Final evaluation of intensive course MINE

First of all, I'd like to say once more how amazing experience the MINE-IP was and when looking and thinking back now, after two weeks, I really understand how important and unforgettable those two weeks were for me. Although there was a lot of work before, during and after the mine, I'm so happy and proud I took part of this course. We all had different expectations and aims before the mine, and when thinking those afterwards, I think, I reached my own quite well. The language, the social side, learning countries's nursing and getting international experience were my first expectations. Those are also things that I think I reached!

I think the web was used very well. The facebook side was very informative and good way to start getting to know other people. It was good off course because of the familirity of it; I think it was easy almost everyone to make contacts through the facebook. Blogging was very rewarding, it's good that we had to think and reflect the learning afterwards, because it's one way you are handling and thinking everything again and again. We also learn that way. Digital country videos gave us much information about other countries. I really enjoyed watching AND also making the video. The digital story patch was very challenging. The question was; how to put all this information on a video. I learnt to use editing program, make compromises and also learnt a lot from group working; best and on the other hand worst sides of it.

So, what I learnt? I learnt A LOT. I know it sounds boring and just easy way to say it, but it's true. First, I learnt something about every country; language, culture, habits... I know now some differences in nursing in each country, and the knowledge I got was very interesting. I learnt a lot from the people who were in the mine, things that I'm going to benefit in every day life, such as live your life as it would be your last one, relax take it easy.., keep your friends next to your heart and so on. You know like bigger things that you don't learn right now, but now when the mine is over I realise what people gave me secretly. One big thing I developed in, was the language and the courage to speak it! It was also one of my aim to learn speak more English and not to think every word and the grammar; and I got over from the suspension surprisingly well!

With this kind of courses, we get students excited about exchange, especially for me it was "just a make sure" I want to do some exchange and expand my life and my way of thinking. This course was a great opportunity to "try" how it would feel to work or study with people from other countries. The MINE was a great opportunity in many ways. In my opinion the social side of this course was the thing I learnt and what also gave me the most. We made many contacts to five other countries, and when thinking widely we can later use them many ways.

Finally I would like to thank all of you from this amazing experience. It wouldn't have been like this with only some of you, we needed all you; students, mentors, academics to carry out this kind of experience.
:) -Noora

The end of the MINE

Almost the whole second week was quite hard working. On Wednesday we were even changing our plans, what we had and did on Monday. Then we understood how much there is work to do. Our group working was guite bad, not exactly knowing why.. In the evening we went to one restaurant and there was so good food!! After that we went to one smal karaoke bar, and spent our last evening/night there!

On Thursday we worked 13 hours to make the video ready! It was so stressfull, but we were more than happy, when we finished it. In the afternoon I felt totally hopeless but thanks to our group we did it (in time)!! In the evening we had rehearsal, which didn't go very well. I think everyone was little bit stressed about the Friday and the student-led conference!

On Friday we had the conference. We had some troubles with the technology, but it went well! What was annoying, in my opinion, was that students and even mentors/academics were talking during the conference. I think it was little bit rude and I was confused, because the conference was still "an important situation". BUT all in all, we did it, it went well, everyone was happy and maybe tired too. And a second after the conference there was little bit sad feelings. I hope we see each others sometimes! It was sad to say good bye to the people, you had spent with two weeks closely.