Blogposts posted during 2011

Proud and happy to have chosen Sweden to come to

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

It was forests and lakes that I first saw from the plane above Sweden. But we came here not only to observe the gorgeous nature; we came here to study and to gain the one lifetime experience we are all looking forward. I guess almost all exchange...

25 August 2011  0 Comments

Some thoughts after the opening ceremony

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

The school year of Hӧgskolan i Skӧvde has finally officially begun. On the 8th of September there was an impressive opening ceremony in Arena Skӧvde. We were lucky to be a part of it. Although the exchange students were standing in the very end of...

12 September 2011  0 Comments

Sweden oh Sweden

By: Rebecca Francis

Perhaps the question I am most asked is “What do you think of Sweden?”…actually that question comes second to “Why Sweden?” but that is a question for another day and time. My thoughts on Sweden haven’t fully settled but there are a few things tha...

10 October 2011  1 Comments

It Will Still Get Cold

By: Rebecca Francis

It has come to my attention that the weather happens to be a topic of interest these days. I for one, have had one too many conversations about the impending climate change. Today, for instance on two separate occasions I found myself being drawn...

10 October 2011  0 Comments

Insanely Delicious, Cinnamon Balls of Sweetened Dough

By: Rebecca Francis

I don’t really have a sweet tooth. Back home I’m not the one to shop for sweets, chocolates or sugar laden pastries. I mean, I will eat them if they’re there, but I don’t go searching (smiles). My arrival in Sweden has slightly altered that notion...

10 October 2011  0 Comments

Autumn in Sweden

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

I saw the geese leaving from the lake near my place and this was like a last sing to me that it’s a real autumn now. The geese also reminded me probably the most famous Swedish boy Nils Holgersson and his wonderful adventures travelling above...

10 October 2011  0 Comments

3.02 am

By: Rebecca Francis

It’s 3.02am. Why am I still up? VERY GOOD question. To sum it all up in one word: Examinations. It’s quite amazing sometimes how time seems to fly. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was registering for my modules. Now those same modules a...

17 October 2011  0 Comments

Study, study, study hard!

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

“Study hard” – that was the first advice the rector of University of Skӧvde gave us in her welcoming speech. And now it is high time to remember this advice because the middle of the term is probably the busiest time for students in Sweden. The so...

18 October 2011  0 Comments

Trips and fun

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

Being in foreign country necessarily includes travelling and seeing as much as possible. My visit in Sweden is not an exception and now I want to tell you about some of my trips in the surroundings of Skӧvde. It was Hjo that I visited probably...

22 September 2011  0 Comments

Weekend Work

By: Rebecca Francis

I haven’t spent my Saturdays indoors in a really long time. In preparation for my exam and a few assignments that I have due, this past week I decided it was high time I settled in for a cozy weekend affair with the books. I awoke early Saturday a...

26 October 2011  1 Comments

Let us talk på svenska!

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

Last week I took my first Swedish exam, so now I can proudly claim that I have some knowledge in this language. Or at least I formed my view about it which I’d like to share.  When I first heard Swedish I noticed that the most common and useful...

28 October 2011  0 Comments

Say hello to November

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

If months could talk and have their rights, I think November would have the most reasons to complain. Troubles for it start from the very first hours it comes. Just think: people meet November dressing like witches, devils, demons and skeletons!...

3 November 2011  0 Comments

Out the door with period four

By: Rebecca Francis

My first term at university has come and gone. After a full period of intense studying, assignments and exams, period 4 has more or less been ushered out the door. I now conduct my days with a sense of ease and familiarity and have a routine that...

7 November 2011  0 Comments

Unusual Usual Life

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

What does it mean to live together with other 80 students from all over the world? After spending almost three months in an apartment for exchange students I can easily find some answers to this question. Different countries, different rules. Thes...

9 November 2011  2 Comments

Are you a Carrot, an Egg or a Coffee Bean?

