#disabroad

[seekingfika]

The Final Week: Thoughts and Reflections

Hi all!

Well, we’re here at the end of the semester and i’m writing what will likely be my last (or second to last?) post. It’s been one heck of a semester, and I thought I would take this opportunity to piece together some of my final thoughts and feelings about this abroad experience as the semester comes to a close. 

The first thing I want to say is that abroad is truly an important experience. No, it will not be the instagram picture perfect experience you expect it to be at all times, but it’s an important time to experience new things, get some distance and perspective (about your home university, the U.S, your friends, anything really...) and just to give what is for many of us, a much needed step outside of the comfort zone. I’ll be honest, I don’t feel like abroad has changed me in the way that many juniors returning from their time over-seas like to gush about, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t important. While i don’t feel “changed” per se, I do feel like i’ve learned a lot about Swedish culture and the world, but more than anything about myself, my thought processes, and my approach. One of the most important lessons I feel I can take away from these past four months is the importance of expectations. One of the dangers of going abroad, and something that I definitely feel that I fell victim to, is the temptation to set expectations incredibly, and virtually un-meetably, high. With all of the expectation created on social media and instagram, and the hype created by abroad websites, DIS included, it’s easy to picture your semester going in a very particular way. My best advice in this regard would be to avoid this at all costs. Of course you should read up on your program, and if you have the opportunity speak to past students about their experiences, and as you are doing right now read the blogs, but do not let these images, depictions and experiences overcome your interpretation. Instead, go into your abroad experience with an open mind and your experiences will be your own. It’s important to remember that abroad programs are businesses trying to sell you a product, and DIS is no exception. The way they advertise and project themselves is obviously in a very positive light, and for the most part rightly so, but as with nearly any other program, or any institution DIS is not perfect. This is especially true for DIS Stockholm, as it is only a few years old and still working out a lot of its kinks as the program attempts to expand. DIS does a fantastic job of marketing themselves, but to let these images and videos shape your goals and preconceptions for your abroad experience is to set your self up for some kind of disappoint. 

My second piece of reflection is as you go into your abroad experience try to remember the choices you made at the beginning of your freshman year of college. In many ways, the social dynamics of abroad mimic freshman year of college, but in one semester instead of two and among a lot of confused, jet-lagged and culture shocked upperclassmen. Just as with freshman year of college, it’s very easy to glom onto the first people you meet. Some of these people you may find will make fantastic friends, but for many the first friends you make are not necessarily the friends you keep. As you navigate your first few weeks abroad, pay special attention to the people you interact with and really consider how you’re investing your time. Are these people you enjoy, or are these people convenient? It’s easier said than done, but it’s an important step to consider especially as people form groups and begin to make travel plans early in the semester. Consider also making a special effort with those in your core course. These people already share a common interest with you, and you’ll be spending a great deal of time with them throughout the majority of the semester, including a week-long trip to another country. Not all core courses get along, some have 10 people and other’s have 20, but core courses nonetheless present a clear and easy opportunity to meet other students on the program who you may very likely find yourself connecting with. Don’t take these folks for granted, because the core course ends ahead of the end of the semester and it comes before you know it! 

The last reflection that I want to share with you is that at the end, it’s okay to feel ready to go home. A lot of people on your program, and friends away on other programs, will gush about how they aren’t ready to leave, are sad to go home, or even how they would move to their abroad location tomorrow if they could. The fact that they feel this way is fantastic, and clearly shows that they’ve had a meaningful abroad experience, but just because you are ready to go home does not and should not invalidate your own experiences abroad. Just because you are ready to go home, or even really want to go home, doesn’t make you a Debbie downer. For many, a semester abroad is just that, a semester, and by the end of it you may feel satisfied and that your time abroad was sufficient. One thing i’ve found is that being abroad has given me an immense new found appreciation for the US that I was really missing right before I left for Sweden. Traveling around Europe and experiencing so much of its culture has reminded me how much there is to see in the US that I haven’t seen, how many states I haven’t been to, how many regional dishes I want to try, how many national parks I have yet to visit and so much more. The end of the semester, and going home represents different things for different people. For some, it means saying goodbye to their new favorite place, and for others it means closing a small chapter and returning home in search of the next. Whatever that means for you is perfectly acceptable, and I urge you to remember that.

Pictured here: Some lovely ladies from the Positive Psychology core course (representing the many faces of abroad?), and my sign off! Thanks for following along, it’s been lovely. Catch ya on the flip side.

