{"id":5694,"date":"2023-11-30T14:04:21","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T14:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=5694"},"modified":"2023-11-30T14:04:21","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T14:04:21","slug":"first-semester-at-manchester","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2023\/11\/30\/first-semester-at-manchester\/","title":{"rendered":"My First Semester at Manchester"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_module=&#8221;322&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=&#8221;322&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; menu_id=&#8221;8&#8243; submenu_direction=&#8221;downwards&#8221; fullwidth_menu=&#8221;off&#8221; module_class=&#8221;main-navigation&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;off&#8221; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#1d1d1d&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;2&#8243;][et_pb_row_inner locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_column_inner type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;2_3&#8243;][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; title=&#8221;on&#8221; meta=&#8221;on&#8221; author=&#8221;on&#8221; date=&#8221;on&#8221; categories=&#8221;on&#8221; comments=&#8221;on&#8221; featured_image=&#8221;on&#8221; featured_placement=&#8221;above&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_background=&#8221;off&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>From comfortable late-night study sessions, city exploration, and meeting inspiring people to the thrill of intense raving and even being just 5 feet away from the former president of Ukraine, my first semester in Manchester has been an incredibly fast-paced journey. And I\u2019m absolutely certain it\u2019s going to accelerate even more!<\/p>\n<h2>The Course<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5697 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/John-Rylands-Library-169x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"169\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/John-Rylands-Library-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/John-Rylands-Library-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/John-Rylands-Library-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/John-Rylands-Library-150x267.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/John-Rylands-Library-250x444.jpg 250w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/John-Rylands-Library-350x622.jpg 350w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/John-Rylands-Library.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p>Entering the academic year was already an exciting adventure, given that I was finally going to advance my passion and ambitions through the tutelage of globally respected scholars in GDI and SEED. I had neatly organized my Notion, conceptualized the amount of coffee I should intake per day, and planned the amount of rest and exercise needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle throughout my postgraduate life. I was dedicated to focusing on my motto \u201cStrive to Thrive,\u201d and I was sure not to deviate from my path. Certainly, the lectures, workshops, tutorials, and seminars thus far &#8211; and I believe will continue to do so in the foreseeable future &#8211; are fostering my ambitions and fortifying the theoretical base I desire. The \u201cpostgraduate only\u201d access at the Sir Arthur Lewis building at night is a bonus as I have had the luxury of working overnight in relative silence. The opportunities just by being in the department alone are another beautiful aspect. On Tuesday, October 24th, I was ineffably stunned to have been given an exclusive opportunity to join a special lecture with the Former President of Ukraine, Victor Yushchenko, and Former First Lady, Katherine Yushchenko, as guest speakers addressing the Ukraine-Russian War. The atmosphere in the room was palpable, and I could feel the immense pride of the fellow Ukrainian students being inspired by their former leader. Definitely one for the memory books!<\/p>\n<h2>\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-5696 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/Rave-161x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"140\" height=\"261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/Rave-161x300.jpg 161w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/Rave-768x1432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/Rave-549x1024.jpg 549w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/Rave-150x280.jpg 150w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/Rave-250x466.jpg 250w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/Rave-350x653.jpg 350w, https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/302\/2023\/11\/Rave.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>The City<\/h2>\n<p>I thought I had seen it all, but Manchester is a gift that keeps on giving. The abundance of places to visit, a variety of cultural cuisines to feast on, and a plethora of locally initiated activities to engage in, my to-do list has been ever-growing since I first stepped into the city. I can evidently see why Manchester has its charm because experiencing it continuously as a new local has kept me wanting more. As a fervent fan of raves, the city&#8217;s vibrant culture has made a lasting impression on its rave scenes. I often re-watch the videos I&#8217;ve taken, longing to experience those moments again. For those wanting an alternative to clubbing and\/or feeling courageous to try something new on their weekend nights, I recommend going to raves at the Warehouse Project or White Hotel &#8211; it\u2019s like a super intensive and super fun cardio workout!<\/p>\n<h2>The People<\/h2>\n<p>The people are another beautiful encounter. In my course, I have had the privilege to meet remarkable people from all corners of the world, from all walks of life, and who have continuously imparted so much wisdom and inspiration. It is truly a great honour to be in a circle of kindred friends and colleagues pursuing the same aspirations and possessing the same drive and hunger to accomplish their goals \u2013 which also fostered a healthy competitive spirit! What\u2019s more, I had the pleasure of experiencing the welcoming spirit of the student body because the new friendships I have developed through joining events and societies are truly fated. Despite only being a few months in, the friendships so far feel like I\u2019ve known them in a past life, and I cherish every moment spent with them. By and large, I feel very reassured to be around supportive friends who help define my time in Manchester!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Written by Glyre, current\u00a0MSc Global Development (Environment and Climate Change) at The University of Manchester<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; in_same_term=&#8221;off&#8221; show_prev=&#8221;on&#8221; show_next=&#8221;on&#8221; prev_text=&#8221;Previous&#8221; next_text=&#8221;Next&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; show_avatar=&#8221;on&#8221; show_reply=&#8221;on&#8221; show_count=&#8221;on&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;light&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;51&#8243; header_line_height_tablet=&#8221;2&#8243; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_icon_placement=&#8221;right&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; button_use_icon=&#8221;off&#8221; locked=&#8221;on&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; 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text_orientation=&#8221;left&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; module_id=&#8221;address&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.manchester.ac.uk\/discover\/maps\/interactive-map\/\">The University of Manchester<br \/>Oxford Rd<br \/>Manchester<br \/>M13 9PL<br \/>UK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Connect Title&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; parent_locked=&#8221;off&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Connect With Us<\/h4>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=&#8221;Social Media&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;380&#8243; 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