Monday, 7 May 2012

Week 13 - Personal

 
Our time in Sweden is progressing rapidly and I feel that there are still many places to visit and sights to see.  When I talk to the local people they all have suggestions as to where are the must see spots and I have realised that making these type of decisions does not come easy to me. I want to go everywhere and see everything and am finding it hard to narrow down my list so I can fit the trips in around my studies and school placement. I have asked the children to think about where they most want to go as this Erasmus experience is one that includes us all and is not just mine, maybe they will find it easier than me.

Over the last few weeks, whilst listening to others talk about their home countries, I have had many opportunities to talk about Northern Ireland both to other students and to the Swedish people I have met here. Before I left for Sweden I felt that we lived in a boring country with very little to offer us or those who choose to visit; these talks and presentations have led to me seeing Northern Ireland in a new light. I can now see that we have many interesting sights, many of which I have not visited myself, and that we live in a country known for its natural beauty. I feel myself becoming more appreciative and proud of Northern Ireland with every conversation. Even though I know that when the time comes for us to leave Sweden it will be emotional and we will all be sad to leave our new friends I am looking forward to returning home and to spending some of the summer exploring our country with the same enthusiasm I have shown in Sweden.

During one of my presentations the children were given time to ask me questions. One of the children asked me was I brave and with almost no hesitation I said yes, not wanting to admit to a child that I am scared sometimes (especially of spiders). However when I thought about it later I realised that even though I am fearful of some situations I usually try to face them and overcome my nervousness; I think this makes me as brave as someone who isn’t scared to start with. This realisation has made me see myself in a new light as in the past I have felt silly about being scared and overlooked the fact that I have overcome my fear.

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