The
first half of the week was very relaxing for me. There seems to be a very calm
atmosphere surrounding the Erasmus students. This is probably down to the
scorching weather we are being treated to lately as the temperature has being
reaching 30 degrees. Some of our classes had been cancelled this week, so we
took the opportunity to lie in the park and get a tan (and study of course).
 |
| Sunshine in the park |
It
is really refreshing to sit in the sunshine talking to a group of people who
only a few months ago were total strangers to me. And now, we can sit and talk,
laugh and joke and tell personal stories to each other as though we have been
good friends for years. Whatever happens in my remaining time here, this will
be the thing I owe most to Erasmus. It has given me the opportunity to meet and
become close friends to some fantastic people who have opened their worlds and
cultures to me, and I feel sad for the people who will go through the rest of
their lives and not experience anything like this.
On
Thursday however, I had to leave the beautiful weather and return home to
Ireland. Not to see my family in Belfast though, but to meet up with friends on
a stag weekend in Derry. It was terrific to see the faces of friends that I
have been missing and it was good to mingle in some ‘Irish banter’ again. Some
of my friends said that they have noticed a difference in me, especially when I
spoke. They said that I was speaking more slowly than usual and also
pronouncing my ‘ing’s’ and the end of words more clearly. This was no doubt
down to the fact that I was fed up repeating myself to everyone in Poznan so
decided to speak differently!
It
was extremely strange to experience again the atmosphere in which I was raised.
It almost felt alien to me, no more so than when it was my turn to buy a round
of drinks and I nearly collapsed at the price!!! It made me realise that everything
I now do in Poznan feels like home. When we go shopping or eat in a restaurant,
I no longer see strange food or weird items. When talking to Polish people, I
understand a lot more what they are talking about and can communicate a lot
better.
It
dawned on me when I was waiting at the airport that I was missing Poznan and
couldn’t wait to return to see my friends again…. And also to see cheap food
and drink again as I spent more in three days back home than I would in a month
in Poznan!!!
Apart
from my wallet losing a significant amount of weight, another downside is that
I know have to catch up with a lot of work that is due……. So, please excuse
me!!
Till
next time!
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