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  ki sweden karolinska institutet chalmers university of technology stockholm gothenburg digital ambassador travel ivana komatina circ

  ki sweden karolinska institutet chalmers university of technology stockholm gothenburg digital ambassador travel ivana komatina circ
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Swedish memories

Posted: 8/9/2011 11:06:22 AM

               Be that as it may eventful life abroad is considered to be a unique opportunity for me to manifest professional skills in a definite field of study and develop understanding of cultural and historical values of a particular country in Scandinavia. 

Sweden is by far the most beautiful for me country which has been inspiring for me and yet motivational to start thinking of my future career and work in the capital city, for example. Stockholm “bragged" and revealed numerous spots across the city which were lingering memories thereafter. It just started to produce an influence on me in a positive way, shedding its luminous light on me which was perceived as an image of a graceful pompous city in my eyes.

I think the majestic natural beauty of Swedish nature with its countryside landscapes and scenic open sea, as well as pristine untouched energy and curiosity which filled my imagination, were considerably valuable for me in order to further scrutinize different issues and objects around me in an atmosphere of complete nonhabitualness: gorgeous museums and posh galleries with different venues and exhibitions on offer, intricate sculptures and cultural buildings, woody parks and peaceful lakes, busy people and noisy streets with rushing cars, underground comfy trains and enthusiastic cyclists – such a nonhabitual movement in the biggest city in Sweden dragged me down by its unbroken charm and vivacity which is still in the air.

My academic keenness is henceforth reinforced by the genuineness with which Stockholm appeared to show its welcoming gestures of stylish liberating openness.

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Eventful life abroad

Posted: 8/2/2011 10:57:39 AM

It was a busy and hectic time for me last week: I was preparing for a language test and browsing all possible literature sources related to the Canadian culture and history, as well as current news in the world. This time I was determined to pass (but not fail) the test which was a similar linguistic experience for me this year, after I returned back home from Norway at the beginning of summer. Nevertheless I am proud of being quite well prepared emotionally and intellectually which will suffice for the future breakthroughs of mine in a new for me environment - a Canadian-speaking society.

To tell the truth I was planning to continue my career in North America after several years spent by me in beautiful and marvelous  countries - Sweden and Norway. These countries contributed a lot to the development of my social skills, as well as the development of my interpersonal communication skills, an overall cultural experience, which cannot be compared to either Germany or France. All countries are different and represent an image of a special national identity concealed within a joyful society, multicultural minorities at its core. The basis or the foundation of a liberalistic perception of mine now lies far deeply in personal appreciation of both countries which will however remind me of my further future prospectives and further life abroad...echoing my way ahead in a rhythmic stanza. This motivation is rooted in excitement and delight which is derived from the necessity to direct all positive energy and emotions toward fulfillment of dreams and yet surpassing ambitions of unrealized plans.

In fact, Canada and Scandinavia look pretty similar countries in the way nature and culture  are pictured by tourists in expressive travelers' narrations. This, however, finds its way to the things which young people can contemplate about. I would thus try to compare the countries separated by the ocean, which is also a source for feeling closer to a foreign country far beyond your imagination: it is like a wild world with new events "hovering" over me every day.

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Svensk skönlitteratur

Posted: 7/20/2011 7:34:09 AM

This has been quite an awesome experience for me to be reading a newly found by me crime novel "System  - 84" written by a Swedish writer whose name is Uno Palmström (1947 - 2003).

It reveals so much about the life and habits of people who lived in the 80s during the last century. I am therefore becoming so greatly indulged into an unprecedented and implausibly new for me world described by the writer in the previous century: with all writer's artistic and socially acclaimed might and passion  Uno Palmström  tackles numerous issues which rose before citizens of a particular city in Sweden and yet it is a capital city - Stockholm.

This city in Sweden is an equally charming "oasis" of my passion in studies as I was once an international student in Stockholm, in one of the most famous educational establishments which is called "Folkuniversitetet". It is "an adult educational association that offers a wide range of adult education all over Sweden". However I am inclined to compare my great admiration of Stockholm with the imaginary world presented in the book I am now reading.

It concerns the hustle and bustle of the city so crammed with people during rush hours and people struggling in their lives to search for a better place under the sun. It has always impressed me and made me remember the subject of the Swedish books I had read before and which left a trace in my life. Among those books are "police" novels written by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, as well as Astrid Lindgren's childrens' stories and Tove Jansson's exciting true to life short stories.

http://www.antikvariat1.se/index.asp?Show=R15068

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Tasty meals

Posted: 6/14/2011 8:02:57 PM

Writing about popular dishes in Scandinavia makes me feel the thirst for tasting all that delicious food which is so necessary to feel healthy and be in top form for the start of a new day...or a prolonged studing process (which also takes much energy after all).

