Reflection: My First Day in Sweden

It’s almost been 10 months since the day I arrived in Sweden—and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I came in August for the Arrival Day at Lund University, filled with excitement… and fear. Just like many of you, I was completely lost, even though deep down I was also really looking forward to this new chapter.

Making Friends

One of my biggest fears? Making new friends. I’m an introvert, and back home I had a small, tight-knit circle. Stepping out of that comfort zone made me super nervous. So, I started working on it before even arriving in Sweden. Lund University uses an app called Goin to connect students, so I started chatting with people from my own country first. After several attempts (because let’s be honest—not everyone checks the app often), I finally connected with someone. She became my first real friend in Sweden!

When I arrived, I had two massive suitcases, a carry-on, and a backpack. Nightmare, right? Especially navigating the train system alone. I had to go straight to the Arrival Day venue to pick up my accommodation keys. Thankfully, my new friend had arrived a month earlier and let me store my luggage at her place. That way, we could go together without all the heavy bags. It was only my first day, and I already had a friend—that meant the world to me.

So, don’t stress too much about making friends. On the first day, we’re all in the same boat, and everyone is open to making connections.

Long Trip… Rest First!

If you’re coming from far away, like me (I had a 33-hour journey 😵‍💫), let me give you some advice: prioritize rest. Between jet lag and pure exhaustion, your body won’t be ready to run errands on day one. After getting my keys, I went straight to my room with the goal of sleeping. But before crashing into bed, I had to figure out a few essentials: Wi-Fi, food, and—surprise!—a place to actually sleep.
Here’s what saved me (because I know myself and planned ahead 😌):

• Internet: My accommodation didn’t have Wi-Fi set up, and I had no idea where to get a router. So, I used Airalo for a one-week data plan. It was perfect to message my family and stay in touch with new friends.
• Food: After 30+ hours of travel, airplane food wasn’t enough. I had packed some instant ramen and snacks in my bag, which saved me from stressing about grocery shopping right away. Pro tip: bring some comfort food with you.
• Sleep setup: Here’s the thing—how do you sleep without a pillow, blanket, or sheets?! I was worried about that too. Luckily, Lund University offers a bedding package (if you’re staying in LU Accommodation), and I had it delivered to my room. I hesitated before buying it, but it turned out to be so worth it.

Expect the Unexpected

I thought I had the rest of the day all planned out: get some sleep and recover. But guess what? A few hours after falling asleep, the fire alarm in my building went off. I had never heard one in my life, so I was completely freaked out—especially being woken up so suddenly. I ran outside along with other confused students.

And you know what? That random fire alarm turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Outside, I met another international student who was just as lost as me. She had missed the alarm at first because she was showering and ended up being the last one to leave the building. We started talking and quickly realized we both spoke Spanish—and just like that, I made another friend in Lund.

So yes, anything can happen on your first day. Even if you’re prepared to sleep, an alarm might wake you up—and maybe it’ll lead to something good. Just expect the unexpected. It might surprise you in the best ways.

Are you ready for your first day in Sweden? I hope reading about my experience gives you some peace of mind. It’s okay to feel nervous, but if you prepare a little in advance and stay open to surprises, that day might just become one of your favorite memories.