Week 3 - Cultural Development (Trip to Göteborg, Why is everything so expensive?) 28/01/12 - 03/02/12

The lovely buildings of  Göteborg  City

This weekend was very busy as we decided to travel to Göteborg (Gothenburg) to explore the city. We were joined by Chase an American and Bo a Student from the Netherlands. We got the train to Gothenburg were we took the bus to our Hostel Backpackers Inn. The city is the Second largest in Sweden therefore; it was much bigger than Trollhättan.

The 'Haga' District

Firstly, when we arrived we explored to the old town called the Haga district, it was very beautiful and was lit up with candles and cute wooden houses. Whilst exploring this area we came across a Nordic fort called Skansen Kronan. We decided to test our fitness by climbing all the steps to visit this fortress. It was definitely worth it as there were some lovely views of the city from the top. Although, it was extremely cold and I lost the feeling in my toes. I found this City much colder than Trollhättan perhaps this is due to the cold winds coming from the coast.

The Icy Steps 

Skansen Kronan

Rebecca, Megan, Bo and Me at the top.

We went to a local restaurant on Friday where we had some tapas and after visited a few local bars. Once again the prices were very expensive and you must take of your coat when you enter any bar and pay for it. We also experienced some nightlife and I noticed that the nightlife in Sweden goes on much later than In Northern Ireland. The dress code is also much more relaxed and I don’t think I will make the mistake of wearing heels out In this country again especially when you cannot afford a taxi. You have to catch the trams and this means waiting and maybe changing with some walking in between. I found myself running to the hostel at the end of the night to get heat.

On Saturday we got up early, invested our money in a City Card which got us into most things free. Unfortunately a lot of the sites were closed due to it been the winter, as I was looking forward to visiting the Theme Park but that will give me an excuse to return during the spring time.

Scandanvias biggest Science Centre

Our first stop was the Science Centre, we had a lot of fun exploring what they had to offer including a tropical rain forest and aquarium. I found it very different than the Science Centre back home in Belfast (W5) and it was interesting to see what they had to offer. Although, I don’t think it offered as much interactive activities as in W5. 

Testing the storm activity

We also visited the Feskekörka (Fish Church), a ‘Skyscraper’, Gothenburg Museum of Art and the Botanical Gardens. Overall, it was a really enjoyable trip and I am already looking forward to my next weekend away to explore some other cities within Scandinavia.

Gothenburg Museum of Art 

The Botanical Gardens

I have finallly joined the gym and swiming complex and have been enjoying the relaxing area. The sports facilties here are excellent and I think I will visit regulary. Also, we have managed to find a new local badminton club. The club caters for all levels and is on throughout the week. The Swedish people were very friendly and have invited us to watch a badminton competetion.

  

On Thursday, we attended a Crepe party which The French students decided to host as It is their tradition it was a great evening with the rest of the Erasmus group.

This week has been really busy but filled with fun and again I am looking foward to next week.

Me at Gothenburg's Canal near the Fish Church

Week 2 - Cultural Development (It's getting COLD in Trollhätan!) 21/01/12 - 27/01/12

                      Snow has Arrived

This week it has snowed and the temperature has definately dropped. Megan, Rebecca and I decided to take full advantage of this snow and enjoy it by exploring outside. I think the white blanket of snow is really pretty especially on our walks to class when the sun shines as it sparkles against the surroundings. Although, I can safely say that the 30 minute walk at 9am to class definately wakes me up, especially as I am NOT a morning person at all. When I arrive at University West, my face and ears hurt therefore, it is important to make sure I put on my hat and wrap up warm before we leave our flat.

Having some fun in the snow

I never thought we could find a cheaper supermarket than LIDL but we have discovered WILLY'S recommended by a fellow Eramus Student. They have a bigger selection of foods and meats, just what we need. It is important for us to use and reuse our shopping bags to save money here, so we fill our bags to the top with shopping to  save paying extra. On Monday, we did our weekly shop and I have noticed from shopping here that the Swedish recycle EVERYTHING. We have been collecting and recycling all cans and bottles to recieve 1 krona (10p) for each to get money which we contribute to our shopping. It not be much but when shopping in Sweden every little helps. As the week has went on the snow has been turning to ice. Therefore, carrying home our shopping has been a challenging but fun task, I think my balancing skills are improving especially when going the further walk to WILLYS. However, for the food a few slips on the ice is worth it!

