For those who may not know, Sweden had been offering to qualified students free education till 2011. Students that were accepted before fall of 2011 could have been from any part of the world as long as they fulfilled the criteria- proficient in English (as most program offered here were in English) and have a degree of merit in their chosen field of science. Free education meaning that there was no tuition fee, library fee or the microscopic texts along with it, the reason why Sweden has one of the most diverse student culture in all of Europe. Since 2011 some things had changed, for better.
Free education came with the modern flexibility then- being able to opt a parallel course alongside to what was a persons expertise & being able to take courses in any university in Sweden as long as you had the pre-requisites. I was one of the students that managed to get the foot in through the door to a room that was last free. The first term, I could have applied for any course, anywhere in Sweden. Bear in mind, the only cost to be born by a student would then be travel and living. After the end of first term, a law was passed that students have to continue acquiring credits in the university that they initially accepted to. They were however lenient to the courses that they could apply to outside of their program. For a masters student, 120 credits were the end mark of his degree and if one chose to get credits more than 120, he/she would have to bear the tuition fee, which, mind you, is not nominal.
I would consider myself a Zodiacal Cusp in this case who just managed to push through all the elastic obstacles while changing the program from Masters in Biotechnology to Biology. One could ask, " Whats the bloody difference!". Atleast, I did, only to realize that its only bureaucratic palaver. Oh yeah, the Swedes are notorious for their unconditional love to follow the rules. The actual problem came when I was looking to choose my final thesis project work to find out that I had registered for courses more than 120 credit mark, creating a notion whether I dropped out of certain courses or whether I was abusing the legislation. Also, the topic that I had chosen was in the Food science department and could be classed either under a major in Biology or Food science. Major in Biology was only available option for persons belonging to that region in between "free and fee". It was more than just a difference in one alphabet, I tell you. It takes time, but the Swedes are always just and benevolent.
Since last week I have started my thesis work in the same field as planned earlier, under the same Supervisor as agreed and its going swell! The preliminary title is, Evaluation of Beta-Glucans and Fructans in extruded bran from Wheat and Rye. As confusing/far fetched as it may sound, its not, not when you have great support and confidence from the Food science team at SLU. You will hear more as the magic happens.
February 28, 2012
February 25, 2012
Apolonia @ Gastrikes-Halsinge
Weekends for most students is always certainly a visit to one of the Nations in town. Every day of the week different nations are active (there are 13 of them) indulging the crowd with food, ambience, music and club atmosphere. I happened to visit Gastrikes Halsinge (GH) nations for the first time yesterday.
There was an event on Facebook that some of my close, interest sharing friends had opted to attend this concert, late evening yesterday. The night was dedicated to Sputnik, a celebration with Balkan music, DJ-ed by gypsy looking couple. Prior to music hall we had a couple of drinks over at the GH bar. A decent sized bar with stylish wooden furniture with a bar menu with 100+ ales/stout/lager/IPAs. A very brave menu, compared to the size of the bar, I thought then.
Moving on to Sputnik, the Balkan theme that night- a video to show you how it was.
The band that rocked yesterday was Apolonia- A 7 man band with Sax, Violin, Double bass, Trumpet, lead vocalist, bass guitarist & drummer. A link to a random video of theirs -
What was so special about this band? Like any other live music swing/gypsy music- full of energy and gusto. The small crowd that was gathered yesterday was dancing like on no other night. To me, it was a break from the monotonous friday nights where I am with most of my friends lining up to get inside this other nations called Varmlands. The music there is so lame that a regular there could most accurately predict the next song the DJ there will play, by looking at this wrist watch.
There is no music like live music and this band was better than some I have recently been to see. I think I ve found a new past time for fridays now. The other nice thing about it- free entry for people who made it there before 9PM. A great benefit for people on a student budget.
There was an event on Facebook that some of my close, interest sharing friends had opted to attend this concert, late evening yesterday. The night was dedicated to Sputnik, a celebration with Balkan music, DJ-ed by gypsy looking couple. Prior to music hall we had a couple of drinks over at the GH bar. A decent sized bar with stylish wooden furniture with a bar menu with 100+ ales/stout/lager/IPAs. A very brave menu, compared to the size of the bar, I thought then.
Moving on to Sputnik, the Balkan theme that night- a video to show you how it was.
The band that rocked yesterday was Apolonia- A 7 man band with Sax, Violin, Double bass, Trumpet, lead vocalist, bass guitarist & drummer. A link to a random video of theirs -
What was so special about this band? Like any other live music swing/gypsy music- full of energy and gusto. The small crowd that was gathered yesterday was dancing like on no other night. To me, it was a break from the monotonous friday nights where I am with most of my friends lining up to get inside this other nations called Varmlands. The music there is so lame that a regular there could most accurately predict the next song the DJ there will play, by looking at this wrist watch.
There is no music like live music and this band was better than some I have recently been to see. I think I ve found a new past time for fridays now. The other nice thing about it- free entry for people who made it there before 9PM. A great benefit for people on a student budget.
February 23, 2012
We are from Krypton
This year, winter has been awkwardly mild. During Fall, it was in the news that winter will be one of the coldest since donkeys years. Instead it turned out to be the other way around. Since the last couple of days, land has been covered in a icy slush. The sun keeps shining more than merrily and one cant help but feel awkwardly happy.
Considering the winter depression last year, people have been very content with how mild the winter has been and how its had its positive effect on mood. Relatively warmer February meant being more outdoors, this time. Almost as to make a point how vital sunlight is to this ficticious superhero from Krypton, who fuels his energy from our "yellow Sun". Science has shown that its the same with us, 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight fills our recommended dose of vitamin D to 100 % . The same vitamin that is a catalyst in absorbing dietary Calcium to bones, making them denser, stronger. I know friends who used drops of vitamin D in milk to help fight the low moods last year and not this year. The sunlight is more vital to us than we think. What could be better with the sun shining at us with no clouds to blanket its warmth till its time to form lilac skies and disappear beyond the horizon.
Many like me might have felt the contrast to winter this year compared to last. We do feel like Superman from Krypton. I just hope that I havent spoken too soon and that spring starts earlier with a mild finish to this winter.
Considering the winter depression last year, people have been very content with how mild the winter has been and how its had its positive effect on mood. Relatively warmer February meant being more outdoors, this time. Almost as to make a point how vital sunlight is to this ficticious superhero from Krypton, who fuels his energy from our "yellow Sun". Science has shown that its the same with us, 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight fills our recommended dose of vitamin D to 100 % . The same vitamin that is a catalyst in absorbing dietary Calcium to bones, making them denser, stronger. I know friends who used drops of vitamin D in milk to help fight the low moods last year and not this year. The sunlight is more vital to us than we think. What could be better with the sun shining at us with no clouds to blanket its warmth till its time to form lilac skies and disappear beyond the horizon.
Many like me might have felt the contrast to winter this year compared to last. We do feel like Superman from Krypton. I just hope that I havent spoken too soon and that spring starts earlier with a mild finish to this winter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)