Thesis

This blog entry will contain some thoughts I have regarding my thesis that I'm writing at this very moment.

To beginn with, I'm writing a thesis in economics and it aims to measure individuals' willingness to pay for Fairtrade coffee. I'm very interested in this matter and it is nice to see the effects Fairtrade has had on the livings standards for people in developing countries. There are, however, Fairtrade opponents that state that Fairtrade does not increase economic growth and hence not welfare but this is not the matter of discussion for this blog entry

At this moment, subject for my thoughts is the numerous issues and obstacles that comes with writing a thesis. I actually find it rather difficult writing it and it is defenitely the most demanding task I've done since I started studying. Maybe this is how it should be, "the ultimate test". Sometimes it just feels like I never have time or the ability to perform the tasks as good as I might want to do them. One could always study more right?

These feelings and thoughts of mine might appear from the fact that I'm turning in my thesis this very friday and I don't have the slightest idea how I'm going to make it ;/ There is just not enough hours on a day. My tuitor told me that it would be allright if I finish it during the summer and hand it in when the fall semester beginns. Sure, I could do that but it would feel so good just to get it over with.

So, I'm off writing then =)

Globalization

The last fifty years our society has been subject to a substantial globalization process and I would say that this development will continue for the next fifty years aswell. On our continent, the European Union is helping countries to become more open towards one and other and in the long run this will help us become even more open to other continents than we are today.

In the past, different treaties such as the maastricht treaty, which was the foundation for the European Union, has helped European countries to open up their boarders. To travel as a European between the member states is almost as easy as travelling within ones own country. Due to this I reckon that Europe will beginn a developement towards becoming more of a country and the current countries will in the long run be seen as states in the same way as the states in the US. This development will help Europe become a more powerful unit and it will be easier for us to negotiate in different international matters.

I also believe and hope that new treaties between continents will help the globalization process to move forward in order to help diminish the difficulties we have today when travelling to other continents.

My Personal Changes Within the Next Five Years

The last three years I have been studying economics at Karlstad University and this is something that I have definitely enjoyed doing. I started my education rather uncertain of whether I really wanted to become an economist or not. Hence, I basically spent the first year questioning my choiche of proffesion.

However, I was keen on getting an education and after succesfully completing my first year I was convinced that I had made the right choice. Right now I am doing my sixt semester and my education is about to end within the next year. This basically means that I am on the verge of entering a new chapter of my life which hopefully will beginn with me getting a job where I can use some of the knowledge that I have acquired from the years at university. If I get a job and I sure do hope so it will be followed by me getting a better income and that is something that I am really looking forward to.

It can be very stressful sometimes not knowing what will happen or where you will end up and since a degree in economics is very broad I believe ones future becomes even more uncertain. However, I reckon that as long as you do something that you enjoy doing and make choices that you can support you will eventually end up right where you want to be. Whether that is working in a bank or help alleviate poverty in Africa you will be happy.