Megan and I decided to join the badminton club at the University this week and  it was a great opportuntiy to meet some new swedish people. We hope to join the local club next time. We have also decided  to join the gym and the swiming pool next week after seeing the relaxing area which includes ’steam, jacuzzi’ etc. I think I need a blast of heat especially with the cold conditions here.

All of us ready for  some pasta Italian Style.

This Thursday we were all invited for an Italian meal which was cooked by an Italian student. It was really nice, and I noticed that it was very different compared to the way in which we eat our meals back home where we sit down, eat our meal and then go. We had starters and a main meal but sat at the table for a long time which give a lot of opportunity for conversation, it was much more relaxed. We will have to return the favour and cook them a traditional Irish dinner.

We are looking foward to our trip to Gothenburg this weekend with some other Erasmus Students from America and The Netherlands. We plan to visit some historical sites and Museums and I am especially looking foward to visiting Scandiavas biggest Science Centre after stuying a module on the importance of Science Centres (W5) in Primary Education before Christmas. 

'Tack för läsning' (thankyou for reading)

Week 1 - Personal Development (If you can't pack them wear them!) 13/01/12 - 20/1/12

So my journey to Sweden begins.

‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page’ (St. Augustine)

I believe that experiencing travel is an education in itself and I want to fully embrace my Erasmus experience throughout the next four and a half months in Sweden. This experience will allow me to experience a different culture than Northern Ireland and allow me to develop both personally and professionally.

Megan, Rebecca and I wearing as much clothes as possible.

The Swedish term starts very early so it did not leave me a lot of preparation time; but when I said my final goodbyes to my family and friends it was then the experience I was about to embark on really hit me. We flew to Gothenburg on Friday the 13^th, once we arrived we got on a bus which left us at the train station where we met by our buddy Johan who kindly showed us to our accommodation. He was very friendly and helpful and throughout this week I have realised that most Swedish are. When we arrived at our accommodation we discovered we were on the seventh floor. All I can say is thank God for lifts! On the plus side I enjoy looking out at the view we have.

From exploring the town, we have realised it is quite small but with the cold weather here this is a good thing as most places are close together making things easier to access. Also, Sweden as I was warned before I came here, is very expensive and I can clarify this from been here only one week. Thankfully, there is a LIDL store next to our accommodation; I think we will have many trips here throughout the next few months.

I also noticed that the Swedish are very dependent on Technology; everything is organized through mobile phone or email. The Swedish also pay for most things using credit card and you cannot pay to get on the bus you must use a card. I found this strange. However, it is more efficient as in Sweden as everything and everyone is on time. I am a person who tends to be late so I think my time management skills will definitely benefit from this experience as it not acceptable to be late.

We have been to two classes this week for our Power, Gender, Ethnicity and other Inequalities module. It is quite a small class with Erasmus and International students from Italy, Namibia, Turkey and Wales. Therefore, discussing topics such education is much more interesting as we are getting the perspective of different cultures. I have noticed that the Swedish class is much more informal than the classes in Stranmillis. I think I prefer this as it is a more relaxed atmosphere with more emphasis on participation and group discussions. 

Before I set off my younger brother gave me a 'Swedish for Beginners' dictionary I hope to try to learn some Swedish during my time here even though everyone here speaks perfect English. The fact that the Swedish can speak English has definitely been useful for us when asking for directions and information. However, I have been working on trying to slow down my ‘Derry accent’ to allow people to understand me better.

Rebecca, Megan and I attended bowling and pool on Tuesday night. It was a great opportunity to meet other Erasmus students both new and old and find out different things to do especially from those students who have already been studying here during the Autumn Semester. I managed to get a strike on my first shot in bowling however, it went downhill from there and I think I got worse the more we played. Although, Rebecca and I were definitely on a winning streak when it came to pool.

Getting my bowling shoes on!

Me and Rebekah with our bowling team.

It has taken a few days to adjust to the Swedish surroundings but overall it has been a brilliant first week and I am excited for what next week brings. The University has good sporting facilities so I will look forward to joining the badminton club next week.

Until next time,

'Hej då'