Your career starts here!

It has been 3 weeks since I started higher education and I have to admit that it is not easy to work and study, but nobody said it was easy:) Lectures are very interesting and inspiring... actually everyday is a challenge. Yesterday I finished my tutorial at 5 and was supposed to be at work at 5:30. Unfortunately, I was late due to a traffic congestion... Oh, I hate when I am late (even a few minutes). Next month I will have to submit my first essay so I am a bit scared, as I have never written an academic coursework. The thing is that I try to give the best of me every day but I know that I am not perfect. It drives me crazy but we are only human (oh, sometimes I think that I am an alien from Mars). A few months ago I promised myself: 'If I reach my destination, I will use every chance'. Aberdeen is such a wonderful, industrial, fast-moving, prosperous city and the Robert Gordon University is such an inspiring, simultaneous place:) such a great place to study:) I don't want to waste and miss any chance I am given.

If you are reading this post now, it means that you probably consider studying abroad... It was NOT very difficult for me to answer the question "What am I going to do in the future?" I did not have this problem, because I really fell for business at the age of 17. I did not want to study Law (my relatives wanted that), I did not want to study engineering (Polish government and job advisers wanted that:)), I would not like to be a doctor or an architect. I am crazy about business, economics management, marking, human resources, advertising, finance. I have so many ideas in my head... I wish I could paint or sing... But I did not get any of these gifts....But I have an artistic soul so, at least, I have my creativeness, imagination and passion. I am addicted to music (I listen to music all the time), I love photography, travelling, geography and obviously I love English:)



Today we had a Management Development lecture and I found a very interesting quotation:

Omni Nunc Arte Magistra

Make the best of your abilities

I hope that you will make a good decision and have a chance to study something that you love, something that makes you happy, something that really interests you...

If you do not know what you would like to do in the future, do not panic. Have a gap year... Many people do it. Maybe you need more time to find your vocation:) My colleague studied Managements Studies but she did not like it... so she applied for Biochemistry and she is a fresher again:) Did she waste a year? No! She learned many transferable skills, improved her language skills and, most importantly, realized what she wants to do for the rest of her life:) Ask yourself "Is it really something that I want to do for 40 or 45 years of my life?' It is your choice. You can listen to your parents, classmates, teachers, career advisers, economists, government... But remember that you are the one who makes a final decision!



Are you scared about your future?

You have to watch this video!

Thumbs up!

Let it start...

I can't believe that it has been almost 4 months since I came to Aberdeen... Everything has changed. Now I am really mature, responsible and, most importantly, more confident. I will never let anybody tell me: "You can't do it"! Of course, sometimes it is hard and I am very tired and I want to give up. But I keep going and try to make every single day special:) For example, I always buy some sweets when I come back from work... Yeah, Great Britain is a paradise for those who love sweets:)



Unfortunately, I missed my Freshers' Week, as my colleague left our restaurant and I had to cover his shifts... I really like working in my restaurant, because I am completely crazy about food (ask my friends). Nevertheless, I do not cook at home, as I do not have enough time and fortunately get dinner at work:)

California rolls by me and my friend from Kazakhstan


Sushi by Chef Jang


Dolsot Bibimbab our Polish chef

I decided to compensate myself for my Freshers' Week and went to Glasgow on Sunday. Yeah, It really is a huge city. It was so impressed by its landmarks and beautiful streets. I wouldn't like to live there, though. It is too big...

Glasgow Science Centre

BBC Scotland

The University of Glasgow.

City Centre

I have already had my first lecture, which was quite interesting but I was very tired (due to the journey). I understood every single word, but I couldn't focus on a topic, since I was really sleepy:( I think I do not mind studying in English. Today I borrowed a book (about Business Ethics) from a library and I have already read a few pages. Thanks to IELTS I can read really fast in English so it is worth taking this exam:)

By the way, thank you for your nice comments. You asked me to keep you updated. I will try to do my best but I might be quiet busy in the future... Anyway, see U:)

People, Help The People...

Studying at university is not only about assimilating data from extremely thick and clever books. It is your chance to develop your communication and interpersonal skills. It is a great opportunity to pick up some work-experience, meet fantastic people and learn new things, such as cooking.

It is 30th August. When I came to the UK on 30th May, I was so scared. I thought: "God, I don't even know what British coins look like." Yeah, I remember that I had a big problem with money:)

Surprisingly, I have been selling coffee, tea, biscuits, books etc at WRVS Café (Woolmanhill Hospital) for a month. I am a volunteer and everything my customers buy helps older people get more out of life:) Every Thursday I have to open the café, deal with customers and their money, write reports, operate coffee machine and dishwasher ( I am not sure if I do it correctly).

I love talking to customers. A week ago I had a wonderful conversation with a nice Scottish lady. I told her about my journey, first days in the UK, my work, education and she was so impressed.



I cannot even describe how I feel when I count money before closing the café and when I throw money into a special box:):):)



I think that such small things make as happy. Not a brand new I-Phone, not expensive Armani watches...
Yeah, volunteering is a gift. It is your chance. Do not waste it! Contribute to our society, help, volunteer...

