More difficult than I expected

Wow, this is a lot harder than I hoped.

When I was back in the U.S working it was a lot easier to keep track of all my money. As of now, I have two accounts and two financial lives to worry about essentially.

I got paid twice a month and I did not have to worry about the exchange rate. For the last couple of months the Swedish Krona has been falling against the U.S Dollar, so that means when I wire money over I am getting less dollars than the previous time. This pretty much means that I can only really do my budget the day I get paid and am ready to transfer money over. Although, I have found a way to send money to the U.S for cheap using Transferwise. This has been such a relief for me. I am only  paying for the conversion from SEK to USD as opposed to 2 sets of bank transfer fees. I am inputting my link, if you decide you want to use it. There is a bonus for both of us if you hit certain requirements. WIN WIN!

Also, I've had to get used to seeing the prices and not thinking something is expensive when I see it, ex. 300 SEK which is only about 30 USD. I've just been doing a basic conversion in my head.

So, I have a budget of 2000-2500 sek for food and fun expenses per month, which is not a lot in retrospect. Especially considering how expensive food is here. I have been eating at home and bring lunch to work. Yay! Tuna sandwiches! Which is fine, as I am still trying to find places out that I like. I also am able to make things spiced to my liking. I am Latina, I like spicy food.

I've also been really stressed and craving sugar so I have spent wayyy too much money on soda and other sugary drinks. These are about 20-30 sek each time and it adds up. So, this coming month and the next few weeks I have to cut back on that. Plus, it has been very hot here so I have been drinking lots of water to keep hydrated and sugary drinks do not help with hydration.

I've also further cut my expenses back by biking to work. I was given a bike by a colleague, granted I need to fixed it up which only equated to 400 SEK. This is cheaper than having a metro pass and a gym membership. However, I have never really dealt with snow, so by the time the first snow appears or ice is becoming a regular fixture on the road I will go back to riding the metro. For the next few months I'll have an extra 600 SEK in my budget. Woohoo!

Anyway, I'll come back with more updates!

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PhD in Sweden

Some of you may be aware but I recently started a PhD in Sweden. Now as an American this is a great thing.

I always wanted to pursue a PhD and had been searching for programs for a couple of years. I considered going back to the U.K. but I decided to look elsewhere in Europe since I knew some did not require tuition payments and paid a stipend.

I decided to apply to a university here in Sweden and it was the best decision I made. Unlike many universities in the U.S. you'll need a grant or hold a position as a graduate assistant for a tuition reduction or coverage. I also know a lot of people who pursued and are pursuing PhD's in the U.S. that took out more student loans. This was NOT the route I wanted to take. I already have student loans and I did not want to add to them, just pay them down.

Pursuing a PhD here has many benefits. To be honest, I do not understand why more Americans are not taking advantage of them.

1. You are treated as an employee and an early-stage researcher. 
2. You earn a salary, granted you have to pay taxes on it. However, I find the after-tax pay very similar to an entry-level banking position in the U.S. 
3. Great healthcare and very low cost. Seriously, I broke my arm my first week here and had to have surgery. So far, I've only had out-of-pocket expenses equate to 1000 SEK (~$110.00), which is supposed to be reimbursed once I no longer have to go to P.T. Another benefit!

There are other benefits but these are the only ones that come to mind.

Now, for the fun part. I am currently on an Income-Repayment for my student loan (SL) back home. This means that every year I tell the company my current salary and they calculate my discretionary income and 10% of that is my monthly payment. Now, that I am in Sweden my take-home pay in USD is now $0.00. This means that I don't have to make a payment but it still accrues interest. 

I have been working on paying it down by wiring money home and paying for it that way. So far the wire transfer fees from my bank here are not too bad but I am looking for cheaper options, like TransferWise. I've had other friends studying in Europe who wired money home that way.

Like I said, I am writing this as a way to follow my personal progress and for other Americans to see that pursuing a PhD in Europe is an option. Especially, if you can still pay your student loan. Since, I do not see a lot of blogs about that right now.

Anyway, if you have any questions or suggestions, let me know!

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Update

Hey all,

I decided to make a bit of an update. I had moved home after living in England for a year and decided to live a bit of a private life. This was so I can shift from student life to a more professional one, and I was not traveling. I am planning on restarting the blog and showing off some more of my travels from the past and what is going on in the present.

I also wanted to add something more that I did not discuss previously.

Finance.

I have recently moved to Sweden and I really wanted to document the move I made. Especially, since I realized there was little advice for an American moving to Sweden. As for finance, I am paying off my student loan that is still in the U.S. and I wanted to make sure that I would pay it if I know I have to write about it.

Anywho, get ready for some posts. :)

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Iffley Village

The other day I was a little stressed from my dissertation and I followed my father's advice and went cycling. I had heard that a few minute cycle ride from Donnington bridge is a quaint little village named Iffley Village. It is a small village just outside of Oxford and is quintessentially English. The Thames goes through it so it is a nice cycle ride/ walk. The best bit is that it is picturesque!

