The following is from the latest edition of the nation paper (Landskapsposten): I have only been living in Uppsala for two months, but already my little room in Rackarbergsgatan is “home”. The word rolls off the tongue so easily that I almost forget that I’m a foreigner, a visitor to this beautiful (but cold!) land.For in January, as it graciously does every year, Uppsala universitet opened its doors to students from across the world, offering each and every one a warm welcome to its snow-covered city. From scientists to historians, economists to IT-technicians, students of every discipline flocked to Uppsala to begin what will surely be the best semester of their lives.
My first impressions of Sweden had been shaped by Alexander Skarsgård, IKEA meatballs, Kurt Wallander and Let the Right One In. As a BA History student, I came here in search of Vikings, and whilst I’ve certainly found them – and had my share of köttbullar! – I’ve discovered so much more besides.
The first couple of weeks were a blur of new faces and snowy places, and every conversation beginning with “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” “What do you study?” Pub crawls and quizzes, Fika nights and historical walking tours organised by the lovely student nations offered international students the opportunity to meet new people and make some friends whilst getting to know the Swedish lifestyle and culture, too. I now know at least five different ways of saying “Thank you” in Swedish, so tack för det!
And it wasn’t long before we were all getting acquainted with another key feature of life in Uppsala – the infamous Flogsta parties. Packed tighter than IKEA flat-packed furniture into hot and heavy corridors, I had more names than I could ever hope to remember yelled at me over thunderous dance music. It was here, too, that I first encountered Vikings. Quiet and reserved Swedes may be on buses and in the streets, but when it’s time to party, all that goes out of the window – or rather, over the side of a Flogsta balcony. And what’s more Viking than rushing outside at 10pm sharp to scream into the night?
That’s not all I’d never experienced before coming to Uppsala. A nice excuse to dress up in a formal suit or gown and sing, dance and eat, gasques are certainly something we don’t have back home in England – but I wish we did! Parading to and from the Universitethuset to the beat of V-Dala’s very own house band is not something I’m likely to forget in a hurry. I adore the fact Uppsala universitet continues to uphold such long-standing and simply superb traditions.
One thing that I will be bringing back home with me is: Fika! Forget the good old British cup of tea – it’s all about hot cups of coffee, some kind of Swedish kakaand a much-needed break from studying to spend time catching up with your friends. My very first Fika was at V-Dala’s very own Lördags Fika, but Café Linne has fast become one of my favourite haunts, drinking in my crowns as I eat up their scrumptious stock. (If you’re reading this and you haven’t tried their Oreo cake, then what are you waiting for? Go! Now! You can thank me later…)
It feels like I’ve been in Uppsala forever, whilst also feeling like no time at all. And with the spring shyly creeping upon us, and the lure of Walpurgis and the promise of summer beckoning, the rest of my time in Sweden is surely going to continue being amazing.
Bryony Spencer