A new chapter in my life begins. One that I have hoped for many years, failed, dissapointed and struggled at first, but at last, achieved.
Although this school is famous for its intense curriculum, difficult classes in both English and French, people also know that all this effort is worth is at the end of the year.
It was nice to hear the positive reactions of many people when they heard that I am accepted to the College of Europe, and the enthusiasm of people who wish to study there for the future.
That is why, I will write this seperate part only about my stories and impressions about the life in college, both to keep them as a good memory and to let my friends who are interested about the life there, know it from an insider’s perspective.
I hope you will enjoy it.
I have taken the train from Bxl to Brugge, with around 40 kilos of luggage on me, not even fitting through the train door without proper manouver.
I was expecting to meet some people from the College in the train, but I have seen none. But as soon as approached the taxi stop to get a cab to the main building, I have seen two young people getting in one taxi, till I stopped them asking if they are students of the College. They confirmed and offered me to join them to the cab.
When we arrived, the registration was much smoother than I expected, and it took around 15 minutes. After meeting some people, I have sat next to a group of people, where I have met two people that live in the same residence with me and offered me a ride to there.
After arriving to the dormitory and taking a tour, we were all astonished by the facilities and the comfort that they provide. The building was restored and in really good condition, each of us having single room with private bathrooms. It really reminded me of a 3 or 4 star hotel, with breakfast included. Also since the lunches and dinners are provided, the students do not have to worry about cooking. This place is really made to make sure that the students focus only on studying and worry about nothing else.
After the welcome party yesterday night and meeting around 200 people in 3 hours, I am quite overwhelmed. I am even more overwhelmed with the classes and introductions we are having since 9.00 am, and it is 18.00 now.
I have already taken French and German courses, both in upper intermediate level, which will be another priority for me: to speak both of those languages very properly, if not as good as my English.
I also applied to be the student representative 
September 13, 2011 at 4:31 pm |
Percin, I know you have wanted this for a long time and every time you talked about CoE it seemed like for you it really represented a milestone. Almost as this acceptance to CoE would really change your future in a significant way. I have to say I disagree.
No major success and no major failure will ever do that. Because success and failure is something we build (or hold on to) continuously.
Don’t get to attached to diplomas much as prestigious as they could be. Because they don’t represent the essence. The essence is you, with or without them. What you see, what you learn and how that changes you personally and professionally.
All the rest are details.
CoE is in the end just another College. A very good one, most surely the best of its kind in Europe. (And that is something!). But in the end, just a College. It guarantees you very little. Because there will always be someone more prepared than you, with better education than you, with more experience or more relations than you (technically speaking). It always is like this (for every one of us) and that is the beauty of life. The fact that you can always learn from someone or find in others new directions where you want to head.
So a good diploma or a good academic preparation doesn’t guarantee that much. Because in the end, you are only following the path of so many others before you. It is what you will do after you finish that will (or will not) make the difference.
Your own vision of life, the risks you are willing to take, the changes you make in the world and ultimately how happy you are, will determine how successful in life you will be or not.
Be a visionary, don’t be a follower.
And the rest will be details.
P.S. I love you and I wish you all the best.
September 13, 2011 at 9:32 pm |
Congrats once more! How come does not surprise me you ahve applied for students representative? Thanks in advance for keeping us updated. Good post Pachi