Comparing Academic levels

I must say I like the academic system on this side. It feels more serious, the grading scale is from 1-7, 7 being the best. which leads to more motivation and ambition. I also like having 4 different courses at the same time instead of one, even though I guess the stress factor (if you have one) will rise. This doesn't make me stress out though, it makes me want to organize and straight out my priorities better.
The assesments I have will be piling up in October but I believe in making a strict schedual now already and stay to it I could get weekends off to travel this amazing country. and SURF!

Arrived Alive!

Update Deluxe:
The flight went good! No tears or fears. I think that depends on the fact that I've been waiting for this for like 7 years now and it finally happened!
The last 6 hours on the plane though where tough.. I could hardly sleep and it was a bit bumpy..
At Brisbane Airport I was worried I wouldn't get through costums since I only had a ticket in to Australia and not out. But my aunt/godmother/best friend said just smile and charm them and they'll let you pass. And so they did!

I met up with QUT's airport reception and they took me took Base Brisbane Central (Backpackers). I had a shower and then had to wait until 1 pm to check in to the room. (I was there at 8 am, so a long wait for someone very jet lagged.. )

I took a stroll around and signed up at ANZ bank and got a new sim card for my phone. My Australien number is +61 434970934. I almost fainted while buying a pasterie so I hurried back to the hostel to chill out in the tv room. I watched Austin Powers with the "backpacker gang" and then finally I got my room and took a 2 hour nap.

When I woke up I got invited by Mike (one of Annas' friends) to a barbeque/fundraiser. Being a yes man I accepted even though my extreme jet lag. It was awesome, I met really cool people and got offered 2 accommodations. Going there was a reeeally good idea!

I was interviewed by Kate (one of the people who offered me a place to stay at the 'barbie') and her room-mates yesterday. The place and the girls are perfect and I'm crossing all of my fingers to get it! please please please!!

I have a place to rest

I booked a room for a night at http://www.stayatbase.com/base-brisbane-embassy-hostel/

it feels safe to have that fixed as well. A place to rest and get back on my feet to hunt for accommodation.

8 days count down

Making lists of things to bring and organizing.

I found a place I'd really like to stay at; http://www.somewheretostay.com.au/students/ .

I am still homeless, I mean, I haven't gotten my own place to stay yet but this place meets my budget and is in the area Anna tipped me about, so pleeeease give me a room! Living at a back-packer place feels exciting, to meet back-packers from around the world and get inspired!
So lets cross our fingers that I get it!

Today I have applied for Airport Reception; "Students who are met at the airport through the ISS Airport Reception service are given a Welcome Letter, City Map, and a Gardens Point Campus Map"

Also, I have made a schedual for the day I arrive.

* Meet the QUT people at the airport.

* Get to Gardens Point for the "New to Brisbane" session ("New to Brisbane is specifically for new students who have recently arrived in Brisbane. This is usually the first opportunity to address any concerns you have about orientation, transport, living in Brisbane, personal safety or studying at QUT.")

* Get a room at Somewhere to Stay.

I tend to be spontanious and not follow plans so yeah, we'll see how good I will be at holding this schedual.

(getting organized)

Being a yes man!

Wiho! For $345 I just booked;

Brisbane River Cruise will be held on Wednesday 20^th July 2011

Cruise down the Brisbane River taking in the city sights, city lights, and general Brisbane atmosphere onboard the famous Kookaburra River Queen. The boat will have a Resident DJ playing the latest dance music while we cruise the Brisbane River.



Island Dreaming Orientation Camp - held from Friday 22^nd July to Sunday 24^th July 2011

This weekend promises value for money, including all transportation to and from the island, 2 nights accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, a learn-to-surf lesson, kayaking adventure, guided walk, beach party, trivia night and great company!

>45 emails..

After sending over 45 emails for places to live I think I need to go to bed...

Hopefully I'll have some happy answers tomorrow!

Nighty..

Multi tasking; Fuel TV & Accommodation hunt

Hey!

