since my mum went to uni (Salford!) so I really was jumping in at the deep end...I seemed to have done fine, actually better than fine and you will too! As long as you go in with an open mind and take everyday as it comes (but don't forget to plan ahead too!) you'll be fine. You'll find friends who share the same interests, you'll definitely meet people from every walk of life and you'll never forget your time at uni!

Wow well this was a long one! I hope the application process goes well for everyone and I hope I manage to tick off all those things to do...!