exchange #5

I had some trouble last month staying under budget, but I think that's excusable because the first month did have some start up expenses. Bedsheets, pillows, detergent, bike... etc

So I've discovered a new place to do my grocery shopping! It's a store called Lidl. It's almost exactly the same as Aldi back home. And the best part is that it's cheap. Unfortunately it doesn't have a wide variety of things, but another store called Willy's is good for the rest. It's also quite cheap.

What I'm trying to figure out now is how to cook for one... It's kind of awkward because if I cook too much I have a billion meals but if i cook to little it seems inefficient. Any tips? Lately I've been cooking enough to last me 2 meals, which doesn't feel like enough.

I bought a whole chicken the other day from Lidl, portioned it and froze the pieces for meals later on, thought that was pretty clever of me.

In the meantime, check out some pics from the last week. Oh boy, Scandinavian landscapes- breathtaking.

Copenhagen- Osterport Station

Town protected by a moat! (I think thats what they're called)

Ferry wharf at Oslo

Leaving the Oslo Fjord! 

Just another Oslo Fjord picture because it's so pretty

exchange #4 settling in

Here are a few things you need to know if you're moving to Lund soon.

1. Jojo Card
It's a travel card where you can load money on and use it to catch the buses and trains. Make sure you get a student one if you're a student.

2. Sim card
I'm using Telia. It's okay. I've heard there's a better one with more data, which is really what I need...

3. Bike
Get a bike and save on travel money, cause it ain't cheap on a student budget.

4. Food
Meat is expensive! Shoot. I'll have to cut down on that. There are a few grocery stores in the neighbourhood. I've only been to ICA & COOP Konsum... Not sure which one is cheaper yet. The ICA near Lund C station is expensive so avoid that one if you can.

So I'm still figuring out how to cook for one and make the most of my meals. At the moment I've been buying frozen veggies and frozen fish, and only a tiny bit of meat. Rice and Pasta have been my meals for the last few days. When you're hungry, everything tastes good!!

Have a look at the lovely town below :)

Town Cathedral

Lund Central station

lovely cobble-stone streets

exchange #3 lund, the beginning

Everyone says exchange is incredibly fun- which I have no doubt it will be. Nobody really said anything about how staying alive on your own in a completely new country is also incredibly terrifying!

It has been a hectic 3 days. Arrived in Copenhagen airport on the morning of the 11th and caught the train to Lund. The good thing about arriving on the set arrival day was the many student mentors from Lund University who were extremely helpful and helped the new students to their varying accommodations. Arrive on arrival day!

My home for now, Ostra Torn (pronounced Oooostra toorn) is so damn eerie because of the large space of the student housing block in a country setting and the few students that currently occupy it. I think many students have yet to move in (I sure hope so because at the moment it's kinda scary. It's almost always dark here so that makes it worse). The apartment itself is very nice, complete with a kitchen and bathroom. If you're reading this and deciding whether or not to apply for Ostra Torn through LU Accommodation, I would recommend you think about whether you prefer a nice living space or location. I didn't apply for Ostra Torn but was put here anyway- still can't decide whether I like it or not... will let you know at the end of it all.

Behold, there is is! My very own studio flat with a bathroom and kitchen. Super spacy and comfy.