After watching my little bro kiteboard all day it's time to do something boring, send a truckload of emails to check out places to stay when I get to Brisbane.
(http://brisbane.gumtree.com.au, http://www.share-accommodation.net/preview/looking/brisbane/index.htm & https://www.accommodation.qut.edu.au/)

Luckily, the WORLDS GREATEST tv channel is on, FUEL TV! and the current program is: Mission Caribbean, hello paradise!
- A couple of guys out on a boat in the Caribbean, surfing, wakeboarding, diving and having a blast.

Check it out 20 seconds of it:

Long time no Blog

Hey!

Sorry I havn't been here for a long long time.
I have been busy with the student union I'm involved with, school has been a priority (for once), I've been moving out and the spare time I get is for working out or chillin' with my homies at the student home (Castle of fun).

Let's see where I left you guys with, right, my checklist;

Buy the flight tickets - CHECK! First I bought an international student card (ISIC) first and got my ticket through STAtravel. Sanna and I travelled with them last time we where out adventuring the world and we were very pleased with them. I also only got a one-way ticket, exciting! ~7400 SEK (okey price for booking so late)

Apply for my student visa - CHECK! Due to the fact that I already had a tourist visa I needed to make sure I could apply for a student visa, without loosing $450 (3,578 SEK) I had to contact the Australian Embassy. I emailed but nooooo reply. I emailed again, but no. So I had to call their office in Belgium GERMANY....... Do you think I was happy? eeh. no. After 11 min on hold I got through. "You old visa will get erased, thank you for calling." Was that so difficult to email? doh stupid people. Well, I got the answer to my question, so I'm happy.

Get my insurance - CHECK! This was easy! I just sent an email to Maria Kristiansson at the International Secretary (?) with the dates I'll be in Australia and she sent my insurance by mail. wiho!

Notify ladok - CHECK! André and I had to speak with Kristina Regnell (our Co-ordinator) and she'd notify them.

Medical Insurance card - CHECK, same as the other insurance.

CSN!!!! (get money aka studentloan) - CHECK! They needed the ladok notification and as soon as they got it they granted my loan.

Sign the contracts for renting out my appartment - CHECK! Johanna is a sweet girl staying in my lovely appartment

Find accomodation in Brissie! -pass... I'll fix this another day...

Start moving out - CHECK! Did I mention Johanna?

Get an extra income by selling stuff (loppis) and selling handmade crafts. - CHECK! I had a flea market and got rid of some stuff, sold some banana muffins everybody bought. I think I got around 300-400 SEK ($45-60).

That was my old checklist. Here is what I missed on that one;

Study plan - CHECK! This was one of the hard parts, choosing, getting, enrolling and organizing courses. But, I think I've done a good job so far and If I get it figured out befor I start I have Thursday & Friday school free, which makes planning for trips and adventures (and work...) more easy!

Scholarships....

Job....



_____
I also want to give Anna credit. (The super cool Swedish/African I was telling you about. ) Not only did she give me heaps of good tips, she has "forwarded" her Aussie friends to me. One of the nicest things I've experienced. Anyho, these guys seem awesome and nice and so open and friendly, I can't wait to meet them!
Thanks Anna, your the bomb! Check out her art & blogs; http://theswedishafrican.blogspot.com/
http://www.annabrandberg.com/

I'll rap up with posting a wonderful movie I put together of our time Down Under 12-2010 - 01-2011. ENJOY




30 DAYS TO GO!

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Kick-Off for exchange students!

Today was the day for the Kick Off!
It was superinteresting and lots of fun. I met a girl who had studied at QUT, where I'm going and guess what else? She was half Swedish and the other half South African! Just like me! That is so random and amazing! It is such a small world.

Anyway, she gave me heaps of good tips and advice and it felt calming to get all my questions answered.

In 9 minutes I'm going down to the gym for a hard workout to get ready for my aussie body!

After that I have a long list I'll gladly share detail by detail later, until then, here it is:

Buy the flight tickets
Apply for my student visa
Get my insurance
Notify ladok
Medical Insurance card
CSN!!!! (get money aka studentloan)
Sign the contracts for renting out my appartment
Find accomodation in Brissie!
Start moving out
Get an extra income by selling stuff (loppis) and selling handmade crafts.

