Arrive & Survive in Coventry (UK): A Survival Guide for your First Weeks at Coventry University

A Survival Guide for your First Weeks at Coventry University... or: What you wished you had known before moving to the West-Midlands' city of: Lady Godiva (belgian chocolate anyone?), the world's two fastest cars (Coventry Transport Museum), Global Headquarters of the classic Jaguar cars and admired scenery of The Italian Job (original) and Keeping Up Appearances.

or how I ended up at: Enlarge for bigger map - R04, Second Floor Middle Bedroom, 33 Northumberland Road, Spon End, Coventry, CV1 3AP, West Midlands, England, Great Britain, United Kingdom (of Great Britain & Northern Ireland), European continent, Commonwealth Nation, Northern Hemisphere, Earth.

Stratford-upon-Avon: To beer or not to beer: Shakesbeer

During my mom's visit to Coventry, we also headed out to William Shakespeare's hometown. A mere 30mins. busride brought us to Stratford-upon-Avon, which literally means "Street over the (river) Avon". 

Birmingham: a lot of shopping, a little bit of jam'n

During the first week of March I had the doubtful pleasure of hosting my mom around the West-Midlands, which is basically the state in which Coventry is situated within the UK. The couple of days she was here, we actually managed to visit quite a lot. Birmingham was one of the places we visited.

Unfortunately I will have to be very brief about Birmingham‎, simply because I didn't think it was that good. at all... The website: Visit Birmingham mentions quite some sightseeing, but I have to admit that, after rushing through the city to get some administration done, we had accidentally already seen and/or passed by most of the sightseeings of the city. So I will have to be honest, don't go there to be a tourist, go shopping instead. There are malls everywhere, and it's an easy day-out from Coventry if you want to get out of town for a day or even an afternoon. Because of all the shopping centers, there are quite some street musicians as well, giving life to the city centre. Birmingham: a lot of shopping, a little bit of jam'n.

Liverpool is where The Beatles rule

Next to offering a wide range of sports, business and social engagement opportunities, the International Office of Coventry University offers international students, as myself, the possibility of visiting various cities or landmarks around the UK.

This is how three Belgians -being Hans, Ben and me- ended up, on a casual Saturday, on a bus full of chinese students to Liverpool, home of The Beatles. The program was quite simplistic:

08.30AM Depart from Fairfax Street, Coventry

11.00AM (approx.) Arrive in Liverpool, Free time to explore the city

04.45PM (latest) Meet back at the coach

05.00PM Leave Liverpool
07.30PM (approx.) Arrive in Coventry

One Canadian night in Manchester

I’ve been living in Coventry for about a month now. University work is getting more interesting and more intense every week but also I am planning and trying to arrange to sneek in visits and sightseeing trips into my agenda. You can see where I’m going here… If you want to know more about my student life at Coventry University, I will have to dissappoint you but can reassure you that I am working on a, rather long, manual on The Student Life in Coventry: How to survive the first weeks. There is, however, still a lot of work to be put into that post.  This one is completely dedicated to MANCHESTER.

UK adventure is coming...

Well, here we go again. Coventry University, here comes Belgium! I am not going to use any more unnecessary words, you know how I am feeling. 

Why You Should Consider Travelling After University & Why I Am Combining Travelling & Study

The answer to the second part of my Title is easy: because it's cheaper. As for Part I:  As a, for me, great 2013 comes to an end, and everybody starts making lists, reviews, pre-reviews and more about the past 2013 and for the coming 2014, I as well am making big plans for the new year. Realizing that travelling and experiencing life the way I love to is expensive and thus inachievable without a good savings account, I decided to combine my future plans and dreams (of travelling the world, you know...) with my probable future in the marketing & communications sector. As off mid January I will start a Masters in International Marketing at Coventry University. So bring on 2014!