Wednesday, 16th March 2016
Dearest Friend,
I can’t believe I hadn’t the time to tell you sooner, but a great surprise has come my way… I was so wrapped up in my own concerns and focused on my overall personal development that I hadn’t the space in my head to also tell you about some amazing opportunities that have come up!
Around early December there was an announcement at the Technical Institute, where I do my course, about an upcoming Erasmus programme for some students of many different training courses at our facility.
An Erasmus programme is basically like how internships abroad are run; where you study or work in another country and learn how people of other nationalities or culture approach work or academia within their colleges or technical institutes, except by “Erasmus” they mean countries that network within the European Union.
Our communications lecturer, Grainne (who I mentioned fondly of before), was in charge of running the interview process and deciding if certain students were eligible for the specific Erasmus programme that would be relating to their said course, such as media production or hairdressing. Grainne mentioned how privileged GTI was an establishment to be one of the top institutes in Ireland to have that connection with Erasmus every so many years, and also added that the experience for students is fantastic in expecting your networking (via LinkedIn) as it can improve your job prospects, career opportunities and great references based on the people you meet and work with, and also looks brilliant on your CV!
Once I came to know of this great opportunity, I made it a plan to apply for the Erasmus programme (paperwork) and attend the interview with Grainne and her colleague (communicate persuasively for a place).
There were two locations open for us media lovers and film buffs: Finland or Manchester…
From what I observed, most students were enthusiastic about Finland for the more “cultural” experience.
I’m sure there was great excitement for Manchester, too, but for many that was based on the excellent institute there; I wouldn’t imagine there was primary hopes for a new cultural experience there…
Then again, you never know – The United Kingdom has a variety of nationalities and cultural beliefs, so there’s no judgement there…
In my application form I had applied for both places – expressing Finland as my first preference for that cultural experience – but that overall I was leaving my options opened and would be grateful to experience what it would be like on an Erasmus programme.
I also told Grainne that the experience would do me good personally, and she agreed that a break away would do me the world of good. Everything all seemed to be looking up.
Then when I returned to my Doctor and told him I’d be abroad for three weeks he questioned whether I was fit for that change or kind of pressure. I expressed strongly that I was, and that I needed a change of scenery.
He accepted my point of view but to be on the safe side he increased the dosage of my anti-depressants – which will be from 75 to 150mg, which looks like a lot – but the Doc didn’t want to take the risk (for safety reasons of mental health), in case I should ever experience a depressive episode outside of Ireland…
He seemed to look at the whole idea as dangerous for me mentally, but I can only look at this experience as exciting or rewarding.
I won’t do anything drastic; I’ll know if I experience any anxiety or scares that I will reach out to the two members of staff that will be with us, or if I have any serious concerns in terms of my mental health, or experience side effects to my medication, I can always contact my Doctor if it ever get’s to be too much…
But to be honest with you, I don’t think it will. I think this all turn out right!
Yours, Jay