Damian Stan
There are many expenses I hadn't factored in, and a surprise always pops up (…) At least I can truly say I’ve learned very well how to live on a tight budget, and it’s not hard.
Damian is now studying at University of Aberdeen with your help. Here are his impressions after the first months of the academic year.
So far, I've done really well in college and I feel good in class (in general, almost all the grades I've taken so far are A). I have a course in chemistry, an introduction to medical sciences, bio and diversity and a course on the brain and mind. The last one is different and very interesting, in addition to the physiognomy of the brain and neurodegenerative diseases I learned and debated topics about creativity and free will, and I'm really curious what we will do next at "The Mind Machine". The practical hours are pleasant, especially when we can see and touch some plants that we have only heard of or only seen in pictures. They do simple things in chemistry, probably because we are in the first year and they don't want anything dangerous to happen (in fact, that's for sure "It's quite difficult to add too much acid - but we never say impossible in the first year lab!", quoted from the laboratory manual). But, to be honest, I was expecting more, or something else. I wanted to learn more interesting things, but often what we receive are things we already learned in high school and teachers, eventually, tell us to learn more at home from books or the internet. At least we learn things more applied to everyday life. After all, information as such does not help you if you do not know how to use it.
Even though quite some time has passed, I haven't managed to find a job in the area yet, so I decided to become a Deliveroo rider while I keep looking or wait to hear back from the local venues or bars where I dropped off my CV. I have a meeting coming up to get my documents verified, after which I’ll be able to start making deliveries. Next week, I’ll (finally) have my appointment for the National Insurance Number (NINo) as well. I felt discouraged when I didn't get any response from the places I visited or when I received rejections. Still, I’m trying not to let it get me down, even though finding a part-time job can be tough given my lack of work experience and my rather "awkward" schedule (my lab sessions are only every other week, but the hours are spread out in a way that makes it difficult to pick up certain shifts).
Another thing that exceeds my expectations is the cost of living here and the cost as an adult in general. There are many expenses that I did not take into account and there is always a surprise (I did not expect to need 5 pounds a week for laundry). In general, I spent most of my money on food (even if I have accommodation with catering, the system here is weird and you don't always have to eat all week), transport (the bus is very expensive in my opinion and the subscriptions are not worth it, especially when there are 2 companies in the city with different prices that circulate completely differently), clothes, small things, which together become one big bubble, and fun (at first it cost me a lot, not knowing how much things cost here and how often I can go out; I learned that an evening of making lasagna with a wine in 4 friends is more pleasant and cheap than a trip to the city center for the rugby match - I don't even know the rules of the game). At least I can say that I learned very well to live on a small budget and it's not hard. Most likely I will give up the catering option from the moment I go home to bring some pots, start cooking on my own (I will save a lot and I will be able to help my family, who are in debt and have unexpected costs for things around the house; they won't need to fund me for at least a while).
Turning my room into a place I can truly call "home" is proving difficult, and I’m not sure how I’ll manage it. I expected it to be easy and trouble-free, but I get a strange feeling sitting alone in my room when the noise in the hallway doesn't come from my little brothers, or when I go out to see friends but don't see the familiar faces I’ve known for years. I’m thinking of paying a "surprise" visit home next week if I can find reasonably priced plane tickets - it would make a great gift for my mom’s and one of my brothers’ birthdays. Luckily, I’ve made good friends here - people to turn to on bad days (or any day) and with whom I can enjoy quality time without necessarily going out and spending money on entertainment. I’m also lucky to have Măriuca, who helps me out with so much here. Next year, I’ll likely have to start this process all over again, as I’m considering an Erasmus exchange; then, in two years - when I’m no longer living in the dorms - I’ll have to adjust to a new place shared with friends.
The city is wonderful to visit; I’ve seen seals in the sea, and I’d like to visit a beach with a seal colony and head out early one morning to a spot where there’s a chance of seeing dolphins. I’m leaving you a few more photos so you can see what the "Granite City" - where the unicorn is the national animal (likely due to the discovery of narwhals) - is like.
Thank you for your support!
Yours,
Damian Stan