Thats all for now,

Ruthie

[oliviously]

Across the harbor is a delicious smørrebrød restaurant! ••• I always love returning to Denmark to visit my host family and explore more of the beautiful country! ••• #dis #disabroad #disalumi #copenhagen #københavn #denmark #danmark #hostfamily #homestay #studyabroad #smørrebrød #lunch #nyhavn #danishcuisine #latergram #summer (at Restaurant Gilleleje) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpiWKyiBC6m/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rnyilgmfo5nr

[throughtheeyesofathespian]

Velkommen til København #disabroad #copenhagendiscoveredsp17 (at Copenhagen, Denmark)

[chaovietkitchen-blog]

Nr.5 Bun bo nam bo at #chaovietkitchen #lækkert #frisk #lækkertmad #vietnamese #food at #chao #hygge #hyggeligt #hyggelig #sundhed #sundmad #livstil #vietnamesisk #madblogger #københavn #strøget #copenhagen #denmark #danmark #kbh #cph #cphfood #aok #aokdk #disabroad (at Chao)

[mlindeman-blog]

The Botanical Garden in Copenhagen

[sabrinakaye28-blog]

colorful buildings & friendly people 🇸🇪 #DISabroad #stockholmDIScovered (at Stortorget)

[globalkenyon]

@disabroad admitted students and returnees connecting in Peirce. Talking with a student who has gone on your OCS program is a great way to research and learn what to expect! #globalkenyon #kenyoncollege https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZqoT5hnrs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mitqjnv7ifxt

[parkerbarry-blog1]

The Instagram account I run for DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia

[seekingfika]

Helsinki, Finland

Pictured here: Hanging in front of the Helsinki Cathedral 

Hi all!

I’ve just arrived back home from a weekend away in Finland, which means it time to tell you all about it! This was my first weekend traveling outside of Sweden, and some friends and I decided to take an over night boat to Finland and back. We left Friday afternoon, arrived in Finland at 10:00AM on Saturday and were able to do a few hours of chillin’ and site seeing before getting back on the ship for our return voyage to Sweden! We took a cruise with Viking Cruise Line, and while the boat did the job of getting us to and from our destination this is not a trip for weak-stomached folks. If you’re looking for an easy way to get to Finland on a budget, this is definitely a cheap and easy way to go, however it wasn’t the most pleasant accommodations and the rest of the ship’s passengers were a bit of an odd variety. If you choose to go via the cruise, I would recommend going with a group you enjoy and trust and bringing a deck of cards to pass the time (and snacks, the food can get expensive!). 

Pictured here: Another look at the Helsinki Cathedral 

Once we go off the boat and actually spent some time in Finland, we hit a number of fun and interesting places! Finland is such an interesting place to visit because of its history of both Russian and Swedish control. As a result there’s a lot of diversity in the architecture, and you can really see the Swedish vs. Russian influence as you explore the streets. 

Pictured here: Exploring the market place area 

The first place we went was the dock and market/food hall! This was a neat place to go with lots of different food options, and LOTS of fish. They have some seating areas as well so this is a great lunch option

Pictured here: Smoked salmon in the food hall! 

We also went to two big tourist attractions in Helsinki, the Helsinki Cathedral and the Uspenski Cathedral. Both were prime photo opportunity spots, and really beautiful to look at from the outside, as well as to glimpse at from the inside. After doing some site seeing we stopped for lunch and coffee at a nearby cafe, Café Esplanad. After this our group split up with one half of the group going to the Temppeliaukio Rock Church and the other half paying a visit to the biggest department store of all the Nordic countries, Stockmann. After an action packed few hours walking around Helsinki we boarded the boat and headed back home, satisfied with our visit but also very excited to get back to Stockholm. 

Pictured here: The ceiling in the Uspenski Cathedral

Thats all for now, check my instagram @mugsnshrugs for more pictures of the trip!

-Ruthie

[wakeforestmagazine]

Do they eat leftovers in Paris? #Repost @samtodenmark (@get_repost) ・・・ Lady Deacs take on Paris! • • Today we visited the Louvre, saw the Eiffel Tower, and walked the circumference of the Notre Dame. At one point, my friend, Kira, bought a baguette, and we feasted on the streets of the city. Paris has blown me away and truly deserves to be called one of the most beautiful cities in the world. 🌏🇫🇷❤️ • • #DeacsAbroad #DISAbroad (at Paris, France)

[chaovietkitchen-blog]

Try our #delicious #drinks only at #chaovietkitchen #lækkert #frisk #lækkertmad #vietnamese #food at #chao #hygge #hyggeligt #hyggelig #sundhed #sundmad #livstil #chaovietkitchen #vietnamesisk #madblogger #københavn #strøget #copenhagen #denmark #danmark #kbh #cph #cphfood #aok #aokdk #disabroad (at Chao)

[mlindeman-blog]

Kollegium living

[globalkenyon]

"Nyhavn is easily one of the most visited spots in Copenhagen. The bright colors of the buildings along the canal remind me of the Danes themselves: they're welcoming, animated, and one of a kind!" #globalkenyon @disabroad 📸 Anna Scheuler '17

[seekingfika]

Long Study Tour: Five Days in Athens, Greece

Pictured here: Approaching the Parthenon through its ancient gates

Hello all!

