UCB: The Final Deadline!

It blows my mind to think that exactly four years ago I was finished with my studies at college in Wolverhampton, leaving me with little time to prepare for my university experience that would of commenced in September of 2010. Here now in May 2014 I'm in the final stages of my degree, where has the time truly gone?! This journey isn't completely over yet, nor will it ever really be because I will have my degree and the memories that were made in the city of Birmingham, England! When one door closes another door opens, well that's the plan because I don't want to walk into any glass doors!

Let's start at the beginning, some would say that its a very good place to start? I shall be the judge of that! September 2010 brought the day I moved to the Maltings, the halls of residence for the students of University College Birmingham. I know I've mentioned bits and bobs about this place but in this instance this will probably be for the final time. I made a group of friends quite quickly and the rest is history. Freshers at the Maltings was amazing, it was a time that I look back on and cherish because before my time in Birmingham I never really went out on the town! University and the first semester definitely changed me but really I never needed to be changed for their was nothing wrong with me! From pre-drinks to our nights in I would have to say that living at the Maltings during the first year fared to be the best out of the whole experience from beginning to end. I'll never know why I was worried to start with?!

Like with everything drama and all that business reared its ugly head but without that profound dynamic it would of been only a matter of time before the second year would put us all on our separate tracks. I did enjoy student life quite a lot but time is time! The group changed along with the different flats I lived throughout my first three semesters, some of us would stay in touch but we all had different paths.I would like to say that I'm a good judge of character but I have found over recent years that the more I know about someone its either a make or break situation, if your a friend of mine then you have been saved from the chop! Who do I think I am?! From 142 Davenport House to 813 Thomas House its been emotional so let's go already! Anyway, I have made peace with the Maltings so I'm ready to move on forwards! Thanks B1 1SB! 

Assignments and presentations whizzed past in the first year, securing me with the grades to move forward. With the summer of 2011 fast approaching things on the fresher front had changed quite considerably, we all saw our next step and life gets in the way because the party has to finish at some point. I'll mention the reunion in due course! I had only gone and got myself a job at Walt Disney World in Orlando, USA for the summer of 2011. I jetted off to the land of Mickey Mouse to work at Futureworld North, Epcot in the Merchandise department. I interviewed at university during the November period of 2010 and found out before the New Year that I would become a Cast Member! I'm glad I had gained some life experience beforehand in Birmingham during my first year at university because I got on just fine. My magical internship lasted three months but the magic had to be maintained so it wasn't all pixie dust and smiles all the time. Oh Mickey!

Being at university hadn't really sunk in for there had been something going on from the word go! I loved my time in Orlando even though life provides us with a few hiccups here and there I'm definitely stronger than yesterday! I went to Miami! Little did I know I would be returning to the United States of America five months after my Delta flight touched down at Manchester Airport. Uni hadn't been so difficult because all the modules I had to do didn't contribute to my final year so it was a free for all as long as we passed the assignment and the year we had got to second year! Away from Disney I knew that things would be hotting up with my studies so it was time to work! Juggling work in Birmingham for the first time with freshers in the first year proved to be a challenge but I look back and just can't comprehend how I could work at Primark with a terrible hangover after another top Friday night at Propaganda! It was a fresher thing! Thanks Disney for picking me! Joe from Bilston! 

Who fancies one year in New Jersey?! Count me in! My degree contains a 48 week placement so I interview for a few locations in America but I had a good feeling about Newark Airport. I spent one year working as a Passenger Service Agent for Virgin Atlantic Airways. I like my sleep so I found it especially challenging to report for the early shift at 4 am most days. But I really enjoyed my job when I put the tiredness behind me I met some great people, I keep in contact with my specials. Being on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean wasn't always a bunch of roses for I missed the birth of my two cousins but when all said and done I wouldn't trade my Virgin Atlantic days for my down days. So, I welcome you to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse! I loved that place and the famous personalities I welcomed to Newark's plushest residence, but my VS sisters made my morning shifts unforgettable! Check-in was a worthwhile challenge, I don't think I'll forget checking-in a rather eccentric 80's music icon! Work BB!

It wasn't all work and no play, oh no! I jetted off to a fair few places during my Industrial Placement. Living in Newark was a experience, it was a time that I'll never want to forget! I'm in no hurry to return because I know I will in my own time. Being away from Birmingham gave the chance to reevaluate the time I had spent getting mortal most of the time so I wanted to get out more and challenge myself to see more parts of Birmingham because the clock would begin to tick as soon as my VS2 flight would touch down in London. Seeing New York City every week or so was such a thrill, I took the subway all over the city and went to neighbourhoods that even my American co-workers hadn't even been to before! I loved being an international fish! From Puerto Rico to my two Canadian trips I really didn't know what to expect for my final three semesters back at university. From freshers to checking passports at Gate 55 I have to pinch myself that all of these amazing opportunities have crossed my university path.

Back to Birmingham for I had to return for the concluding part of my degree. I went back to university with a new outlook for my future and I had missed Birmingham from the point of just getting out away from the city center to seek something new to get the best from my student city. The modules got more complex but nothing good can be achieved easily, plus its great to work for something. I struggled to get my head back in the game for the jump from Newark to assignments proved to be a challenge. Friendships are made but I would realize its only natural to phase one or two out if need be. International Travel Operations wasn't bad! 2013 brought a great summer to me, I would need the break for final year would feel like a marathon! Never listen to the woes of others about their dissertations its not true! Don't make me learn French again!

Final year hasn't been so bad, its had its moments but above all I have really enjoyed it. I joined the LGBT Society at UCB from October 2013 and through being a member I have made new friends and enjoyed some great nights out down the Gay Village in Birmingham. My dissertation took me to Manchester for one night in January 2014 so I could completely understand my subject and to have a good time as well. It's not been a bunch of roses completely but what's life without a bit of struggle? With the assignments almost done and the final seminar due on the 19th of May 2014 there's really not much else to do. Birmingham as a city has shown be so much, its taught me that if I can live here and experience Newark as well I can pretty much live anywhere! The reunion I mentioned earlier should be happening in Birmingham soon! I won't ever have the need to publish another blog like this, well never say never! Ta'ra now UCB!

UCB ... The Cakes Army! Joseph Harrison