While we’re talking about the transition from the ECCE institution to the primary school in class, we’re constantly going through transitions ourselves: For example, the transition from our old lives into the IMEC program (and now we’re  starting to think about transitioning back into our lives at home), moving from country to country, university to university, getting used to lecturers…

I’m starting to feel like I did last summer in those weeks before leaving for Oslo. My eyes are watery every day, anticipating our last week of classes together next week. When I sit in class, listening to my friends & lecturers, I am so grateful that we got the spend these last semesters together & were an important part of each others lives. A big transition is awaiting us, that’s for sure. I’m very excited about what lies ahead of us, but sad to move on.  Then I try to remind myself that it’s good to be sad. After all, that means that I enjoy what I am doing.

I don’t know how I can find the strength to start this very last assignment here in Malta. I have already submitted a proposal for the assignment and received feedback from my instructor. So I guess I’m actually well on my way.The feedback was good and I think I have found a way to make this meaningful in my context in Canada 🙂

This paper will have the same structure as the thesis, but I’m not quite ready for it… my whole body is resisting the specific report structure that we’ll have to follow, I much prefer essays with my own headings. Barbara (one of our instructors from Ireland) would say, “This is just an academic exercise.” Let’s focus on that.

WEEKEND! We deserve it.

Our poor little heads & hearts are so tired. This has been one of the most challenging months… We’ve worked very hard on assignments for our last modules, as well as on our research proposal, and the research proposal presentation. Everyone looks exhausted and (when we’re not crying) we’re close to tears. We’re happy that everyone got their first preference for the last semester, but the feeling is bittersweet, since we know it’s all coming to an end very soon. We’ll make the best out of the next two weeks, TWO WEEKS, but we’re also quite busy with other assignments. I’m sure the world will look better if I can just sleep in tomorrow.

Our photography class today was fun. We learned all about portraits and using light. I was hoping the teacher would bring in a real model, but no, it was just a sculture. How disappointing.

5 of us will go to Dublin, 5 will be in Malta, and 7 will be in Oslo. That means everyone is getting their first preference! Oh, oh, looks like our time together is really coming to an end.

Happy to go back to Ireland, but my heart will stay here where it’s warm and sunny.

The first IMEC cohort at their graduation this week. Five of them made it back to Malta to be here for the ceremony. It was great to finally meet them in person.

Imagine the longest table you can imagine at Mamma Mia, a restaurant in Malta. Now add about 30+ people from around the world: Five of the first IMEC graduates celebrating their special day and the last two years, teachers from Oslo, Dublin, and Malta, and of course my IMEC family. I have to cry just thinking about all the emotions in that room. It was absolutely out of this world. Very beautiful. I feel like we’re living the dream of the people that developed this program, creating an international network of people passionate about Early Childhood Education. Wow.

Yesterday morning I presented my research proposal to the IMEC consortium. Altogether there were six familiar faces from Norway, Ireland, and Malta. I presented my ideas, they listened. In the end I received very helpful feedback. Done. Good thing I didn’t get too stressed about this.

I would have loved to develop my proposal with more feedback along the way. I know we gave each other support within the group and I got new ideas from the classes, but I think an academic supervisor would have been helpful. Too late for that now, but I guess that will be the next step once we find out TOMORROW which country we’ll be in next semester. I would love to go back to every country, so I have nothing to be afraid of. Phew.

Ahhh. Best vacation ever. I found myself filled with happiness on a bench at the marina. You were there too, in my heart. Love, Antje.

On Friday we went out to celebrate Dani’s birthday. The restaurant, Dolcevita, turned out to be on the fancy side and the waiter didn’t like it when we asked to share some of the dishes. In the regular restaurants that’s fine, because the portions are always way too big anyways. In the end I was glad I didn’t have to share my frutti di mare, it was the best I’ve ever had.

Happy Birthday Dani. My first IMEC friend.