The Last Blog Post

The Last Blog Post

Well, this will be my last post, at least for this semester. I hope that my about one hundred thousand follower won’t be too sad about that ;)

 Although my euphoria for blogging is still limited, I tried to come up with some interesting ideas throughout this semester and I hope that somebody found the time to read my posts.

At the beginning of the semester I wrote about “What good bloggers do”. I tried to follow my own guidelines and though I am still not one of the best bloggers, I am sure that my blog improved since last semester.

I really admire the successful bloggers among us, that come up with such interesting and LONG blog posts about topics that actually interest me and inform me about something new. I hope these people will continue writing after SUK2.

It is a fact that not all of us have these passion and ideas for good blog posts, but we did our best, had some nice ideas too and that’s the important thing.

I hope that this semester will end well, wish all happy summer holidays, good luck for the KGP and see you soon!

 

Looking back after a year as an English student at the ITAT

I started to study English here at the ITAT with SUK1 in October 2013. As I had already been studying Spanish and Russian since 2012, I had an idea about the high demands at the ITAT.

 Nevertheless, it turned out that English is more difficult than I thought. English starts at a much higher level than the other languages​​ and the PCs are really a challenge for which you just need to have a feeling for the language and can’t just study everything.

When I started SUK 1, I had some troubles until I got used to the new way of teaching and the language. But with the time, I liked it more and more and improved my language skills.

It’s amazing how much I learned throughout this year. My vocabulary has at least doubled. Another positive thing is that I really like the way the English classes are held, much less stressful and more fun than in other languages. So I am really glad that I switched from Russian to English. 

Correction: Report

Physiotherapy Practice

This report provides a summary of the findings of a patient satisfaction survey, which was conducted with questionnaires in the physiotherapy practice of Doctor Sandtner in the week of 2nd to 8th June . While the survey showed reasonable levels of satisfaction with the physiotherapists working there, the patients were not satisfied with the layout of the practice itself.

Physiotherapists In general, patients were positive in their views of the physiotherapists. They were described as friendly, communicative and very professional. In addition, they take plenty of time for each individual patient.

Therapy cabins One issue which emerged from the patient’s responses was the boring layout of the therapy cabins. It was generally felt that the cabins were too small and that the gray plastic walls made the atmosphere unfriendly. Many respondents would like to see some decoration or music. Another reason for dissatisfaction was the lack of privacy – a large number of patients indicated that you could hear the other patients talk in the next cabins. Furthermore, many respondents would like to see some decoration or music.

The waiting room Another important point that came out of the survey was the poor organization of the waiting room. Most frequently the respondents complained about that there were not enough seats for all the patients waiting. Many patients had to stand while they had been waiting for their treatment. In addition to that, the respondents disliked the uncomfortable plastic chairs and the bright blue of the walls. They would wish for some magazines, pictures and plants.

Recommendations It is clear to see that many aspects of this physiotherapy practice need to be improved. An important first step to increase the well-being of the patients would be to paint the walls a more pleasing colour and perhaps hang some pictures. It is also essential to provide more, and more comfortable, chairs in the waiting room. To ensure more privacy in the cabins, soundproof walls would be essential. If all these proposals for change are implemented, a lot will turn for the better.

Culture Days

Culture Days

On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 of June, we had our culture days. This means that every student had a presentation on a culture topic we chose some weeks ago. As I am one of Fiona’s students, I had to choose a topic related to Irish culture. I decided to talk about the health problems of the Irish Travellers and while doing some research about them, I got really interested in their culture and problems.

During the culture days, every student had to watch at least 10 presentations, 7 from the home culture and 3 from the other one. On Tuesday I had to study, so I watched all the presentation on Monday. Among the ones I watched: How the plague changed Ireland, Gerry Adams and the IRA, Polar Opposites, Belfast – a city split by the troubles, The Race around Ireland, Irish Influence on C.S. Lewis’ work, Monica Loughman, Same Sex marriage, the KKK and the Boston Tea Party.

For the KGP I chose to be tested on: Monica Loughman, Belfast split by the troubles, Gerry Adams, The Race around Ireland and Irish Influence on C. S. Lewis’s work. Why I chose them? Because I think these are the ones I am most interested in and excited to study about and because they are from a range of fields.

I was really surprised about the presentations. Everybody did a great job and it was a pleasure watching them. 

Protests against the FIFA World Cup in Brazil

Protests against the FIFA World Cup in Brazil

The FIFA World Cup in Brazil will take place from 12 June to 13 July 2014.

Many people are looking forward to this event, however, lately there are many protests against the World Cup in Brazil. Brazil is a very poor country, with many residents who have to live on the hunger line. Instead of helping these people or to invest in schools, new stadiums are built now.

I found an interesting article on this topic, which also shows that no one protested when Brazil was chosen as the venue:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2014/04/16/brazils-anti-fifa-protests-not-little-but-definitely-late/

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall

In this blog entry I want to write about a fascinating character, Jane Goodall.

A few weeks ago I saw a documentary about her on TV and was absolutely thrilled by this woman.

Jane was born in 1934 in England and when she was 26 years old she set out for Gombe National Park in Africa to study the behaviour of chimpanzees, without university education.

She discovered, among other things, that chimpanzee tribes are organized in complex social structures, were loving parents, hunted meat and used primitive tools.

She was married two times and has a son.

In 1977 she  established the Jane Goodall Institute, which supports her research.

Jane Goodall recieved many awards for her work and is also UN Messenger of Peace. 

I find her life very fascinating and interesting and if you also want to get to know more about her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVNN3UNCU_c

the Wall Centre

The Wall Centre

I suppose that not many people know a lot about the “Wall”, in which our department of translation is. For this reason, I thought it would be nice to get to know some facts about this historical building.

In former times there was a printing plant in this building until it moved to Straßgang for space reasons. From the company's founder, Alfred Wall, the building takes its name.

Since 1994 departments of the University of Graz are located in the Wall Centre, but the listed chimney in the inner yard and the logo of Alfred Wall on the outer wall remind on the old days as a factory.

Interesting to note is also that the arc with posters at the staircase to the first floor is considered a work of art and is by Manfred Erjautz and Michael Kienzer.

 

The statue in front of the building, which we walk past every day, shows Ivo Andric, nobel laureate in literature.