University Studies

University Studies

The common belief is that university studies, even at the undergraduate level, lead to better job and career opportunities. But is this true?

Graduating from university is quite a challenge. A university education demands time, effort and, of course, funds. While it is possible to obtain a student loan, the loan has to be repaid eventually. University graduates, and even dropouts, keep paying off their student loans for many years after their university studies. In fact, many students graduate with debt as high as $100000!

But is it worth it? One article surveyed employers asking whether a university degree was an important factor for new hires. Interestingly, most employers stressed the importance of work experience over academic achievement.

Indeed, the author of these lines once worked in a law firm. The law firm was large enough to have customer service agents answering incoming calls instead of secretaries or receptionists, Long story short, all the customer care representatives held undergraduate degrees. Is it really worth it to commit thousands of dollars and four years of your life to work as a customer service officer?

A wise lion in front of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Photo by Elena

Obviously, a distinction must be made between the different types of degrees. A medical or law degree, or other professional majors, do lead to prestigious jobs. But a liberal arts degree in, say, psychology fails to open many doors on the job market.

A surprising fact about the relationship between wealth and institutions of higher learning can be observed reading publications such as Forbes. Many of the world’s self-made billionaires did not complete their studies. How did they do it? Well, if I knew I would be one of them!

An alternative avenue that can be taken by those lacking academic credentials is going into business. Opening your own business can be very challenging, but also very rewarding. If a business is successful, sky is the limit in terms of money. What’s more, being your own boss gives you job security and the freedom and flexibility to set your own hours.

On this note, we hope you enjoyed this short essay and we welcome any comments or questions you may have. Thank you for reading!

Historical Sites in Iceland

Things to Do in and around Reykjavík: Historical Sites

Reykjavík and the surrounding towns are home to two thirds of Iceland's population of 330.000. This city is vibrant and bubbling with artistic creativity, rich with history and at the same time very close to nature. Whether you're visiting landmarks like Hallgrimskirkja church, Harpa concert hall and city hall, bathing in Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach or enjoying some of the local parks, one thing is certain – you won't be bored in Reykjavík.

Reykjavík' Oldest Street

Excavations on Adalstraeti street have revealed ruins dating back to Viking era when the first settlers came to Iceland. In 1752, the enterprising Constable Skuli Magnusson, sometimes known as the father of Reykjavík, decided it should be a site for various factory workshops called the « Innrettinger », which eventually grew into the core of what we now call downtown Reykjavík.

The Oldest Timber Building

Adalstraeti 10 is considered the city's oldest timber house. In olden times it was the residence of Bishop Geir Vidalin (1761 – 1823), whose hospitality was infamous. He was so generous that he went bankrupt and a committee had to be formed to control his finances.

The Falcon House

On the corner of Hafnarstraeti and Adalstraeti, you'ill find the Falcon House. Icelandic falcons (Falco Rusticolus) were kept in a house on this site before being shipped to buyers overseas, namely European aristocracy. Statues of falcons adorn the house to this day, reminding us of its former role.

The House of Parliament

Iceland's Alpingi is the world's oldest parliament still functioning. Founded in 930 AD, it predates Great Britain's parliament by 777 years, the US Congress by 851 years and Russian's Duma by 976 years. Despite this, Iceland's house of Parliament was only built in 1881 and until 1799, the Alpingi assembled outdoors at Pingvellir National Park.

Austurböllur

The green square in front of the House of Parliament is in many ways the beating heart of the city. It's a meeting place for the people of Reykjavík, no matter if the occasion is a happy one or more contentious. People will flock to the square to sit in the sun on a summer's day and in winter, it's the location of the city's biggest Christmas tree. During times of political struggle, it's also where people gather to voice their discontent with the rules of the land.

A centric street in Reykjavík's downtown. Photo by Olga

City Hall

By the city pond stands Reykjavík's city hall, a palace of glass and concrete built in 1993. The building is the result of an architectural competition and the building masterfully connects the water of the pond with the man-made buildings on the banks. The 15 columns in the water represent the 15 city councillors. The building houses their offices as well as the mayor's, an exhibition hall and the city's official tourist information centre.

Hljomskalinn

The park around the city pond is named for this octagonal towerlike structure, built to house the Reykjavík brass band. Hljomskalinn was the first building in Iceland purposely built for musicians, although it was only intended for practices, not concerts. Although Hljomskalinn looks like a modest building today, it was controversial at the time it was built and many considered it way to tall and a blight on an otherwise beautiful park.

The National Gallery

The main building of the National Gallery was built in 1916 as an ice house. Before modern refrigeration, ice was taken from the pond and kept in ice houses until it was used to keep food fresh and fish for foreign markets unspoilt. When modern refrigeration replaced the ice houses, a night club moved in and became legendary during the Beatles era of music. It burned down one night and wasn't rebuilt because of a petition by the building's neighbours. The National Gallery received the building in ruins but it was rebuilt with an extension to become the stately building it is today.

