Written by Ravindu
08 Nov 2024
Moving abroad is more than just a change of scenery; it’s a huge shift that shakes up your world and challenges what you think you know about yourself. When I came to Sweden, I didn’t just see it as a new chapter- I saw it as a chance to grow and push myself. The unfamiliarity nudged me to take more chances, put myself out there, and, most importantly, say yes more often, and welcome new experiences.
Here are some of the simple out-there things I did since moving here that pushed me out of my comfort zone and made my first few months even more memorable than I imagined.
1. Showcasing My Heritage: Language Day at the Local High School
Last September, during a student fair at the University of Skövde, I had a chat with Frida, our wonderful International Coordinator. She was running the Exchange Studies desk, and what started as a friendly conversation about my country, Sri Lanka, and moving abroad, turned into an unexpected opportunity. Out of nowhere, Frida asked if I’d like to present my language and culture at the local high school’s upcoming language day. Normally, the introvert in me would’ve paused, overthought, and maybe even declined. But this time, the thought of a unique, fun experience won out, and I said yes without hesitation.
So, my two friends, Sandanee and Nilmi, and I committed to creating a presentation about Sri Lankan culture and sharing it with a bunch of high school students. I mean, what could go wrong, right? The preparation was exciting and a bit nerve-wracking—it was, after all, the first PowerPoint I’d ever made and presented to an audience.
When the day came, stepping into the school felt like a window into Swedish youth culture. I couldn’t help but notice the students’ fashion, mannerisms, and how the entire school atmosphere buzzed with energy. One of the most surprising discoveries? Swedish high schools provide free lunch for their students. Free lunch! I still couldn’t get over that.
As we presented, it was a joy to share the beauty of my mother tongue, the lush landscapes, and the vibrant traditions of Sri Lanka. There was a hope that maybe, just maybe, some of these students would be inspired to visit my beautiful island one day. To make it even more special, two other international students from the university—one from Slovakia and one from Mexico—joined in with their own presentations, making it a true cultural exchange.
That day wasn’t just about sharing what I knew; it was about learning and connecting. The experience reminded me that stepping out of my comfort zone and saying yes can lead to some of the most rewarding moments, allowing me to connect with people and discover new perspectives on the world around me.
2. Behind the Scenes of Research: Helping a PhD Student and getting a free movie ticket!!
It all started with an email from my program coordinator, Sanjay. The subject line read:
“Call for Participants (Human-Robot Collaboration and Virtual Training with Feedback) … COMPENSATION: Participants will be given a cinema ticket for their participation.”
Not going to lie, the first thing that caught my eye was the “cinema ticket,” and I was instantly hooked. I was curious about the experiment itself, especially since it tied into my field of study, informatics.
So, I replied with my interest and was soon contacted by the lovely PhD student, My Andersson. The study was about 40 minutes long, and it turned out to be even more interesting than I expected. For one, I got access to a part of the Science Park Skövde building that I wouldn’t have seen otherwise, and I got to witness firsthand how PhD students conduct their research.
The experiment involved diving into the world of virtual reality through a Meta Quest headset, where I controlled a manufacturing robot to pick up pucks from one slot and drop them into another. The focus was on studying how haptic feedback impacted my efficiency while performing the task. The process was surprisingly engaging, and I had the chance to chat with My throughout, learning about ongoing studies and the innovative research happening right here in Skövde.
And of course, the best part—My handed me the movie ticket as soon as I walked in. I haven’t used it yet, but with a bunch of exciting new films coming out soon, I’ll definitely be heading to the theater soon!
Being exposed to a research environment this early really solidified my passion for working in a scientific setting. All of this happened because I took the leap, replied “yes,” and put myself out there. It was an experience that not only enriched my knowledge but also reminded me of the power of saying yes to new opportunities.
3. A Spontaneous Hike: Embracing Nature and Adventure
Skövde’s Billingen nature resort is a stunning escape into hills, lakes, and forests—a place I first visited during intro week as part of an event. That day, though, I was pretty frustrated. I had to leave early and didn’t get the chance to fully explore the surrounding nature. The lake, the woods, the tranquility— it all lingered in my mind for weeks. So, I kept looking forward to going back.
The hike from the university to Billingen is about an hour, which is a bit of a trek. As you can imagine, a lot of my friends weren’t too keen on it. But then, during a random conversation, Ivan, one friend I’d just met said yes to the idea of going the very next day. I was surprised but excited. Normally, I’m not one for spontaneous trips. I like to prepare, both physically and mentally. But something about embracing the unknown and imperfect nature of this plan felt strangely satisfying.
The next day, we set off for the hike, and I spent the entire afternoon walking around the lake, spotting mushrooms, dipping my feet into the refreshing water, and basking in the warm early autumn sun. It was the perfect breather from studies, and I was reminded of how rewarding it is to step outside your comfort zone. Since then, I’ve made spontaneous trips a lot more often, and every single one has been unexpectedly memorable. Plus, it’s helped me form new friendships and grow closer to the ones I already had.
Just last week, in early November, I found myself doing another spontaneous trip, but this time, it was to Alingsås. After a early morning lecture, two friends and I decided on a whim to catch the next train to hike in Brobacka nature reserve. We found it through a random Google search, none of us had been there before, but we figured, why not?
The day turned out to be stunning—a rare gift during Swedish autumn—and the nature reserve was absolutely breathtaking. It was the most authentically Swedish nature I had encountered, with rolling hills, dense forests, and peaceful silence. We had a blast exploring, getting momentarily lost, hearing weird noises and wondering if a wild animal was nearby, and helping one of our less-experienced friends navigate the steeper trails. It’s crazy to think that none of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t embraced spontaneity.
That’s the beauty of saying yes and going with the flow—sometimes it leads to the best adventures and the most unforgettable experiences.
Ending Remarks…
Embracing spontaneity and saying yes more often has been incredibly rewarding since moving abroad—it’s pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and made my time in Sweden even more memorable. Sweden is a land full of opportunities, where new adventures and experiences are just waiting to be discovered. This new phase of my life has taught me that the best moments often come when you least expect them, and all it takes is the courage to take that first step.
