Archive for september 2013
How and why Japan?
I realized that I have been a little bit vague to you, my dear readers. I mean, everybody doesn't know what I'm going to do in japan! So this post will give you a somewhat brief presentation about my trip!
(Warning... I lied. This is a deep and long formal presentation with lots of thoughts and feelings)
"Study International" is a swedish organization who has not only has trips to Japan, but they also have trips to basically every part of earth. They helped me with everything from visa to help me get a spot in the Japanese language school. I guess that it wouldn't have been totally impossible to do this alone, but the job they provided for their low service cost (about 2000SEK) I found it really worth it! Also, I shouldn't forget to tell you about how nice and gentle they are! So the school I'm going to is called "ISI Language School", a language school for international students in Japan. The purpose of the school is to teach foreigners to speak Japanese. They have everything from summer courses to year-long courses. They also have different levels of education, since I'm a beginner I will attend to the beginner’s class.
The education at the school, which frightened me at first, is in Japanese. This means that I will learn Japanese in Japanese. First I found it really difficult to comprehend that but when I had thought about it for a while, I realized that there isn’t a better way to do it, than this way. Like I said, it's a beginner’s course, so the course is adapted for beginners. Studin also helps finding a place to live. I will live in an apartment/student corridor where I will have 12sqm for myself. I will share bathroom, kitchen and laundry. The rent for the apartment is 7000SEK, which is a fortune for that kind of living. But a little bird whispered in my ear and told me that I can get it for a cheaper price. I hope to god that it's true... It is also possible to live within a host family, but it was more expensive. (edit 20/10 rent is for 4000y/ month)Thoughts and feelings
"So... why japan?"
I guess the answer to this isn't really simple enough to answer with a few words. Of course learning Japanese is the main reason for my trip, but I believe that everything you do in your life is an experience, especially these kinds of things. I see so many people that going through school without any time for doing anything other than that. Right after finishing senior high school going to the university to continuing their education until they have a degree, right after beginning their work they will do for the rest of their life. Maybe having a marriage and/or getting children. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with that or that they aren't living the right way.
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| Picture from graduation |
Furthermore, becoming an adult is a huge step from being a teenager, to be able to do this journey, live on my own, not knowing anyone, no safe zones, not knowing the language neither know how to behave, I'm quite sure that I will accomplish a lot in my growth. And I'm sure that I will look back on this trip as the best thing I ever will do.
So for the time being, this is Viktor Sandberg, soon an international student in Japan. Living my dream and having the time of my life. If you have any questions regarding the organizations or practical questions etc, feel free to contact me. I would just be happy to help you out!
Shoppingu!
The items, medicine and clothing for my trip, is what I think, finally bought and ready to get packed into my also new huge suitcase. There ain't much time left now. and I'm getting scared everytime when I think about that it's only 11 days left untill I leave sweden. The timer I included makes it even more real.... Kowaiiiiiii!
- I have bought myself a great computer, both for gaming (eheheh) and also for editing purposes. It's a computer called Lenovo y510p and I think it will satisfy my needs.
- I will actually only bring one suitcase with me (+ hand baggage) so buying myself a big suitcase was crucial. I think this 114l bag will do. Though, I'm a bit scared that despite the size of the bag, all my stuff will actually fit.
- A computer bag with potential of carrying school stuff too was bought.
- A hybride/rain coat was bought. I heard that it rains a lot in Japan....
- Boring, but well needed socks, underwear!
- A current converter was bought, though grounded plugs doesnt fit. *genius*
- Some medicine, for pollen, painkillers, nasal spray, pastilles and other hygiene stuff. (Hopefully I'll survive!)
- And last, but not least. Some grease for my hair! ;)
I guess this is all I had on my mind today, I guess i'll update soon again, before i jump on the plane!
Matane mina-san! (See you soon!)
またねみなさん!
/Viktor
I finally got my visa!
Yesterday, was a bit of a spontaneous day. Usually my life is quite predictable, but over a night I decided that tomorrow I will to to Stockholm to get my visa. And just like that, I went with a last minute ticket. My train arrived in Stockholm at 17:30 yesterday, so i had had some time to kill before the embassy would open the day after. Thanks to my cousin and his girlfriend I had a really cosy evening at Södermalm at their appartment and we had some good food served as well,
ありがとうございます！
This morning, I woke up quite early so I wouldn't miss my meeting at the embassy. I took my stuff and to a nice 1 1/2 hour walk from Södermalm to Djurgården and then to the embassies. Of course, the first visible embassy was the great "Embassy of the United States of America" who made all the other embassies looks like shoe boxes. Typical American standard.
When I had received my visa, I felt this huge stone falling down from my shoulders, and now I know that there is no turning back. Just a couple of days more left in Sweden, then it's on.
Japan, here I come! いきます！（≧∇≦）
Well, that's all for today!
またね!
/bikutoru
Blog, up and running!
Hello Everybody. Konnichiha mina-san. Hallå Allihopa!
I realized that since I'm going abroad, I might even get readers who isn't Swedish, so why not write in English?
As you might have noticed my blog is finally up and running smoothly, I've been working on the design for a couple of days now, and i'm really happy how it turned out! Even though I've been working with a template, there is a lot of things that you need to get done to get it to fit your liking, fixing colors, widgets, menus and not to mention the designing the banner. Not to mention all the HTML/CSS reading, that you really can't say I know, but luckily for me can comprehend it. I got to admit though, it turned out better than I imagine it to do! :)
Enought of that, considering my trip to Japan, I only have 24 days left in Sweden. For me, I still can't believe that I'm acutally going to japan. I'm going to Stockholm next week to retrive my visa, and I bet by that moment the feeling of confusion and reality will punch me hard in the face, looking forward to it! ;)
Even though it's not a long time untill I leave Sweden, I still don't know where how or really where I'm going to live. I don't know the nationalities of those whom i will go to class with are, neither if they are able to communicate in English, quite a nice feeling to have. I guess I'll soon find out!
For the time being, this is what i had on my mind!
Untill next time! Matane! Vi ses!
/Viktor Sandberg
I realized that since I'm going abroad, I might even get readers who isn't Swedish, so why not write in English?
As you might have noticed my blog is finally up and running smoothly, I've been working on the design for a couple of days now, and i'm really happy how it turned out! Even though I've been working with a template, there is a lot of things that you need to get done to get it to fit your liking, fixing colors, widgets, menus and not to mention the designing the banner. Not to mention all the HTML/CSS reading, that you really can't say I know, but luckily for me can comprehend it. I got to admit though, it turned out better than I imagine it to do! :)Enought of that, considering my trip to Japan, I only have 24 days left in Sweden. For me, I still can't believe that I'm acutally going to japan. I'm going to Stockholm next week to retrive my visa, and I bet by that moment the feeling of confusion and reality will punch me hard in the face, looking forward to it! ;)
Even though it's not a long time untill I leave Sweden, I still don't know where how or really where I'm going to live. I don't know the nationalities of those whom i will go to class with are, neither if they are able to communicate in English, quite a nice feeling to have. I guess I'll soon find out!For the time being, this is what i had on my mind!
Untill next time! Matane! Vi ses!
/Viktor Sandberg
