Ode to Leeds Uni

Recently I've been really missing being at Leeds. Having spent some time trying to feel at home at Ruhr Universität Bochum, I've concluded that I am actually really lucky to be at Leeds, where everything works and is user friendly and makes me feel at home.

Here are a list of things I would improve about R.U.B.

• I would let people take their bags and coats into the library; having failed to find an empty locker, I had to leave my coat and bag on an unsecured shelf, and spent a good ten minutes trying to fit all my valuables in my pockets so I didn't have to leave them unattended.
• I would also have built the campus out of some materials other than grey concrete (Roger Stevens building aside, Leeds Uni is quite attractive really).
• On the library computers alone, I would make the following improvements:
• install some form of up-to-date Windows system; whatever it is they use, it is not user-friendly, and there is no Microsoft Office.
• recognise and let people access USB sticks. Or save documents. Somehow. Generally.
• allow people to search articles including the word "gay" (I concluded R.U.B. are homophobic, after trying to find an article about a court case involving gays; when it told me access was denied, I tried replacing the word "gay" with "heterosexual". No problem...).
• (this one's really revolutionary) link up each computer to a PRINTER! So when the copy shop closes, with it's white box-like Windows 98-style computers attached to ink-free printers, people would still be able to print things!
• I would also make people NOT TALK so bloody loudly in the library. It is a freaking library!
• I would build a Student Union. I miss the Union so much. And there are no societies here. I want societies!
• I would make it compulsory for people to dress well and smile. It makes a difference. I miss fashion-watching around Leeds, it's nice when people make an effort and it's nice when people look happy.

So I'm sure Ruhr Uni has some advantages...no, now I'm just being nice. Leeeeeeds, I miss yooooou!! What I wouldn't give to sit and work in Eddie B for a couple of hours, then go to the Union for a pasty and a latte, before walking home through Hyde Park.

I'm going back there to house hunt in two weeks. It's gonna be stressful and there will be minimal time for partying or walking around hugging university buildings. But I still can't wait!

<3