Now that I’ve been here a little while and my initial shock has faded, I thought I’d give you all a look into my first impressions of life in Stockholm. I’ve found out that living abroad comes with a learning curve; some parts of the experience come easily, and some are a little more difficult to get used to. Over the course of two weeks, I’ve had some time to figure out where I stand.
Classes have all started by now, and now that syllabus week is over, I’m getting the sense that I’m really going to enjoy them. European Security Dilemmas, Swedish Politics and Society, and Psychology of Political Behavior are all getting me into ideas that I had only scratched the surface of, even after two years of political science courses. I think the international perspective is really interesting, and it’s definitely going to come in handy later on, since I’m concentrating on international politics. Swedish Language & Culture is satisfying my inner language geek and helping me get more of an insider perspective while I’m here. Nordic Contemporary Art, my other elective, got started a little later than the others, but I think it’s going to be inspiring after taking a hiatus from art for a while.
Culture shock is not as bad as it could have been. City life is less overwhelming than I thought it would be, and I think I’m well suited to everyday Swedish customs. I’m a little reserved and nonconfrontational by American standards, but here it seems like I’m just right. The traditions I’ve come across, like fika and fredagsmys, are exactly the kind of thing that I wish I did more often at home, and I definitely plan to now! I have been a little more self-conscious at times because I’m nervous that I’ll stick out as that American, but I don’t think I have so far. The only thing I regret is not coming earlier to experience more of the summertime traditions, which I hear are awesome, but I know I’m in for a good time once the winter holiday season comes around.
Being an independent adult is probably the biggest challenge for me. Coming up with a meal plan, scheduling everything I need to do, and then remembering to do it all is totally new to me, but at least I’m learning! For now, though, I’m definitely living the classic student experience of ”just winging it”.
Language barrier is…not even an issue. I can’t say enough how glad I am that I studied ahead of time, because understanding the language is so, so important to adapting here. That being said, almost everyone speaks English pretty well here, and you’d have a hard time avoiding it even if you tried! At least I know it’s there to fall back on in most cases.
Meeting people has had its ups and downs. In a culture where the norm is to stick with a few close friends and never talk to strangers unless necessary, you need to have a lot of commitments where it’s possible to meet new people. Activities are great, but I’ve had some technical difficulties joining them in the first place, so I need to get that sorted out while I still have time. That’s why I’m glad I live in a dorm with lots of people, because there’s no better way to meet people than to live together!
This is all still a work in progress, and I have a lot to figure out still. At least I think I can get adjusting in general off my neverending to-do list. Vi hörs!
Olivia’s Adventure in Stockholm 