Study Abroad in Sweden

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times….” That is exactly how I feel at this moment. I recently took the most relaxing trip I think I’ve had in a couple of years. On July 30th I took at train to Malmö then to Copenhagen, Denmark. The train was 13 hours and entirely exhausting. I was amazed by how smoothly everything went. I couldn’t believe what a charming city Copenhagen is. It has some of the most beautiful parks I’ve ever seen and the water is so clear. I could see meters down when I was at the harbor.

I discovered that the saying “it’s a small world” to fall nothing short of the truth. A couple of days before I flew out I was walking down a side street so I could find the bus that would take me to the airport as I was leaving at 4 am, I needed to be prepared. Suddenly, a car pulled to the side of the street and a gentleman stepped out. I heard my name come out of his mouth. Lo and behold it was Atta from Pakistan! I studied with him in Sweden the fall of 2006. I had actually remembered he told me that he was living in Denmark the previous year, but it had not crossed my mind since.

The last night there he took me to Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli is a very beautiful park with a theme park feel to it. Since he doesn’t like rollercoasters I enjoyed them by myself. The very last ride I went on was scary. And that is something I am very unlikely to every say. It wasn’t a rollercoaster, but a ride I thought would be suitable for smaller kids. I think I am wrong though. It spun around and the individual carts spun and flipped upside down. I was definitely wearing the wrong attire for the occasion. Since my necklace was 24” I had to hold it in place so it didn’t come off my head without breaking. With the other hand I was holding my dress down. I was wearing bike shorts underneath it, but still very unladylike. Oh, did I mention screaming at the top of my lungs!? As I watched people get up and walk off I was convinced we would all fail a sobriety test at that moment. After that we went to an Indian restaurant. I was very proud of myself to eat a different type of food. I am a very adventurous person until it comes to new cuisine.

On July 4th I flew out to Amsterdam, Netherlands and was greeted by two of my best exchange friends, Kitty and Tom. I stayed 5 days with Tom and his family which are absolutely amazing! On the first day they brought me to Zaanse Schans, a typical Dutch village. We visited a wooden shoe factory as well as a cheese factory that made some of the best cheese ever! Wooden shoes are actual quite comfortable and they make some really cute ones. I bought a shoe so I can plant tulips in it. Now I just have to learn how to keep a plant alive.

This small village was filled with farm animals and wind mills. I absolutely fell in love with it. I am very fond of typical Dutch architecture. I think it is very beautiful and unique. Just as we were about to walk to the car I stopped to take some photos of some goats and one just walked up to the fence. It was so sweet and we just petted it like a doggie. I didn’t celebrate the 4th like I typically do, but I had some really great Dutch food. That was certainly good enough for me.

The following day I went into Amsterdam city. In my opinion, to be quite frank, it’s not exactly the place for a family trip. Being a tourist I had to go to the red light district. The smell of coffee shops made me immediately want to hurl into the canal. I arrived just in time though because a law had just been passed banning smoking inside. It’s possible that is why I could smell marijuana on the streets. It blows my mind how prostitution, animal porn, and marijuana can be legal in a place. One thing I certainly disliked where the urinals on the streets. Men can just whip it out and pee right there. The smell is almost unbearable. I almost felt like it was a joke. Considering urinals for the males, I am in favor of women receiving half-off for using public restrooms. I actually kept track and I spent about $10 using the bathroom when I was out.

We took a very nice boat tour that went up and down the canals. The side streets are more interesting than the center. It was really nice to get away from the crowds on the streets as it’s a very crowded city with under 800,000 inhabitants. During the night I saw so many people sitting on the streets that could hardly keep their heads up. It may seem that I am not such a big fan of Amsterdam and I almost believe that to be true. It seems like a city for sinners. I almost feel bad for some people who come from there because I think they are stuck with such a bad stigma. Dutch people are quite wonderful though.

The rest of the week it rained which foiled many plans that we had had such as going to the beach and Walibi world which basically is 6 Flags Holland. Tom took me to some more villages outside of the city. We went to Marken and Volvendam which I loved as well! We even had a photo taken in the typical clothing. We only looked a bit silly.
I enjoy the rural areas better.

I was very happy to meet up with my friend Michael later in the week. I studied with him in Sweden in the fall of 2006 as well. I remember the last time I saw him I thought I would never see him again, but things are really possible. The last day I visited the Anne Frank House. I have actually learned so much involving the Holocaust this year that I think I have a real shot on Jeopardy if it was ever a topic.

On July 11 I left Holland and my heart weighed kind of heavy having to officially say good-bye to some people. I knew it was going to be a very long day as well. I had to fly back to Copenhagen and then wait in Malmö for about 7 hours before I could take the train to Sundsvall. I did manage to see the most hilarious street performer though. This guy was incredible in the worst kind of way. He was about 35 years of age and had a cassette player just behind him. He would sing along with the songs….if you can even call it singing. It was more like screeching and almost reminded me of Stuart from Madtv. The best part was his dancing skills or the lack there of. It was like Napoleon Dynamite but worse. When the tape was over he would just turn it over and start again.

I really thought that was going to be a lousy day, but it was really the opposite. I meet some incredible strangers and I am so thank for it. Whenever I am in a bad mood all I need to do is talk to people and immediately I am better. I even did some good deeds. Even though they were small, they were very significant to me because I felt better. People were also kind to me in return. Sometimes I believe strangers can be the most caring and helpful out of all people. This gives me hope for the World.

Now I am kind of back in that lousy mood. I have been packing and saying good-bye to my Swedish friends all week. I really am not ready to go home. The stay I had before in Sweden was different. When the time came to go I was ready to. It’s completely different now. I am very excited that I am going to get to watch some baseball with my best friend and then take a trip to Florida, but I feel like I am leaving part of myself here. I really fell in love with Sweden and Europe. I know I will adjust when I get home, but I don’t like the fast pace of life at home. I really need to enjoy my month before school starts back because 18 class hours and 30 hours of work are going to hit me like a load of bricks.

I met an amazing friend during my time here and he will be the last person I see as he will see me off from the train station. I just know I am going to be a wreck and him as well. This is the point were I feel so reluctant to transition.
I fear tomorrow. I fear watching Sundsvall disappear as the train carries me far away.