By: Rebecca Francis

Are you a Carrot, an Egg or a Coffee Bean? In the past couple of months I have come across a few international students who have experienced difficult times. Some have lost parents or loved ones, some have family or friends who have fallen...

15 November 2011  0 Comments

Small Town Living

By: Rebecca Francis

I would not call myself a small town girl. I have always lived the city life and I love being at the epicenter of all the action and vibrancy the bright lights have to offer. I thrive, survive and feel oh so alive in cities that seem to ooze...

21 November 2011  0 Comments

City in the lights

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

November 17-19 Skövde submerged in lights, because it was days of “Stad i Ljus”. Lights were everywhere: in streets, in trees, in parks, on buildings… You could find candles in strangest places and fire in the main square. Tourism office became a...

22 November 2011  0 Comments

Home Cooking Time!

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

Husmanskost – that’s how Swedes call old fashion home cooking. I learnt this word not from Swedish lectures; I learnt it from a big book of recipes. Everybody knows that one of the essential parts of country’s culture is its national food. And I...

23 November 2011  1 Comments

First Candle of the Four

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. People lit up the first candle in their Advent Wreath. The candle of hope. That means that a very special and sacred time began. What does it mean here in Sweden, and what could it mean to all of us? Fir...

29 November 2011  0 Comments

Kitchen Conversations

By: Rebecca Francis

In my building the kitchen seems to be one of the most common meeting places for the residents. The kitchen also seems to be the place where many conversations happen. I live in a building with upwards of 80 other people and while we all have our...

2 December 2011  0 Comments

What does the Student Union do?

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

I was an active member of Student Union at my home university, so when I came to Skövde I was pretty curious about the activity of local Student Union. Now I have some remarks I’d like to share. Students that don’t belong to Student Union often ha...

5 December 2011  0 Comments

Seriously, What Time Is It?

By: Rebecca Francis

The sun is playing tricks on me. 9am looks like 6am and 6pm looks like 9pm. I have been unfazed for the longest but for some reason this week I have misjudged the time and found myself wondering, seriously, what time is it?   Outdoors at 9:00 am...

8 December 2011  0 Comments

Where Time Stops

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

Last week I spent five days (or shall I say nights?) in Kiruna, Lapland. It was one of the most amazing trips in my life, so I must say some words about it. Our journey started with spending twenty hours in a train. For me it was the longest train...

12 December 2011  0 Comments

20 kilos of Sweden

By: Eglė Gruštaitė

It’s hard to believe but it’s just few days left and I’m leaving. My adventure is over. And the last week is one of the strangest I have ever had. First, it’s a week for saying goodbye. It’s the first time in my life when I have to say goodbye to ...

19 December 2011  1 Comments

Making Amends with Mother Nature

By: Rebecca Francis

Ask anyone around me and they will tell you that I am not a fan of the white stuff. Sure it looks pretty on Christmas cards and adds to the décor of the festive season, but for me those feelings of longing simply just don’t apply. When I think sno...

12 December 2011  0 Comments

Master’s Thesis Presentations

By: Rebecca Francis

Last week I was invited to attend the presentation of theses by Masters’ students in the Biomedicine department. It was more or less an all day affair, beginning at 8.15am and lasting until mid-late afternoon. I arrived late (I tried I really did!...

7 November 2011  0 Comments

Circular, Red Noise Maker

By: Rebecca Francis

Classes have all but ceased for the year. The campus is calm and serene, like a peaceful winter’s night draped in black velvet. Most students have already concluded classes and are heading home, however a few students remain preparing for exams or...

17 December 2011  0 Comments

Hostage Situation

By: Rebecca Francis

Last week was a whirlwind: exams, assignments, bidding farewells, final fika’s, Christmas preparations and more. Semester one is almost over and I have just a few more assignments, presentations and exams to go. The second half of the semester wen...

23 December 2011  0 Comments