Life has come and gone in the last few months. The school year finished in April bringing with it the sweeping pressure of finals and submissions, and the teary goodbyes and see-you-after-summer hugs.

I started a summer internship just a few days after my final exam working for a maritime transportation company. I very much like the team I work with. Like all experiences, the learning opportunities have been boundless and I’ve come to realise a lot about what type of job I’d like to work in and what type of life I want to build for myself.

Gotta love adulting.

But with that, the wanderlust has never ceased and I have been itching for the chance to buzz around again. Luckily, my school offered students the chance to attend a two-week intensive summer class abroad (with funding!) and I signed up as soon as virtually possible.

And just like that, two months later I was headed to Stockholm.

Stockholm

Sweden’s capital, Stockholm is the picture of European class and culture, a fashion icon and a trendsetter. The people are beautiful and their clothes definitely fit the description. The Swedes got the memo, people!

Stockholm sprawls across multiple islands; the old town is situated around the harbour where the Royal Palace, the theatre and the trendiest museums await our visit. Every other street follows a river neighbour, and every other Swede enjoys an afternoon sailing on the water. The city is much smaller than other capital cities of the likes of Barcelona or London; with only a million inhabitants everything is a walking (or sailing) distance away.

I had classes around midday from Monday to Friday which meant I had the late afternoons off to explore. I was lucky enough to have my friend Ju and another Montreal student join me for the trip. We basked in Swedish culture by enjoying Fika, a typical Swedish activity which consists in eating a pastry and coffee around 3 pm. Nothing beats sunshine, sugar and caffeine while laughing with friends!

Museums are abundant in the city and so we ticked one every afternoon almost: the Nordic museum, the Vasa museum, Thielska gallery, the Royal palace. There’s also an ABBA museum which I was told is a must to do with friends ready to karaoke!

We also took the time to visit Upsalla, the viking city. An hour train ride from Stockholm, the city has the best university in the country, a lovely castle, the tallest church in the Nordic countries, a botanical garden as well as historical streets and canals.

Upsalla takes its name from a viking settlement situated not far from it. We didn’t have time to go, but as I like to say, it gives us a reason to come back! The city itself was a great day trip, an afternoon spent appreciating beauty in all its glory and simplicity.

The wonder of Stockholm is its proximity to nature. Parks are abundant and the city has sprawling nature reserves at every corner with horses and other farm animals. I was staying at the university campus which was a five minute walk away to a beautiful lake and another five minutes the other way to a nature reserve. I ran every other day looking around all incredulous at how beautiful the parks were and at how close they were to the city.

I was also finishing up a project for another summer class at home so having time off work and being able to spend some time on it was a blessing. The easy pace of classes and the being put for two weeks allowed me to visit the city with serendipity as I worked on my project during my off times. Managing life wants and desires with responsibilities and duties can seem like a never-ending battle.

This setup was perfect for me. I submitted my project mid-way week two and still had time left over to spend with my friends and boyfriend. He had come to visit for my last three days and would be off for his own adventures after, but it was great to finally have a travel partner. There will be many more travels to come for us!

Next update will be much sooner than this one …. Until then, tack! – Bee

P.S.: The vegetarian meatballs at Ikea are the bomb, a must eat too!