Along the main road of the village.

The secret garden

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Oxford in Snow

So, we had one day of snow in Oxford. Which was extremely exciting, and everything was absolutely picturesque. We went to the RadCam (Radcliffe Camera) around 11pm, and there were a few people who had the same idea. There were snowball fights, and pictures being taken. The snow lasted until the next day but was mostly melted by 2pm.

St. Mary's

Radcliffe Camera

High Street 

All Soul's College

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U of Oxford Matriculation Ceremony

"It is what sociologists and anthropologists call the 'rites of passage.' Today, you have become what you were not. You have matriculated as a student of the University of Oxford."- Andrew Hamilton, Vice-Chancellor

This past Saturday there was a beautiful ceremony for the Freshers (new students) of the university. We became members of the university and our names are written into a register. This means we can now participate, and take exams.  

Matriculation is one of Oxford's main traditions, previously we were only members of our own colleges (which we are a lifetime member as well). This ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter for all of us, we become members of the university. This membership not only spans our time here but is for life. This means I will always have access to the Bodleian libraries. Although, once I graduate I will become a member of the convocation, which means I can elect the Chancellor. 

The ceremony dates back to the Middle Ages where students had to register, as was the legal requirement of the Regent Master. This register established who was a real student and who wasn't because back when the university was setting down their roots, the townsfolk were not too happy, and there were a lot of fights. Having your name on the registry allowed you the University's protection.

At Oxford we are required to wear a 'subfusc,' which is an old-school uniform. It was similar to what I used to wear in primary and high school. Although, the gown and mortar board are unique and reminds me of Harry Potter. The mortar board is similar to graduation cap in the states but it is bad luck here to put it on before you graduate, but you're required to carry it around with you every time you wear the 'subfusc.' 

We are all required to wear:

• either dark pants or a skirt with tights
• dark shoes
• a white dress shirt
• a bow tie or ribbon
• the gown
• mortar board

My day began at 7 am, I had to begin getting ready to meet at my college at 9 am. Once, my housemates and I arrived at the college, we had our breakfast. If there is one thing I will always remember from my time here is the amount of croissants I consumed. We were then lined up by height to take the fresher photo for our college, which took an obscene amount of time. I should mention now that my college is quite informal, a lot of other colleges had their students walk in two lines to the Sheldonian. My college just told us to meet at 11:45 and don't be late. After the photo, we took more pictures and headed to the Sheldonian by bus because we were running late. The entire bus was full of Wolfson members in their subfuscs headed to the theatre. Once we made it, it was time for the ceremony to begin. 

After the ceremony there is a lot of celebrating, and parties. Everyone was wearing their subfuscs until late. There were parties that the theme was to incorporate your subfusc into your costume.

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Driving in England

*Disclaimer* This is MY initial experience with English drivers and dealing with the roads in England

Hello, again.

It has been a long time since I have posted anything, I've been busy working, packing, moving and unpacking.

I have officially moved to England to complete a graduate degree  at Oxford, and the majority of my posts will be about England.

I brought a lot of things with me to England, about 110 pounds of stuff. Mostly clothes, shoes, and some toiletries. My mother came with me to help me carry everything and we decided to rent a car. Now, that has been a ride in itself and we returned the car a week early.  We rented our car from AVIS at Heathrow, the employees were very helpful and advised us to get insurance. We, thankfully, decided to get the insurance because normally we opt out of the offer. The insurance covered the regular things, like scratches and if you break down on the side of the road.

The one thing that was shocking was the tire insurance.

Now, let me tell you - that is not if your tire pops on the side of the road.

Are you ready for this?

It is if your tires get stolen! Apparently, in the UK it is normal for people to jack the cars up and steal the tires. They cost 300 pounds a piece which equates to about 500 US.

After learning that we got in the car. Now, we are accustomed to driving on the left because of the Bahamas but we are not used to the wheel on the right side.

We eventually got to Oxford, it was smooth sailing until we got to my new home. My street is so narrow, that the cars park on either side and are on the side walk. A car can drive through as long as every car is on the side walk. This little yellow Fiat did not do that and was parking a foot out into the street. This car was full of dings and scratches, the person soon moved to another street with  more space. (S)he pissed off a lot of people.

The drivers in England are quite 'safe' and aware of their surroundings, I haven't seen a car accident yet. Although, they can be inconsiderate because they hit cars and drive off from the scene without so much as a note. One thing that upset me is that people cut in front of you on the road. In the U.S it is illegal to block an intersection or street, Here, if you stop to make sure you're not blocking, someone will cut you off and get into that space you were trying to not block. That was a little dosage of culture shock.

The main mode of student transportation in Oxford is bikes, because it is cheaper than buying a bus pass. I was accustomed to riding my bike around campus in Florida and I did consider buying a bike but the vehicles get too close to the cyclists but I haven't seen a casualty. Although, I'll stick with the buses, thank you very much.

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