student blogger

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Each week he gives his view on the events of the last seven days. This week, he takes a look at a university cocaine study and the 'revelation' that work is stressful.

A Cocaine Study on Students

It was revealed this week that King's College London university had asked its students to participate in a study on cocaine, where they got paid to take the drug.

The horsemeat scandal has been making the headlines for some time now and has been on everyone's mind. At first glance, I couldn't fully grasp the extent of the problem; I thought it was being blown way out of proportion. I'm an (on/off) vegetarian so to me personally, eating horsemeat is no different than eating beef, same principal really.

Accordingly, my focus was on the manipulative intent behind the whole issue rather than the product "ingredients". As I read more on the issue, I started to understand the different aspects related to this whole situation. Obviously there is an overall negative reaction to this issue; however it is fueled by different motivations and concerns.

As I see it:

- Main Parties involved: - Consumer
                                             - Businesses
                                             - Food Standards Agency (FSA)

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Each week he gives his view on the events of the last seven days. This week, he looks at the Pope resigning, horse meat being found EVERYWHERE and the NUS elections. 

Pope's Step Down

"A few hours after the pope announced his resignation, the pundits started to speculate about the possible successor, with the most ardent aspirant being Angelo Scola the Archbishop of Milan.

The Popes decision might have been influenced by the subconscious thought that he might not be the best one to lead the church during times of scandals. Therefore, he decided to resign in favour of someone more ‘popular' who would be able to cement the relationship between the traditional and the modern.

On the other hand, whoever replaces him will still be overshadowed by the opinions of the previous Pope as long as he is still alive. Even so, I still consider it easier than the task that faced Benedict, who was benchmarked against John Paul II.

Anyway, the cardinals are facing a difficult task to choose a pope ‘modern' enough to comment appropriately on the happenings in the Christian world such as the dialogue with Islam, but on the other hand be able to preserve the Christian tradition."

Erik Redli is a university graduate from Slovakia who is currently living in London. Here he gives his opinion on the British visas and the diet of young people in Britain. 

Visas & Multiculturalism in Britain

"The government had to tighten the visa norms in order to keep away the immigrants who would abuse British hospitality. Unfortunately, such measures will always have some negative effects. Some student visas might have been refused due to discrepancies in documents. A few months ago I had similar problem.

I was asked to submit two forms of ID for my employer. But I do not need two forms of ID, because as an EU citizen I can move freely with my ID card only. However, I have to abide by the fact that the British must be very careful with the legislations and understand that them double checking has nothing to do with me, but instead is there to eradicate illegal immigrants. It was a bit of problem for me, but nationally it fits into the overall policy and makes it work well. Luckily, I managed to sort out the problem by submitting my birth certificate and driving licence.

Pleased by the fact that the airport transfer bus was on time, and the pilot's announcement that the weather conditions in Bratislava were suitable for landing, I could really start to enjoy my holiday. I hadn't been to Slovakia for 5 months and so I've taken the opportunity toreview the capital from the point of view of a visitor.

It took us about five minutes to get on the bus to undergo the 30 second transfer to theairport gate. There are not many flights at the Bratislava airport, therefore they cherish every single landing and like to give passengers the ride. The totally empty arrival lounge testifies to the idle periods between flights.