Scholarship in Aston University

The half of the year is already gone! Almost of university schedules are over and most of international students are going back to their home.
Also it's been almost one year since I got great offer from Aston Business School. So I think there are lots of potential, or future students of Aston Business School these days. And they may be happy with scholarship opportunities.

There are various kinds of scholarships to ABS students from both of internal and external. 

You can more information about ABS scholarship from here:
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/international-students/finance/internal-scholarships/

specially, there is great opportunity for South Korean students established by Korean alumna Su Youn, Yoo. 
The closing date for 2013-2014 entry is 5 pm on 28th of June 2013!
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/international-students/finance/internal-scholarships/the-su-youn-yoo-scholarship/

More information from external funding is here:
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/international-students/finance/external-funding/

NHS service in UK!

In Birmingham, and in Aston University, there are many international students. It means many of students study abroad without their families. During these days, I feel lonely more when I am sick because there is no more family who care about me. And I think most of other students feel like me.

There is medical service called NHS for international students in UK. If you are legally studying in the UK and register, you can be helped in free. 'GP' is kind of clinic where you can meet a doctor or nurse. For getting advice from doctors or nurses, you have to make appointment at GP first.

Here is information about GP clinic in the campus.
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/current-students/health-wellbeing/medical-centre/

http://www.halcyonmedical.co.uk/

Don't worry even you have a cold!

Enjoy the weather!

Usually, British weather is famous for rainy and unpredictable. However, it is great weather in summer I think. When the sun is coming out, people are going out to parks for enjoying sunshine because we(I) are sick of rainy and cloudy weather.
Lakeside in campus is one of the perfect place for small picnic. Many students enjoy the picnit here with fresh wind and lake view.
Even people say British weather is unpredictable, I really like summer in UK and this sunshine make me fresh and active!

(The one bad thing is,,,,, Now is exam period!!)

TEDxAstonUniversity

Last Monday (4/29), TEDxAstonUniversity was held by Aston University students at Student Union Hall.
TEDxAstonUniversity is an independently organized event by Aston University students and looks to celebrate the ideas that take place birth at Aston through the research done by our exceptional academics.

There were 4 speakers;
Dr. Michael Smets from Aston Business School,
Christian McLening from School of Engineering and Applied Science,
Prof. Judith Baxter from Schools of Languages and Social Sciences,
Dr. Eric Hill from School of Life and Health Sciences.

Each speakers gave short valuable lectures related to their majors based on the concept of this events, Design and Thinking.

It was a great opportunity for me that can have experiences with other fields. In addition, I enjoyed great dinner with staff, audiences, and speakers as well.

One of the staff said this event will be continued every year, and getting better.
So, I really recommend you to participate next TED event!

Find a job in UK

For final students and second year students, the job information is important such as placement or graduate scheme. In my opinion, Aston career centre is one of the best place to get helped such things. And employment rate of Aston graduates also prove that.
I also get helped from career centre, they helped successful CV and cover letter writing. Career center is running career session every week and you can visit there or make appointment via WASS. In addition, they send valuable information mail every day. It is really helpful I am sure.

For part time job, I just find it from Student Union Jobshop. SU Jobshop hold various part time job for students. Because it is for students, most of job is flexible and some position is helpful for your future career.

Outside of campus, I use two job information site; Milkround and Targetjobs.
Everyday it send email about new recruitment information. You can set your favour and major, then they will send information fit you. The information is really broad field from big international firms to local firms.

Now is important time for international students like me. I should choose going back or staying here. If I want to stay here and extend my visa to tier2, I need to find a proper job.

Good luck for all job seekers.

Aston Villa FC

In Birmingham there are two famous football clubs; Birmingham City and Aston Villa. (Birmingham city is in Championship league, and Aston Villa is in Premier league.
I went to Villa Park stadium which is home stadium for Aston Villa.

This game was against Queens Park Rangers.
Fortunately, Villa reverse the game and win !

I think it is one of the most attractive things in England. I can enjoy lots of football matches with enthusiastic English.

