Anton K.
Posted: 9/24/2010 12:03:23 PM
First of all, you can check my blog about living and studying in Göteborg: http://tinyurl.com/n6sgaq
Especially I recommend the earliest entries (last pages 4 - 6; tips # 1 - 12) - there is some information on how to find accommodation in Gbg, for example, and plenty of other practicalities.
This year I also helped some new students on the program, so I got my experience from 2008-2010, plus they shared some of their 2009-2010 experience with me.
If you are interested in social work and social justice, Sweden is probably the country to study in, and Norway too. These countries used to have the best welfare systems in the world in the 80ies, along with various equalization policies, plus Sweden and Norway traditionally do much to development and resolution of social problems in some other countries, incl. funding of Non-Governmental Organizations.
I liked the program much, most of professors were rather great; we initially were ~25 students on the program, from all over the world, mostly from developing countries of Africa, and as long as Scandinavian education is to a great extent group work, it was important that we cooperated well on different projects withing our multicultural class.
The workload is rather above average - it's plenty of reading and writing, individual and group research, a constant literature hunt and a highly inspiring field placement at local social work related services and NGOs.
The professors (and some guest lecturers from all over the world) on the program are mostly really good, sharing a pretty advanced approach to lecturing, eager to exchange their practical experience and knowledge with the students' ones, open to important discussions and ready to give advice.
Student life in Gbg is great and versatile - you can always find numerous workshops, conferences, round tables etc. (especially, but not only if you speak Swedish); cultural and social events are also endless (see my blog's latter entries for more information). The program includes a half year practical part, which I loved very much - during it I got my most important connections for my thesis research, along with many insights on it. At that, this depends on what field placement opportunities you make use of. My fellow students are great people to work with and to hang out with; during the course we did plenty of various presentations exchanging our international experiences and observations in the fields of social work and human rights; also, in our many group projects we would often brainstorm rather fruitfully combining different backgrounds and perspectives on various issues.
Yes, the program is challenging; at that keep in mind that Scandinavian education system, unlike American/Canadian, or Japanese, or Chinese, is based on cooperation of students rather than on competition among them, so a Pass grade is considered really good, and excelling for a Pass with distinction is not a priority within this system - my understanding is that in Scandinavia students rather strive for knowledge and practical experience than for grades.
I can say the program gave me more than I expected - several new dimensions on social works and human rights, a very versatile vision of them thanks to the program's truly multidisciplinary essence: we started with welfare system and economics, went through human rights philosophy, international agreements and international law, universalism and relativism discourses through the prism of multiculturalism, through practical matters on NGO organization and through analyzing UN principles and organization; we analysed different countries' reports to international bodies and were encouraged to critically review the UN system; we studied Swedish anti-discrimination laws and gender issues; we had a solid highly useful block on research methods in social work and were lectured by local international law "stars" and social work people; we had a rather realistic international human rights court emulation and studied evolution of social policies and social services in Sweden; we had rather hot political discussions and read cultorologist studies dealing with the matters of tradition and religion, etc.; we plunged deep into the concepts and theories of empowerment, social development, human capital, social vulnerability, inclusion; we discussed the matters of globalization and population aging, global migration, reproductive healthy, prognoses on world econonmics etc.
In the course of the program I learned many essential things about state of things with social work and human rights challenges pretty much in the whole world: Germany (+), China, Turkey (+), Saudi Arabia, Norway (+), Rwanda (+), USA (+), Uganda (+), Japan (+), South Africa (+), UK (+), India (+), Botswana (+), Mexico, Nepal (+), Poland (+), Cuba (+), Iceland (+), Iran (+), Ghana (+), Russia (+) etc. ["+" marks countries we had a guest lecturer or a fellow student from] Also, it was a great pleasure to share and discuss my own work experience and knowledge about challenges in post-Soviet space and in Afghanistan.
The program significantly expanded the scope of my opportunities and my vision of social work implementation globally. After I graduate from this program I'm applying for PhD studies and for jobs at big international human rights organizations and projects, ones active in the fields of gender equality, multiculturalism and migration.
Speaking about housing in the city, I was lucky enough to get a decent student room with a shared kitchen close to Gbg's center, 20 minutes tram or bicycling distance from department, 10 minutes walking distance from central libraries, 10 minutes walking distance from a big mall with low prices; and although the rent is rather expensive for me (~340 euros), I'm too used to this place to change it, although most friends of mine found cheaper options over time (~130 - 200 euros). See my blog for tips on appartment hunting in Gbg. Actually, I think distances don't matter much - the city can be crossed from one limit to another by bus/tram or by bicycle within 40-60 minutes maximum; most important things are in the central part of Gbg.
Lycka till.
