“I want to have a really good time in Sweden”
On 21 January a large group of expectant international students gathered outside the Gamla stan tube station to join a guided tour of the Old Town of Stockholm. The event was part of Stockholm University's welcome activities for new students.
“I’m really excited about my stay in Sweden. I’ve been here before and Stockholm is quite convenient for me as it’s not too far away from home”, Finnish student Ilona explained.
She had chosen Stockholm University to pursue her bachelor’s studies in Earth Sciences upon recommendation from her mother.
“Some cousins of ours have studied here before so it seemed like a good idea for me to come here too.”
International students Olivia from the US, Jonathan from the Netherlands and Ilona from Finland explored the Old Town of Stockholm. Photo: Karin Persson
Many activities on offer
Stockholm University's welcome activities are designed to assist new students and introduce them to university life in Stockholm and Sweden. Apart from the guided tour of Gamla stan (as the Old Town is called in Swedish) the activities include an Arrival Service, guided campus tours, social activities and a lot more.
“Yesterday I took part in a campus tour and a ‘Stockholm for dummies’ event. Tomorrow I will attend a Library tour”, Ilona said. “And then there´s the Welcome Fair on Thursday, of course.”
The international students walked through narrow streets. Photo: Karin Persson
“And the second-hand store tour this weekend”, Dutch exchange student Jonathan added, eager not to miss any of the fun bits of his forthcoming spring semester in Sweden.
In addition to his studies in Language and Cultural Studies, he was looking forward to meeting new people and exploring Swedish culture.
“In the weekends I’d like to make trips to other cities. I’d love to visit Lapland and see the Northern Lights.”
A chance to gain new experiences
Mathematics student Casper from the Netherlands and Child and Youth Studies student Linus from Germany were also planning to make the most of their exchange semester.
“Apart from studying I want to have a really good time”, Casper said.
“I’m looking forward to gaining new experiences here in Sweden”, Linus smiled while clearly enjoying the Gamla stan event.
New students Liana from Germany, Tereza from the Czech Republic, Casper from the Netherlands, Linus from Germany and Martin from the Czech Republic. Photo: Karin Persson
Olivia from the US, another exchange student who turned up for the guided tour, was ready to embark on a Marketing course. Although it was her first time in Sweden she was no stranger to Scandinavian culture, having visited her extended family in Norway several times.
“It’s one of the reasons why I chose to come here, so that I can go and see them at the same time”, she explained. “I went for a stroll here in Gamla stan last night and I just love it; the cobbled, narrow streets and all the buildings.”
History mixed with fun facts
The guided tour was held by the experienced professional guide Joel Hedman who captured his audience by mixing historical facts with hacks for how to avoid tourist prices.
Professional tour guide Joel Hedman took good care of the students. Photo: Karin Persson
“If you go to the western part of the island you’ll find the places where the locals tend to go these days”, Joel advised before heading off to the large open place before the Royal Palace, where the international newcomers learned of ‘a really weird museum’, the Royal Armory.
“Their exhibition includes blood-stained clothes from the eighteenth century that have never been washed”, Joel said, referring to the masquerade costume of King Gustav III.
He rounded off the tour on a cosier note by telling the group of a nearby café having won a recent cinnamon bun competition. Quite a few students chose to head off in that direction, happily chatting away to their new-found friends.
Last updated: 2025-01-22
Source: Student Services