Student Blog

3-minute read

I am currently studying abroad at Linnaeus University in Kalmar, Sweden. I have always been interested in Nordic culture, and I wanted to study at a university in the Nordic region. When selecting an exchange program, I focused on universities that offer courses related to my major in tourism and are located in the Nordic countries, which led me to choose Linnaeus University. Although the official language in Sweden is Swedish, most people speak fluent English, which is why I decided to study in Sweden, as I wanted to improve my English skills through daily interactions

The city of Kalmar, where I live, is located in the south of Sweden and has a relatively mild and comfortable climate. Swedes are known for their modesty and calm nature, and many are punctual. Since they are similar to Japanese people in these respects, I find it easy to interact with them.

Kalmar Castle

This time, I would like to write about my trip to Lapland at the end of November. Lapland is located in the north of Sweden, within the Arctic Circle, and it took me 20 hours by bus to get there from Kalmar. Along the way, I briefly regretted my decision to travel, but I eventually arrived and stayed in a cottage with a sauna. During my stay, I skied, stargazed, and cooked Swedish dishes with other people staying in the same cottage. The most memorable part of the trip was riding a dog sled. I rode a sled pulled by eight huskies through the snow. The huskies are trained to run over 100 kilometers in a week, and I felt quite a bit of speed while riding the sled. The weather was clear and pleasant, and I was able to fully enjoy a Swedish activity in the midst of nature.

View from the husky sled

On the way back to Kalmar, I had the opportunity to see reindeer up close and experienced warming up by a campfire while drinking juice. I remember being so cold that I lost all sensation in my hands, with temperatures dropping to -16°C, but I felt relaxed as time slowly passed while gazing at the fire.

The trip lasted a week, including travel time. I truly felt like I had escaped everyday life and was able to refresh myself. I had an amazing time throughout the trip and felt that choosing Sweden for my study abroad was the right decision.

In Europe, there is a student organization called ESN at each university. I registered with ESN Kalmar and participated in a package tour. If you study abroad in Europe, I highly recommend signing up for an ESN trip and trying activities that can only be done in that country.

Date Manaka

Hello! My name is Manaka, a second-year student majoring in the College of Sustainability and Tourism (ST). I love reading books, which led me to join the SPA. As a member of the ST1 cohort, I aim to write about the appeal of our department and my upcoming study abroad experience in Sweden starting from fall '24. Thank you in advance for your support.