Eyes Wide Open
By Sarah Youngberg
School: Wesleyan University, Class of ’26
Major or concentration: Economics & Psychology
Semester abroad: Fall ’24
It’s been one month since I touched down on European soil for the first time and immediately my eyes widened and my brain grew curious to understand another way of living. My time in Sweden opens my limited perspective to the beautiful values of Swedish culture of family, community, and traditions.
My first observation was how obsessed Swedish people are with coffee, bread, and pastries. I’ve learned the importance of fika, a cherished ritual that goes beyond buying a coffee and a pastry, but is a moment to pause, reflect, and connect with the people around you. The first week of orientation reflected these values, as I gained an appreciation not only for fika, but for the 40 other Swedish program students who I bonded with in such a short time. We might be small, but we sure are mighty. Whether we’re trying to catch the pendeltåg (commuter train) or grocery shopping in Coop together, we definitely stand out not just as Americans, but as a community. We have now shared a lot of meals and experiences together.
I also observed the importance of the Swedish concept of lagom. Lagom is the middle temperature, not too hot and not too cold. I feel my first month really exemplifies the word lagom,both when it comes to learning to live in a different environment but also learning how to be an adult. Whether I go to a SATS cycling class with other students, go second-hand shopping near T-Centralen, or pick candy to share for Lördagsgodis (Saturday candy), I have stepped outside my comfort zone into the unknown – but also feel incredibly supported by my community surrounding me.
I have been given the platform by the Swedish Program to create the most of my semester abroad and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have created meaningful relationships with other students both from the Swedish program and SSE. I am also integrating myself into Swedish culture by using tennis, a universal sport, to meet more Swedes. I am using my language skills from Swedish class to order fika at cafes around Stockholm. I’m going to parts of Stockholm I wouldn’t have explored with my Art and Architecture class. I have traveled and explored other European cities like Munich and Copenhagen and watched worlds collide as it is truly a small world.
This experience has been more rewarding than what I could’ve imagined. And the best part is I’m only one month in.
