There is a Chinese saying about Autumn - “Knowing the arrival of Autumn of first falling leaf (一叶知秋)”. I didn’t have a chance to capture the first falling leaf, but it’s not a big pity because Durham looks gorgeous covered by the feeling of Autumn these days.
One thing I like about Durham is that, someday you walking alone, and suddenly the view come into your eye just makes you regret that you don’t have a camera with you.
I just bought my return ticket back to China for Christmas holiday on Virgin Atlantic yesterday. The price is £492, which is not that cheap for a normal return ticket to China, but considering in holiday time, it’s quite a good deal.
Before when I bought flight ticket, STA travel was the place I always go to simply because they has a good reputation and do special deal for students. But one of my friend who just came back from China gave me some advices that buying from some Chinese travel agent in UK sometimes can get some really good deals. I saw a lot of flight ads when I went to China town or any Chinese supermarket, but never really look into it. However, I gave a it go this time.
Those he recommended me were Sagitta (益川), Omega (欧美嘉), Wanguk (王潮) and Xinlung (新龙). So I searched their sites and took a look last night. There are too many good deals listed on the site. I hate spending time searching and comparing from those eye-catching ads, so I called them and seek more personal advices. I called up Wanguk and Omega, their staffs are very polite that out of my expectation. I didn’t remember that I could get this level of kindness when I called up any services in China. But anyway, they answered all the questions I asked and being very helpful and polite, I was very impressed. However, the best they can offer still not as good as the one I found on Virgin, so I had to put them down this time although I really want to have a deal with them just because of their kind services.
A little piece of advices here: although I didn’t actually know whether their services are good through out the whole purchasing, but if you want to buy flight tickets to China, these Chinese agents might be good options. Here are their number and websites:
Omega: 08707706868 http://www.omegatravel.ltd.uk
Xinlung: 01612373377 http://www.xinlung.net
Wanguk: 01617497333 http://www.wanguk.com
Sagitta: 08700778888 http://www.sagitta-tvl.com
My flight is 11 December and return on 14 January. I will be flying to Hong Kong and then take a coach back to Shantou. Very looking forward to be back home.
There are quite a few big firms coming to Durham to hold presentations and talks lately.
I have been to Deloitte’s talk the other night. They had it in Three Tuns Hotel, with some nice drinks and little buffet in the bar. There were company staffs and also former Durham graduates, who are now working in Deloitte, talking with students in person. They also had a presentation about working environment and introduced different positions. But to be honest, those two presenters need a bit more training on presentation skills.
Next Monday, Accenture will have a presentation in Collingwood College. And I keep receiving emails about upcoming talks about law firms, multinational companies coming to Durham every day.
It’s recruiting season so companies are getting ahead to grab potential graduates. It’s interesting to see what company come to Durham, because normally the bigger and reputed companies are targeting university that higher up in ranking. So you can find out how good a university is from the companies that want to recruit students from it. Also, it’s always to good opportunity to advertise company itself. Like I am writing now, Deloitte and Accenture just have their little free ad in this post.
I will go down to see a few more. It’s good to talk to people from real working world and ask their ways to get into it.
