Teacher said:

eraclito said:

Yes, I know it's on the mainland, hence the use of " " around the word---I meant it's closer to more "popular" countries such as France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, etc; or in other words, countries that most people want to visit in Europe. (Sorry guys, but Sweden, Norway and Denmark aren't exactly the first countries that most people--and I'm speaking as an American here--think of visiting when they go to Europe.)

Norway and Sweden are much farther north (are they technically on a penisula?)so I'm presuming it would be harder to travel to "mainland" Europe from those countries.

I'm actually quite good with geography, and have been to The Netherlands so believe me, I know where the fuck it is in relation to the rest of Europe. Not all Americans are idiots.

.
[Edited 5/24/07 12:56pm]

DevotedPuppy said:

Indeed, we're MUCH farther north... all of 2 hours flight. It's VERY hard to travel to the rest of Europe though, cos first you gotta get by all the polar bears in the streets, and then it's horse cart to the south of Sweden... then you gotta swim over to Denmark and from there on to the British Isles or trekk downwards to Germany...

Teacher said:

Well I don't know what Tonylover's budget is....of course flying is faster, but usually more expensive than taking trains, which will take less time if you have less distance to go (e.g. you're in the Netherlands). Of course if you are going from southern Sweden to Poland or something it is close...but Norway to Barcelona for example? Much farther and would not be a 2 hour flight. (Could take the TGV through France to Spain). I stand by my comment; The Netherlands is closer and more convenient if s/he wants to travel in southern or western Europe.

I didn't make any generalizations about Swedish meatballs, IKEA, or Hamlet (yes I know--Danish not Swedish) so cut me some slack.


grande vitesse edit
[Edited 5/24/07 13:19pm]

DevotedPuppy said:

Actually, flying in Europe is now cheaper than the trains a lot of the time, it's become insane with the low-fares airlines. It's cheaper for me to fly to London than to take a train to my dog's breeder in the very south of Sweden...
Btw, Oslo to Barca is a 3 hour flight, not too bad considering.

I apologise for jumping your throat.

There is one country that is not on your list: Iceland

If you're not on a very tight budget and if you're willing to put up with ever-changing weather (it's not as cold in the winter as you might think though, the winters are actually milder than in many areas of the US, i.e. those areas furthest from the sea) I would think that Iceland is an interesting choice, especially for our unique history and nature. I know a few exchange students who were here last winter and they all very much enjoyed their stay here. While the principal language in the University of Iceland (public university) is Icelandic, there are many faculties that offer courses in English (see list here: http://hi.is/page/courses_in_english).

The admission fee per year at the University of Iceland is only 45.000 ISK (880 Australian dollars) but the standards of living are very high here and because of the small population (300.000) and this being an island, the cost of living is high, as it is in Norway and Sweden.

Oh, and here's an infomercial about Iceland... It's a bit cheesy .. but it's still a good introduction to the country: http://www.youtube.com/wa...ed&search=

purplehippieonthe1 said:

I don't think she made the list, I think her University did so I doubt Iceland would be a choice unfortunately.

Teacher said:

You're right lol. There are many countries I would love to visit, but the options are limited unfortunately.

DevotedPuppy said:

Thanks for replying. "DevotedPuppy", my budget is undecided yet. And I am a she lol.

I don't know anything about The Netherlands, but I do like the idea of it being on the mainland. However, if "Teacher" is accurate about the air fares being cheaper than the train tickets, that would be ideal.
Concidering you ("DevotedPuppy") have been to The Netherlands, can you tell me anything about it? Is it expensive? Is it cold? Is it "country" like?

Thanks heaps guys. You are all so helpful. Love Love Love

retina said:

Thanks again. You are the best.
I know alot more about Sweden now that I have found you. And I have developed a new appreciation for the country. Lol
Once again, Thanks.
I will get back to you if I have any more questions, she seem wise. Lol. You know more about your country than I know about my own. Lol.

Tonylover said:

I actually visited while I was studying abroad in Cannes, France so my trip to The Netherlands was only for a few days. (I have a friend from HS who is Dutch, so I stayed with her, she met me at the train station, took me to the Amsterdam, etc.) Thus, I can't comment too much on the weather--I went in December but there was no snow. I do think it gets cold though...Amsterdam was not "country" at all, but where she lived, Hoeven, was much more rural. Also, I went before the Euro, and my friend insisted on paying for everything as I was her guest, so I don't remember if it was expensive. I bought a pair of Doc Martens in Amsterdam and they were roughly the same price as if I'd gotten them in the US.


Wherever you go, it will no doubt be a great experience.

DevotedPuppy said:

You're probably right.

Thanks.

I'm studying abroad in Canada right now and really, really enjoying it. I will say, though, that Toronto is an expensive place to live. I'm not exactly sure what the costs of living in other anglophone Canadian cities are like. I can't imagine anything downright cheap.

Lammastide said:

I don't what to think about the costs right now...it's way too depressing. I just pretend that money will miraculously appear in my bank account just before I set off around the world Some would say I'm dilusional, I beg to disagree.

Canada does sound beautiful. I would stay in french-dominated areas if possible. I'm so jealous that you are already there *feels sorry for self, repeats to self...it's only a matter of time, it's only a matter of time*...

All the places they offer are so cold though, I wish my university offered warmer areas. I hope I can deal with the temperatures.

Thanks mate!

Im in Buenos Aires right now and its an amazing city. Obviously you can go very far speaking spanish but nearly everyone here knows english.

JDInteractive said:

Thanks for replying, but that is not one of the cities offered. It's a shame.
[Edited 5/25/07 22:36pm]