M1 - First guest lecturer

Thank you to Ms. Motoko Uchitomi from the University of Tokyo for coming all the way to Strasbourg to give us a lecture on Future Space Exploration. It was incredibly interesting and and we are all very thankful for your efforts of speaking in English and answering our questions.

We hope you liked your thank you card from MSS16.

How Spacecraft Fly

How Spacecraft Fly by Graham Swinerd is defiantly a really good book that introduces you to space and the history and theory behind it. Also you don't have to have a technical background to understand it. I'm currently reading it and even though I do have a technical background and understanding I do find this book appealing and helpful.

I really like the way he explains theoretical concepts and adds casual jokes to lighten the mood. Defiantly a good read to get you into the Space state of mind.

Opening Ceremony

Today is the 20th Anniversary of the Masters course at the International Space University. It is also the MSS15 graduation ceremony and MSS16 (my class) opening ceremony.

Thursday 10 September at 10.00 CEST:

http://www.isunet.edu/isu-live-webcast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_Fskg4qkfY&sns=fb

Bank Account

You will need a bank account in France if you wish to pay for your accomidation by direct debit or to apply for CAF.

It is very simple and easy to open one and doesn't take to much time as long as you have all of the necessary documentation.

Firstly you will need to pick a bank. Most of the banks in Strasbourg have very good student account deals so anyone will do. I have gone for Banque Populaire. which is actually quite popular since there are many branches all over the city.

In order to open a bank account you first need to go into the branch to make an appointment. the appointment can be as early as that afternoon or as late as two weeks so make sure you don't leave it to the last minute to open an account.

The following documentation is needed to open a French bank account:

1. Passport
2. Proof of you permanent residence i.e. contract
3. Proof you are a student i.e. certificate of acceptance or student card
4. A bank statement from your home country bank account. 

This information may vary depending on which bank you go for but this is what i was asked to provide.

Whilst you are there opening your account ask them to run through how online banking works etc. because this will be useful.

French

In Strasbourg the main languages that are spoken in Alsace are French, German and Alsatian. Alsatian is a mixture of French and German but defiantly sounds more French.

If you don't know much French it can be a little daunting at first to go out and ask for things you need.  Such as setting up a bank account (which you will need to pay rent from and for CAF) and to apply for CAF (which is great for students needing help with rent payments). But all in all most of the people here do actually speak English and are willing to help as much as they can. It is also helpful to Google a few words before you go out so you know how to say a few things that you are asking for.

So don’t be worried about living abroad because you don’t know the language. It will be easier to pick up and if you don’t know the words then just ask.

ISU does provide intensive French classes that, for me, starts on the 2nd September and ends on the 8th September. These will be from 9am until 1pm with  a lunch break until 2:30pm. Then workshops/interactive learning from 2:30pm until 4:30pm.

I am very excited about starting this because I believe it will be incredible helpful!!

Strasbourg

Yes the day has finally come to fly to Strasbourg and begin my dream of becoming an Astronaut!!

Our journey to the airport went smoothly and my suitcases where underweight which was fantastic. As always its incredible difficult to move abroad in only two suitcases but I do believe I have everything. Thankfully I have a wonderful mother who came with me in order to pass one of my suitcases as her own. This was very helpful.

If any of your family or friends are free to help you the do let them because this wont be easy on your own.

Unfortunately there were problems with the plan so we spent the first two hours just sitting. At least we were obligated to have a free beverage or snack for delays over 2 hours. 

Once we landed in Strasbourg we bought our train tickets to the main train station in Strasbourg from the ticket machines, validated them (which is important to do before getting on any train or tram in France) and then we were on our way to the city.

Unfortunately because my flight was delayed the reception at my student accommodation was closed. This meant that I could get the keys for my room. Luckily there were some emergency numbers posted on their notice board which I rang and was informed that someone would be their shortly. This was great news since I couldn't exactly pay to stay in a hotel that night.

A very nice French lady arrived to my rescue but couldn't speak very much English. This proved for an interesting inventory check. man hand gestures and diagrams were exchanged to try and understand what either of us were talking about but it was all sorted in the end.

I'm pleased with my apartment. It’s a good size studio with a double sofa bed and a small kitchen and good size bathroom. I think my life will be really good here!

The International Space University

I have been accepted to the International Space University!

Not many people know about this specialist university, or if they do, don't know much about it or what it may involve.

So if you have been accepted also to ISU this is what you have sign up for:
The International Space University is a bit different from normal universities because it focuses on Space and Space studies. as it only accepts students that already have a degree i guess it is like a grad-school with a focus on one subject. The aim of this university is to allow further development of already educated people within Space Sciences.

Since this university has a large spread of subjects to do with space it doesn't go into very much detail within the first module in order to cover the extensive material. I'm hoping to use this first module to find my discipline/speciality that i can then go on to learn about more in the streams of the next module.
I am extremely excited and will report back on everything I learn as I go.