University Life

I guess it is about time that i put something up on this blog. Being a student is a nice lifestyle after the craziness of consulting and going from place to place. I like the regular routine. I am doing a research PhD in International Development but am required to take 3 research methods courses this fall. The jargon is a bit much and it seems that what i need to learn is how to make social science look like real science-- the research rigor is intense, but at the same time we are learning how to make the data work for you.... kind of crazy making. But also illustrates all the statistics we get presented really needs to be read with care because the data is presented to make a point and whoever is presenting the data will give you their slant on what they want you to see. so really it is not science at all. That is what i am learning :) I think of all the research I have done over the last 4 years where I have 4 days in the field to gather data to develop some economic strategy that will incorporate 100 villages or so into the economy. No wonder development is so poorly executed, we don't have the time or resources to do proper research. But then if i had months or years would how different would the outcome be?


This is my first time in England. I find that the villages are similar to those in Bosnia except for not as many bombed out structures. The quaintness is cute and everything is so tailored. The systems in England are not so good for someone who is living here. Customer service is really poor, technology is inferior and this is really problematic when all of university life is dependent on the web and e-mail.... When it doesn't work, it is too bad even though you are required to get lectures off of the web or notes or articles to read before the class. I do have a desk which is in a small office i share with 3 others. My office is one of the smaller one, most offices have about 10 desks in them. But i have a window in front of mine, which is fine with me. In the office there is no wireless so I cannot use my laptop and i am forced to use a very slow ancient desk top. What i don't understand is if wireless is on campus, why wouldn't you have it in the offices? What ever....

Traffic is unbelievable for the country side. No wonder the concern for carbon footprints is foremost on every one's mind here. It is bumper to bumper for miles with fields and cows on both sides of the tiny road. To miss traffic i head out 2 hours before class to do the 20 minute trek, otherwise it will take 1 hour in the car.

My cohort is not very tight, as that is not really an emphasis here. I have become friends with a fellow from Finland who has done some work in Kenya with colleagues of mine there. A Thai fellow has also become part of our posse even though he is in 2nd year. He is brilliant with computer systems and analyzing data. My advisers are pretty good. Not too stuffy. One joined us at the fire works to celebrate Guy Fox Day.


They also had all sorts of rides set up at the university, like a mini PNE or CNE. Of course they were for teenagers who could handle the speed. Karen and I went on one that was for 4-8 year olds--tea cups that spun around very slowly in comparison to the others. it was good fun! Unfortunately we have no pictures of that :)

Karen and I are taking in a few movies at the Bath International Film Festival this week. Today our film is on an apartment building in Cairo and all the scenes that occur in each flat. Should be interesting.

I am swimming several times a week at the university 50 meter pool which is great exercise. I'm not sure how long that will last, but it is working right now.

I don't know how people do this kind of thing on their own. My colleagues here who are on their own really suffer from loneliness. For sure we are cordial at school, but the days get dark early and then you go home to your room. It is expensive for all of us who are foreigners here so going out isn't really an option. I really do not get why higher education has to be so emotionally tough. The separation between emotional and intellectual pursuits is really so not necessary but it seems that is a prerequisite to being successful in the academic world. I'm not going to aspire towards that and i find it disturbing. I feel very fortunate that Karen is here with me. Just coming home to a light on and fantastic smells coming from the kitchen counteracts the working alone at the university.

So that's it for now.... it is great to hear from people. We do miss home of course, but our little home in the village is cozy and homey for the meantime.
Signing off for now, mary