Descriptive tagsgothenburgprogram impressionssocial work and human rightsuniversity of gothenburg
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Posted: 5/24/2010 6:15:25 PM
Hej everyone, let's discuss what needs to be improved or changed about this portal/community:
http://www.swedenintouch.se/Anton-K/Blog/?entryid=1313
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Posted: 4/22/2010 8:56:43 PM
Dear foreign students in Göteborg,
Spring is in the air and us Swedes love to celebrate this time of year. April 3oth is called ”Valborg” and is traditionally celebrated, especially among students, with special ceremonies and parades. Here you find a pdf of the activities organized by the student unions in Gothenburg:
http://www.2shared.com/file/12748249/39ca849b/Celebrate_Valborg_10.html
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet lots of students and celebrate the on-set of spring with the rest of Gothenburg!
Place: Trädgårdsföreningen at Kungsportsplatsen
Programme:
14.00 Maria Eriksson, Vice Chairman of GFS, welcomes you
14.05 Stella Academica – choir
14.20 Bolagsstämmorna – choir
14.30 Unikorus – choir
14.40 Pam Fredman, Vice-Chancellor University of Gothenburg
14.50 Arrival of the Student parade
14.55 Award ceremony ”Guldtummen”
15.00 Tongångarne and Patriciabaletten – orchestra and showdance
15.10 Corus Acusticus – choir
15.20 Blåshjuden and Inälfvorna – orchestra and showdance
15.35 Mistluhren, Mistlåhren and Misstagen – orchestra and showdance
15.45 Akademiska kören and Chalmers manskör – choir
15.50 Speech by Lars Bäckström, Governor of Västra Götaland
16.00 Akademiska kören and Chalmers manskör – choir
Fee: as good as free, 20 Kr only!
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Posted: 4/20/2010 9:37:41 AM
The Academy of Music and Drama offers all exchange students at the University of Gothenburg a free ticket to the concert given by the Swedish National Orchestra Academy (SNOA) on April 30th.
Programme Fri 30 April:
Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra (Thus spoke Zarathustra)
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé, Suite no 2
The offer is for one ticket per student. The ticket can be picked up at the reception of “Artisten” (the Academy of Music and Drama, behind the Art museum) on weekdays at 14.00-15.00, no later than the day before the concert. You have to bring proof that you are an exchange student (letter of acceptance etc) when you pick up your ticket. The number of spots is limited so we go by the principle of first come, first served.
Welcome!
Source: ESS newsletter.
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Posted: 4/19/2010 8:30:40 PM
World's airlines received SPAM email messages in Icelandic/Norwegian:
"Put 30 billion Euros into trash can at your nearest Icelandic embassy, and we will switch the volcano off! Don't try to contact police."
http://www.yaplakal.com/uploads/post-3-12716530405028.jpg
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Posted: 4/16/2010 8:41:20 PM
It was much fun, much world music and dance.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=204880&id=787319739&l=1b56e47ff9
VIDEOS COMING SOON!
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Posted: 4/8/2010 2:01:54 PM
My country is in trouble now.
Briefly, the background + the situation.
Since 1991 until 2005 we had a corrupt mildly authoritarian president A. originating from North part of Kyrgyzstan. Huge profitable enterprises of the country would belong to his clan. In 2002 after start of USA's aggression in Afghanistan president A. allowed a US military air base in Kyrgyzstan. He would get much money from US gov't for yearly rent. At the same time we had a small Russian military base. Both bases are located near the capital.
In 2005 president A. decided to increase rent price for US.
In March 2005 many thousand people from rural South Kyrgyzstan were brought to the capital and besieged the White House and the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan. President A. had to flee from the country to Russia, without causing much resistance to the rioters.
The White House was looted by crowds. Then on March 20-24 2005 we had several days of chaos - during nights thousands of people would loot the capital's supermarkets, stores and offices of many companies in the center.
Afterwards we had a kind of democratic election campaign, and a new president B. was elected. He originated from South Kyrgyzstan, and at some point he was in president A.'s governments.
Soon after coming to power, president B. would assign his 4 brothers and fellows to key positions in the government, and have all profitable enterprises of the country as their clan's property. Additionally, over time he started to restrict freedom of press. At the same time, during president B. in power economics started to degrade, living expenses for regular people skyrocketed, many issues appeared with electric energy and gas supply etc.
In 2008 president B. would get a development loan from Russian gov't, and asked US military base to leave the country. Then US gov't significantly increased the rent payment for the base, and president B. allowed US military air base to stay in Kyrgyzstan, only renaming it to a transition cargo center. Russian gov't frowned upon that, and Russia-Kyrgyzstan relations started growing colder and colder.
By March 2010 many people of Kyrgyzstan were very discontented with economic results of president B.'s rule, however he managed to win his second presidential term election through fraud.
The oppositional parties of Kyrgyzstan had numerous actions of protest during B.'s entire term in power, however they were not particularly successful.
In April 2010 suddenly there started riots in rural areas in Kyrgyzstan, local administrations besieged in several cities, picketers demanding president B. to resign. The riots were well sponsored, well organized and well instructed.
On April 7 2010 the massive riots sparkled at the capital city. Once again, just like in 2005, the White House and the Parliament were besieged. Only this time president B.'s gov't ordered to shoot at picketers mercilessly. First people were killed by snipers from the roof of the White House. The picketers managed to take arms away from police and entered the White House, looting and burning, also the main TV company of Kyrgyzstan, Prosecutor general's office etc.; the main international airport of the country was set under oppositional forces' control. All that shows they were very well coordinated and instructed. The main demand was resigning of president B.
