Hallå allesammans! So, as you may have guessed, I've arrived in Sweden after what I found to be quite a long journey... getting up at 6 in the morning in order to arrive at 6 in the evening would be found by many as somewhat tiring. In fact, getting up at 6 in the morning by itself would be considered madness by most!
Heathrow Airport, by the way, isn't that bad. Maybe it's because I was in the brand new Terminal 5, with all the glass windows and stuff, but I was actually quite impressed. Checking-in took under a minute, as did dropping off my hold luggage, and security wasn't a pain in the neck for once! The lounge even had computers (though you did have to pay, so I didn't use them).
As for the flight... well, it wasn't perfect (being at the back of the airplane was a nuisance when it came to getting off), but it could have been worse. At least the sandwiches were good (and I don't often say that about airplane food!), and the flight wasn't too long; two and a bit hours or so.
My first impression of Sweden was the airport. It was a bit on the small side, but then again, judging from the amount of building work going on, they're planning big things here. The bus arrived on time (though why it was bright yellow I have no idea) and I got into Uppsala on time, so on the whole my journey turned out okay, but by the time my Swedish "buddy", Dan Wallin, and I had made it to my room at Kantorsgatan, I was about ready to curl up and snooze.
So, what's Sweden like? Well, to me, it's a bit like a condensed version of Munich. Big blocks, all the roads are straight, lots of cycle paths (and therefore bikes), lots of friendly people who speak fantastic English... on the whole, really nice, and I've settled in well here. I've picked up a bike (for about £65) and met lots of British people (as well as Yanks, Germans, Finns, Frenchies and Aussies), including one person who lives a mile from my house and used to go to my 6th form... scary bananas!
But yeah, all going well on the Scandinavian post, and I should be starting my courses some time next week. So until then, this has been...
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sweden (But Were Afraid To Ask)
Chris Stanley
Welcome!
Hello! If you happen to know a random loon called Christopher Julian Stanley, and you're wondering why on earth he's going to Sweden for five months, then you've come to the right place. As Edmund Blackadder once said, "Pull up a muffin" and "Sit yourself down", and feel free to ask me some questions about my impending voyage to Uppsala, or comment on my blogs.
Signing off,
The Intrepid Explorer
Signing off,
The Intrepid Explorer
Frequently Asked Questions
Chris, I hear you're going abroad for five months?
That's correct. From August the 20th 2008 until January 16th 2009 I will be studying abroad on the Erasmus programme for the first half of my second year at University, residing in the delightful city of Uppsala.
Uppsala? Where's that?
Uppsala is in Sweden, and is approximately 50 miles north of Stockholm. It's also about 1200 miles from London.
So why Uppsala, then?
Uppsala University is one of the Universities that is linked with my uni, the University of Exeter, through the Erasmus programme. Exeter students can study abroad in places like Uppsala for the first semester of their second year, then return to Exeter for the second semester.
Studying abroad - but wouldn't you have to be fluent in the language of the nation you're visiting?
Nope, that's only if you're studying in France, Germany, Italy or Spain. I'll be doing an English speaking course - mind you, that won't stop me learning a bit of Swedish in order to get by!
Wouldn't it be easier just to do all of your degree in the UK?
It would, but it would also be less challenging, and I like a challenge. It's also a great oppurtunity to see how history is studied outside of the English education system, and let's not forget it's going to look great on my CV!
When will you be blogging?
I'll be doing a major blog every Tuesday, from the 20th June 2008 until at least the 27th January 2009. If anything exciting happens I'll do a mini-blog on that too.
That's correct. From August the 20th 2008 until January 16th 2009 I will be studying abroad on the Erasmus programme for the first half of my second year at University, residing in the delightful city of Uppsala.
Uppsala? Where's that?
Uppsala is in Sweden, and is approximately 50 miles north of Stockholm. It's also about 1200 miles from London.
So why Uppsala, then?
Uppsala University is one of the Universities that is linked with my uni, the University of Exeter, through the Erasmus programme. Exeter students can study abroad in places like Uppsala for the first semester of their second year, then return to Exeter for the second semester.
Studying abroad - but wouldn't you have to be fluent in the language of the nation you're visiting?
Nope, that's only if you're studying in France, Germany, Italy or Spain. I'll be doing an English speaking course - mind you, that won't stop me learning a bit of Swedish in order to get by!
Wouldn't it be easier just to do all of your degree in the UK?
It would, but it would also be less challenging, and I like a challenge. It's also a great oppurtunity to see how history is studied outside of the English education system, and let's not forget it's going to look great on my CV!
When will you be blogging?
I'll be doing a major blog every Tuesday, from the 20th June 2008 until at least the 27th January 2009. If anything exciting happens I'll do a mini-blog on that too.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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1 comment:
Most people rave about beijing but to me, it's just like a modern day version of peking
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