What song do you think everyone should listen to once in their life ?
Bad ideas – Alle Farben
What book is a must read ?
I don’t really watch many movies, so, unfortunately, I can’t answer that one—kind of the same accounts for books. I mostly read when I was a teenager. I can recommend Harry Potter from back then. The only book I read during lockdown was Atomic Habits from James Clear; it helps to establish new habits, which helped me during this challenging time. It is about breaking bad behaviours and adopting good ones, showing you how small, everyday routines compound and add up to massive, positive change over time.
What are you most grateful for ?
I am most grateful for the closest people around me. My boyfriend, my mum and my sister are always there for me and help me in every situation. I am also very grateful that everyone in my family and especially my grandparents, are fit and healthy. On top of that, I am pleased about the opportunity to study here in Edinburgh and that I am (under non-covid circumstances) able to travel and explore many different countries and cultures!
When everything was very limited at the beginning of lockdown, and I worked a full-time job to afford to go to university abroad, I wanted to do something new to get away from my laptop. I started training for a half-marathon which I planned to run on an actual event in the fall to tick a box on my imaginary list of things to do before 30. As I never enjoyed running, it was hard initially, but I even enjoyed my new hobby after establishing a routine. I ended up running some half-marathons at home for myself, which was nice. Another activity besides walks with friends and tidying my whole flat was some painting. So, I am grateful that my life was pretty much okay at the first lockdown, as I know it has not been that way for everyone.
Doing a semester in the US during my undergrad encouraged me to work hard the past couple of years to afford to study abroad once again. By doing my Master here in Edinburgh, a big dream come true, and it was just the right time for me. Unfortunately, I was not prepared for a pandemic to ruin my plans, so I decided to move to Edinburgh anyway. The anticipation was huge, which made it even harder when I arrived, and no in-person activities in larger groups were allowed. I used to never struggle with making new friends, but when you are not supposed to meet anyone and that in a new environment, it is pretty hard. So, I had a rocky start, but that made me participate in the university’s football and polo club. My original plan was to decide for one of them to focus on my studies, but as sports club were the only things still going on, I decided to go for both, which turned out to be an excellent decision. It helped me get exercise and away from the desk to have some fun.
Then the supposed Christmas break of three weeks turned into three months. First, it was nice to be back in Munich, as I got to see friends and family and ride my favourite horse. However, after a while, the uncertainty of when I would come back and further regulations made it increasingly harder. Eventually, I was able to fly back in mid-March which was great as I love this city! Self-isolation was not too hard given the amount of Uni work I had to do at that time.
Since my assignments are done now and restrictions easing up, I am immensely looking forward to exploring Scotland with some classmates and continue to do sports to keep me busy and happy! I have not run as much here as the weather and hilly landscape require high motivation, but it is fun to run around the Meadows or from time to time around Arthur’s seat where Tom took these amazing pictures!
