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A Dream of Swedish Summer

19 comments

It has been a long winter with darkness, lots of school work, exams, papers, and long days dreaming of what Swedish summer will look like. Now that classes are coming to an end and summer begins to leer closer and closer all of the international students get to plan their summers. And us Masters students, with a visa for two years, are curious as to what their two months off of school will entail.

My program is a two-year masters program that starts in the end of August and finishes the beginning of June. Many of my classmates will be heading to their home countries or to some other far off land for their summer holidays. For me, it makes more sense to stay and enjoy the Swedish summer I have been dreaming of for months.

One of the best ways to enjoy Swedish summer! Photo By: VisitSweden (CC BY ND)

Many students who will stick around have lots of things to do. First of all, Swedish universities have summer courses. While most are dreaming of two months without classes, some of us still enjoy a study filled summer. Also, if your interested in learning Swedish there are many summer programs available. There is no better way to study then on a blanket under the sun.

For other students, a job is critical for their summer stay in Sweden. While it may seem extremely difficult to find a job where limited knowledge of Swedish is acceptable, it is not impossible. However, a strong personal will and perseverance is required as the job hunt can be long and tedious. But if you find one, all of your international friends will be envious.

For all of the rest of us who have been dreaming of this moment since the beginning of the long, never-ending Swedish Winter, sticking around is the only option. The summer will be full of numerous picnics, bike rides through the forest, soaking in the sun at the beach or even canoeing through one of Sweden’s lakes. The best solution for two months off of school may just be no plans at all; with only one goal in sight: enjoying Swedish summer to its fullest potential.

I have to admit, never having experienced a full Swedish summer myself, it is hard to get mind off dreaming about the coming months. While some students may return to their home countries, the smart ones who stick around will be enjoying the long, warm and bright days of Swedish summer.

Photo By: Bumpy Tours (CC BY NC ND)

Kristin Follis — Student

May 20, 2011

  • Monica-USA

    Enjoy your Summer and good  luck  with your studies.

    • Kristin Follis

      Thanks Monica!

  • http://alivtehrani.com alivtehrani

    It’s gonna be my first summer in Sweden and I’m so excited about it! One main reason of course is I was lucky to secure a summer job. But aside from that, I like how people are enjoying their time with the sun:)
    http://alivtehrani.com/2011/05/gothenburg-is-almost-ready-for-an-exciting-summer-time/

    • Kristin Follis

      Enjoy the summer and congrats on the job!

    • Nikodi2

      can u give me heads up on how to secure a summer job like u did

      • http://alivtehrani.com alivtehrani

        Trust me, finding a job here is not easy. It’s actually even harder than finding a proper accommodation upon arrival!
        You need to be really active and target the right positions. Have a personal reason for applying particular jobs. Many people are applying for few positions, but if you have specific reasons for applying specific positions, this makes you a step ahead of other applicants.If applied for a job, make sure to follow up. A good CV is the key to the get to the interview, but I’d say recommendations from professors or other contacts in Sweden is also very important. Lycka till

        • Kristin Follis

          Yes it is definitely not easy! It seems like perseverance is the best solution. Just keep handing out those CVs until you receive some responses. Unfortunately, you cannot be too picky.

  • Sara Jeswani

    Wonderful! To me it seems like some sort of strange rule, but I think you actually HAVE to walk around without finding anything for a while. And then, suddenly, the mushrooms decide to show themselves. Happened to me again just a few days ago! Maybe it’s the eyes taking their time to switch to mushroom-mode..?

    • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

      That must be it! Or else it’s some sort of special forest magic, making would-be mushroom pickers prove themselves before they find anything. :)  

  • Youma

    I’m sure evil Kate is still delightful

    • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

      Haha… I’m not so sure… but thank you! And thanks for reading :)

  • Mom

    I can tell you’re not in the US anymore – a coffee break out of a carafe instead of a Starbucks cup?  The mushrooms look FABULOUS.  Thanks for the six-time-zone-away updates; you know I love them.

    • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

      Haha! So true about the Starbucks… although I might get some next week! Miss you so much. We’ll have to make these together when I’m home during the fall sometime. :) Love you!

  • Cecile Pham

    my darling!  what a lovely blog post. I love how swedish it is and how cozy everything seemed and i’m infinitely proud of you!  Hugs and love, as always.

    • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

      Hey! Thanks so much for still reading. I miss you!! Things are definitely get more Swedish and cozier around here with every day. Looking forward to seeing you in the States some day… hugs and love right back at you! 

  • Monica-USA

    It looks like  a wonderful day.  It is the simple things like this that you will   remember the most. Glad you had a successful  bounty.

    • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

      Thanks so much Monica! Hope you’re doing well. 

  • http://www.rajamaki.com sandsss

    Nice chantarelle bounty! I’ve actually never gone mushroom picking in Sweden. The thought never even occurred to me until I read your post. I do it every summer/autumn in Finland though.

    • http://www.transatlanticsketches.com Kate

      Too funny that you’ve grown up picking mushrooms but have never done it in Sweden! I guess you still get your fix in Finland, though. Thanks for reading! :)