Semester 1: CHECK

Hi!

Today is the last day of my first semester in Lausanne. I have been here for 3 months and 12 days.

The year's coming to an end, and I guess I can conclude that one of my greatest accomplishments in 2012 is becoming pro at buying milk.  After countless tries to find GOOD milk, and the milk that will last the longest in my fridge, I have now gone about 2 months buying the same milk every week. I'm officially giving myself a pat on the back for completing my first months on my own, I think the biggest change has been the basic administration of my life-- all the practical things to take care of... the commune mailing you documents to fill out, the university asking for information about your classes, the university in Belgium asking for information about your classes, the Swiss bank sending you papers, your mom asking what to do with your mail that's arrived in Belgium, and aaaall the cards! There's the student card and the identity card, then there's the Lausanne transport card and the Swiss train card, there's the credit cards and the bank cards, the international student card, and of course the fidelity card to Yves Rocher.

It's been great to see that medicine can be taught in different ways, and I have to say I'm impressed with the quality of the program at UNIL. The classes and workload have been pretty much the same as in Belgium, but like I hoped, it has given a lot of motivation to study in a new place, new auditoriums, a new library.

The past week I've been doing some very Christmas-y things, really gotten into the spirit because of all the lights and music in town, the "vin chaud" at the Christmas market at place St. Francois, the amazing snowfall we had last weekend (which has now depressingly melted and been replaced by sleet). I've finished my presents on time (*proud*), and I have packed my suitcase.

I can't wait to see my family and friends back home for Christmas and New year's. I have definitely missed them all so much, maybe even more than I thought I would, but now I'm going home.

Thank you Lausanne for a wonderful first semester, see you in January for exams! (Yes, the joy of studying during Christmas holidays awaits).

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone! Bisous xx

Ice skating at Flon <3 

Addition to Winter: Photo blog

I woke up Saturday morning....

 

 

Happy December :) xx

Winter

It's snowing today :) A lot.

There was definitely a certain level of distraction in my neuroscience class on the inner ear and auditory signal transduction today, as through the windows in the auditorium we had a fantastic view of massive snowflakes whirling past in the wind. Even the professor had to stop at a point to comment on the VERY winter-like weather outside, it's the first time I've ever felt truly "cosy" in an auditorium.. at least it was nice and warm right?

Temperatures are hovering around zero, but have stayed negative today, and are supposed to drop further during the coming week.

I'm spending my days inside studying, as exams in January seem a little closer when there's only two weeks till Christmas! There's a lot of hot chocolate and tea and warm soup involved. I have also ventured twice into town to fix some Christmas presents, once this afternoon- in the snow. I mean blizzard. The lights have all come up in town, shops are playing carols, and market stalls are popping up everywhere, especially at Place St. Francois which looked very idyllic today with the snow (there is also a Starbucks there which is now serving their christmas/holiday coffee blends... yum... I admit I gave in and had one today).

Candle in a bolognese sauce glass :) 

I am surprised, however, that Lausanne actually experiences a certain level of "paralysis" when it comes to the first proper snowfall of the year. I had an excellent time getting to the Dorigny campus Monday night (when the snow started)-- my bus spent 20 minutes at a depot on the way to town getting chains! Today again, the buses were all completely delayed and the ones going upward came at random when I was going back home from town. I hear there's a lot of snow in Belgium at the moment as well, and that schools were closed. It is definitely not that bad here--- just like in Norway, kids have to go to school even though the town decided to look like the clouds had decided to have a massive pillow fight, covering the ground in soft fluffy icy-ness.

I'm lighting candles inside (see the bolognese glass idea? One has to make do when candle-holders are not available!), cooking warm food, and generally enjoying the feeling that I'll see my family and friends really soon. The semester's passed so fast and I can't believe I've been here 13 weeks tomorrow! I'm sooooo enjoying the massive box I received right before December started as well-- Christmas calendar with a little package every day!! Yesterday was St. Nicolas, and I got a packet of good old Belgian Lotus Speculoos <3 much happiness!

I hope everyone is enjoying December and that you take a break to look up and see the snowflakes. It's really beautiful. Have a great weekend! Bisous from La Suisse xx