When I first arrived in Sweden from Uganda to begin my master’s at Linköping University, I was bubbling with excitement, but also quietly bracing myself for the unknown. I had read blogs, watched videos, and even talked to past students, but nothing could prepare me for the real culture shocks of stepping into a completely new environment.

One of the first things I noticed in Sweden was how quiet everything is. On my first bus ride in Linköping, I whispered to a friend- and still felt like I was being loud! People speak softly, public spaces are calm, and even when you’re in a full corridor room, you may just hear the gentle hum of a kettle. Coming from Uganda, where greetings are warm, loud, and often extended, I found this silence a bit unnerving. I kept wondering, “Am I being too loud?” But soon, I came to appreciate it. There’s a kind of respect and mindfulness in the quiet here, it gives space to think, to breathe. And when someone does open up to you, it feels genuine and intentional.

Something else I had to learn quickly: queuing is almost a national art form in Sweden. I once walked into a grocery store and unknowingly skipped the queue because there was no obvious line. The looks I got? Let’s just say I’ve never skipped a queue again. Now, I find something deeply satisfying about how fair and organized things are here. It’s one of those small, everyday cultural values that quietly shapes society for the better.

The classroom experience also took me by surprise, in a good way. At LiU, independence is everything. You’re expected to take charge of your own learning. Nobody is going to spoon-feed you notes or chase you down to do your assignments. And the best part? You’re encouraged to speak up, question, and even challenge your professors. Coming from an education system where questioning could sometimes feel like overstepping, this was a shift I had to grow into. But it’s made me more confident, more curious, and way more responsible.

One tradition I absolutely fell in love with is fika. At first, I thought it was just a coffee break, but it’s so much more than that. Fika is a moment to pause, connect, and reset. Some of my best conversations and strongest friendships here have started over a casual fika, cup in hand, cinnamon bun on the side. And speaking of fika, can we talk about semlas? I tried my first one during February’s Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday), and let’s just say I now fully understand the hype, sweet cardamom buns filled with almond paste and whipped cream? Yes, please. Sweden’s love for pastries and seasonal treats is the kind of surprise you don’t need to prepare for just welcome it with an open mouth.

And if you’re worried about making friends, trust me, student activities are the golden ticket. Whether it’s through student unions, nations, hobby clubs, game nights, or welcome events, there are endless chances to get involved. I joined a few student events during my first month not even knowing what to expect and ended up meeting some of the people I now call my closest friends. These activities are not just great for fun, but also a way to slowly understand the culture, find your people, and build your little community away from home. I slowly got to understand that these activities are a tradition for Swedish students.

That said, not every moment has been easy. I once greeted a neighbor in the corridor with my usual cheerful “Hello!” and got a subtle nod in return. I started wondering if I was too much. But over time, I realized that the warmth here just shows up differently. People might not smile at strangers on the street, but once you get to know them, Swedes are incredibly loyal, kind, and helpful. I’ve learned to balance the pieces of home I carry with me, and the new culture I’m now a part of. It’s not about changing who you are, it’s about expanding who you are.

Adjusting to Swedish culture is a journey and it looks different for everyone. But the beauty of studying at Linköping University is that you’re surrounded by people from all over the world, all trying to find their rhythm, just like you. So, take the time to listen to the silence, master the queue, dive into your own learning, and never skip fika. Sweden may feel slow-paced at first, but once you find your groove, you’ll realize it’s giving you space to think, grow, and truly thrive.

And trust me, before long, you’ll be the one explaining to the newcomers how to separate plastic from paper and how “awkward silences” are just perfectly normal pauses here. 😉

Welcome in advance and see you soon in Linköping!

Chelsea.

 

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