Paul Georges . Alterego Construction

Where to start?

So it’s almost been a week since I’ve arrived in Linköping. I have not updated the blog very much lately due to the simple fact that so much has been going on these last couple of days. I’ve adapted to a new culture and lifestyle, I’ve met so many exchange students from all over the globe and I’ve managed to survive the daily parties and activities organized by both students and student coordinators alike. Every night since I’ve arrived last Monday, there has a been a party/bbq/outing planned. I know that I told most of you that beer is expensive and hard to find here in Sweden but in fact it is found in abundance; no worries! People here are simply amazing. I don’t know if it’s because everyone is showing the best of one’s self or if everyone is just so genuinely friendly and easy-going, but I’ve never had so much ease approaching strangers and just starting up a converstation about anything whatsoever. Maybe I’ve just never really had the opportunity to do so beforehand.

Residence life here is wonderful. Everyone knows everyone in the Ryd district, so news spreads fast when activities and parties are brewing. During the day and afternoon most people take time to get their daily tasks done: groceries, bike repairs, administrative preparation, sporting activites and studying (for the lucky few who have been following the intensive Swedish class) tend to be the most popular.

At night however, all hell breaks loose. People will find any excuse to have a party. Here’s a brief list:

• corridor party
• bbq party
• pool party
• sauna party
• laundry party (yes… I’m serious… people take over the outdoor laundry complexes)
• student pub outings (on campus and downtown)

No time to be bored! Talking about boring…

Oh yeah! School! That’s what we brotherly (and sisterly) exchange studnets are all here for right? School hasn’t started quite yet for most students here at LiU, so people have been taking advantage of time off to profit of nice weather, friendly faces and good beer. However, classes start this Wednesday for most. Today I got all the bureaucratic shit done once and for all, so I am now an official Linköping Universitet student (kind of). I don’t have a schedule yet but supposedly it is up to me to take care of that matter personally.

Today, aside preparing my study period here at Linköping, I visited the Linköping cathedral situated downtown for a classical music concert. The concert was held inside the cathedral at 21h00. I arrived a bit late so my corridor mates Ulrike and Emmanuel were already seated up front (thanks for waking me guys, I wouldn’t have made it there otherwise). I’m no connaisseur of classical music but I do know that the sounds I heard once I entered the big cathedral doors caused instant goosebumps. Mozart, Bridge, 3 musicians, 3 instruments: piano, cello and violin. In a beautiful rustic cathedral decorated in a way that I’ve never seen before. Two thumbs way up… Simon et Bianca, j’aurais tellement voulu que vous y soiyez.

ESN (Erasmus Student Network) organized a lazy Sunday picnic in TrädgÃ¥rdsföreningen park this passed weekend. First day without beer since I’ve arrived which did a lot of good. À la carte: food, friends, sights and sounds, Kubb (a Swedish game which ressembles lawn bowling), frisbee and football. Make sure you check out the photos.

So briefly said, the first week here in Linköping has been crazy and excellent… to be quite honest, I’m already dreading the return to Laval University. Everything here is just so fresh and exhilerating. Furthermore, I’m convinced that the whole postive vibe that I’ve experienced this week will remain throughout the semester.