#disabroad

[seekingfika]

The Final Week: Thoughts and Reflections

Hi all!

Well, we’re here at the end of the semester and i’m writing what will likely be my last (or second to last?) post. It’s been one heck of a semester, and I thought I would take this opportunity to piece together some of my final thoughts and feelings about this abroad experience as the semester comes to a close. 

The first thing I want to say is that abroad is truly an important experience. No, it will not be the instagram picture perfect experience you expect it to be at all times, but it’s an important time to experience new things, get some distance and perspective (about your home university, the U.S, your friends, anything really...) and just to give what is for many of us, a much needed step outside of the comfort zone. I’ll be honest, I don’t feel like abroad has changed me in the way that many juniors returning from their time over-seas like to gush about, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t important. While i don’t feel “changed” per se, I do feel like i’ve learned a lot about Swedish culture and the world, but more than anything about myself, my thought processes, and my approach. One of the most important lessons I feel I can take away from these past four months is the importance of expectations. One of the dangers of going abroad, and something that I definitely feel that I fell victim to, is the temptation to set expectations incredibly, and virtually un-meetably, high. With all of the expectation created on social media and instagram, and the hype created by abroad websites, DIS included, it’s easy to picture your semester going in a very particular way. My best advice in this regard would be to avoid this at all costs. Of course you should read up on your program, and if you have the opportunity speak to past students about their experiences, and as you are doing right now read the blogs, but do not let these images, depictions and experiences overcome your interpretation. Instead, go into your abroad experience with an open mind and your experiences will be your own. It’s important to remember that abroad programs are businesses trying to sell you a product, and DIS is no exception. The way they advertise and project themselves is obviously in a very positive light, and for the most part rightly so, but as with nearly any other program, or any institution DIS is not perfect. This is especially true for DIS Stockholm, as it is only a few years old and still working out a lot of its kinks as the program attempts to expand. DIS does a fantastic job of marketing themselves, but to let these images and videos shape your goals and preconceptions for your abroad experience is to set your self up for some kind of disappoint. 

My second piece of reflection is as you go into your abroad experience try to remember the choices you made at the beginning of your freshman year of college. In many ways, the social dynamics of abroad mimic freshman year of college, but in one semester instead of two and among a lot of confused, jet-lagged and culture shocked upperclassmen. Just as with freshman year of college, it’s very easy to glom onto the first people you meet. Some of these people you may find will make fantastic friends, but for many the first friends you make are not necessarily the friends you keep. As you navigate your first few weeks abroad, pay special attention to the people you interact with and really consider how you’re investing your time. Are these people you enjoy, or are these people convenient? It’s easier said than done, but it’s an important step to consider especially as people form groups and begin to make travel plans early in the semester. Consider also making a special effort with those in your core course. These people already share a common interest with you, and you’ll be spending a great deal of time with them throughout the majority of the semester, including a week-long trip to another country. Not all core courses get along, some have 10 people and other’s have 20, but core courses nonetheless present a clear and easy opportunity to meet other students on the program who you may very likely find yourself connecting with. Don’t take these folks for granted, because the core course ends ahead of the end of the semester and it comes before you know it! 

The last reflection that I want to share with you is that at the end, it’s okay to feel ready to go home. A lot of people on your program, and friends away on other programs, will gush about how they aren’t ready to leave, are sad to go home, or even how they would move to their abroad location tomorrow if they could. The fact that they feel this way is fantastic, and clearly shows that they’ve had a meaningful abroad experience, but just because you are ready to go home does not and should not invalidate your own experiences abroad. Just because you are ready to go home, or even really want to go home, doesn’t make you a Debbie downer. For many, a semester abroad is just that, a semester, and by the end of it you may feel satisfied and that your time abroad was sufficient. One thing i’ve found is that being abroad has given me an immense new found appreciation for the US that I was really missing right before I left for Sweden. Traveling around Europe and experiencing so much of its culture has reminded me how much there is to see in the US that I haven’t seen, how many states I haven’t been to, how many regional dishes I want to try, how many national parks I have yet to visit and so much more. The end of the semester, and going home represents different things for different people. For some, it means saying goodbye to their new favorite place, and for others it means closing a small chapter and returning home in search of the next. Whatever that means for you is perfectly acceptable, and I urge you to remember that.

Pictured here: Some lovely ladies from the Positive Psychology core course (representing the many faces of abroad?), and my sign off! Thanks for following along, it’s been lovely. Catch ya on the flip side.

Thats all for now,

Ruthie

[oliviously]

Across the harbor is a delicious smørrebrød restaurant! ••• I always love returning to Denmark to visit my host family and explore more of the beautiful country! ••• #dis #disabroad #disalumi #copenhagen #københavn #denmark #danmark #hostfamily #homestay #studyabroad #smørrebrød #lunch #nyhavn #danishcuisine #latergram #summer (at Restaurant Gilleleje) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpiWKyiBC6m/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rnyilgmfo5nr

[throughtheeyesofathespian]

Velkommen til København #disabroad #copenhagendiscoveredsp17 (at Copenhagen, Denmark)

[wakeforestmagazine]

#Repost @samtodenmark (@get_repost) ・・・ Here are a few flight essentials for my trip back to the USA. Also, if you look closely, you’ll find a ticket from Edinburgh and London. I’ve had incredible adventures over the course of the last few months. I’m so unbelievably thankful for being able to study in Copenhagen. I’ve learned more than I thought possible; each day, I’m inspired to expand my cultural knowledge and broaden my horizons. Thank you, Wake Forest, for allowing me to pursue my dreams. ⭐️💛🖤🎩 • • Signing off on a great semester abroad. As always, #GoDeacs • • #DeacsAbroad #DISAbroad (at Wake Forest Magazine)

