Lovebox - A soundclash of European Music

At last! My Letter of Admission from Heidelberg arrived this week. Now my plans for next year are set in motion, I aim to enjoy the summer with my nearest and dearest before leaving for Heidelberg.

Yesterday I attended Lovebox, a music festival in Victoria Park, London. The festival is a mash-up of the latest trends in fashion, art and most importantly music that the capital has to offer. Its slogan – ‘Heart, soul, rock and roll’ reflects the diverse crowds Lovebox attracts and the positive vibes that everyone from its artists to ravers enjoys. 

My sister and I went to our third Lovebox this summer and the line-up didn’t disappoint. The best act was Rudimental who got the crowd jumping in the sunshine and singing along to their trumpet playing. 

There was also a massive display of electronic dance acts this year which featured Duke Dumont and Disclosure. Even Azealia Banks who graced the crowd in a lime green bodysuit and neon pink megaphone had a set inspired by the German electronic dance scene, most evident in her song ‘Bambi’. 

I’m still waiting to find out if I have been successful in gaining a room in the university-run student halls. Although there are alternatives, being offered a room in the student halls is more convenient. Private rents in Germany vary, starting at a reasonable €200pcm and peaking at an eye-watering €500pcm. 

In the meantime, I’ve joined the University’s Facebook page for incoming international students. If you’re going on a year abroad, joining the university’s official Facebook group is an easy way to keep up to date with important developments and get a fast response to any questions you may have. I’ll keep you posted!

Studying Abroad: Multitasking and Problem Solving

I will be studying abroad next year in Heidelberg, Germany. The chance to study abroad will provide an opportunity for further development, as I will be completely independent, immersing in a different country with different cultural norms and modes. Already the advent of studying abroad has offered up challenges and positive opportunities. I have exercised skills in multitasking and problem solving.

One of the positives of studying abroad I have experienced is the new role I have acquired as ‘Study Abroad Student Blogger’ for the University of Leicester. Devoting weekly travel posts to my imminent journey to Germany has enabled me to anticipate what I will have to prepare for when I go abroad, for example independently securing accommodation, signing up for language courses and registering for classes. Fulfilling this role as a Student Blogger has also encouraged me to multitask as I have to fit my blogging around working full time over the summer, signing the necessary study abroad documents and completing the Leicester Award itself. 

Being a Student Blogger has undoubtedly improved my ability to organise myself and meet deadlines; the role provides me with a journalism portfolio and perhaps more importantly encourages thinking ahead to the imminent future. This will hopefully make the transition from being in my comfort zone amongst friends and family in the UK, to a completely unfamiliar environment in Germany less daunting. 

Participating in a year abroad has already tested my proactive nature. I was unable to participate in the preparatory German language courses offered by the university abroad as my dates of arrival clashed with the course dates. However I overcame this setback by inquiring about alternative options. I was able to find another language course offered in Heidelberg which starts a week later and is accredited. By signing up for the alternative language course and looking beyond the facilities offered at the university, I discovered that I like to find solutions to problems and complete tasks in an ordered fashion. Although I was disappointed I could not take part in the university regulated language course, I did not want to start my studies with little to no knowledge in conversational German; I was motivated to look at other options within the city and hence immerse myself in Heidelberg’s culture. 

Ultimately, I believe taking a year abroad will give me confidence in my own abilities. I hope participating in a year abroad will expose me to new career opportunities. We now live in a global village whereby borders are being diminished by technology and the growing familiarity we have with other nations. I would also like to use this trip abroad to explore journalism opportunities in Europe. I have a strong desire to travel and experience different societies. Ideally I would like to gain some journalism experience while I am in Germany and learn the language to increase my journalistic skills. I hope participating in the German language course will be my first step towards networking with other cultures and building relationships with potential friends and contacts beyond the UK.