Grad School: 1/4 done!

It's a bit surreal but the first semester just flew by. It seems like yesterday when I met all my classmates and advisors for the first time. Enough with the cliches but really, everything seemed like it was in a flash. Yet at the same time, many of the classes really had a good impact on me and I have no regrets that I chose this program and came to Geneva.

To clarify, my program is a unique one of a kind. It must also be the freakin' longest program name I've ever encountered in my life: Masters in Standardization, Social Regulation, and Sustainable Development. It's a very new program and it's not well known. However, the concept is valid and very applicable to all fields. In our world today, standardization is everywhere whether we notice it or not. Most often we don't even recognize it. For example, USB is a kind of a standard for data memory systems as is the SD memory card. Organic food labels must pass certain standards or quality to have the certified sticker on the food product. And other minor items but used daily such as A4 paper and metric systems are also all under a standard agreement across different countries, sectors, businesses etc.

Social regulation and development add additional elements this standardization process. For example, in my global health class we discussed about how standards of health procedures must be put in place in order to have safe and effective medical processes especially in developing countries where these standards are not implemented. In our Environmental Policy class we discussed on whether energy saving programs in different cities and countries should be a recommended standard or a law enforced regulation. It's interesting that all these dimensions com together. As we moved towards a more globalized society, these three topics are crucial in order for our society as a whole to advance for the betterment of humanity.

My classmates have also been inspirational and really given me the drive to challenge my thoughts and perceptions. We may only be 13 people but the  diversity and various backgrounds that we have have really enriched the academic work as well as social life. I think we've all formed a close bond and I hope that this will continue to grow.

As for my thesis and career trajectory, I am still not sure. Honestly it feels like I've been bombarded with many ideas that I am still trying to sort them out. But I have been definitely inspired by many topics talked in classes, events, and seminars. My aim for next semester is to slowly collect them all into one bowl and formulate my future aspirations and goals.

For now I am going to enjoy the rest of the holiday season and slowly get back into gear for exam mode!

スイスに引っ越して大学院生生活も4ヶ月になろうとしています。最初は戸惑いの毎日でしたが周りからのサポートもあり無事一学期目を終えることができました！今のところ大学院での勉強はぶっちゃけ、楽しくて仕方がない！1日12時間働いて飲み会やら接待やらと忙しくすごしていた日々に比べると毎日が刺激的で学んでいる課題も興味深いものがたくさんあるので本当に1日24時間が足りないくらい。

よく周りから「何を勉強しているの?」と聞かれるのですがさすがに日本語での説明はややこしい　；－－　学部名は直訳すると「基準化・社会的規制・維持開発」なのでかなりちんちくりんに聞こえてしまうんですよね　汗。簡単に説明すると現代社会においてどの部門でどう基準化を推奨することによって社会的規制を極め、そして発展途上国において開発を進めることができるかという3本頭で研究を進めています。基準といってもピンと来ない人も多いとは思うのですが・・・基準って社会において本当に大事なんですよね。例えば 人の病気を治療するにあたってちゃんとした処置方法を定めないと命の別状に関わって大変なことになりますよね。また発展途上国で安全できれいな水を届けたいとプロジェクトを掲げる前にまず「安全できれいな水」とは何か、そして何を基準それを見極めるのかが大事ですよね。そういう大きな課題もあればＡ４サイズの紙、シャーペン芯0.5mm、摂氏華氏、私たちが日常で使っているようなものも実は基準法が適用されて統一されています。

かなり入り組んだ説明になってしまいましたが要するにさまざまな角度から社会を見ていくプログラムなので就活の面では応用が利いて有利、という風に自分自身では捕らえています。

まだ1学期目が終わったばかりなので卒業論文や今後の進路についてはまだ考えいないのですが・・・ でも来学期までには自分の進みたい分野を決めたいと思っています。

ともあれ、今はしばしのお休み・充電期間中☆　1月中旬から試験が始まるのでそれに備えてゆっくり体を休ませたいと思ってます　＾＾

Finland IX: お土産偏

毎回恒例となっているお土産披露　笑
ドイツに行ったときは格安航空券で持ち込み荷物のみ可能だったので液体物はあまり変えなかったのですが今回は荷物を預けられるということで、食品など買いまくりましたよ～

スイスはアジア食品が異常なほど高いのである限り揃えてきました。それにしても北欧でもアジア食品が買えるってええ世界になりました。おなじみのタイインスタントラーメンはなぜかヨーロッパではメジャーに置かれています。７０円ほどなので安いし、お手軽だもんね。

特に嬉しかったのがお豆腐。１丁２５０円、しかもオーガニックです。ジュネーブでは豆腐一丁500円なので倍ですね、かなりありえないです。

なにがなんだかよくわかりませんがスパイスもいろいろ揃えました♪　あとでグーグル翻訳機でみてみます。　北欧はベリー系ジャムが好きなことがよーくわかったので記念に　笑

 フィンランドのスーパーで一番感動したのがヨーグルト。ギリシャヨーグルトのようにもた～っとしていて濃いんですよー！しかも１パック６０-８０円ぐらい。もっと買ってきたかった！

フィンランド料理で多分一番好きな鮭のクリームスープ☆　国民食なようでこういうレトルトがスーパーで売っていました。 多分200～300円ぐらいだったかな？

スイスに戻って食べてみました。レトルトだと思ってたけどこれがかなり本格的！おいしかった～

　　　

