When I arrived in Sweden on August 18, 2002, I had some idea about what I was getting myself into having already studied abroad in the Netherlands during college. My year in Leiden, despite some ups and downs, instilled in me a desire to see the world. And Stockholm was my next stop.

Little did I know that I’d still be here five years later. First, I decided to study for another year, and then my contacts at the university led to a job. I can honestly say that studying abroad has radically altered the course of my life.

From Kiruna to Malmö

But do other students have the same life-changing experience?

Last fall, the Swedish Institute sent me, along with photographer Alexander Mitelman, on a tour of Swedish universities to talk to international students about their experiences of living and studying in Sweden. We traveled as far North as Kiruna, above the Arctic Circle, and as far south as Malmö, just across the Öresund from Copenhagen.

Writer Charlotte West got an icy reception in the Arctic town of Kiruna. Photo (left): Charlotte West, Photo (right): Alexander Mitelman

The students we've met have come from very different places – both in terms of geography and experience. For example, a German master's student we met was disappointed to find a mere meter of snow when he landed above the Arctic Circle, while a student from Nigeria was delighted to see and touch snow for the first time.

But despite their diverse backgrounds, the international students we talked to have many things in common – including an unbeatable camaraderie with their peers, as well as an appreciation for local traditions.

Eurovision – bad music and good friends

When we visited Australian exchange student Anton Sirianni, he was busy preparing for an evening dedicated to the Eurovision Song Contest – an annual Europe-wide extravaganza of gaudy costumes, cheesy melodies and questionable taste. (Foreign students witnessing this song-and-dance spectacle for the first time might just start to question the sanity of their host country.) The 25 performers represent their respective countries – ranging from Montenegro to Ireland. People across Europe gather around their televisions to watch the show and then cast a phone vote for their favorite acts.


International students from around the world gather in the common room of their dorm in Malmö, enjoying the Eurovision song contest festivities. Photo: Alexander Mitelman

Anton invited us to stay for the festivities. But other than a vague recollection of a silver clad robot transvestite dancing to oompa music, what I remember most about the evening with Anton and his 16 dorm-mates, who were packed wall-to-wall in their common room, was the fact that they were watching it together. It was a scene that reminded me of my time as an international student at Stockholm University.

The highpoint was when two former dorm residents “teleported” in from the UK via an internet video camera to watch the show with their friends. It’s the perfect example of the bonds that can form with the people you meet while studying abroad, and how those friendships can transcend time and space.

Valborg – food, fun, and "fest"

While Eurovision occurs across the European continent, Valborg is about as quintessentially Swedish as you can get. Held every year on April 30, for students this holiday is as big as Christmas or Midsummer. And nowhere is the party as good as it is in the university towns of Lund and Uppsala.


Students attempt to stay afloat on homemade vessels during the annual Valborg raft race on the Fyris river in Uppsala. Photo: Alexander Mitelman

We spent Valborg in Uppsala. The traditions are the same every year, with the festivities beginning with a champagne breakfast at the 13 nations, which are student clubs dating back to the 17th century. The next event is the river race, where students build their own rafts out of just about anything that floats, and set sail, crossing their fingers that their contraptions won’t sink.

The rest of the afternoon is spent lounging on the grass and barbequing in the various parks around the city, until the rector of Uppsala University emerges on the balcony of the university library at 3pm to officially kick off the “Champagne Gallop”. The celebration continues until the champagne runs out, which in our case was long after we caught the train back to Stockholm.


Blankets, BBQ and beverages are all you need for an afternoon in the park in Uppsala on Valborg. Photo: Alexander Mitelman

The students we talked to – all wearing the traditional white graduation caps – were wholeheartedly throwing themselves into the merriment. Several had even traveled from other areas of Sweden just to take part. For international students, it was an excellent opportunity to catch a glimpse of a centuries-old tradition. And in terms of knowing how to throw a party, everyone agreed that the Swedes have got it right with Valborg.

Although the formal Valborg celebration requires the traditional white graduation caps, all hats are off by the end of the day. Photo: Alexander Mitelman

Study in Sweden – back to the basics

But what does this have to do with the life-changing aspects of studying abroad? Eurovision and Valborg are just two examples of some of the non-academic educational opportunities available to international students in Sweden – but there are many more. Both provide a glimpse of Swedish life that you might otherwise not get, and such insight changes the ways in which you interact with the world.

I just celebrated my fifth year of living in Stockholm, and it all started with studying abroad. I've made friends for life, learned a foreign language and been above the Arctic Circle – something that not a lot of people can say they did.

My advice? Take a chance and study in Sweden. You might just learn something.