![\"Peel](\"http:\/\/www.anfocal.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Peel-building-salford-university-570x379.jpg\")
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By Sally Gorman<\/p>\n
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By the time you guys are reading this I will be living it up in Manchester. Yes my Erasmus has come around, very quickly may I add and I am now officially a student of The University of Salford.<\/p>\n
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The last couple of months have been hectic. I\u2019ve been booking flights, finding the right accommodation and choosing my modules.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s all been very hands on but very exciting.<\/p>\n
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I am a third year Journalism and New Media student and when it came down to choosing my Erasmus destination Salford seemed right up my street.<\/p>\n
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When I heard MediaCityUK was part of the campus I was sold.<\/p>\n
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With the BBC and ITV studios based there what more could a future broadcast journalist want?<\/p>\n
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Let\u2019s not forget a bit of Coronation Street and Jeremy Kyle thrown in for good measure.<\/p>\n
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I could be hitting Rovers for one or two at the weekend!<\/p>\n
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Me? I\u2019m a bit of a home bird so the UK seemed like an ideal destination for my study abroad semester.<\/p>\n
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I actually think I\u2019ll feel closer to home in Manchester than Limerick.<\/p>\n
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As crazy as that sounds Manchester is only a 50 minute plane journey away whereas being from the Midlands meant I travelled over two hours to get to UL. This I won\u2019t miss.<\/p>\n
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I still can\u2019t comprehend that getting to Dublin Airport was more costly than flying to Manchester.<\/p>\n
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Yes, believe it or not, a one way ticket to Manchester only set me back \u20ac9.99. Thank God for Ryanair.<\/p>\n
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Realistically, with flights at that price I could come home every weekend if I wanted to but I guess that takes the good out of an Erasmus doesn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n
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So far I am super impressed with how efficiently things are ran in Salford.<\/p>\n
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When I booked my flights the Erasmus office there kindly arranged for someone from their team to meet me at the airport and take me to my accommodation.<\/p>\n
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This I was delighted with as it\u2019s hard enough landing in a new city and not knowing where to go especially when you\u2019re weighed down with bags, bags and more bags.<\/p>\n
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I will be living on campus in Salford. I will be resident of The John Lester and Eddie Colman Courts for twelve weeks to be precise.<\/p>\n
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Not only is this my first time to stay in campus accommodation but also my first time to move in with strangers.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m not going to lie but this is what\u2019s stressing me out the most \u2013 the fear of the unknown!<\/p>\n
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As far as I am aware I will be living with three post graduate girls, here\u2019s hoping we get along.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s all part of the package.<\/p>\n
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For the first time in my life I will be donning a single bed and that\u2019s not the worst part.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019ll also be sharing a bathroom with four others.<\/p>\n
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Maybe I\u2019m just being picky or else Limerick has spoiled me the last two years but this is something I\u2019m just not used to.<\/p>\n
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That will all have to change.<\/p>\n
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My accommodation looks basic but very clean and offers a free bus service to and from college every day.<\/p>\n
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Thank God because from what I\u2019ve heard it\u2019s always raining in Manchester!<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m also excited about the free gym in my complex.<\/p>\n
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I hope to come back a new woman, unrecognisable but hey, how many times have I said that at this stage?<\/p>\n
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On a serious note I am looking forward to getting back into my own routine.<\/p>\n
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I find that when cooking for one and shopping for one it\u2019s so much easier to be healthier.<\/p>\n
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Staying on campus is quite expensive. My first deposit cost me \u00a3500, which seems fairly standard until you convert to Sterling \u2013 a whopping \u20ac725 but it will be worth it.<\/p>\n
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It put my parents at ease knowing that there is 24hr campus security there too.<\/p>\n
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With the exchange rate being so bad at the minute I was stressing about money.<\/p>\n
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Because I am studying in Europe I am entitled to a study abroad grant of \u20ac250 a month which all sounds rosy in the garden until you do the maths and realise that really isn\u2019t so much in Sterling.<\/p>\n
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How and ever I plan on finding myself a part time job over here.<\/p>\n
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I don\u2019t expect it to be too difficult as shops will only be getting busier in the run up to the Christmas season so fingers crossed. I\u2019ll keep you posted.<\/p>\n
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I have my heart set on a jewellers in the Trafford Centre.<\/p>\n
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Maybe I\u2019m being a little unrealistic but with five years\u2019 experience in this line of work I have a shot right?<\/p>\n
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The Trafford Centre will be my second home while I\u2019m in Manchester no doubt!<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m also really looking forward to sporting my United jersey and going to a soccer game in Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m not even a soccer supporter but when in Rome and all that jazz?<\/p>\n
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I think this is what my friends are most looking forward to and are planning their visits around.<\/p>\n
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The most difficult part to date has been deciding what to pack.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m a terrible packer of a normal time so you can imagine how hard it was for me to pack for a twelve week stint.<\/p>\n
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Do I bring bed clothes or do I buy them out there?<\/p>\n
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How will I find my warmest winter coat?<\/p>\n
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Choosing which shoes to leave behind\u2026torture!<\/p>\n
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My Mam and Dad are flying out a day after me just to make sure I\u2019m fully settled and of course to bring anything I may have forgotten.<\/p>\n
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The only thing I have to remember is that whatever we bring out I will have to bring home alone so I can\u2019t go overboard.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019ll have to unpack the kitchen sink!<\/p>\n
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As far as I know I will only have to study three modules in Salford on a pass\/fail basis.<\/p>\n
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SO I shouldn\u2019t really be saying this but it looks like I will have a lot of free time to enjoy, create and explore.<\/p>\n
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Here goes!<\/p>\n
Wish me luck…<\/p>\n