These thoughts make me ponder at the importance of all the sustainable menus being present in our life every day or at least every week. This would, in its turn, sustain positive (good!) energy and, of course, happy mood (of everyday routine life which needs to be diversified either way).

I would therefore like to dwell on the very popular (and yet traditional national) food in Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden) - cheese (like Mysost or Gjetost, Hvitost or Gulost).

Cheese creates an undividable part of my life, so that I even become a huge fan of cheese while living in Norway now too. In Sweden I learnt to appreciate and admire the beauty of Scandinavian love of cheeses and crispy breads for the first time, which was a very significant moment for me to fall really in love with the countryside life and cheese menus. Hence my love of Scandinavia was merely also  driven by Swedes' passion of having delicious, rich and "culturally-grounded" either breakfast or dinner.

Many sorts of Swedish cheeses  can also be found on a Norwegian breakfast table, which is also comparable with the fact that Swedish (yellow) cheeses fill life of people with the amount of vitamins so important for Scandavians either at work or  throughtout the whole period of studies - whatever it can be! Norwegians do like Swedish cheese as well - there is a special undividable unit or connection between these Scandinavian nations.

Enjoy your meal! Tja, njuta av din måltid! (in Swedish)

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Art of cookery

Posted: 6/11/2011 10:23:19 AM

I like to read much about the culinary specialties in the whole world, which has also recently made me think more about the nutritious value of all the vegetables and drinks, pastry I consume every day.

However I turned this into a favourable hobby of mine which explores my interests and desires to cook healthy food and compare my culinary skills with others. Therefore I wanted to learn more about a specific country's food and make sure I can master the art of cookery on my own. Reading a good cookery book is as pleasant, sufficient as cooking itself. There is a special gradation of tastes in all cuisines of the whole world, which creates a favourable healthy environment too.

I need to say that fish is the main specialty in Norway and Sweden, as Northern Europe has always been known for various kinds of fish caught in the North Sea (fjords and bays), the Baltic (Sweden) and the Atlantic off the coast of Norway. Even in the Middle Ages people strived to develop "fishing trade" to establish close connections or ties with the main Scandinavian trading cities and were fully involved in exchanging fish for other goods. Fish and spices were the main rivaling goods in medieval Europe which proves the importance of trade since that time. I truly appreciate it and find this tradition preserved even nowadays.

PS: In my next Blog I am going to write more about the difference of Scandinavian cheeses.

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Cultural groove

Posted: 6/2/2011 7:42:14 PM

It is true that Sweden has the attraction of its own which is distinct through versatile cultural trends, in music for example. Every day is versatile in its own way which is a cultural tendency too, which has always inspired me and motivated me in my professional life.

I am always trying to get "into the groove" with the Swedish culture which has always led me to achieve some either considerable or inconsiderable successes, which was the principal point for me to start thinking of studies to be pursued in Sweden. However my inspiration has been the evaluation of my previous academic progress in University studies. The career's pace is an inspiration for me too in a way. Sweden can certainly impress everyone who is interested in foreign culture, history and "cultural history" on the whole. Cultural history is meant by me as a standing point in my appreciation of the country abroad, which I am going to visit and therefore thoroughly explore to showcase the vehemently diverse life - a different way of life in other words. It is literally another cultural characteristics which can provide an approach for other people to significantly improve their personal perception of cultural self-identification: be it a prospective career evaluation (or assessment) or merely a humble reasoning of the surrounding world in a particular situation and in a country which represents a rapid acculturalization; and Sweden is an example of it.

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Scandinavian waterways

Posted: 5/31/2011 8:45:47 PM

...Little did I know about the geography of Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden, in particular) when I traveled to Northern Europe for the first time in my life. This was also the very first time I acquainted myself with the history and culture of both Scandinavian countries. However, Sweden was the country which reopened my eyes to significant cultural differences between Northern and Eastern Europe ...and my vision started clearing up every day. Gaining more knowledge about either Sweden or Norway is an experience which has already become a part of my life and strengthens my future prospectives.

