My dear readers,

On 29th November 2023, my life changed. You probably think I am exaggerating but I am not. But let’s wind back a couple paces. My name is Shivani, and I am Indian-Swedish. As many of you must know, a wonderful thing to experience in Sweden and some other Nordic countries is the Aurora Borealis, otherwise commonly known as the Northern Lights. So, why did my life change on 29th November 2023? Because, your girl was lucky enough to SEE the northern lights.

I travelled to Swedish Lapland with ISA, the International Students Association, where I am currently president. The trip is a collaboration with 90DegreesNorthAB, a wonderful travel agency who give people memories lasting a lifetime, through the amazing trips they organise.

The trip had many amazing highlights like riding on the snowmobile at 110 kmph, jumping into a cold lake after sitting in a very hot sauna, and getting to know wonderful people from all over the world. Seeing the aurora though – that was something else.

As a kid, my dad would always tell us that we’d go up north eventually to see Kiruna and the aurora, but it just never really happened. You ask most Swedes and we will tell you the same, “aaah the lights are here, they aren’t moving anywhere, we’ll go eventually” and then most of us don’t end up going. So, when I got the chance to go on this trip, I couldn’t deny it. The memories I made and the people I met made this one of the best trips I’ve taken in my whole 20 years. And people, I’ve been to a lot of amazing places, so that statement I just made means a lot.

When I saw the aurora, I felt like I was in a surreal world, where time froze and the world stood still and for that split second, everything was just perfect. I was so speechless, it took me a solid moment to then later OOOH and AAAH about what I had just witnessed. I don’t think I know words good enough in the Oxford English Dictionary to describe how magical that moment was.

But you see, it wasn’t just that moment. Every moment, every bit of snow, every bit of wind, every crunchy footstep and every single breath of air was just pure magic. It was truly the memory of a lifetime, it makes me emotional writing about it.

I am grateful that these student associations organise trips for all of us and I highly recommend you to go on these trips if you can because they truly will alter your brain chemistry, just like they did mine. I feel so much gratitude and fortune to have been above the Artic Circle and seen beautiful shades of green dancing in the sky. Thank you Lapland, you truly were magical <3

Till next time my readers,

Your favourite blogger,

Shivani <3

 

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