I started my 2nd Year!

1 December 2016 by Tomas
3 minute read

Hi everyone! This is my first blog ever which is really exciting, so I am going to tell you a bit about myself and what I’m involved with!

PEP Life

I’m going to start by talking about my favourite thing in York: PEP. PEP stands for Politics, Economics and Philosophy, and you might think it’s similar to PPE (or, in other words, the degree that all British Prime Ministers or prospective Prime Ministers seem to have). The School of PEP offers PPE, but it also offers a binary combination of two of the subjects studied in the School in case one of them is not really your thing. I’m doing Philosophy and Politics, and besides all the mid-term panic moments I had, it’s going fine – this is what I say to myself, anyway!
My life in PEP is not limited to just being a student. I’m a Course Rep for the second year, which means I attend Board of Studies meetings where I get to meet and talk more informally with lecturers and other people in the department, and I’m responsible for being the ‘bridge’ between my cohort and the department.
Moreover, when you are accepted to study in the School of PEP, you automatically become a member of the Club of PEP – the best society in the whole university! As the External Affairs Officer for the Club, it is my job to organise the annual study trip, and this year we are going to Vienna (past destinations include Amsterdam, Athens and Berlin)!

14682196_763693207102091_7845465145755790337_o — 2016-2017 PEP Committee in the freshers meal back in October – I’m the only guy in the picture who doesn’t seem to get the concept of ‘Black Tie Event’

Languages for All
I love learning languages, and one of the attractive features of this university is that I am able to do it on campus! The university offers every student a one-year course in the first year of your studies while at York – and you can obviously enrol to continue the same language or to start a new one once this is finished.
I decided to go with Italian. As I’m a native Portuguese speaker and fluent in Spanish, Italian seemed like an obvious choice. Besides that, I LOOOOOOOOOVE Italy! And no, speaking ‘with your hands’ is not a requirement, but it’s really funny to see how many people start to do it when learning Italian!
Coffee and Lake
This last topic might seem a bit random but York is cold – well, all the UK is cold – and a cup of hot coffee always makes me feel better! Regardless where I get it – Courtyard, Roger Kirk Centre, Library Café – it’s how I like to treat myself after a lecture or seminar, and it automatically makes me feel happier. Walking through campus, while holding a warm cup of coffee, it’s the best feeling!
Wait, there is more! Imagine doing that while looking at a beautiful sunset from Greg’s Place, with the sun reflecting on the lake… So poetic! How I love York…!

Hi there, my name is Tomas and I’m a second year Philosophy and Politics student. The first time I set foot in York was for my Open Day and since then I’ve been in love with the city and the university! I’m an International Ambassador for the School of PEP, I’ve done a lot with the Club of PEP and now I’m trying to put into words how great York is!