Social Erasmus: A day with the Children.

What comes to your mind when you hear of a child, or rather children?:) The very precious innocently looking children, what do you really think? "They are so adorable" Yes, I think so too! :). They are beautiful, humble, smart, joyful, not yet brain washed which makes their ideas the most genius.  

I am an Uncle to seven beautiful nieces and more still waiting to be born :D. I just simply love to be around children and to share the only moment they know which is HAPPY moments. I was really glad to hear that the Erasmus Student Network chapter of my host University organizes some social erasmus activities in which one of it is spending cherishable moments with some primary school children.

I was really excited that I had to forgo all other plans just to be part of the team of students to spend this one time event with this lovely children. Not only do we have to spend time with them but also to learn from one another, just great! Our task was to teach the children Mathematics (geometric figures & numbers) in our various languages and also to make Christmas cards.

Display of the Christmas cards made. ;)

The thought of being a teacher for a day sounded like a very easy task but believe me it's not "easy". My case was a bit more special because I had to teach the children in two different languages; my mother tongue Yoruba and Finnish. The children were very cooperative and willing to learn which makes the atmosphere more friendly. 

Feeling like a teacher :D

The children had the opportunity to learn some things in seven languages (yoruba, finnish, spanish, french, romanian, german and english) from a team of dedicated Erasmus exchange students. 

We "teachers" :D gave the pupil all we can, and the pupil in return appreciated our effort, time and most importantly patience. At the end of the lessons, the children showed their appreciation by saying "thank you" and also gave us some souvenirs to take home :). 

It was indeed a special moment we had with the kids ;)

  

Erasmus Peacekeeping Mission

Kayo as a young boy used to admire the camouflage outfit, strength, power and courage of a Soldier. As a little child I watched quite many films where a soldier would single handedly rescue a loved one from the hands of the antagonist. It thrills me to see the courage in his eyes when embarking on such mission and the highly intelligent preparation being made.

I am sure you guys understand what I'm writing about here...Seeing the Soldier drawing up plans, cleaning and preparing his rifle, marking his face with paints and many more. For example such film is the legendary "Commando".

After many years little did I know that I will be part of such "Rescue Mission". I and other exchange students had the opportunity to enjoy a very interesting Paintball game. Firstly, the game started out with the distribution of military uniforms and the helmet. 

  

Well, after getting the uniform it was time for a distribution of weapons but first we had to go through few minutes of orientation on how to handle and use the weapon. And most importantly the rules guiding the firing of weapon.  After which we were shared into two teams; red and green. I was on the red team.

Red Zone Team

The game started up right with the building of a camp base at the middle of a forest which was also known as the secured base. At the base we had our mission assigned to us and also we had to draw up an attack/defence strategy.

Secured base building process ;)

The game was painfully interesting and it lasted till dusk. I said "painfully" because the shots fired from the guns stung for couple of minutes. Nevertheless, the team was very much eager to accomplish the mission. At the end of the game we laid down our weapons, no one got hurt, mission was accomplished and peace reigned. 

Or maybe not! :D

 

The new face of the University of Economics in Katowice

Sometimes we wonder, "where is life taking us?" At some point we wake up someday and find ourselves in a different world. There are several talents born in us which is yet to be identified but someone out there will help us dig out such unidentified talents if only we say "YES" to their offer.

Waking up on this day felt like any other day, feeling energetic with high prospects for something great out there. Just before I could say Jack Robinson, a lady approached me to ask if I would like to be one of the new faces chosen for the University. Thoughts ran through my head saying "Oh yea, it's a modelling offer!" :D

I didn't have any hesitation in saying "Yes" after all there isn't any complicated condition given as compared to the so-called modelling world. Here I am in the city of Katowice, having such offer at my finger tips all I can do is to grab it!

The process started almost immediately but first with a test photo shoot and there after the professional photo shoot session commenced after a couple of weeks. 

The young man who made us look exceptionally beautiful :D

Next top Models ;)

A great Ambassador of my beloved country. ;)

Although am an amateur, I found the talent in me to be a face of the world sooner than you can think :). So watch out!!! Therefore, I would like to use this opportunity to tell you all my potential clients, if you need to reach me kindly call my manager Ms Anna on 0800-CALL-ME-NOW.

        

Ps. The classroom side of my Erasmus

Have you been wondering if I am here for studies or simply for social reasons? Well, frankly speaking I am here for both :D. But personally being on an exchange programme isn't all about travelling, making friends, partying, partying and partying. But most importantly gaining more knowledge of everything I see, feel, smell and hear around me.

I signed up for eight courses that will give me a total of 29 credit points, enough for one semester. And most importantly all the courses are very relevant in my field of study which is international business. 

Studying at my host... Ok, lets digress a little bit :). I have come to understand a fact in Poland that when a student says "I am studying..." the person is actually seen as someone who is in Uni for party purposes and a fun seeker. But if you say "I am learning..." then you are truly seen as a responsible University student.

Therefore I would say learning at my host University is quite different from my home University in Finland. Well, this difference aren't negative ones but they are simply positive in respect to course schedules, course division, teaching method and a few others.

A very significant difference is the course schedule which is being divided into two different weeks; week A and week B. These weeks are scheduled to go in a cycle of one after the other in which some courses may appear on both weeks while others will appear just in one. 

I like this because my selected courses are not just concentrated in a single week. In addition there is time to have some leisure activities such as swimming, playing table tennis and many more. For instance, on my schedule for week A's I start my weekends from Thursday evening (super :D) because I have no classes or lectures on Fridays ;).

Speaking about classes or lectures, which is a new form of course division for me. Here at the University, most courses are been divided into two parts; classes and lectures. The classes attendance is obligatory while the attendance for lectures are optional. 

My classroom experience has been very educative and sometimes entertaining but still not all of them meet my expectations. Nevertheless, I find most of my courses here very interesting. 

Mobile Party

Are you wondering what I mean by mobile party? You can simply think of it as a moving party. A new definition of party exist at my host Uni (the University of Economics in Katowice). Compared to my partying experience in Finland, England and even in Nigeria, this is completely outstanding. This is not a film trick nor a gimmick it's REAL!

Have you been on a tram before? Sorry I meant to say, have you ever been on a Polish tram before? Yes, then imagine the bustling on such trams been magically changed into a magnificent night life of happy people. OMG, I had a remarkable time of dear life...

 

...A night that will remain fresh in my mind for many years to come. Well of course there were lots of friend around to share this mutual joy of this special night which I guess for most of us it's the first time to be part of such a thrilling event.

We had a blast!!!

For about two hours we had a jolly ride in the funky tram within Katowice and a nearby city after which we decided to settle at a prestigious student club in Katowice city centre.

Ps. Happy New Year everyone. ;)