My Study Abroad Experience in Sweden: Weeks 3 & 4

A Quick Look Into My Third and Fourth Weeks Studying Abroad In Sweden!

Hello everyone, sorry it has been a while but school and studying is catching up with me as a graduate student! It is truly unbelievable that I have been in Sweden for a little over a month now! Time really is flying by! Here is a look into some very fun few weeks!

Week 3:

Week 3 was an emotional week for me mainly because it was the end of orientation (finally) and we officially started classes!!! I was quite nervous for my first day of graduate school in Sweden but it went great! I don't know if this is all Swedish universities or just mine, but we are not usually in class. Most of our schoolwork is done outside of class (which is nice because we only have class 2 - 4 times a week) however this sometimes isn't as much fun because the professors actually expect you to have read all of the material (which for me, can easily be around 500 pages). However, the material is very interesting (I'm studying International Relations and Migration here in Sweden).

Week 3 was also an exciting week because I went on my first adventure to Skåne (the southern part of Sweden). We got to see three main sites - Glimmingehus (a medieval castle), Kåseberga (an old fishing village), and Ales stenar (the Swedish Stonehenge). One thing to know about me is that I love to travel whether it is by bus, train, airplane, car, boat, etc. I don't mind. So, as a group of international students, we headed towards Glimmingehus first. I'm going to be honest, Glimmingehus was nice however I was a little underwhelmed mainly because when I hear the word "castle" I think of something grand and beautiful and while Glimmingehus is pretty it wasn't what I was personally expecting (as it did to some of my few students). I would suggest that if you go to Glimmingehus to do the tour because I didn't know that it is one of the oldest castles of Scandinavia, is known for its many 'death traps' (apparently the owner was a pirate and had many enemies), and that it used to be part of Denmark. After we left Glimmingehus, we headed for Kåseberga where we got to try some of the traditional smoked fish and some of Sweden's famous 'brown bread' with butter. After enjoying the quick snack, we headed up a step hill towards Alex stenar (about a 20 minute walk from the village). This definitely was my favorite part of the whole tour because what we didn't know was that the stones are right next Baltic Sea and it is unbelievably beautiful and scenic! Luckily we were given a lot of time to relax and take in the scenery before heading back to the buses to head back to school.

Glimmingehus Kåseberga Alex Sentar

Side note: I have officially figured out the bus system of where I am which is so nice now and it helps me feel like less of an outsider and more at-home.

Week 4:

Week 4 has definitely been the most exciting week so far mainly because I was given the chance to attend a presentation by the Dalai Lama! I don't know how but somehow my class was selected to attend the lecture and out of 60 students, only 15 where allowed to go and somehow I was chosen (it was apparently 'at random'). The presentation was on secular ethics and I still cannot believe that I met him!

I also went on my second 'big' adventure - I went to Copenhagen! I was able to meet up with one of my friends who is from Copenhagen and she was able to show me around! We were able to see the Little Mermaid statue (which was larger than people had previously told me), Tivoli Gardens, Amelienborg Palace, Nyhavn, and the Royal Theatre.

The rest of the week was 'normal activities' - class, going to the grocery store. Side note: Have found an even better grocery store (Co Op is so much better than Willy's) Co Op which offers a huge variety of food (rather than Willy's), went again to IKEA to decorate my room, and exploring my city.

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Hope you enjoyed reading about my third and fourth weeks studying abroad in Sweden and if you are also studying abroad, I hope that you had a great first month as well!!!!