contents
La vida Murciana Helen Page, 21, from Aberystwyth, is spending her third year of a Spanish degree at university in Murcia, Spain, from where she sent this report.
features 16 >> Delving into the history of the student union uncovers some surprising facts.
fashion 18 >> Walk a mile in these shoes: Office photoshoot.
front row 24 >> Everything you need to know about what’s on where in the next fortnight.
gadgets 25 >> Why floods in Thailand mean higher computer prices. Amazon plans its own smartphone.
music 26 >> Get involved with Milkwood: Swansea’s first student festival. Plus, something old, something new with Gym Class Heroes.
film 27 >> We delve into the crazy world of Hunter S. Thompson And the latest films reviewed.
games 28 >> Girl gamers: Not such a rare species. Plus reviews of Batman: Arkham City and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
culture 29 >> Hardbacks or e-readers? What will you be buying this Christmas?
food 31 >>
AS the end of my first term is coming to an end in Murcia, when I look back it’s already been an amazing experience that I wouldn’t change for the world. I would be telling a massive lie if I said that I wasn’t scared when I came here, but my new flatmates made my settling in a very easy and enjoyable process! I spent a lot of my first couple of days here just wandering around aimlessly, taking in the city and trying to find my way around, which of course sometimes didn’t go too well and ended up in me being very lost for a lot of the time – until I gave in and got myself a map! Obviously, Murcia’s well known night life helped a lot during the whole settling in period, our flat has become a bit of a ‘party flat’ which besides the obvious has led to meeting some really great people. Granted, the night life is a little bit different from the Wind Street we all know and love, the biggest difference being the expense! It still baffles me how cheap it is to go out and to live here! An average bottle of wine won’t cost you more than two Euros! I’ll say no more on that matter... Social aspects aside, I can already see a massive difference in my ability to speak Spanish, I’ve gained confidence and use the language without fail every day. Before coming to Murcia, I really was worried about being taught in Spanish, but so far, it’s going really well and has helped my Spanish to no end. Also, as all of the people I live with are here to learn Spanish, we all make an effort to speak the language as often as possible while we’re at home. It’s taken me a while to get used to the Murcian accent but it hasn’t taken long at all for the accent to come through when I speak Spanish myself! As far as travelling goes, I haven’t yet done much yet; I think it’s safe to say I’ve been enjoying myself here! But, now I’m settled in, after the Christmas break, I will definitely be going to visit some of my fellow Erasmus students that are dotted all over the country, I intend to make the most of living in Spain and am going to try and see as much of the country that I can. All in all, I couldn’t be happier with my year abroad placement, the city is beautiful, the people are so friendly, and the university course is all going well and at the moment I think I would struggle to find a bad word to say about it all. Of course, I do miss Swansea, and all of my friends and family, but I can already be pretty sure that I’m going to find it very hard to leave Murcia in June. But for now, I’m going to enjoy every minute of being with my new friends in my new city.
Cook up some comfort food, win a recipe book and catch up with our dieting housemates.
societies 32 >> New! The Mental Wealth Society aims to improve your wellbeing. Plus, spotlight on the Raise and Give (RAG) Society. Helen Page with some of the new friends she has made studying in Murcia.
societies 32
food 31
culture 29
games 28
film 27
music 26
gadgets 25
front row 24
fashion 18 & 23
15
features 16 - 17
front
November 28, 2011 waterfrontonline.co.uk