Musicals in London

Here is Birmingham and it is the second largest city in the UK. And due to its location, it is very easy to travel other cities in  the UK.

After the second term exam, I decided to go to London. ( One of the reason was special offer from train company.) It takes only one and half hours from Birmingham to London. And I am really happy that the main stations are near my accomodation. So it is possible to travel London in one day.
However, I stayed few days for musicals.

I watched Les Miresables, and it was impressive than the movie.

In June, Lion King is coming to Birmingham, and I am waiting for that!

End of second term

I don' t know why but the term schedule between undergraduates and postgraduates is different.
So, when undergraduates are planning for Easter break, postgraduates are preparing second term exam.
For my case, second term was disaster compare to first term.
It is more difficult classses and I think there are more reading lists than before.
Even MSc students are struggling with assignments and exams, there are still social events. The thing I remember was, Futsal social tournament in Gem sports hall. ( In Aston, there are two gyms; Gem sports hall, and Woodcock sports centre, and usually social events are held at Gem sports hall.)
The events like it give us chance to meet students from other MSc course.


Ah, there is one useful information for MSc students, MSc student support office prepare 50 Financial Times every day. you can enjoy Financial Times, if you are diligent. :D

One world week in Aston

Last week, (4th-8th FEB) there was event week called "One world week"
Student Union has various events on each day, and I participated in fourth day, World Food day.

You can enjoy various culture here, and meet other international students. I only participated on World food day. it is held at Student Union building. Lots of culture societies, such as, China, India, France, prepare their traditional food and we can enjoy that foods with reasonable price. I am in Korean society, but this year, we can't prepare food ourselves, so we just prepare desserts, sweets. The interesting thing was, many foreigners came to our table, and ask 'Kimchi'. I didn't know Kimchi is popular like that. I hope, next year our society prepare more food even I may not be there.

Snow in Birmingham

 

From last weekend, it was snowing again.
I remember, it is second big snow in this winter. Due to large snowstorm, the traffics become disaster and sometimes your lectures will be cancelled depends on lecturer. In fact my two classess was cancelled because of wether problem. It is good at that time, but anyway we will have replaced schedules soon.
With the snow, the campus looks more bright! ( In my opinion...) And many people are enjoy snowfighting or making snowman. Many kinds of snowmen are all around the campus from small one to bigger one, even I can't take a photo of them.

 

 

 

Birmingham Symphony Hall

I went to Birmingham Symphony Hall last November. Because I cannot move photo file from phone to pc until now, I can't upload about this amazing concert.

Some of my friends says it is unbelievable (haha), I like classical music. Especially classic, I think real concert sound is much better than recording version. As soon as I came here, I searched concert hall in Birmingham and found Symphony Hall and great schedule. And I was glad because I found Rachmaninov's concert!!

"Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra" came from Germany and they perform my favorite symphony.

In addition to this, lots of famous orchestra are coming to Birmingham and perform so many valuable classical music.

Even if you don't like classical music, you can enjoy another concerts such as jazz, rock, and ballet.

After this concert, schedule is not allowed, so I can't go there again. But I still expect amazing concert! :D

 

 

 

 

 View of hall from choir seat. ( I am just student!)

Ground floor

Aston Term date.

My first term in Aston is already finished. I did exam on early December, and it was the last activities of the first term. But it is different a little bit from undergraduate courses. I have lots of friends in undergraduate course, and they have exam these days, and my second term is from early January.
So I guess end of second term is also different, but I only know my course dates.
Beginning of new term is slightly different from my previous college.(It started on Feburary)
So I feel unfamiliar a little bit, but I am sure, it will be more interesting days for me!

 

First Term	30 September to 15 December 2012
Second Term	6 January to 23 March 2013
Third Term	14 April to 8 June 2013
Postgraduate Degree Congregation	26 March 2013
Summer Degree Congregations	15th, 16th, 17th, 18th & 19th July 2013
Referred Examinations	28 August to 3 September 2013
* Term 3 begins with 2 teaching weeks