3 minutes til gymtime!

Later yo!

getting out of this place!

Time is ticking and I need to fix my visa, csn student loan and plane tickets. I also need to find a place to stay and get the contract for renting out my appartment signed.
This is awesome. Totally awesome!
The kick off is tomorrow! exciiiiiiting!

wiho

happiness :

We have received your application for admission to Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and we are pleased to offer you a conditional place on the student exchange program for semester 2 2011.

Application deadline time!

I've been a bad blogger since the wonderful Australia dreamtrip!

Things to do and people to see. But the last deadline for the final application forms (the last things in my power to do) caught up with me. March 15. Before this day I had to find my courses, get them approved by my favourite teacher/professor, receive a letter of recommendation, fill out the application form, take (waaay expensive) passport photos and get all grades and study proof signed.
There was a lot of stress and panic but this dream is to strong to give up on.

Next on my 'to do list' is wait for Queensland University of Technology to accept me and during that time I have to apply for scholarships and more scholarships! Money is a good thing sometimes..

Catch'ya L8er

News about the exchange nomination

There are 3 steps to go through to get the exchange:

Step 1, get nominated by the faculty you at study at.
Step 2, get nominated by the international secretary.
Step 3, get accepted to the School you are dreaming to go to.


My good news is that step 2 just happened! Wiho.


I need to update my dreamboard, 'cause all my dreams are starting to happen.

Waiting

It's been about a month since we got nominated for the exchange studies, it feels like we are with 90% security going to exchange. What we are waiting for is the final acceptence. A wait that feels longer than life..

Cross you fingers for us hoping to fulfil our dreams!

Step by Step

Earlier today I handed in my reply form for my nomination to Brisbane. I told our coordinator that I already have started a blog for my adventure. This blog and she was pleased!
When I first found the students (who exchanged before me) blogs, they didn't mention the whole applying part, which is also the most nervwrecking and time-consuming part.You have to fill in study plans, and therefore understand the University's website and find the courses they are so good at hiding. Then there's the CV, Grades sheets, ladok, online application (that I luckily filled in after going to an "Study Abroad & How to Apply" meeting that Malmö University have every 6 months or so) and last but not least, the Statement of Purpose. That last and most important document that haunts you day and night, the one where you get your chance to shine and promote yourself. The chance to tell them why they should choose YOU!

To Be Continued

Big time Happiness!

Malmö University nominates you to.....

Queensland University of Technology = Big time Happiness!!

only one small step left, that QUT accepts me.
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My Never Never Land

"So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned.
Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever,
in Never Never Land!"
- J.M Barrie (Peter Pan)

The back-up plan!

If, worst-case scenario, they don't accept me as an exchange student I have a back-up plan.
In 50 days I will land in Sydney and I get to hug the cousins who make my heart fill up with warmth and make my eyes tear up.
Last Christmas we went to visit my family in South Africa and I got to meet my Aussie cousins for the first time. It was as we'd always known each other!
Soon I get to see them again, surf, play and do mischief with them and I get to visit the place I've always dreamed about!


What an adventure!


My cousins from Oz, Finn & Conor

This Blog is, Therefore it is.

Since I can remember the dream of Australia has been with me, day and night!

My picture of Sweden (the country I live in at the moment) is cold, rainy and definitely not for me. 3 months of summer, 4 at the most, it doesn't work. I need 365 days of sunshine.

I need to get out of this place. But HOW?!
After Secondary School, at the age of 19 I had a vague plan of studying aboard, in my dreamland. Mission failed; or yeah, being a poor teenager didn't get me to my destination. So I decided on continuing my studies in the hope of becoming an exchange student.

I had my eye on Malmö University, far far away from my "dricka öl, pilla på naveln" (drink beer & fiddle with your belly button) -village and great exchange opportunities. I got accepted, moved and wrote my "Study Abroad Application" a semester early. October 15 2010 was my real deadline, and I handed it in, shaking, three days before.

So all I have to do now is sit back, try to relax, and cross my fingers in the hope of my dreams to come true!

This is to meaningfull for me.

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