[chaovietkitchen-blog]

Nr.5 Bun bo nam bo at #chaovietkitchen #lækkert #frisk #lækkertmad #vietnamese #food at #chao #hygge #hyggeligt #hyggelig #sundhed #sundmad #livstil #vietnamesisk #madblogger #københavn #strøget #copenhagen #denmark #danmark #kbh #cph #cphfood #aok #aokdk #disabroad (at Chao)

[mlindeman-blog]

The Botanical Garden in Copenhagen

[sabrinakaye28-blog]

colorful buildings & friendly people 🇸🇪 #DISabroad #stockholmDIScovered (at Stortorget)

[globalkenyon]

@disabroad admitted students and returnees connecting in Peirce. Talking with a student who has gone on your OCS program is a great way to research and learn what to expect! #globalkenyon #kenyoncollege https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZqoT5hnrs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mitqjnv7ifxt

[parkerbarry-blog1]

The Instagram account I run for DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia

[coolitoff]

13 December 2016 - Watercolour Ramblings 

Finishing up some last minute Christmas presents (hint: they’re all watercolour paintings because I’m brooooke) and getting super hyped up about my parents arriving in Copecity tomorrow! I have to say that my watercolour class was by far my favourite class, and if any potential DIS students are reading: I highly recommend it, even if you think you have “no artistic talent” whatsoever. Painting allowed me to de-stress and have some time all to myself, and I’m very thankful for the class and my awesome teacher. 

I should go because one of my best friends is on her way from the airport right now! Happy holidays, and good luck with finals to all the students out there!

[seekingfika]

Helsinki, Finland

Pictured here: Hanging in front of the Helsinki Cathedral 

Hi all!

I’ve just arrived back home from a weekend away in Finland, which means it time to tell you all about it! This was my first weekend traveling outside of Sweden, and some friends and I decided to take an over night boat to Finland and back. We left Friday afternoon, arrived in Finland at 10:00AM on Saturday and were able to do a few hours of chillin’ and site seeing before getting back on the ship for our return voyage to Sweden! We took a cruise with Viking Cruise Line, and while the boat did the job of getting us to and from our destination this is not a trip for weak-stomached folks. If you’re looking for an easy way to get to Finland on a budget, this is definitely a cheap and easy way to go, however it wasn’t the most pleasant accommodations and the rest of the ship’s passengers were a bit of an odd variety. If you choose to go via the cruise, I would recommend going with a group you enjoy and trust and bringing a deck of cards to pass the time (and snacks, the food can get expensive!). 

Pictured here: Another look at the Helsinki Cathedral 

Once we go off the boat and actually spent some time in Finland, we hit a number of fun and interesting places! Finland is such an interesting place to visit because of its history of both Russian and Swedish control. As a result there’s a lot of diversity in the architecture, and you can really see the Swedish vs. Russian influence as you explore the streets. 

Pictured here: Exploring the market place area 

The first place we went was the dock and market/food hall! This was a neat place to go with lots of different food options, and LOTS of fish. They have some seating areas as well so this is a great lunch option

Pictured here: Smoked salmon in the food hall! 

We also went to two big tourist attractions in Helsinki, the Helsinki Cathedral and the Uspenski Cathedral. Both were prime photo opportunity spots, and really beautiful to look at from the outside, as well as to glimpse at from the inside. After doing some site seeing we stopped for lunch and coffee at a nearby cafe, Café Esplanad. After this our group split up with one half of the group going to the Temppeliaukio Rock Church and the other half paying a visit to the biggest department store of all the Nordic countries, Stockmann. After an action packed few hours walking around Helsinki we boarded the boat and headed back home, satisfied with our visit but also very excited to get back to Stockholm. 

Pictured here: The ceiling in the Uspenski Cathedral

Thats all for now, check my instagram @mugsnshrugs for more pictures of the trip!

-Ruthie

[our-inner-daemons]

One last shoutout to this man for showing me how to properly appreciate wine this semester #thanksruss #disabroad (at DIS - Study Abroad)

[throughtheeyesofathespian]

My latest blog post is up! Today’s subjects: The Women's March in Copenhagen, dinner with my visiting host family, and the concept of hygge

[wakeforestmagazine]

Do they eat leftovers in Paris? #Repost @samtodenmark (@get_repost) ・・・ Lady Deacs take on Paris! • • Today we visited the Louvre, saw the Eiffel Tower, and walked the circumference of the Notre Dame. At one point, my friend, Kira, bought a baguette, and we feasted on the streets of the city. Paris has blown me away and truly deserves to be called one of the most beautiful cities in the world. 🌏🇫🇷❤️ • • #DeacsAbroad #DISAbroad (at Paris, France)

[chaovietkitchen-blog]

Try our #delicious #drinks only at #chaovietkitchen #lækkert #frisk #lækkertmad #vietnamese #food at #chao #hygge #hyggeligt #hyggelig #sundhed #sundmad #livstil #chaovietkitchen #vietnamesisk #madblogger #københavn #strøget #copenhagen #denmark #danmark #kbh #cph #cphfood #aok #aokdk #disabroad (at Chao)

[mlindeman-blog]

Kollegium living