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Christmas market at place St. Francois, the amazing snowfall we had last weekend (which has now depressingly melted and been replaced by sleet).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