Written by Ravindu
26 Feb 2025
Did you know that studying in Sweden doesn’t just give you access to top-notch education but also connects you to a whole network of universities across Europe? Thanks to European university alliances, funded by Erasmus+, students in Sweden become part of a much bigger academic community, unlocking exchange programs, joint courses, and exclusive study experiences abroad—often at no extra cost!
For example, my university, the University of Skövde, is part of INGENIUM, a network that allowed me to attend a fully funded winter school in Finland earlier this month—an experience I never imagined I’d have when I first came to Sweden.
This winter school wasn’t just about learning—it was about meeting students from across Europe, exchanging ideas, and tackling real-world challenges together. It gave me the chance to collaborate across cultures, gain new perspectives, and build friendships that stretch beyond borders. These are the kinds of opportunities that studying in Sweden makes possible. In this blog, I’ll share four core memories from this unforgettable experience and why you should look forward to similar adventures!
1. Meeting New Friends from Across Cultures
One of the best parts of this winter school was the people I met along the way. It was incredible how this experience brought together students from all over Europe, each with their own background, interests, and stories to tell. Some of my fondest memories aren’t just from the lectures or workshops but from the conversations in between—the moments that made this experience truly special.
The local Finnish students went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. They even took us on a tour of Mikkeli, sharing insights about their hometown that we never would have learned otherwise. And then there were the nights at the local sports bar, where students from different countries bonded over music, laughter, and karaoke. I’ll never forget the energy in the room as people took turns singing— It didn’t matter whether we knew the lyrics or even the language. These small moments, squeezed between our packed schedules, became some of my most treasured experiences.
What made this even more special was how we all stayed connected. Thanks to social media, we still keep in touch. Some of them even invited me to visit their home cities, offering to show me around if I ever find myself there. That level of kindness and warmth truly blew me away. From the very start, this winter school felt like a safe space—a place where people were open, supportive, and genuinely excited to get to know each other. And that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.
2. Experiencing the Finnish Winter to the Fullest
The second day of the program was dedicated to experiencing the Finnish winter, and honestly, it felt like something straight out of a travel documentary. We were taken to a nearby activity center in the wilderness, where we got to try out an incredible range of winter activities.
There were snow games, where students embraced their competitive sides and just had fun being out in the open. There was skiing—on a frozen lake—which I unfortunately could not try. But the real adventure kicked in when we strapped on snow-shoes and hiked through the forest, leaving deep footprints in the untouched snow. The landscape was breathtaking, with towering trees covered in white and the crisp winter air making everything feel fresh and pure. And then there was ice fishing, something I had never tried before. It was an oddly calming experience—drilling a hole into the thick ice, dropping the line, and then sitting in complete silence, just waiting. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch any fish, but the experience itself was so unique that I didn’t mind at all. One student caught three fish, and we all enjoyed cooking and having small bites off them in a campfire afterwards.
But if I had to pick the highlight of the day, it would be the sauna and ice dipping experience. Before coming to Scandinavia, this was something that had been on my bucket list, and getting to cross it off in Finland, of all places, made it even better. Stepping into the near-freezing water, where a section of the lake had been carved out, was like an instant shock to my system. I held onto the railing at first, but once I let go and swam for a couple of seconds, I felt a rush unlike anything else. It was exhilarating, almost like my body had reset itself. And I loved it so much that I went in three times! The transition from the ice-cold water back into the warmth of the sauna was incredibly soothing, and by the end of it, I felt completely refreshed—body and mind.
3. Collaborating as a Team
Of course, the winter school wasn’t just about experiencing Finland—it was also about learning and working together. Each of us was assigned to a team, where we had to tackle a real-world challenge and develop a meaningful solution. My team’s task? Design strategies for planetary well-being among young people. It was an issue we all cared about, but looking at it from a structured, problem-solving perspective gave us new insights into what we could actually do.
Our team consisted of Elisa from France, Emmanouil from Greece, Susana from Finland, and me representing Sweden. Before meeting in person, it had been a challenge to coordinate across different schedules and time zones. But once we got to XAMK (South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences) and started working together face-to-face, everything just clicked. We bounced ideas off each other, combined our different viewpoints, and slowly built something we were all proud of. Our mentor played a huge role too—rather than simply giving us answers, they guided us toward thinking critically and refining our solutions, which made the process feel even more rewarding.
Beyond just the project, I loved working with my team. There was a sense of mutual respect and shared effort, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. By the end of the week, we weren’t just a team working on a case—we were a group of friends who had created something meaningful together.
4. Facing a Big Crowd for the Final Presentation
On the final day, every team had to present their solution in an auditorium full of students, staff, and stakeholders—the very people who had given us these cases to solve. I’ve done public speaking before, but after years of not being on stage, I felt a bit out of touch. The nerves kicked in as I stepped up, but once I started speaking, it all came back to me.
The moment I locked eyes with the audience and saw their genuine interest in our presentation, I knew we had something valuable to share. We presented our ideas clearly, and our teamwork really shone through. In fact, after our presentation, we received specific praise for our collaboration and team spirit, which meant the world to us. All the late nights and hard work throughout the week had paid off, and standing there, hearing the applause, I felt an incredible sense of achievement.
But what truly made this moment unforgettable was an incident that happened mid-presentation. One of my teammates, who wasn’t very confident in public speaking, suddenly found it hard to continue while on the spot. She seemed visibly distressed, and for a second, time felt like it had frozen. Without hesitation, I gently picked up from where she left off, acknowledging what she had said and naturally continuing the flow of our presentation. At the same time, another teammate instinctively moved closer to her, offering silent comfort and support.
fter the presentation, we all stepped outside, and the first thing we did was gather around her, reassuring her that she did great and that she wasn’t alone in this. It was a true team-building moment—one that went beyond just working together on an assignment. It showed the strength of our team and the bond we had built over the week. To our surprise, many in the audience praised us not only for our content but also for how we had handled the situation with care and teamwork. That recognition, more than anything, solidified this experience as a core memory for me.
5. My Swedish Team and Our Mentor Ines
Beyond the winter school itself, the entire travel experience with my Swedish team was something I’ll always treasure. Our mentor, Ines, played a huge role in making this trip even more special. She was always there to guide us when needed, but at the same time, she gave us full privacy and autonomy over how we spent our time. It never felt like we were being supervised; instead, it felt like we had a supportive presence looking out for us, which made a big difference in how relaxed and enjoyable the trip was.
One of the things I enjoyed the most was sharing a hotel room with Hannes. Before this trip, we hadn’t really met, but by the end of the experience, I knew I had made a close friend. The long train journeys from Helsinki to Mikkeli, which could have been dull, were instead filled with great conversations and moments of reflection. We talked about everything—our experiences, our expectations, and even our future plans. And on our last night in Helsinki, we aimlessly wandered the city, trying to soak in the culture, celebrating Valentine’s Day in the most unplanned yet memorable way.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the team I had. We supported each other, learned together, and made this whole experience even more meaningful. If I ever get the chance to do something like this again, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second!
Final thoughts
This winter school was so much more than just an academic experience—it was an adventure, a challenge, and a chance to grow in ways I didn’t expect. From meeting incredible people and experiencing Finnish winter traditions to tackling meaningful problems and presenting in front of a big crowd, every moment contributed to something special. And the best part? Opportunities like this are open to students in Sweden through university alliances like INGENIUM.
So if you’re considering studying in Sweden, know that you’re not just choosing a university—you’re opening doors to experiences beyond borders. And trust me, it’s worth it!