President B. fled to his residence in South Kyrgyzstan, some of his and his fellows' houses and businesses were looted and burned down. He did not respond to any claims remaining silent.
Then on April 7-8 the capital turned into chaos, a greater one than in 2005. Again, supermarkets, stores and offices were massively looted.
Oppositional to president B. temporary gov't C. was self-proclaimed, represented by political leader O. who at some points used to be the Minister of Foreign affairs in the former gov't. Additionally, temporary gov't C. stated it would be in power for 6 months before having a new democratic elections in the country.
The first major action of gov't C. was asking for financial support from Russian gov't and anti-USA rhetorics, blaming USA in dealing with corrupt and authoritaritan president B.
It's no good to be dependent on totalitarian Russia, it's no good to be allied with imperialist USA either, so what might be solution?
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Posted: 3/21/2010 10:04:22 PM
Wednesday 24th:
- Handelspub!
More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=375302036098
Friday 26th:
- Erasmus SPRING PARTY !!!
Free-entrance ticket at: http://www.facebook.com/l/04d9c;www.erasmusgbg.com
More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=372096769805
Saturday 27th:
- MISMATCH PARTY! at Scotty Bar
More info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=402859496194
- FESTU: spring-break
Tickets will be sold from Monday 22nd at Chalmers
More info: http://www.facebook.com/l/04d9c;festu.chs.chalmers.se/
All the photos of the Erasmus Carnival Party can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=372096769805
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Posted: 3/19/2010 12:19:51 AM
Привет.
Гётеборг выше всяких похвал; мне нравится больше, чем Стокгольм или Осло.
+ Жить здесь недорого, особенно если закупаться в иммигрантских магазинах/на базаре;
+ уютно и нешумно, при том всегда можно найти большую вечеринку в клубе по вкусу;
+ в практически любую точку города можно добраться за 40 минут;
+ огромное множество студентов и туристов со всего мира;
- есть некоторые проблемы с поиском жилья - большая конкуренция;
- унылый климат - как везде в Скандинавии. Тёмная дождливая зима, тёмная дождливая осень, тёмная дождливая весна (настоящая весна начинает ощущаться только в середине апреля), приятное но непредсказуемое лето. Однако, климат лучше, чем в Стоке - тут теплее. С конца ноября по середину февраля солнце всходит в 12, а заходит в 3, что погружает людей в нордическую спячку;
+ народ хорошо относится к иностранцам, люди друг друга уважают и избегают конфликтов (что особенно приятно после совков), всегда помогут, если что нужно; большинство отлично общается по-английски;
- народ малоэмоциональный, индивидуалистический, изолированно-дистанциированный: такой уж скандинавский культур-мультур;
- каждую пятницу молодёжь массово бежит бухать до розовых слоников, как в совках;
+ отличные условия для учёбы - библиотеки, учебные центры. кампусы университетов - все в центре;
+ бесконечные студенческие вечеринки, студенческие клубы, культурные ивенты, концерты, выставки, ярмарки;
+ волшебная природа вокруг города и в городе - что, собственно, скандинавский стандарт;
+ приятная архитектура (много голландской и немецкой) и скульптуры по всему городу - опять же, как принято в Скандинавии;
+ с марта по ноябрь можно перемещаться по городу на велосипеде;
+ множество секонд-хенд магазинов, где можно недорого купить АБСОЛЮТНО всё что угодно - обувь, одежда, электроника, сувениры, что угодно по хозяйству, ...;
+ абсолютное большинство людей неверующие, однако в городе очень много красивых церквей и соборов;
+ ещё раз, культурные события просто бесконечны :)
+/- всегда можно встретить множество русскоговорящих из всего бывшего СССР;
+ гётеборжцы часто увлекаются искусством, литературой, путешествиями, музыкой, живописью, дизайном;
+ много политически активной молодёжи - настоящих социалистов, анархистов и др.
+ в Гётеборге множество музеев, галерей, концертных залов, есть опера; очень часто вход для студентов бесплатный или со скидкой;
+ сравнительно (со Стоком и с Осло) недорогой ежедневный транспорт, расписание автобусов и трамваев онлайн (скандинавский стандарт); отличные велосипедные дорожки (таки да, лучше, чем в Осло или в Стоке);
+ поблизости чудесный архипелаг островов; море всегда рядом, пляжи отличные - с середины лета до начала октября там можно хорошо позагорать и искупаться;
+ ещё раз, город очень уютный и зелёный.
Välkommen till Göteborg!
Если что ещё интересует - спрашивайте.
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Posted: 2/18/2010 10:21:42 PM
Some pictures from Swedish Institute's "An Evening With Bergman" event @ Stockholm today:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4806336&l=0ef0e68aed&id=787319739
"Wild Strawberries" is objectively a highly advanced movie! Do watch it - it's like a video postcard about old good Sweden, plus melodrama and psychology.
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