Tjena!

I think someone needs to pinch me, because how is it already nearly March?! I have to admit that I have a lot of mixed feelings surrounding the soon approaching changing of the seasons, A) because the weather is finally going to become bearable and B) It means I’ve only got three months left at Lund University (which I already know are somehow going to fly by even faster than the first two).

February has been a spectacular month! We finally got over our collective fresher’s flu (knock on wood) and had a great time wrapping up the Novisch periods. I got to attend several amazing sittnings and activities with both the Social Sciences Student Union (Samhällvetakåren) and Kalmar Nation, of which I am a new member. The best part about it is that the connections we’ve made throughout the Novisch period have stuck so far, and we still meet up pretty regularly. The Kalmar Novisch week was film themed, and our team, the Pirates team, eventually took home the big win after completing an extensive list of team challenges. At first I didn’t know if Kalmar Nation would fit my personality (as there are so many Nations to choose from with each their own vibe), but I find that I’m really finding myself feeling at home there and really enjoying its warm and laid-back atmosphere. It feels like a real ‘third space’ for me. I even auditioned to be in the Nation’s Spex, which refers to an old Swedish student tradition of amateur (musical) theater by students for students. I’ll hear this weekend if I’ve been casted, so stay tuned!

I had my first visitor from home during this month as well, as my dear friend Ziggy came to sleep on my floor for a few days. We took a day trip to Copenhagen on a gorgeous sunny and icy day, we galavanted through Malmö’s vintage shops, she joined for a sittning at Kalmar Nation (which can be a lot for an outsider, but she said she loved it), we enjoyed the wintery sunshine in Lund, and ultimately had loads upon loads of fika at the local cafés. I tried my best to show her all the highlights in the area with our limited time together, although it’s a bit of a conundrum since the South of Sweden (and Copenhagen) have so much to offer, but Lund itself can be a bit boring. In fact, a classmate asked me recently what the best things are to show visitors from home, who then sarcastically remarked “What is there to do in Lund? … Go to Malmö.” And it’s true, one can visit the whole city of Lund in just a day, but the part that is often overlooked (and arguably most engaging) is the Student Nations. So for those wondering where to bring your friends visiting from home, if they’re a student anywhere in the world, they can get a guest pass to access Nations activities! (And if at this point you’re wondering ‘What on earth is a Nation?’, go read the January blog…)

In other news, learning Swedish is going great. I am able to understand and answer almost all yes or no questions I encounter in public. I can also order fika and understand someone giving me direction in a thick Skånska accent (for the Dutch people reading, that’s like learning Dutch and having to understand someone speaking Limburgs). I’m noticing more and more that I’m able to string basic sentences together in social situations, both through things I learn in Swedish class and from mere exposure the language. Many Swedes so far have said my Swedish accent is very believable and some even seem surprised when I eventually ask to switch to English. However, some aspects of the local culture are still hard to adjust to. For example, I recently tried my first Swedish taco (can’t recommend). I also have yet to try the notorious Swedish kebab pizza and the Danish hot dog. (While they don’t sound great, it’s my goal to at least have tried them. But mostly I’ll stick to the good falafel and the Ikea meatballs.) Then again, some parts of Swedish culture have been very easy to adjust to, like biking culture in Sweden (which is not much different from life in the Netherlands). And as if that wasn’t enough, bike theft is actually the biggest crime in Lund, so stay safe out there!

Aside from that, my classes are still going well and I have my first exam week coming up in a couple weeks. I have a good feeling about them, as the classes seem quite laid back. I also celebrating my birthday this month with some of my new friends here, which was a lot of fun. Speaking of fun, I leave for Hemavan in Swedish Lapland this weekend for a few days of winter adventuring. I can’t wait to tell you more! But in the meantime, pray for my bike…

Vi hörs, hej hej!