The blog continues! Though I need to think of a new name for it, as we've relocated from the Low Countries to the high north: my year abroad at Mid-Sweden University in Östersund, Sweden kicked off this week.
Translation: "Welcome All Students!"
As for my summer, I won't go into too much detail as this blog is meant to be interesting. I worked as a delivery driver, saw friends, went camping a lot, and relaxed. While I'll always call Saint Peter home in my heart, it feels less and less familiar each year. Which also makes going back there more interesting, since there's so many new things to see and do!
The garden, where I spent most of my free time.
Camping near Decorah, IA, after floating down the Upper Iowa River.
Of course the first priority is always to eat some good food upon returning to the US!
Dad and Oliver at the SPAM Museum. Which is a superb stop; but mostly full of SPAM-propaganda.
We also went to the BWCA for a few days and a couple of Twins games. Getting in all the typical-American activities while I can!
All this aside, you readers must be curious about Östersund. It's a city of 50,000 located 350 miles north of Stockholm. Sweden is a deceptively large country- I drove up here with both parents and it's about six hours, without stops. Or towns for that matter! 90% of Swedes live in the southern third of their country. We're out in the boondocks up here.
Östersund is circled in red. We're pretty close to Trondheim, Norway. In the middle of Sweden, hence the name Mid-Sweden University.
I'm staying at the city campground, which despite the name is actually full of cozy little cabins nearby a small lake. It's something of an international village, and my neighbors so far hail from Ireland, France, Italy, and Germany. We've gone swimming in exceptionally cold water almost every day- going local!
The mess of moving in... I have 25 square meters to myself, 270 square feet. No roommates this year, I've learned my lesson.
Against all odds, I actually have distant relatives nearby! Lena, Markus, and sons Olle and Nils live on a farm six miles south of the city. (Lena is a third cousin to my Mom, I have no idea what my relation would be then) They are very kind people, having had us over for a three hour long fika. I've already been asked to come help with the potato harvest later this month.
We did do a group picture with the relatives but I won't share it here for their privacy. Fika is the hallowed Swedish tradition of coffee breaks. Typically with a kaneelbollar, a cinnamon bun. Seen above is the best spot I know in Östersund, where I went with my neighbors from Germany this week.
If you're feeling generous, you can donate via "Buy Me A Coffee" (the link is also on the upper right side of this page) I can confirm that any funds will almost certainly be used to buy coffee: Sweden drinks a ton. Only Finland, and unsurprisingly, Holland have them beat.
So, that's the short version of my chaotic move to Sweden. I've certainly forgotten all sorts of details, so if you have any questions, ask away in the comments. It's been a lot for me to remember, let alone commentate on. But I find myself enjoying this blog very much as I write it. (though not when thinking about maintaining it... what a dilemma!) For now, the plan will be to do the next post on student life and the ongoing introweek here at Mittuniversitet. Until then!
Mid-Sweden has a proper campus, much like an American university. This is the studentplan, or main square, where most mischief occurs.
Lillsjon, the lake near my house. That water isn't getting any warmer!
A teaser for the introweek. The new students have all sorts of "tasks" to complete upon joining the student union. And berries, which are everywhere in the forests here. My freezer is already full!
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