 以外にもコーヒー消費率は世界トップに入ってるフィンランド。やはり外が寒くて日が短いからコーヒーを飲みたくなるんでしょうね　（＾＾）。　たしかにフィンランドで飲んだコーヒーは安くておいしい！お茶類もいろいろ買ってきました。旅行先では必ずといっていいほどお茶をよく買います。

 当初は、別にムーミン目的でフィンランドに行くわけじゃないし・・・とあまり興味がなかったのですが、いざムーミンショップに行ってみると・・やっぱりかわいい。ついつい買ってしまい、挙句の果てには空港でも買い足しました　汗。コップ類が多いのはお土産用だから。かわいくて実用的なので最適なのです。

ペアのマグカップ。かわいすぎる！ピンクはあたしのなので毎日これでコーヒーを飲んでいます。朝から癒されてかなりテンションあがります♪　笑

 これでフィンランドともお別れ。でもまた来るね！次回はもう少し暖かい春か夏にお邪魔させていただきます！

Finland VIII: Extra

In all, Finland was lovely. I was amazed by many things but most importantly the people. They are neither fiesty nor rude nor reckless. I'm sure there are people like that as well but compared to the hectic cities I've lived in, people seemed very tame and poised of their daily lives; I suppose this must the Scandinavian way of life although I do know that I'm stretching myself a bit to make a hugely broad comment.

But in all seriousness I really felt the warmth of the people. Everyone had been very kind and helpful; and their command of their English never ceases to astonish me. If only I can do that with my other languages. The weather was cold and harsh but I can see why people have a higher quality of life; they have some nice coffee and some good lights to keep them sane during the darn and cold days! Nevertheless I would love to come back again in the summer.

I also fell in love with the food. I am definitely making the salmon soup and spinach pancakes for my family. 
Now here are a few more extra shots of the beautiful city dressed with snow!

Finland VII: Korvapuusti

Korvapuusti or simply known in the English world as cinnamon buns are a typical and well-loved Scandinavian treat. I fell in love with these little pasteries as well since they smell so good! The secret is that there's lots of cardamon in the buns which give it a boost in aroma. I can see why Finnish people consume so much coffee...I can have a few of those joes with these buns!

Cinnamon buns are existent in almost all cafes but there are some favorites. I went to Cafe Espaland where their buns are huge! Though I recommend you go early in the morning since they weren't as fresh when I went in the afternoon.

Café Esplanad 
Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 37, 00100 Helsinki, Finland  
(few doors down from the Academia Bookstore)

Phone:+358 9 665496

Finland VI: Thanksgiving Meal

For some reason me and Nancy tend to travel around the time for Thanksgiving. I suppose since it's because it's when ticket are cheap plus it's before the chaotic season kicks in. In any case, for the past few trips it's become custom to have a nice dinner together during our trip to celebrate our great national holiday and also celebrate our reunion and our trip together.

We decided to go to __. It's raved by locals and tourists and the prices are very reasonable. Plus the staff was absolutely friendly and lovely. If you would like to have some traditional Finnish food in a nice ambicance this is definitely the place.


So what is Finnish food? I only got a glimpse of it but my favorite dish so far is the salmon soup. It's a cream based soup with potatoes, onions,dill, and salmon. It warms you up instantly on cold days!

Here's to many more trips to come!

Finland V: Supermarket

A trip would never be complete without making a trip to the local market. I love shopping in Finland for two reasons: 1) They use the Euro which makes things so much more easier for me (Having have to use Swiss Francs is complicating my life enough!) 2) while the prices are relatively high, it's still cheaper than Switzerland.

Supermarkets are probably something I most look forward too. Not only am I pig and can buy local foods for cheap, you can really see the local food culture. You also see a lot of local people going about their normal business; a good change from the touristy areas. I assure you you will always find some interesting things.

Finnish people are one of the biggest coffee drinkers in the world which is quite suprising but not so much when you consider the cold winters and long nights..you need 'em extra boosts to brighten the days!

Noticed Finnish people love soups and salads, here are a few

So...is this a dressing for bacon or bacon dressing? I so should've bought this

Surprised that Scandinavian food in general use a lot of spices. I guess this is why I must like them

Wow there's even moomin coffee

Spinach pancakes, one of my favorite!

Potato and pork meatball soup

Don't underestimate pre-made food here, it was quite good!

Finland IV: Day Trip

As travel veterans, we're pretty quick and efficient tourists. Afterall, we did go all around Paris in 24 hours, literally: 20 sites. So Helsinki was a breeze. We had a number of alternative options but they were all quickly ruled out due to cost, budget, time, and most of all the weather. We wanted to go somewhere different but cheap and doesn't take too long before we freeze over.

Our Airbnb owner suggested Suomenlinna island. It's about a 15-20min ride from the main port and transportation is included in the one day city-wide transportation.

                                               

The island is a UNESCO heritage sight and was built as a fort for Swedes. There's a bit of a complicated history here which I haven't been able to read into closely. However, in the modern days it's a great getaway for tourists and locals to have picnics and weddings during the summer that is. We were a bit worried what there would be there for us during the winter season but it did not disappoint us. The medieval feeling and the snow made the atmosphere very majestic and picturesque. It was freezing cold but worth looking at the beautiful scenery.

By the time our fingers and feet were freezing off, we were ready for some beer at the island brewery. And of course, some warm soup :)