Hej allesammans! Apologies for the lapse last week: a lot has been happening. I'll try and fill you in on what happened the week before if I can, but it is a little hazy.
Firstly, the week before involved lots of financial wrangling on my part: fortunately, it all ended in success. After waiting almost two months for it arrive, my loan has finally come through, meaning I can actually pay off my rent, book tickets home, and generally have a bit more flexibility, which is a welcome relief after almost three months of worrying about my bank account. Why it took so long I don't know, but I am annoyed with Swedish banks, and NatWest are going to get a talking-to when I get back, not least because they keep charging me for withdrawals. Still, I can afford to spend a little more now, though I am limiting myself to 300SEK per fortnight at the moment (about £25) so as to have more money for my trip round Europe. I also managed to sort out my Erasmus grant, which means I will have an extra £500 by the end of the month, so I should be rolling in the moolah come December!
Secondly, the week before saw possibly the worst weather I've seen in a while. I know I'm English and I should be used to the rain, but OH MY DAYS! It just would not stop raining! And when you have to cycle back and forth to lessons in the rain, well, let's just say I was eternally grateful when the sun finally decided to return on Saturday. Of course, it was back to rain on Sunday, but oh well!
I also spent quite a lot of time doing work: I have a book review due this Thursday, and there were quite a few lectures and seminars the week before (including one at 9am, oy vay), so I have been kept rather busy. Coming up, what happened this week!
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, November 25, 2008
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