April 14, 2024
Spending holidays away from home
Hej everyone!
Studying abroad brings a wave of new experiences, and one of the adjustments you might need to make is spending special days away from your loved ones. Today I’m here to give you my experience of spending the holidays away from home.
Although I was fortunate to spend a month back home during Christmas, initially I wasn’t sure I’d have that opportunity. So, I brainstormed some tricks that might help you if you find yourself in a similar situation. Here they are:
Check in with your friends who are staying
You might not be the only one staying in Sweden, as during holidays the flight tickets might get too expensive and/or because it’s easier to stay here due to your schedule/exams. Either way, coordinate with friends who are also sticking around and try to meet during the week for a fika or to go for a walk!
Consider inviting family or friends to visit
Just because you can’t leave doesn’t mean your loved ones can’t come to you! Explore flight options and see if you can entice someone to visit, even if it’s just for a weekend.
Gather with your friends before they leave
Do something with your friends to celebrate the holidays, regardless if they are leaving or not. For instance, my class organized a Christmas dinner before everyone went home, where each one of us brought something we would usually cook at home. For Easter, we joined for a shared meal and an egg hunt, and we had tons of fun! On my birthday, we joined to watch a movie together. All these little things completely made the difference!
Avoid isolating yourself
It is really easy to let yourself get comfortable in your bedroom, but make sure you still do something besides that; if you need to study, go to the library instead of doing it in your bedroom; if it is sunny outside, go for a walk; if you miss home, challenge yourself to cook something that reminds you home, or just try to cook something new, and you might get impressed! Also, if some of your corridor mates are staying, this may be a great chance to get to know them better and socialize.
Use these special days to organize a trip with friends
Holidays/Birthdays may be a great excuse to get out of Linköping and travel a bit in Sweden, or even Europe! For example, my friends and I went to Stockholm to check the Christmas markets during the birthday of 2 of them. It was super cheap, and a way to make their birthdays a little different! You may also have great trips with student associations around that time, so don’t forget to check.
Stay connected through video calls
And of course, make sure you keep in touch with the ones that got your back. Call your family and friends to talk about what you are feeling or even just to have their company, even if you don’t want to talk!
If you’re feeling anxious about being away from loved ones, know that you’re not alone. Embrace these tips and make the most of your time abroad!
Thanks for reading, see you soon!
/Leonor, Applied Ethology and Animal Biology
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