Introduction

I have never found it particularly easy when writing about myself but will do my best. I was raised in Scotland and in the early days on the Isle of Bute and then Bishopton, finishing off my schooling in Edinburgh. I tell you this as it has a very real impact upon where I am today. I was among the first batch of lab rats to experience the ‘comprehensive education’ system (back then never was a scheme so unfortunately named!). My high school was forced to accept around 2500 school children in a structure meant for 800. This made learning very difficult indeed and staying for ‘A’ levels was never a real option along with any hopes of a university place!

A wee bit of background…..

As with all good stories people enjoy a happy ending right? I can put all minds to rest and say things have turned out great! I followed in my fathers footsteps (he was a decorated pilot during the Second World War) and joined the Royal Air Force. As an educational institution it was ‘night and day’ compared with carnivorous atmosphere of high school and was in truth my real introduction to learning. Since escaping high school with only 6 ‘O’Levels, I have received an HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, BTEC National Diploma in Avionics and a BSc in Avionics. What has followed has been a 30 year roller coaster ride in the world of aviation. I have been fortunate to have worked in Hawaii (yes I know technically its part of the US), North and South America, most European countries, Africa, India, the Middle East and some parts of Asia. I thought that perhaps turning 50 next year was going to be the most frightening thing in my life until I just thought about how many miles I have flown in the last 30 years! If this was not daunting enough of a challenge then I find myself embarked along with my fellow students on this long road to an MBA (which unfortunately for Nicky and me doesn’t mean Mai Ti’s Before Assignment!).

Support

I am fortunate in many ways and feel lucky to have the seemingly unending support of my wife Danielle, whom has really made this opportunity available to me and as a aviation wife as many may know puts up with a lot!. I also owe a lot to my company, Selex Galileo (please have a look at www.selexgalileo.com  as the website explains what we do far better than I could). I have a fantastic support mechanism back in the UK and the support of my managers. I am, technically based in the UK, but have been assigned to a project here in Kuwait, where we have been for the last three years. Danielle and I love it here and hope to be here until I retire to our house in France (but realistically for at least another couple of years). The only downside is that I am the company’s sole ambassador in Kuwait (which is making a few of the learning tasks a wee bit harder as here I am a team of one!).

Studying and a Social Life......Really?

Getting back into a regular studying pattern is by far the hardest thing for me so far but is something I have always enjoyed in the past. Speaking of enjoyment, the social life here is somewhat unusual given certain ‘restrictions’ one experiences when you live in this region. Survival here outside of work can only be achieved by keeping busy and as there are no pubs (with alcohol being illegal) and as a result I don’t have the same access to Nicky’s Mai Tai or wine antidotes! (Which I might add half way through module 1 I could have used!) For those of you who didn’t know, whilst being well known for oil and gold, Kuwait is also an oasis of fabric souks. This has led Danielle into the seemingly (no pun intended) ever expanding world of quilting. I am again fortunate to be a musician and play in a local band where I play upright bass, electric bass, various guitars and mandolin.

Future Blogs

I am really looking forward to the rest of this course and hopefully getting to know my fellow classmates. This blog, ‘Tales from the Dunes’, I hope will also get me back into the habit of creative writing and hopefully have some fun along the way!

Andrew is currently studying for his Masters Entry Diploma in Management (University of Wales) with RDI.

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