Week 1: Time flies when there's a lot to be done

McGill Entering Class of 2014: I'm top left, just behind the '2'

The first week at McGill has been a crazy one, and perhaps a little harder than some other new McGillians. It certainly hasn't all been bad news; a lot of people have made sure of that.

I feel like I know my way around the key parts of the city now, though there is a lot more exploring I would like to do - there are museums a plenty and Mont-Royal remains as enticing as ever. I have been so shocked by how willing locals have been to offer - unbegrudgingly - directions to me. One second year student I approached outside of the Arts faculty said she had an hour to spare so walked me twenty minutes out of her way to make sure I found my destination without issue. We chatted all the way!

I'm really keen to take photos of campus while the weather remains so fine - I still can't believe how beautiful my faculty building is - a million miles away from DHT back at home! 

Classes were a shock to the system but I'm slowly adjusting. First and foremost, 'classes' really is the best way to describe them. I have a maximum of twenty other students with me, sat at desks around a blackboard - we even have to put our hands up to answer questions. I have daily 'homeworks'. I also have classmates who I'm enjoying getting to know - I doubt that would have happened so promptly in a lecture hall setting. 

While different so far I have really enjoyed this system; there is a lot of focus on the individual, everything is a lot more didactic and engaging . . . and classes still manage to remain as academically challenging - if not more so - than what I am used to. There's a lot of work on the horizon but it also seems that there is a lot of support in place. I am anticipating there being a lot to 'juggle', but I am genuinely excited as it all sounds SO DARN INTERESTING. (Calm down, KD, calm down . . .)

Next week should be an exciting one as I will have more time to have a look around the city as things settle down. I am looking forward to the societies fair next Tuesday and Wednesday - I got an email from Best Buddies McGill who say they are keen to meet me and get setting up a link with Best Buddies Edinburgh. It will nice to be get properly involved with the local community and hopefully the fact I can help out BB here will mean I can straight into the heart of the society.

I have also booked to see 'Pop vs. Jock' - a basketball game between the McGill team and Montreal pop stars including Arcade Fire and Bon Iver! On a post-Glastonbury high this was too good an opportunity to miss, and a half-time spectacular is promised! Helena and I are looking to sort out Book of Mormon in December, too. 

Last night I managed to go and out and socialise for the first time, hitting two parties after literally having to, initially, be dragged out of the apartment by Helena to attend even one. I had a great time enjoying Moroccan food with new international friends and then, half way home, plucked up the energy to pop into a second party I'd been invited to a little out of the city centre. I met so many nice people at both events and had some good ol' bonding time with friends new and less new, and it proved some well timed comic relief after a stressful few days!

Behind all this excitement has been a lot of trickiness and a lot of people here and on the other end of Skype have been looking after me more than I could ever have asked for. Almost strangers have offered to help me cart my belongings across the city, university staff have been supremely helpful and all those who mean most to me albeit in England, Scotland, Canada or New Zealand have made me feel very loved and I couldn't be more grateful. Onwards and upwards to week two . . . time is flying already, which at the moment seems like a good thing but I'm sure I'll be regretting my words very soon!