Ingolfsbrekka Hill

Probably one of the best-preserved sections of old Reykjavík's landscape. In 1806, it marked the eastern boundary of the city. Most of these houses were supposed to have been torn down but a group of locals protested and the houses were restored to their original glory.

Government House

Completed in 1771, this was Iceland's first proper prison, designed to hold 16 felons and 54 misdemeanants – serving as such until 1816. Today it houses the Prime Minister's Office and serves as the meeting place for the state council consisting of Iceland's 12 ministers. Some like to say that while they closed the prison, the criminals still haven't left the building.

Laugavegur

Now crowded with boutiques and cafés, Laugavegur wasn't always so glamorous. The street gained its name (Lauga + vegur = pool + road) from the washerwomen who would tread through the mud carrying heavy loads of laundry to the geothermal pools in Laugardalur valley.

Gossip Ledge

On the corner of Skolavördustigur and Bergstadastraeti is a place called “gossip Ledge”. In olden times it was customary for people in Reykjavík to gather here and swap gossip. The local gossip has since moved to the Reykjavík city hot ubs, where all of Iceland's most important discussions now take place.

The Punishment House

One of the city's oldest buildings is the Hegningarhusid jail (literal translation, The Punishment House) built in 1874. At the time it was considered a humane alternative to physical punishment but by the time the 21st century rolled around, its lack of a gym and a cafeteria, among other shortcomings, rendered it outdated. It functioned as a prison until spring 2016.

Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Reykjavík and the view from the top of the church tower is incomparable. The church was designed by Iceland's most prolific architect during the 20th century, Gudjon Samuelsson, who was inspired by the columnar basalt which can be found in Icelandic nature. The church is named for Hallgrimur Petrusson, a 17th-century minister, whose poetry is one of the most important in Icelandic literary history. He wrote an epic 50-poem hymn dedicated to the Passion of the Christ and a hymn which to this day is sung at most funerals in Iceland.

Reykjavík Statues

Who’s Who of Reykjavík Statues

Walking through Reykjavík, especially in the city centre, you’ll notice several statues of notable Icelanders decorating parks parks and squares. For the uninitiated, these statues don’t mean much but if you’re curious to know what these people have done, read on:

Jon Sigurdsson (1811 – 1879): Born June 17th, 1811, Jon Sigurdsson became the beloved leader of Iceland’s struggle for independence and separation from Danish rule in the 19th centurty. In commemoration for his efforts, Iceland celebrates its independence Day on Jon’s birthday. You’ll also find this handsome fellw on the 500 ISK note. Sculptor: Einar Jonsson.

Ingibjörg H. Bjarnason (1867 – 1941): Ingibjörg was the first female member of Alpingi, Iceland’s parliament, in 1922. Her statue is also the first full-size statue of an Identified female in Reykjavík and was unveiled in 2015. For most of her life, Ingibjörg worked in education and was the principal of Kvennaskinn i Reykjavík (Reykjavík’s school for women) for more than three decades. She also fought diligently for the rights of women, public healthcare and progressive education. Sculptor: Ragnheidur Stefansdottir.

Skuli Magnusson (1711 – 1794): It was Sheriff Skuli Magnusson, dubbed the «Father of Reykjavík », who first brought factory production to Reykjavík with the so-called « Innrettingar » industrial worshops, beginning the industrialisation of Iceland. Sculptor: Gudmundur Einarsson.

Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770 – 1844): The humble son of an Icelandic woodcarver settled in Denmark and became one of the most sought after sculptors in Europe, working for royalty, aristocrats and renowned collectors. He even made a sculpture for St. Peter’s basilica in Rome, although since he wasn’t a catholic himself, he wasn’t allowed to sign his work. Sculptor: Bertel Thorvaldsen.

Chariot of fire. Photo by Olga

Jonas Hallgrimsson (1807 – 1845): If the pen is mightier than the sword, then this man was a Sherman tank. His sweeping romantic poetry on Icelandic nature and beauty coincided with the nation’s battle for independence. In fact, many consider his words to be one of the driving forces behind Icelanders’ insistence on independence from the Danish crown. Sculptor: Einar Jonsson.

Hannes Hafstein (1861 – 1922): In 1904, Hannes became the first Icelander to be appointed to the Danish Cabinet as the Minister for Icelandic Affairs, and later, Iceland’s first prime minister. He was also a poet and, perhaps, fittingly for an Icelander, his most famous poem is a loving ode to the storm.

King Christian IX: Ruled Denmark from 1863 to 1906, known as the Grandfather of Europe as many of his descendants married into other royal houses. In 1874, he issued a new constitution for Iceland, a compromise between Iceland’s demand for sovereighnty and Denmark’s interest in maintaining the monarchy. Sculptor : Einar Jonsson.

