Eddie's Exchange to Lund University | Sweden
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| Photo from https://www.dreamstime.com/editorial-image-lund-university-library-image-sweden-image75895850 |
After coming back to Perth from Lund, Sweden, I must say it is the most amazing experience I've ever had and have no regret doing this Student Exchange Program. But first, let's start off with all the background activities before my departure from Perth more than half a year ago.
When I was notified by the student mobility officer Ms Jeannette Geesmann that I was accepted by the university I chose (Lund University), I was very ecstatic and, of course, very nervous as this was the first time I would be traveling and living by myself far from home for a long period of time. At home, mum does all the cooking and cleaning, with minimal input from me; going on the student exchange program was a step change for me - living alone in a foreign country and learning to be independent.
As the days came closer for me to leave for Lund, Sweden, saying good bye to my family, friends, home and everything familiar to me and going into the unknown was quite hard for me to comprehend but I knew it was going to be a great journey and will be the best thing I've ever done and it was just the beginning.
Arrival at my destination was the toughest day by far as I had been in the air for 20 hours and the things I needed to do for settling into my new home for the next 6 months. I can say with unqualified enthusiasm that the 6 months in Lund definitely proved its worth. In addition to allowing me to continue with my undergraduate studies in another university, the other highlights through the duration of the program enabled me to meet many new friends and travelling companions from Canada and other parts of Europe. We had adventures filled with dogs sledding, snowmobiling within the Arctic Circle to taking road trips on the weekends to different cities in Sweden. We also did plenty of traveling to other countries; all in all, I have been to 17 countries around Europe during these 6 months (!). There were also a lot of partying and 'sittnings' (Swedish idea of having a seated meal, usually formal).
Since I went to Lund during the winter season, the weather was quite unpleasantly cold and moist where It would either rain or snow everyday and no visible sun with less than 7 daylight hours per day. Looking at this optimistically, the weather got better with each passing day. I took the opportunity to explore the town every now and then after school on a bike which I bought upon arrival.
The best part of being in Lund is that it is a student town, so the majority of the population in this city is student. This means most of the activities are hosted by students and in these activities we get to meet local Swedish and other exchange students. One really famous spring festival is called "Valborg" which is held on the 30th of April very year. It is also known as Walpurgis Night where there were bonfires, choir and concerts.
Overall, I really think student exchange program to any country is what we personally put into it. For me, going on exchange to Lund was the best opportunity I have ever taken up. After the 6 months I've spent in Lund, I actually want to do another semester there again because I had a spectacular time in Sweden as I have met a lot of new friends, done and experienced things that will stay with me forever over this past semester.
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