People help the people

Nothing will drag you down

Long Journey

"Long  journey, David?" 

That's what my boss said when he got to know that my place at Robert Gordon University had been officially confirmed.

Yeah, I think that life is a journey and I am currently at the bus stop called "RGU" waiting for a bus which can take me to my final destination... I realize that it is going to be a difficult journey, but nobody said it was easy:)

I came back from my work (Tesco) and found this email:

"Dear Mr Jaskiewicz,
Congratulations. This email confirms your place at Robert Gordon University for the Management with Marketing, N2N5 course. Your course starts in September 2012."

 

 

Although I was dead tired, I decided to visit my university and its Business School. Afterwards, I came back home, had one-hour sleep and went to work (Japanese restaurant). I was soooo exhausted when I came back home at 11 pm. Actually, I was so tired that I couldn't even sleep. And I was also extremely excited:)





It is impossible to describe this wonderful feeling and a sense of achievement when you are accepted by university and your dream comes true. You will never know if you never try!



When I was coming back from RGU, I found this poster. I thought: If I had not applied and had given up in the middle of the road , I would not be here now. Maybe it sounds like a cliché, but if you have dreams, follow them even if the whole world is against you. Even if there are many obstacles, even if your dreams seem to be unreal...

Me and Great Britain

All my friends know that I am crazy about Geography, which has been my big love since I started education in primary school. When I was a kid, I used to think about my travelling to "big cities" and exploring unexplored places:) Therefore, I did not want to spend my whole life in Poland. It is not because I am not patriotic. Although I really like my homeland (which is as beautiful as Scotland), I think that I am not a part of it. Sometimes I can't believe that I managed to spend 19 years in this country:) It is all about my personality, ambitions, attitude to life and people... Great Britain is different from Poland, I am different. I am a complete dreamer, so it was hard for me to live among extremely serious people:(

I just wanted to be free, I wanted to sing from the top of my lungs, I wanted to dream, I wanted to squeeze my life like a lemon, I wanted to think independently, I wanted to be myself. And I couldn't, because I would have been considered to be a madman:(

Here I sing at work with my colleagues, I tell people about my dreams and nobody says "It is impossible". Once I told my mum that I would like to be a bird. She laughed... Now I feel that I have wings...

What I like about Britain? Diversity. My colleague cannot imagine that in my school we had literally no international students:( Here I can meet individuals from all parts of the globe. Here I work with people from India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Japan, Poland:), Philippines, Scotland, England, China, and this is amazing. Now I know that the world is not black and blue.... It is full of colours, diverse and this is wonderful... Now I know that here there is a place for me...

NIN, bank account, flat...work

When you come to the UK, you will have to take care of some formal things such us National Insurance Number. First and foremost, you are to call Job Centre Plus: 0845 600 06 43 and make an appointment. Unfortunately, you cannot call from Poland:( But you can ask someone else to call on behalf of you. During an interview you just have to present your proof of address (it may be a bank statement, letter from UCAS with your British address-if you change your contact details in Track, you will get such letter in a few days:) or even proof of address letter written by another tenant. Of course, you will need any proof of identity-it may be you ID or passport. I got my number 7 days after a day of my interview but I may take longer. Do not worry, because you really can be employed, work and even get your first salary without this number!

You do not have to worry about your bank account, either. All U need is a proof of identity and address (letter from UCAS is a very good solution). I would recommend Barclays http://www.barclays.co.uk/PersonalBanking/P1242557947640 , as you can have your account open in literally one day and do not have to pay a penny for most of the things! Just visit your nearest branch and open your account in approximately 30 minutes:)

Flat/room. I am just looking for a new one, since I have to move out on 1st September. Therefore, I can recommend a few websites:

http://www.spareroom.co.uk/

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/

http://www.gumtree.com/aberdeen

If U want to rent a room, you should be very careful, since there are many fraudsters who want to take advantage of naive student. I am not a lawyer, but I can show you an example of my flat share agreement. You are advised to sign something (even such unprofessional document) before giving your money to someone else!

FLAT SHARE AGREEMENT
FLAT SHARE AGREEMENT for X bedroom flat in (address)
This agreement confirms that
flatmate, YOUR NAME
is currently renting the flat leased to:
tenant, NAME
at the above address, for the period
from ............... to................. .
The amount of rent will be charged
£X per month for the flat (£X per month for the room).

• There is a X-pound deposit paid by the flatmate, which will be returned to him when he moves out leaving the flat in a good condition without any financial liabilities. It means that the deposit will be paid back with return of the keys, general inspection and at least a full calendar month notice.


• The flatmate's amount of rent (£X per month) and bills will be paid via Internet Banking from the flatmate's account (flatmate's account number:XXXXX, flatmate's sort number:XXXXXX) to tenant's account (tenant's account number: XXXX, tenant's sort number: XXXXX).


• The flatmate agrees too keep the flat in a good condition and will not engage in antisocial behavior.


