Girls just wanna have fun ...II

Last Tuesday Hermi, Julia, Johanna, Kristel and last but not least me decided to dine out. That time "Thomawirt" situated in the Leonhardstraße was our choice to celebrate Julia's, Joana's and Kristel's brirthdays a little bit. Additionally, we talked for a about an hour or more in English about a wide range of topics. But I really don't want to mention them now... it was mainly girls-stuff. However, we had a craic and the food was absolutely delicious.
Anyway, in order to improve our oral skills, to get to know the city of Graz a bit better and to share more time together, we decided to try out various restaurants in Graz.

So, meeting your friends and doing something useful with regards to university goes in one...

Styrian Springtime

Austrians yodel, Austrians wear "Dirndl and Lederhosen" etc. are just a few of tons of stereotypes people have. However, in the week of 19th to 22nd April this image had definitely come true: The Vienna City Hall was the setting of the annual “Steirischen Ftühling”(Styrian Springtime)
It has been the 11th time that the “Steirische Frühling was held, where Styria, also known as the “Grüne Mark” (Green Marches) and its hosts presented or sold their local delicacies. As far as the eye could see, delicious,traditional Styrian food like the “Verhackerbrot”, or a great selecction of different wines were proffered. Not to forget the “Kernöl” or the “Apfelstrudel” for which the area is famous for.

However, I was working there, which was a real pleasure. I got to know loads of interesting people and had also the chance to practise my English by talking to people from all over the world. When it came to the explanation of a “Verhackerbrot”, I sometimes had hard struggles,but nevertheless the foreigners were able to understand what I was trying to tell them-more or less. The product which everybody was aware of was the “Schnaps”, a clear type of fruit brandy and its different variations (plum-, pear-, apricot-Schnaps).

So, next time check it out yourself. Try all the specalities of the Styrian cuisine and regio.It's really worth going there.

See ya next year!

Girls just wanna have fun...

Finally, a few of our SUK 4 English group managed to meet at the Propeller to talk solely in English. Although I was a bit skeptical about our meeting, because I didn't expect that it would work out just to talk in English, in the end it was quite a big surprise that we could constrain ourselves to do so. We talked about the weirdest topics like cystitis or whatever for about three hours, which is probably the most important point.

I just can say that all of us had a blast, this night was just awesome.
So, we're planning on our next "meeting" and I hope we'll get together as soon as possible.
I'll definitely let you know

Studying

I totally forgot to mention that I worked on some vocabulary for our progress test last Thursday. Johanna and I were having a hard time to elaborate all the "might-be -important" vocab of David Monagan's "Jaywalking with the Irish". Furthermore, we noted down sentences for each of the words- it was hell, because it cost a lot of time. Hopefully,all the hard work has paid off.

Volunteer project

Where is my mind?


I totally forgot to mention the project on volunteer organisation, which we were determined to prepare before the Easter break. My group, constising of Hermine, Johanna, Julia S. and me chose to present a very special and almost unique volunteer project; is set in the Caribbean. Right, in the Caribbean! What you could do there except for sunbathing, I’m going to tell you now.
Actually, the whole project takes place on the island called St. Eustatius, where you have to fullfill some tasks. The main aim is the conservation of the two National Parks (the Marine and the Quill Park), which are located on this island. As well as this, you have to do gardening and work on the trail system.The most exciting or fascinating part of this program might be the monitoring and tagging of the sea turtles during their nesting period.

All the volunteers will be supervised and probably one of the most important points to mention is that you don’t need any specific qualifications AT ALL!- solely self-motivated.
The costs for the two-month project are about € 1446 ,-, ehich covers all program costs, including the food for two months, an organised boat trip to nearby islands as well as the pick up and drop off at the airport. What you have to know additionally is that the flight costs extra, which makes it even more expensive. Before I forget, the participants have to bring their own tent, because they are living on the campside set in botanical garden. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Summing up, I really think that for people who are interested in nature and living in a tent this project is just perfect. I probably wouldn’t do it, although taking care for sea turtles sounds tempting. However, when it comes to sleeping in a botanical garden with nothing around me but the pure and untouched nature,I think that would give me the creeps.

If you are looking for further information or even want to apply for this program see: www.workingabroad.com




PS: The volunteer fair was a fantasticc idea, because we all got the opportunity to talk in English and to learn about the numerous possibilites everyone of us has doing a volunteer job.