Ingolfur Aranarson: According to Iceland’s Book of Settlement, the first permanent settler, Ingolfur Arnarson, threw his two wooden chieftain poles overboard, believing that wherever thet washed ashore was where he was fated to build his settlement. He’s supposed to have ended up in Reykjavík and Archaeological excavations at Adalsraeti and Sudurgata streets have revealed evidence of an ancient settlement that supports this story. Sculptor : Einar Jonsson.

Leif the Lucky: Christopher Columbus who? Icelanders will happily explain that it was their own Leifur Eiriksson who discovered America some 600 years before Columbus. As a « thanks for finding us » present to Iceland, America gave the nation this heroic statue of the Leif the Lucky, which now perches on the highest hill in downtown Reykjavík. Sculptor: Alexander S. Calder

Don’t Bet Your House

Don’t Bet Your House

The value of your largest single investment won’t soar – or slump

Forget about another old-style housing boom. Housing prices, which broke through the roof in the late 1980s and then crashed at least back down to the living room in the early 1990s, are setting back into a more comfortable and more familiar pattern until at least the turn of the century.

More homes were sold in 1994 than at any time since 1978, but that’s likely to be the best year for some time to come. In 1995, sales of existing homes are expected to fall 7 percent, according to Regional Financial Associates, a West Chester, Pa., economic consulting firm. The falloff in new home sales in expected to be even sharper.

The pace is not expected to pick back up again any time soon, RFA forecasts that the bottom should be felt in early 1997, with sales of existing homes down about 10 percent from 1994’s peak.

The sales slowdown doesn’t mean, however, that prices will drop. On the contrary, most experts predict it will rise 3 to 3.5 percent in 1995, about the same as the expected inflation rate.

The further south and west you go, the brighter the long-term outlook. While most of the South will grow on a par with the national average, prospects are better in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Texas, which is booming again. Five of the ten fastest-growing states in 1995 should be in the Mountain States. Computer-related manufacturing and software growth will continue to buoy the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, in New England, , house price will only creep upward.

Never bet your house. Photo by Elena

aby boomers will continue to work their special magic on the housing market. Many boomers are now old enough and rich enough to pine for a second home. Expect vacation home sales to boom with the boomers. Those that aren’t in the market for another place – and some that are – will be trading up. WEFA, an economic consulting firm, estimates that there will be 24 million households in the 35 to 44 age group by the year 2000, some 20 percent more such households than there were at the end on the ‘80s. That, WEFA, says means that the trade-up market will be “very active” over the next six years.

Making sense of your mortgage payments: There are many tables which show what your monthly payments (principal and interest) will be assuming different interest rates and loan terms. For example, monthly payments for a $90,000, 30-year fixed mortgage at 8 percent would be at $ 660.39.

The top 132 housing markets: Spurred by low mortgage rates, the median price of existing homes nationwide is expected to rich $112, 703 in 1995, up from $109, 208 in 1994. Homeowners who live west of the Rockies were more likely to see the value of their homestead rise in 1994 than those who resided back East. The market rankings cover median prices for single-family detached and attached existing homes.

(Text first published in 1994, historical value).

Victorian Architecture

Victorian Architecture

There was a great debate during Queen Victoria’s reign concerning the use of the Victorian style. Originally, there was the Victorian Classicism which suited the concept of harmony and beauty pursued at those times. But the Revivalists preferring the Gothic alternative argued that the material and building methods characteristic for this style were actually more suitable for the northern climate.

In Toronto, you had to be one of the wealthiest citizens to be able to afford paying for the solid material and above all, for the services of stone carvers. If you are curious and would like to see some Gothic Revival houses, Cabbagetown is the best place to go.

All the pictures have been taken by Elena.

St. Joseph street, a Victorian house

Victorian Style House in Downtown Toronto

A Victorian house, corner of Admiral Road and Bernard Avenue

Victorian style building. University of Toronto

Toronto Heliconian Club.

St. Joseph street, Victorian Style house

College Victoria

The Queen Victoria monument in the Queen Park of Toronto

Victoria College building

A Victorian Portico

Facade of a Victorian building

St. Michael’s College In 1852 this college was established as a Roman Catholic boys’ school in the palace of the Right Reverend Armand, comte de Charbonnel, Bishop of Toronto and a vigorous opponent of the public school system in Canada West. The minor seminary opened by Basilian priests that year was combined with the school in 1853, and in 1855 St. Michael’s College was incorporated. A new college structure and adjoining parish church, St. Basil’s, were built on Clover Hill. On September 15, 1856, classes commenced with the Reverend Jean Mathew Soulerin, C.S.B., as superior. The college progressed gradually and in 1881 it affiliated with the University of Toronto. Michael’s formally became an arts college within the University in 1910.

The building in the Queen Park

Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Avenue.

This building was designed by F. W. Cumberland and demonstrates his skill in freely adapting the Romanesque style to the purposes of a College in the new world (Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada). Flowers-church - Flower garden.

Knox College. The university grounds lie about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of the Financial District in Downtown Toronto, and immediately south of the neighbourhoods of Yorkville and The Annex