Mandarin while I wait

These days there aren't many updates about my application process. But I do occasionally listen to mandarin audio lessons like Pimsleurs. They are really good, and you can use them almost anywhere, anytime, as long as you don't annoy other people by speaking out loud. Personally I use them while I'm on the threadmill, driving my car or when I'm chilling in my room in the evening. The more mandarin I learn before september, the better! Sometimes, when I'm on the train and have to be quiet, I listen to chinese podcasts. I searched "mandarin" in iTunes podcast section, and I also found some interesting ones at The question of chinese language podcasts. Each time I listen, I recognize more and more words, which prooves progress. You should try it out!

Quick update..

I went to the TECRO in Oslo today and delivered my scholarship-application. They asked me a few questions and had a quick look at the documents, and told me they would call me later for an interview. I could expect to know if I get the scholarship or not in the end of May.

How long does it take to get a student-visa? I hope they get me one before I leave Norway :)

Facts and comparisons 1

We don't need Wikipedia to know that Taiwan is quite small. But the encyclopedia can tell us it's only 32.260 square kilometers big, and even smaller than Denmark. In fact it's only 3/4 of Denmarks land size. We can also read that Taiwan have a total population of almost 25 million people, and 6-7 million of them living in Taipei and New Taipei City.

Screenshots of the same scale in Google Maps

The things I remember best from my last visit is the Taipei 101, and celebrating new years eve outside the buliding together with hundreds of thousands other people. The High Speed Rail (HSR), travelling at 300km/h, the Maokong Gondola, a dragon-bridge on the eastcoast, the Taroko nationalpark and the beautiful northcoast are just some other of the nice memories.

from Wikipedia

Taipei 101 was at the time built the worlds tallest building. With incredible 509 meters above ground and with an elevator travelling at 60km/h it's a stunning visit. Some elevators take you four floors in 30seconds. The Taipei 101 elevator brings you to the top accesible floor in the same period of time, hundreds of meters above ground.

Right now I'm on my way to my hometown, and in the coming week I'll visit the TECRO in Oslo and finally deliver the scholarship application. Exciting!