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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.

With Christmas just round the corner, our writers are giving their views of the festive season in a new series of posts. Earlier in the week we had Colombian student Johanna describing her first Christmas in England. Here Erik describes the tradition of St Nicolas' Day in his home country of Slovakia:

"I knew that in the UK nothing special happens on the December 6th, but I hung my stocking in the window anyway. But Saint Nicolas did not show up. Maybe he didn't find the way as he doesn't visit children in the UK. Or, his sledge might have been shot down by the missiles installed before the Olympics. In the following article, I would like to describe to you the small pre-Christmas festival- Saint Nicolas' Day.

The Tradition of St Nicolas

Originally, Saint Nicolas is a Christian tradition, just like Christmas really. Nicolas was a bishop who lived in Turkey in the 3rd century. There was a poor family with three daughters living in the same city. I would say that no one would marry them due to their looks, but according to the story the family did not even have enough money to support a marriage.

ForeignStudents writer Erik gives his opinion on two of last week's hot topics- Kate Middleton's pregnancy and the a controversial front cover of the New York Post. 

Kate Middleton and the Royal Family

Although the British sovereign does not use their power like previously in history, the monarchy still deserves respect. In the past many competent kings and queens helped Britain to become the strongest country in the world, which it really was until the second half of the 20th century.

Today, the goodwill towards the Royal Family lives off the achievements of their predecessors and their power now is merely ceremonial. However, they must still be careful in their private lives, because every single step is followed by the public.

Still, the royal family is a popular subject for the media, which is constantly lurking for gossip and scandals. I think that Kate's pregnancy will top the headlines for several weeks, or even months. On the one hand it reflects that people are interested in the condition of the Duchess, but on the other hand, she and her husband are only human and deserve privacy. Not to mention that the couple significantly contribute to the integrity of the monarchy and do not deserve too much rumour. Let the Prince continue in his career as a helicopter pilot and do not disturb the mother-to-be.