My Two Years in Sweden in Pictures

Stockholm skyline silhouetted against a yellow and orange sunset.
Photo: Hazal
Hazal

Written by Hazal

10 Apr 2020

Hi everyone! I hope you and your loved ones are doing well in these troubled times. In case you were wondering how I am doing, read my last blog post. Like everyone else, my life has been changed lately because of the pandemic. So, I am writing my thesis at home while self-isolating – with acknowledging that to be able to stay at home is a privilege these days…  Whenever I need a break from studies,  and from the news about the current situation (it can be overwhelming together) I find myself looking at pictures that make me smile and happy.

And that’s how I decided to share my photo diary in this post, as a reminder to myself, and to you, this shall pass and things get better. I can’t believe that it’s been almost 2 years since I moved to Sweden.

Norrköping

This small city where I study became home to me. I’ve had unforgettable moments here.

Old, colourful buildings along a road in Norrköping.
Photo: Hazal

Colorful trams…

Yellow and green tram passing by a cream coloured building.
Photo: Hazal
Yellow and green tram.
Photo: Hazal

Stunning Parks of the City!

Picnic benches under trees in the middle of a park.
Green parks / Photo: Hazal

The view from Campus Norrköping…

Brick buildings beside the river in Norrköping.
Photo: Hazal
Red brick buildings beside the river.
Photo: Hazal

The breathtaking beauty of sunsets and sunrises…

A pink and yellow sunset.
Photo: Hazal
A pink and blue sunset.
Photo: Hazal

I learned not to surprise if it snows in the midst of a sunny day in March.

A red brick building seen through a window frame.
Photo: Hazal
White cherry blossom.
Blossoms / Photo: Hazal

When it’s finally time to celebrate MIDSUMMER!

A traditional Midsummer maypole covered in leaves and flowers.
Photo: Hazal
People in a park on a sunny day.
Photo: Hazal
Hazal stands in front of the Midsummer maypole.

Stockholm

I have lost count of the times I visited this amazing city. Every trip has been a blast!

Stockholm Old Town from across the water.
Credit: Hazal

Well, let me pose in the beautiful streets of Stockholm.

Hazal stands on a cobbled street in Stockholm's Old Town.
Photo: Elif
Thousands of books in Stockholm's City Library.
Stockholm’s City Library / Photo: Hazal
Stairs leading down to a different level of Stockholm's City Library.
Stockholm City Library / Photo: Hazal

I love this vibrant city!

A street in central Stockholm. Lots of people are walking up and down the pavements.
Photo: Hazal
A gold coloured crown on a bridge in Stockholm.
Photo: Hazal
Red, white and cream coloured buildings in central Stockholm.
Credit: Hazal

Gamla Stan is always beautiful!

Orange and yellow buildings in Stockholm's Old Town.
Photo: Hazal
A narrow, cobbled street in Stockholm's Old Town.
Photo: Hazal
A sycamore tree in Stockholm's Old Town.
Photo: Hazal
Two older men walking down a narrow, cobbled street in Stockholm's Old Town.
Photo: Hazal

Summer nights in Stockholm was stunning. Can you believe that I took the picture below at 23.30?

The Stockholm skyline silhouetted against a bright orange sunset.
Photo: Hazal

Gothenburg

It might be my favorite city in Sweden. Nature, view, parks, cafes, restaurants… Such a lovely city!

A blue and cream tram.
Photo: Hazal
Boats in the docks.
Photo: Hazal
Hazal standing under a large, red heart Christmas decoration.
Photo: Elif
Gothenburg's central station lit up at night.
Gothenburg Central Station / Photo: Hazal

The botanical garden of Gothenburg definitely worths visiting.

Tropical plants in a greenhouse.
Photo: Hazal
A person standing in front of the large, white greenhouse.
Photo: Hazal

Gothenburg Archipelago…

Small red huts by the sea.
Photo: Hazal
A sunset over the sea.
Photo: Hazal

Lovely Memories, Amazing People, Great Times

Hazal and two friends, Katharina and Daniel, standing close together on a cobbled street in Stockholm's Old Town.
Together with former digital ambassadors Katharina, and Daniel
Hazal and Katharina standing in the snow wearing snowshoes.
Digital ambassadors meet-up in Östersund in 2019

First Time Snowshoeing…

A group of students wearing winter clothing and snowshoes walking in a snowy forrest.
Photo: Hazal
Students standing in a line with snowshoes set out in front of them. Some are taking photos of the snowshoes.
Photo: Hazal

Friends, a cup of coffee and sweets. Nothing could be better!

Hazal and other students sitting outisde at a cafe having traditional Swedish Fika.
Photo: Ulf Lundin/imagebank.sweden.se
Hazal and two other students stand outside eating ice cream.
Photo: Ulf Lundin/imagebank.sweden.se
A traditional Swedish Fika inside.
Photo: Hazal
Two hands holding two cones of ice cream.
Photo: Hazal

Traditional Swedish Christmas Dinner: Julbord

A long table covered with traditional Swedish Christmas food.
Photo: Hazal
A long table covered with Swedish Christmas sweets.
Photo: Hazal

That happy face when your friend comes to visit you!

Hazal and Katharina.
Photo: Hazal

 A selfie with kind, talented and beautiful angel Emma!

Hazal and Emma.
Photo: Hazal

Petra, Heidi, and I (Thank you for making my life so much better and fun!)

Hazal, Petra and Heidi.
A group of the Study in Sweden digital ambassadors together.
Digital Ambassadors 2019-2020
Old, wooden buildings by a river.
Beautiful Trösa / Photo: Hazal
A pink sunrise.
Sunrise in Munkedal / Photo: Hazal

Memories will last forever!

Two wine glasses and there Polaroid photos on a table.
Photo: Hazal

A little bit of inspiration… Stay in your magic!

A wooden door with a sign outside. The sign says 'Öppet' which means Open in Swedish.
Photo: Hazal

I am so grateful that I had the chance to travel to new places, meet incredible people, and try cool things for the last two years.

Do you follow the Study in Sweden’s Instagram page? ↗️ Check it out for more great photos from Sweden!

Hazal

Written by Hazal

10 Apr 2020

How is life in a small Swedish city, Norrköping?
Hazal

Written by Hazal

28 Jan 2019

Everyday lifeThe Swedish way
7 of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen in Sweden
Ivanna

Written by Ivanna

27 Feb 2018

Everyday lifeThe Swedish way
A Love letter to Gothenburg
Anita

Written by Anita

15 Jun 2017

Everyday lifeThe Swedish way