SEPTEMBER '04 UPDATE

Tue, 7 Sep 2004

Dear All –

We are now into week 5 in the Scandinavian Urban Studies Term (SUST) for 2004 and students have really settled into life in Oslo. It has been an action-packed start to semester. The first few weeks of semester were filled with orientation with SUST, the University of Oslo, fellow students and the Oslo region. SUSTers made full use of the fantastic summer weather in the early weeks of August to go swimming in local lakes and in the Oslo fjord. They also explored different parts of the city together and have been pleasantly surprised to discover the numerous excellent and inexpensive falafel and kebab stores in town!

The key themes of SUST - the welfare state, immigration and globalisation - have been introduced and together we have critically examined the development of Norwegian national identity, Scandinavian political parties and European integration. Field visits have included structured walks through culturally diverse parts of Oslo as well as visits to the National Gallery, Stortinget (Norwegian Parliament), Norwegian Museum of Cultural History and the Viking Ship Museum. I have attached two group photos taken today after our visit to the Norwegian <No to the European Union> organisation. The photos are taken in a large square - Youngstorget - in central Oslo renowned for being a place where people gather for poltical protests and community celebrations.

SUSTers have also now commenced their volunteer placements with community and local government organisations in Oslo. These include the Oslo Red Cross, Friends of the Earth Norway, Norway Social Forum and the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers. I am excited to work with such an energetic and engaged group of students and very much looking forward to the remainder of the semester.

Until my next update,
Tim
--
Timothy Szlachetko
Program Director
Scandinavian Urban Studies Term
University of Oslo
International Summer School
PO Box 1082 Blindern
NO-0317 Oslo
NORWAY