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)