My University Exchange in Sweden during a Pandemic

By Henry Finnis

My exchange experience definitely got flipped upside down but you have to make of it what it is! I am in Sweden and we seem to be one of the last places where you can freely go anywhere, however the University has closed.

So, days are very different in the sense of instead waking up and going off to class, you wake up then sit at your desk and attend online lectures via Zoom. As I find it sometimes difficult to put myself in the correct work mindset from my room I often will leave and walk to a café or some public work spaces located in library or the sport facility just so I leave my room.

With the sporting facility that does classes and has a gym still open I can keep up my fitness which is big for my mental health. Also with the snow melting I have finally been able to go for some runs which results in some impressive views of the river, lake and city.

Keeping in touch with people I think is very important and just to keep some normality in your life. So, I often catch up with friends for a Swedish ‘fika’, which is a time of day where Swedes drop what they are doing and meet up for a coffee, tea and sweet buns.

My current living situation is in what they call ‘corridors’ here. You are given a room with your own bathroom and share a kitchen with 7 other strangers in your corridor. A corridor is like one floor of these 2-3 storey high buildings build high density to house students, however general public can also live here. Most of the people on my floor have gone home and so I think it’s just 2 others with me now which makes it kind of good. I just make sure I wash everything before and after I use it in the kitchen. Plus washing my hands before I eat and when I get back into my room etc.

The good thing I guess, is that I can still do most things. I can go out to eat, have a drink, play sports etc. People are becoming very hesitant in doing these things, however the Swedish government believe it’s important in keeping a good state of mind. Every door, counter or desk there is hand sanitizer and a 24/7 helpline just to talk if needed.

The bad thing is adjusting to the new self-managed schedules of everyday life. I am someone who likes structure in their daily routine and this situation has challenged me to self-manage a lot better. But I believe I am coping and adapting ok. The slight nervous feeling of situation as whole plans on your mind too. Every morning I wake up to news articles from back home, or the world about the ongoing current climate we find ourselves and its rarely good news! Semester two this year at LU is meant to be my last before I graduate. Part of me is concerned whether I will make it back in time for it!

Overall, I am really enjoying my time here and just trying not to let COVID-19 ruin the experience too much. It wasn’t the exchange experience I was expecting but I am trying to make the most of it!