Travel Editor, Caitlin McGraw, reflects on the Swedish city where she studied abroad, reminiscing fondly on its lively student culture, enjoyable traditions and mesmerising architecture
Lund is a small city in Southern Sweden, home to the country’s second oldest university which is where I spent my year abroad. When I initially found out I was going to Sweden, I felt a little underwhelmed as I was worried it was too close to home and wouldn’t fulfil my high expectations of studying abroad being the best year of my life as it is often packaged to be. Little did I know that I’d fall in love with Sweden, in particular a tiny part right at the bottom of the country.
Many people associate ABBA, IKEA and Vikings with Sweden, but it is so much more than that. Thanks to the country’s excellent transportation infrastructure, I was able to travel to the country’s biggest cities, falling in love with Gothenburg’s cobbled streets and Stockholm’s colourful old town. Almost 70% of Sweden is covered by forest and 10% by lakes, and this breathtaking nature is another reason to explore the full length of the Scandinavian nation either by looking out of the train window or staying in a Falu red cottage (which is still a dream of mine).
I was able to travel to the country’s biggest cities, falling in love with Gothenburg’s cobbled streets and Stockholm’s colourful old town
21 counties divide Sweden’s large landmass, with Lund located in the most southerly one, Skåne. Once belonging to Denmark, Skåne became part of Sweden in 1660, but signs of Danish influences remain visible in the architecture of the county’s small villages and medieval churches, as well as the impressive Øresund bridge which still connects the two countries. The people there speak a unique dialect of Swedish, and some people want Skåne to become its own country, which shows how much it stands out from the rest of Sweden and charms many people, including me.
Some of my favourite memories from the last year came from travelling the length and breadth of Skåne, from the cool museums and art galleries in Malmö, to the many sandy beaches dotted with colourful beach huts that line the county’s coast. One Swedish tradition that I enjoyed many times was spending time in the saunas, often located in the middle of the sea and connected to land by long wooden jetties. Apart from providing respite from the cruelly cold winters, sitting in the sweaty saunas allowed time for reflection and connecting with myself whilst overlooking views of bright blue water. Once you are toasty enough, you have to jump into the often-icy sea to reap the full rewards of this ritual, and I often loved appreciating my surroundings whilst floating in the Øresund Strait or Bjäre Peninsula, whatever the weather.
Apart from providing respite from the cruelly cold winters, sitting in the sweaty saunas allowed time for reflection and connecting with myself whilst overlooking views of bright blue water
But, the place I loved exploring the most was my new home. From the towering 14th century cathedral dominating Lund’s skyline, to the pastel-toned cottages lining uneven streets, I could spend hours walking round the city discovering new shops, parks and restaurants. Breaks from studying or wandering were often enjoyed in one of the many cafes with strong coffee and a cinnamon bun, part of the cultural practice ‘fika’ which serves to enforce the work-life balance that I mentally benefitted so much from.
Students make up half of Lund’s population – many of them international – and their influence is felt everywhere. The main university building and library boast some of the city’s most impressive architecture; the former is a grand, classical white building fit with large columns and the iconic fountain in front of it, whilst the latter is a gothic redbrick lined with many windows. The library was named Sweden’s most beautiful building in 2019 and for good reason, as it was one of my favourite spots to sit outside and watch the iconic crawling ivies turn flame red in autumn, be coated in snow in winter, sprout blue flowers in spring and bloom emerald green in summer. Another place to watch each season pass by and bring new beauty to Lund was the Botanical Gardens where I spent many hours sitting, eating with friends and admiring the towering hollyhocks. On my final weekend in Lund, I got a small tattoo of the regional flower, a daisy, to always keep a part of the city and its enchanting nature with me.
I also enjoyed experiencing a unique student culture completely different to Birmingham: one thing about Swedish students is they know how to party as hard as they study. Special festivals like Valborg see the city park overrun with swathes of 20-somethings enjoying DJs, drinking and celebrating the start of summer. More regularly, student life is run by the 13 student nations in Lund, which are social clubs that you become a member of to attend lunches, nightclubs and sittnings (formal dinners) in their home buildings. They are run entirely by student volunteers and are always handy for a cheap lunch or a fun night out with friends from many different countries.
This is what made Lund a special place to me: the people. Whilst nature, history and culture all contributed to my amazing experience, the people I met through joining student activism groups, living in an international corridor and attending social activities provided the support and laughs that are necessary when living away from home. Special memories include bus trips to the beach for pizza, spending Midsummer eating strawberries and swimming with friends, and ending nights out with staple falafels ordered in broken Swedish.
This is what made Lund a special place to me: the people
From my first arrival in Lund feeling overwhelmed and nervous, to my last day when I simply didn’t want to leave, I grew so much as a person living abroad and truly feel like it was the right place for me to be, to immerse in this brand-new culture and say yes to every opportunity thrown at me. I’d love to live in Stockholm one day and hope to return to Sweden many times in the future, but that year in Lund will forever have a special place in my heart.
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