Five!

And here we are! The fifth week has passed as fast as a bullet. Now, we are definetly on the way to the final countdown. This fifth week in DIT's Bridging Course was interesting specially for the discussion which was proposed as an assignment. In my point of view, discussions whose themes are interesting and also polemic are the best way to practice English. It encourages us to talk more naturally as long as we become more excited to find the more appropriated words in order to support our argument. Our group have discussed about the current brazilian political and economic crisis. I think choosing this statement was a clever decision because all of us were really prepared to have a nice conversation.

In fact, the brazilian crisis is a subject which we have being in contact with for a long time. That is the reason for what we have just needed a simple article to start a fluent conversation. That is a very worrying matter which may concerns every brazilian, after all, it is not just our homeland, but the place we most love in the world. It is absolutely important to stress that Brazil has invested in our capacitation; therefore, coming back home to help to make this country a more decent place to our people is also our duty.

And the first month is gone

Four weeks… it’s delightful to notice a month has passed. At this point, the first Bridging Course’s half is gone and I’ve becoming even more anxious for the college semester’s beginning. I’m also anxious because there are still pending situations about the disciplines and modules which I’ll course this semester and solving it during the first week will certainlly make me more comfortable.

By the way, in order to be more relaxed, last week I’ve got my student visa. Going to GNIB in advance was a way I’ve found to start solving things as much earlier as possible. That was one of some suggestions we were presented to during the week; these suggestions were provided to help us, students, with our schedules, once must of us have revealed problems related to time management. I really think this kind of attitude will help me during the next two semesters on the amazing challenge I’m about to start.

And as we may also find new ways to relax, last weekend I’ve went in a tour to Wicklow and Killkenny. This trip just revealed me a liitle bit more about Ireland’s marvelous landscapes. Definetely, there is nothing better to do in Ireland than traveling. The more I know this country, the more I want to find out new places.

And there goes the third week...

Living in Dublin has been such a great experience. It's also really nice to notice how things which firstly used to seem so different are now totally common. I refer to things like the lack of turnstiles at buses to control the flux of passengers and the behavior of reciclying our waste, which, unhappily, still an unusual pratice in Brasil. I'm also glad for have knew Howth, a so beatiful place. The landscape which can be presenced at Howth is nothing but magnificent. It was the first great opportunity I've had to take some cool photos and send it to my parents and they were content for finally be seeing those amazing pictures. 

It has also been interesting talking to colleagues more naturally during our English classes. The students have brought great debates, which has made the lectures more enjoyable. Furthermore, my classmates seem more comfortable to participate and suggest topics during classes, which also contributes to relief the unvoidable stress of so many hours of lectures. I think we will be better english speakers within some weeks.

The second week

In my second week in Dublin, I'm clearly more adapted to the irish day-to-day. The main thing I've changed in my lifestyle until now is the diet. I've adopted a method wich seems more suitable to my current schedule: having a light luch during the day but a more complete dinner at night. It seems more adequate once I use to spend all the day at DIT classes and, this way, I'm able to have a better and calm meal at home by the night. As time goes by, walking around also becomes easier. With a great help from my GPS, I feel free to meet new places in Dublin, as shopping centres and touristic streets and parks. I already know new ways to go to Dublin centre by different buses, which also makes things pretty easier. By the way, last week I got the opportunity of walking by LUAS and it was a very nice experience. The system works very well, it's comfortable, and the fare payment is not just efficient but based on people honesty/civility, which is awesome. The English practice has becoming more intense too: this week it was more common talking to non-brazilian people and I've felt I little more confident about talking with spontaneity. Dublin is such a beatiful place and I feel glad to be here!

The first week perceptions

Last week was quite unforgettable for me. Even the journey to Ireland have made part of my life for months, leaving my hometown was such an impact. The moment to say goodbye was the most difficult part of the hole exchange program process. Actually, it’s the first time I’m abroad and I also had never been by myself in a completely unknown place. With so many new things happening and feelings taking place, getting in an airplane by the first time became not so notorious; it has been just a sensation more in the complete caos which my mind had transformed in.

The travel was really calm and I had no trouble at all during the path. In Dublin, since the moment the plane has landed, I was delighted with the city’s outlines. Differently from what I used to see in Belo Horizonte, Dublin has well defined and organized blocks; the plain relief also contributes to a better arrangement of streets and a more comfortable travelling. The irish people are really pleasant and, in some situations, it was possible to notice a special sympathy for Brazil. By the way, it seems impossible to walk by Dublin centre without seeing brazilians or hearing portuguese. It’s really nice to see how many brazilians also chose Ireland to live in.