Sorry for my recent lack of posting! I was experiencing the trip that I’m about to tell you all about, and then my computer broke!! It’s okay though, my trusty laptop is back up and running, which means I can finally sit down and write this blog post! 

If you go abroad with DIS, you will have plenty of opportunity for independent travel, but there is also an emphasis on organized group travel, and this comes in the form of your long study tour. Each core course goes to a different location that is selected depending on their area of study. I am in the Positive Psychology course, and at DIS Stockholm Positive Psych gets the amazing opportunity to go to Athens Greece! There are two weeks during which your study tour could take place. In the spring, this is either the first week or the last week of March. We were assigned the last week of March, which meant that we were in Athens for Greek independence day! Because we were in Greece learning about Well-being across cultures, it was particularly relevant to see how the holiday had an affect on Greek cultural pride, and how the Greek people expressed their feelings towards their culture and their country. 

Pictured here: A father and son wait to watch the Independence Day parade

For our academic activities, we had a number of guest speakers, and the opportunity to visit a really special organization, The Smile of The Child. This is an NGO that seeks to help children struggling in Greece, whether that be with mental illness, poverty, abuse this organization seeks to give every child the resources they need to like a happy and healthy life. The organization is funded nearly entirely through donations, and because of the way the Greek government works not only did they receive little government funding, but they also have to pay taxes. At this visit, we sat down and spoke to the therapists and care givers that work in the different sectors of the organization, including the report and helplines, the day-time mental health services, and the live-in home. We also had the opportunity to visit their off-shoot organization, You Smile, which works to get teenagers in the organization and in community service. We also had the opportunity to visit The Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Greece, and to learn about the value of meditation for well-being, and Buddhism in the lives of the Greeks who are involved. We also discussed the influence of religion in Greece, and what it’s like to take part in a lifestyle and practice that varies from the Greek Orthodox church. 

Pictured here: Group lunch at Acropol Plaka

In addition to our incredibly interesting academic visits, we also had a number of cultural excursions! In fact, upon arrival to Greece the very first thing we did was go on an extensive and amazing food tour! We tried souvlaki, grape leaves, cod, tzatziki, greek yogurts with honey and walnuts, baklava, loukoumades and so so much more! In the mornings, we had plenty of time to explore the city, including countless numbers of Athens’ beautiful small side streets and paths. 

Pictured here: An Athenian side street

We also had a special excursion where we learned a few simple Greek dances, some of which we later preformed at dinner that evening after a very filling meal of greek salad, moussaka, bread, and more souvlaki. We also of course had the opportunity to visit the Acropolis with a tour guide and to see the Parthenon, its gate, and the other ruins that still stand atop the Acropolis. 

Pictured here: Ruins on The Acropolis in Athens

On our last full day in Greece, we had the unique opportunity to visit the nearby island of Aegina! This island is known to be one of the pistachio capitals of the world, is in home to the temple of Aphaea. In order to get there, we took a ferry early in the morning and spent the day roaming the town with a tour guide and on our own. While it was rainy and a little chilly the day we visited, the island was beautiful and the water was still so clear that you could see the bottom despite the weather!! The first thing we did was visit the Church of Saint Nectarios, the patron saint of the island, and learned some information from our tour guide about Greek Orthodoxy and island of Aegina itself. For lunch, we ate amazing fresh seafood at Remetzo with a view of the water and a neighboring island, and even got to try some pistachio ice cream at a road side stop near the temple of Aphaea. I made sure to pick up some pistachio brittle to bring back to Sweden with me for my homestay family. 

Pictured here: The Church of Saint Nectarios 

All in all, this week was probably my favorite part of the semester so far! We were able to learn about positive psychology from a different cultural perspective, and the long study tour presents a really great opportunity for core courses to bond as a unit. 

That’s all for this time! -Ruthie

[chaovietkitchen-blog]

#lækkert #frisk #lækkertmad #vietnamese #food at #chao #hygge #hyggeligt #hyggelig #sundhed #sundmad #livstil #chaovietkitchen #vietnamesisk #madblogger #københavn #strøget #copenhagen #denmark #danmark #kbh #cph #cphfood #aok #aokdk #disabroad (at Chao)