Introducing Soyini Grey, our student blogger

Hello, I wanted to introduce myself. I am a former journalist/ copy editor from Trinidad & Tobago who decided to drop all of that to pursue an MA in Public Relations in London. It's not that I hated my job, in fact I liked it a lot, but I needed a change. This masters is something I've wanted to do for a long time, so when the opportunity presented itself I jumped at it.

2010 is supposed to be a year of change for me. New experiences, new weather, new friends, and this blog will chart that journey.

I, like many people born in the West Indies, am currently living abroad, while that may change as soon as July/ August. For the time being, I’m not home. By the end of January I'd spent four months away from home, the longest time I’ve ever been out of Trinidad. That's why I like Caribbean Axis, it is a space Caribbean nationals can visit on the World Wide Web for a little piece of home.

 My hope for this blog is that it becomes a little bright spark in your day. I plan to keep the content light, but I also hope to share some great tips with you. Stuff like: like how to survive a UK winter, and yes music from home will save your life. So please read, comment and share your insights with me, I’ll do my part to make it as fun as possible.

Winter Blues 

Let’s talk about winter.  West Indian weather doesn’t prepare you for the cold, so I have some tips to help you beat the chill. I’ve found that layering is essential, the right wardrobe doesn’t have to be expensive and rules are meant to be broken.

I like lots of thin layers so most days I wear a camisole with 2 thin jerseys and my coat, or a camisole with a sweater and coat. I’ve recently stopped wearing a scarf because I can create a funnel neck with my coat that blocks out the wind. Some people need flannel underwear or wear leggings under their jeans, but you might not find it necessary.

As for the coat it depends on the weather and your typical mode of transport. I use public transportation a lot so I picked a longer coat, one that ends mid-thigh. If I were driving I’d picked a shorter coat. London is rainy, so you might want to consider something made out of a water-proof material. I went with a wool blend because the rain here is so light I have never gotten wet. I do, however, carry an umbrella with me always, just in case and they're great when it snows.

As for cost, you can get a good coat for £30 and up. Primark and TK Maxx offer cheap alternatives, and let’s face it, as a student there’s no reason for you to break the bank to buy clothes. But if you are going to be here for a 3-year or longer programme, I’d suggest that you need to pay greater attention to quality.  H&M, Zara and TopShop offer a wide selection of clothes with student friendly prices, especially when they go on sale.

Truth be told, winter isn’t that bad. Just prepare for the lower temperatures with the right mix of clothes and you’ll be fine.

Packing my life away 

Packing for university can be a daunting task. How do you fit your entire life into two suitcases and a carry-on? With the airline industry rapidly going to hell in a hand-basket, and their baggage allowance getting smaller and smaller very soon we’ll be expected to fly with only a Coke and a smile.

The longer the trip, the harder it is to pack. The “what if’s” make planning impossible. Clothes for classes, possible interviews, parties and I don’t know what jostling for space with books, sheets and toiletries.

But don’t underestimate the need to pack what’s really important. Before you know it the first semester will be over and Christmas will be upon you. Will you be ready? You may find adjusting to your extended stay abroad far less traumatic with the music of home at hand. Parang, I assure you, sounds amazing when the temperature is chilly.

I’m not saying not to embrace new customs. What is the purpose of studying abroad if you close yourself off to new experiences? But sometimes you need a little shot of home, which music can provide. So if nothing else, arm yourself with local classics. Perhaps you could host a listening party for your new friends. God willing you’ll be having too much fun to get homesick. If that’s the case then mission accomplished!

How to Beat that Carnival Tabanca

Mas 2010 began and ended and I missed every single thing. Not one fete did I attend, I barely know the new soca, and I couldn’t point out the Carnival King in a line-up if my life depended on it.

In my more than 30 years on the planet, I have missed 4 Carnivals in my life. I don’t have to play, but I have to see the mas, and attend a fete or two. More importantly I just need to be home to experience the Greatest Show on Earth.

My solution: minimal immersion and general avoidance. I have friends who preferred to ban any mention of the season. It made it easier to cope, they said. I find that a bit drastic. While I didn’t watch any of the fetes that was streamed live, I did listen to the most popular tunes for the year. Palance anyone?

I think minimal immersion is the safer option because Social Media has made it impossible to avoid the bachannal. Any attempt you make to give Carnival the cold shoulder will fail miserably. Come Ash Wednesday, everybody flaunting their costume on Facebook and in you Oh-yi-yo-hoo crying every time you log-in. 

Click here to read more about Soyini's adventures in London...