• Bills (Internet, gas, electricity) will be paid on an equal basis by both the tenant and the flatmate.

Signed:

NAME, tenant                                                                                          place and date ...............................

YOUR NAME, flatmat                                                                             place and date ..................................

Health. You should find your nearest GP here http://www.nhs24.com/, register and take advantage of free medicines (prescription) in Scotland. Before you come, you are advised to apply for European Health Insurance Card in your country (just in case).

Work... it is a very difficult topic, because some people find work in 2 days while the others aren't employed for a few months. My advice-arrive in May/beginning of June when students and employees go on holiday, 16 and 18-years-old revise for exams. I wouldn't come here in August, because there are few job advertisements and lots of people eager to work-students, seasonal workers etc. It must be extremely difficult to find something in September, because thousands of students come back from holiday and everybody wants to be employed:( Generally, it is up to you! I believe that it is worth arriving earlier, as you can get acquainted with the city, make friends, improve your language and get used to the accent etc:)

Important: Before you come, you must prepare a professional BRITISH CV (it is not only about the language) with contact details (British address and mobile number). You can buy a sim card on Allegro and print your CV in Poland in advance. I printed 200 copies or my résumé! I used only 30 but I managed to find work in 5 days' time:)

British CV http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/goodbadCV.htm

• without photo


• different format


• focus on skills and experience

Where can you find work?

• http://www.gumtree.com/aberdeen


• http://www.emito.net/ogloszenia/Aberdeen/Praca-w-Anglii-Szkocji-Walii-Irlandii-Polnocnej


• http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/homepage.aspx?sessionid=0c87c8ff-a119-4c0c-9644-6e21be1da92e&pid=2
• many other websites,


• ask people (you do not even realize who important it is)


• look for job advertisements EVERYWHERE! (that is how I found my work in Japanese restaurant)


• leave your CV in different places or ask about any vacancies


• just keep searching and you will find. Do not sit at home! Believe in yourself! Do not give up! 

You can even start sending CVs by email from home in May, that way you have 1 month in advance looking for a job and see if they will answer  Do not tell them anything about NIN, just say that you had an interview and you are just awaiting for the number. Normally they simply require a CV, nothing else. 

Do not forget about SAAS in Scotland or a student loan if you want to study in England!



I wish you luck!:):)

Reaching my destination

I am so happy that I managed to reach my destination despite various obstacles...

I think that now I may provide U with a number of practical tips about living and working in the United Kingdom.

First of all, U have to book a flight, because an airplane is the fastest means of transport. Obviously, you can also get here by bus, but I wouldn't recommend it;p;p

I chose easyJet (http://www.easyjet.com/EN) from Krakow to Edinburgh,yet I know that many people travel with RYANAIR or Lufthansa (Luft is cheap only when U buy a return ticket Krakow-Aberdeen). U just have to find an appropriate date with a good price and pay with credit or debit card. Then U must print your boarding pass and this is it. Oh, do not forget about a limit of you luggage-it is 20 kilo if U fly with easyJet, and 15 (not sure) if U choose RYANAIR.


I will try to explain thoroughly how to get to Aberdeen from Edinburgh Airport, as it can be slightly complicated. First of all, U have to book (oh, in the UK you usually buy when U book ) a bus ticket here http://uk.megabus.com. You just have to select number of passengers, travel locations and dates. Afterwards, you ought to pay with a credit/debit card and remember-print or write down your reservation number as U will have to show it to driver:)

The North Sea

U will have some changes, but do not worry, as U can check a plan of your journey if you press "view"-as far as I remember, it is located next to prices of tickets. I can explain my journey in Polish (I sent that message to my Polish friend):

To jest tak: wysiadasz na lotnisku, pytasz sie gdzie sa przystanki autobusowe. Bede przy wyjsciu (doslownie), idziesz i szukasz MEGABUS (bedzie takie logo, wiec poznasz). Sprawdzasz, kiedy masz Stagecoach 747 (wtedy co na bilecie, ale lepiej wiedziec;p;p;p i wydrukuj sobie te rezerwacje). Czekasz hahaha. Wsiadasz do autobusu i pokazujesz kierwcy i to bedzie takk po 20 minutach przystanek na takiej zajezdni (i to jest chyba ostatni przystanek tego autobusu)-nazywa sie on "FERRYTOLL PARK AND RIDE", tam czekasz na dwupietrowego megabusa. To jest taka stacja, wiec mozesz spytac pracownikow, kiedy podjedzie (zreszta i tak masz to napisane na bilecie). Wsiadasz i pytasz kierowcy, gdzie bedzie przesiadka (tez masz to napisane na bilecie). W trakcie przesiadki bierzesz bagaz i idziesz do innego autobusu (zwykle od razu stoi obok, wiec nie trzeba czekac i tylko bagaz wziac):)P:):) Potem bedziesz miec jakies przesiadki./ Ja mialem 2: w Perth i Dundee.

So do not worry and enjoy your journey:) as Scotland is beautiful