Now I can fully revel in the pleasure I derive from the nature around me and the passing by cruise ship "Color Line" which is observed by me far in the distance, on the Oslofjord. That's a memorable vision which will surely last for long and will never be forgotten by me. Plus, this great Scandinavian impression and the close interaction of mine with the foreign country (which "reopens its doors" for me every day) leaves me in awe of the greatness of Scandinavia: I would like to always marvel at nature (straits, bays, fjords, lakes and rivers), diverse climate changes, peoples' way of life and changing mood, habits, customs and cultural activities occurring in a local community or simply food preferences in a particular country in Scandinavia. These are cultural phenomena for me which provide a close interaction with the foreign society itself.

Thus, Scandinavian waterways are duly appreciated by me (and not in the least underestimated) as a symbol of a lasting successful progress which could be attained throughout the whole life span.

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Scandinavian and Scottish weather

Posted: 3/7/2011 11:44:32 AM

Scottish wisdom made me think over the weather in Scandinavia one more time...how many pithy proverbs and sage sayings can you actually remember about the weather in general?
For example, the Russian folklore abounds with multiple examples of images of weather, thus making it appear as a superstition of all people which is revealed through proverbs: "After a storm comes fair weather, after sorrow comes joy", "Stormy weather cannot stay all the time, the red sun will come out, too". In its turn, this uncovers our perception of traditions and culture of a particular country.
Hence Scandinavia for me has become a vivid symbol of my being so superstitious sometimes and even so careful about the weather in general. It means that Swedish winter time (the same as the Norwegian severe weather conditions, climate) makes me reconsider my vision of nature and peoples' culture, traditions during winter.
„Cast not a clout till May be oot”, which implies the meaning of people who should not remove any of their winter clothing until the month of May has passed. However, it is thought by some that May refers to the hawthorn, the advice being not to remove any winter clothes until the hawthorn is in blossom.
In my opinion, this Scottish sage saying will surely make someone who is now residing in Scandinavia (be it Sweden or Norway) feel more dreamful and somewhat oblivious. I think that is wise to mention the seasonal differences.
This would also be fair to say about any Scandinavian country, especially when I think of starting my day according to my agenda, list of daily tasks I need to follow and eventually accomplish in time not to forget about the upcoming events which gonna take place in my life.
That is a specific accomplishment for me too: to always „get a grip on the day”, multitasking and smile despite the bad weather outdoors, which proves that the person can always be as sage as the subject any proverb can reveal to anyone who is interested in listening to wise sayings and becoming superstitious, strong, courageous day by day.

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The coming of spring

Posted: 3/4/2011 12:56:36 PM

..It has been a really beautiful and gorgeous beginning of spring in Scandinavia...I cannot stop admiring the environment changing its colors and freshness of the air has also kinda changed: became warm and pleasant to feel it on your skin.
Now it is a new season for all Scandinavian people to take delight in and enjoy every single day.
As for me, I like when it is sort of warmer than stiffly cold, like it was before the winter came, in December last year.
At present the snow is tawny and melting slowly its traces of coldness and "snowiness". I have not recovered from my "winter sleep" yet and the drowsiness someone can feel during Scandinavian winter time is a rather habitual event and a tiresome one indeed.
Though it is still somewhat gloomy and sometimes a sneaky spring sunshine draws me outdoors, still spreading its scanty sunny warmth over the regions of Norway and Sweden.
On the other hand, these weather changes are a conclusive point to a connection between two seasons and the influence the weather produces on your health. I am considering these climatic changes in order to reveal the beauty of seasons, seasonal differences and similarities.
See you!

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Magic of Viking ships. Part I

Posted: 2/25/2011 7:25:20 PM

...There has been much written about the Vikings, famous Norsemen, and the archaeological findings which contributed a lot to the scientific researches on the origin of Scandinavian seafarers and traders from the whole world. Though there has not been told enough yet about the cultural projects which involve scientists and carving masters in order to reconstruct the numerous attributes of the cruel and merciless robbers who traveled across the rivers and wide seas to gather treasures and conduct trades with different lands for their own sake.
Some days ago I came across an article written in a special separate supplement issue "Culture" which belongs to one Norwegian newspaper. The article under consideration deals with "recreating the magic" of one of the most famous Viking ships - Oseberg ship". I had a chance to travel to the place where this ship was found and excavated earlier and therefore all pieces of information revealing the truth and magic of the Scandinavian ancient ship attracted my attention like never before, especially in Norway, where various Viking ships were rediscovered numerous times throughout the whole of the 19th-20th centuries.
Hence each time I pass by the site of the Oseberg mound I stare at the farms located nearby and a medieval church in Slagen (1480) which surmounted my ultimate and eventual expectations of a "wonder" before my eyes.

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