Halla allesammans! So then, I can now honestly claim that I have been to the capital of Sweden and, if you believe the flag I saw, the capital of Scandinavia. So what was why my first impression of Stockholm?
Well, unfortunately, my first impression was that this was a city that seemed to attract rain. Seriously, in the four or five hours I was there, it just would not stop raining! Still, the mark of a good city is that it still leaves a good impression on you regardless of the weather conditions, and Stockholm certainly fits that category.
Stockholm, for a start, is not too overwhelming. It is certainly the biggest city in Sweden by far, but its population is only 1 million, which is only an eighth of the population size of London. This means that even if you were to get lost, it's pretty easy to find your way again, mainly because Stockholm is made up of small islands: if you don't know where you are, just walk towards the nearest river and get your bearings from there!
Possibly the most interesting of the islands is Gamla Stan, which means "Old Town" in Swedish: this is where the palace is, and it's also where the weekly Changing of the Guard takes place. Furthermore, it's where I got my Viking hat! Yes folks, there is actually a shop called "The Viking Shop", and it has pretty much everything a Viking needs, except maybe a monastery that you can pillage from.
In fairness to the other islands that make up Stockholm, though, there is something interesting on every island: whether it's the national museum on the north island, the giant tower that you can see all of Stockholm from the top of on the south island, or the Vasa museum on the east island, Stockholm is one of those places that you can spend hours on end looking at what is a picturesque city... except maybe on the south side, where there's lots of building work going on.
A final mention should be made to Stockholm's underground system, which is quick, efficient, and above all, rather cool; not the trains, but the stations, which each have a different style. One of them was designed to look like a green cave, and it also had a glass box containing a ship between the two platforms! Not something you see every day then.
So, Stockholm; rather soggy when I left it, but definitely worth at least one visit. Until next week 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, September 9, 2008
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