Jake Whinnery
As an exchange student from the heart of Silicon Valley, CA, my time at Lund University in Skåne, Sweden, turned out to be nothing short of transformative. From the fascinating “nollning” tradition to embracing the Swedish way of life, I discovered a newfound perspective that inspired me to reevaluate my priorities.
My Swedish adventure began with the “nollning,” a five week long initiation period designed to immerse engineering students like me into their respective guilds (engineers are split up into guilds based on major). The level of organization and participation from all the students as well as acceptance of international students was astounding, with each guild partaking in a series of bonding activities and team-building exercises on a daily basis. This not only helped “break the ice” with my new classmates, but also gave me a chance to experience a unique aspect of student culture, something completely and totally different from anything I had even been able to imagine as a college student in the States.
One of the most memorable experiences I had during my time in Sweden was the first snowfall. As someone who had never experienced going to school in the snow before, the sight of the picturesque snow-covered campus was enchanting. I learned to layer up (my ski jacket was apparently a “summer jacket”) and embrace the Swedish concept of lagom, or balance, in everything (including dressing for the weather).
Sweden’s emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendly living was another eye-opener. The ubiquitous presence of bicycles as a preferred mode of transportation along with the quality (and punctuality) of public transport spoke volumes about the nation’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. This inspired me to do my part and adopt biking as my primary means of getting around campus/the city.
Learning Swedish proved to be a fun challenge. Although English was widely spoken, I made an effort to learn the language, which seemed to be appreciated by the Swedes though I was only marginally successful. One of my best decisions in Sweden was joining Akka Ultimate, the Lund ultimate frisbee team. It not only provided me with an opportunity to get back into the sport, but also helped me make friends and improve my Swedish while participating in my first tournament in Malmö.
Learning Swedish proved to be a fun challenge. Although English was widely spoken, I made an effort to learn the language, which seemed to be appreciated by the Swedes though I was only marginally successful. One of my best decisions in Sweden was joining Akka Ultimate, the Lund ultimate frisbee team. It not only provided me with an opportunity to get back into the sport, but also helped me make friends and improve my Swedish while participating in my first tournament in Malmö.
Another exciting trip was when I visited a friend of mine in Stockholm. He did an exchange semester at my university, and we kept in touch afterwards. It was ultimately him who convinced me to come to Lund, so it was nice to meet up with him a few times and meet his friends for New Years. While in Stockholm, I also had the chance to meet up with family I didn’t even know I had! My mom’s dad’s brother’s daughter is a resident of Stockholm, so I met up with some relatives for lunch during my visit. This was an unexpected treat and goes to show you never know what you’ll find when traveling.
As the months went by, I found myself falling in love with the Swedish way of life, particularly the evening steam sessions in the sauna. A seemingly quintessential Nordic pastime, the sauna became my go-to place to unwind, relax, and reflect on my day. It was during these sessions that I thought heavily on the pace of life in Sweden, which contrasted sharply with the hustle and bustle of my life back home. The Swedish emphasis on work-life balance and the importance of fika (a midafternoon snack/coffee break) reminded me that there’s more to life than the relentless pursuit of grades/money/success, and I hope to bring back some of the balance I felt while living in Sweden to my life back in the States.
In conclusion, my time abroad in Sweden was a life-altering experience that has shaped my outlook on life for the better. From the unforgettable nollning to the cozy sauna sessions, Sweden has taught me invaluable lessons about balance, sustainability, and the importance of living in the moment.
Tack så mycket, Sverige!
Nordic Center at UC Berkeley 