Hej allesammans! In case you're wondering, the title of this blog does not refer to the global markets and whatnot, though of course that is very topical. Call me crazy, but I think Bush's plan, at least in the short term, was a very good one, and if it had been approved it would have least calmed people down and allowed the new President to come in and either carry on with it or scrap it if he felt the need. Oh well, at least I'm not a stockbroker!
And that's just one of the many positive things I've had to think to myself this week, because this week really has been one long depression. Typing up a 3,000 word essay: depressing. The view from my room: depressing. My room: depressing. The fact that some idiot keeps drilling at silly o'clock in the morning: VERY depressing.
Then you tie in the fact that Freshers' Week is under way in Cornwall, and I'm massively gutted about missing all of that. Oh Cornwall, why must your delicious pasties be so far away? Seriously, the Swedes need to learn how to combine meat with pastry: an artificial beach wouldn't go amiss either.
So yes, my room's depressing, Sweden's a bit depressing, not being in Cornwall's depressing: you get the idea. And yet, I'm not depressed now. How so, sir?
The answer is simple. If you're depressed, GET OUTDOORS! (In my case, I went for a bike ride.) If your room's depressing you, then go for a run, or go and play football with your mates: the trick is to find something that'll take your mind off your troubles. And to have someone remind you that, actually, you're pretty darn lucky. Has anyone else on my campus had the oppurtunity to study abroad? Well, to quote Dr Cox, "There are so many ways for me to say this... never, not in a million years, absolutely not, no way Hose, no chance Lance, nyet, negatori, nuh-uh, mm-mm, uh-uh, and last of all, man falling off cliff... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo... pff!" So it seems a bit rich for me to wail about being able to do something no-one else from my campus has been able to do before.
The world can be a very depressing place. But there's always two sides to a coin. You've just got to put things into perspective. And besides, I've only got... +100 days until I get back home. Ah.
Well, never mind, gives me more time to explore! See you next week for another instalment of...
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 30, 2008
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