Written by Ravindu
16 Oct 2024
It was around 45 days after I’d moved to Sweden. I was lying in my bed after an event-packed evening, and for the first time since arriving here, I felt bored. Not the “I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-my-life” kind of bored, but more the “I’ve done so much that I finally have nothing to do!” kind of bored. But instead of opening TikTok as usual and diving headfirst into the doomscrolling vortex, I opened my Photos app and started scrolling back in time.
As I flickered through the photos I’ve taken in the last month and a half, a flood of emotions washed over me.
- I couldn’t help but SMILE 😄 at the goofie selfies I’ve taken with my new friends, each one radiating with warmth and camaraderie.
- I felt a sense of PEACE ✌️ while gazing at the breathtaking images of the Swedish wilderness I’ve taken during my outings.
- I beamed with PRIDE 😌 as I looked at the photos of the dishes and meals I made, proud of my culinary progress in the kitchen.
- I dashed with LAUGHTER 😅 seeing videos of me and my friends having so much fun on a Friday night (you know why).
- I felt SATISFIED 😇 gazing at my mirror selfies from the gym, evidence of my commitment to staying active.
Then, it hit me- a thought both satisfying and a little concerning.
The last month and a half had been happier than I could have ever imagined!
My mind instantly went back to the weeks before I took my 15-hour flight to Sweden, how they were filled with anticipation but also a slight sense of dread. Dread that I might not like moving abroad, that I wouldn’t fit in, and that I would want to move back to Sri Lanka the moment I got here.
Reality Check: Moving Abroad is Scary!
No sugar-coating it. Moving abroad, especially for an extended period, is scary. There’s a lot of stress and so many unknowns.
The hardest part, of course, is leaving your family and friends behind. And along with it comes the weight of becoming more independent—cooking, cleaning, laundry, everything! The prospect of forging new friendships in a foreign land is daunting. The weather was going to be completely different from the sunny warmth of Sri Lanka. And of course, the language barrier? A whole new level of uncertainty.
Sweden: The Perfect Place for This Adventure
Let’s be real for a second. All these uncertainties will manifest as real challenges once you get here, to some degree or another. You will at times feel homesick, feel bored of cooking an entire meal, and find it hard to manage your time. The journey will have its ups and downs, and you will face challenges. But the thing with challenges is that you can overcome them, and once you do, you’ve grown and become a better, more capable person. And if I had to go through all these challenging experiences I faced in my first month here, trying to integrate into this new life, there’s no better place than Sweden.
Going back through my photos, I try to understand what the reasons really are behind these first 6 weeks being this joyful and rewarding. I think I can narrow them down to a few.
1. Student Life: A New Community
One of the best decisions I made was joining the student union of my uni. From day one, it opened the doors to countless activities. The Ovve initiation (a Swedish university tradtion dating back to the 1800s), where we all wore these colorful overalls, had paint and mud splashed on us and became part of the student tradition, was unforgettable. I made so many new friends that afternoon, and new friends are always good. Other activities like movie nights watching dark comedies, group hikes to the nearby nature resort Billingen, open mic nights organised by the student union, game nights, and board games at the local church—these were moments that connected me with both locals and other international students, allowing me to find my place here. They kept me constantly involved in the community, keeping me busy during a chaotic time.
Each event gave me a sense of belonging. From cracking jokes with friends during game nights to hiking and being surrounded by nature, these activities helped ease the initial homesickness and made me appreciate the student community I had stepped into.
2. Academic Life: A Breath of Fresh Air
Even though I’ve only been at university for a few weeks now, I can already say that I greatly appreciate the Swedish academic system. Focusing on just a few courses at a time has made my workload feel more manageable, giving me the mental space to truly dive deep into subjects I’m passionate about. Lectures aren’t mandatory, so if you fall ill suddenly and miss a lecture once in a while, you don’t need to be stressed about the consequences. And the offering of exam resists makes it much less stressful.
The courses in my Molecular Bioinformatics program are engaging, and looking ahead at what’s coming in future semesters fills me with excitement. If you love your subject and genuinely want to explore it further, moving abroad to find the right university that offers it is incredibly rewarding. It’s exactly why I moved here, not being able to find a bachelor’s program in bioinformatics in Sri Lanka, and I couldn’t be happier with the choice.
3. Sweden’s Welcoming Society and Diverse Culture
One of the aspects that deeply resonates with me is how I connect with the Swedish way of life. Being more introverted, I truly appreciate the emphasis on personal space and privacy in Swedish society. There’s a quiet respect for each individual’s boundaries, and I find that people here are less intrusive and more accepting of everyone’s preferences. It’s a judgment-free atmosphere, where you’re free to express yourself or stay in your own world without feeling pressured to socialize constantly. This has allowed me to feel comfortable being myself in ways I didn’t expect.
One of the things that struck me the most is how diverse the student body is. Coming from Sri Lanka, I wasn’t expecting to meet people from so many different parts of the world, especially at a relativerly smaller university like Skövde. But, at my university, there’s a mix of cultures, languages, and perspectives that is a genuinely welcomed change. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new—about a culture, a worldview, or even about myself.
It’s a reminder that moving abroad isn’t just about academics; it’s about experiencing things you’d never encounter back home. This international environment has been a huge part of why I already feel so enriched by my decision to come here.
4. Becoming More Independent
Living on my own has pushed me to become more self-sufficient. I’ve had to take on responsibilities I never did back home, from managing my time to cooking meals, to doing laundry and making sure I wake up in time for classes. Simple things like grocery shopping and meal prepping have become a part of my daily routine, and I’ve also learned to navigate more complex systems, like Sweden’s healthcare and handling bureaucracy. Whether it’s going to the tax office to sort out relevant documents or figuring out how to register for a Swedish ID, I’ve been handling it all. With each new task, I’ve become more capable and more confident.
I’m no longer the person who relied on others to take care of everything—I can feel the growth. It’s empowering to know that I can stand on my own now.
This sense of independence has made me feel more like an adult than ever before, and I trust myself more in handling whatever comes my way.
So, Was It Worth It? Absolutely.
My experience, of course, is my own, and it might differ for everyone. But if Sweden’s culture, privacy, and nature resonate with you, and you’re ready for an adventure where they is sure to be challenges, but you would welcome them with an open attitude, I think you’ll find happiness here too. It’s not always easy, but that’s what makes it so rewarding.
1.5 months in, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. If I could send a postcard to my past self, I’d say: “Don’t worry, you’ll love it here.”
Takeaways (for anyone thinking about moving abroad):
- Embrace the unknown; you’ll grow from it.
- Find balance between work and life; Sweden’s lagom culture can teach you a lot.
- Independence feels good! Cooking your own meals and managing your own space will feel like little victories every day.
- It’s worth it! If you’re looking for adventure and personal growth, don’t hesitate.
