Month: October 2025

Moving from the coastal city of Galle, Sri Lanka, to Visby, Sweden, felt like a poetic transition. As someone who grew up wandering through colonial forts and watching sunsets over the Indian Ocean, arriving in Visby felt strangely familiar yet thrillingly new— this time it was the Baltic Sea! But what truly made the experience special was the warm welcome I received as a new student at Campus Gotland. From the moment I landed, the university’s Welcome Activities made me feel not just like a student, but like a part of a vibrant, international community. Through this blog, I’d like to walk you through how this year’s welcome activities looked and what you can expect once you begin your journey here at Campus Gotland and Visby.

Arrival Days – August 27 & 28

The arrival days at Campus Gotland are to make sure new students feel supported from the moment they step off the plane or ferry. Although I came a couple of days earlier, arriving on the official arrival days makes the transition a lot more easier. You will have to sign up earlier to get the services.

What to expect:

• Free shuttle service from Visby Airport and ferry terminal
• Student hosts to guide you to your accommodation
• A calm, welcoming start to your student journey

Orientation Day – August 29

Orientation Day at Maltfabriken (Campus Cafe) was the first big event that brought the students together. It was informative, friendly, and a great way to ease into university life.

What to expect:

• Presentations on academics, student services, and Swedish systems
• Tips for navigating life in Visby and Campus Gotland
• Fika to meet fellow students and staff, plus a little game (It was Bingo this year!)

Guided Walking Tours in Medieval Visby– August 30 & 31

This guided walk through Visby’s medieval streets was a beautiful way to connect with the city’s history and charm. There’s a north and south walk, and I participated on the 30th.

What to expect:

• A city tour led by the University Guide, Mikael Norrby
• Stories about Gotland’s History
• Exploration of ruins, alleys, and hidden gems

Don’t worry if you miss this first one, because this trip is organized from time to time. (But still don’t miss it!)

Welcome Ceremony – September 1

The Welcome Ceremony at St. Nicolai Ruin was truly magical. Joining the procession starting from the student union, Rindi, led by “The Knight of Knowledge”, was a fun and meaningful way to start student life in Visby, especially indulging in Gotlandic traditions.

What to expect:

• A symbolic procession through Visby
• Speeches from the Vice Chancellor and other senior university officials
• Swedish music and celebration in a stunning historical setting

(Check out for more insights into the event in the highlight “Gotland” on our Instagram, @studyatuu !)

Lamningen – September 3 till 12

Lamningen was two weeks of fun and bonding organized by the Gotland Student Union, Rindi. It was the perfect way to meet people and feel part of the student community. Once you buy a ticket for the event, you’ll be placed in a group and will compete together as a team.

What to expect:

• Games and challenges every evening on weekdays
• Pub nights, game nights, parties, and a Gasque at the end of the event
• A warm welcome into Gotlandic student traditions

Tourist Train – September 5

Even though I missed this, the tourist train ride is meant to be a lighthearted way to explore Visby with new friends on a cute little train that doesn’t need a railway track to run on!

What to expect:

• A free ride on the Visby’s famous tourist train
• A recorded guided ride through Visby’s main sights
• Great photo opportunities and relaxed vibes

Discover Gotland Bus Tour – September 27–28

I participated in the 27th, and this tour took us beyond Visby into the southern countryside of Gotland. It was a refreshing escape and a chance to see more of the island’s beauty. You will have to sign up early because the seats fill up very quickly!

What to expect:

• A free bus ride and a little snack while immersing in Gotlandic culture
• Visits to coastal cliffs, churches, villages, and stunning landscapes
• Historical insights from the university guide, Mikael Norrby

(Check out the reel I posted about the bus tour on our Instagram here)

Student Expo – October 7

The Student Expo was the best place to discover clubs, services, and opportunities on campus and meet all of them in one place.

What to expect:

• Booths from university services and student services beyond campus
• Info on volunteering, sports, and creative activities
• In-person meetups with the services and friendly conversations (and free chocolates!)

(Check out the different services offered for you as a student at Uppsala University, Campus Gotland in brief, here.)

The welcome activities helped me connect with the university, the city, and most importantly, new friends. If you’re a future student reading this, I encourage you to take part in everything you can. Please also note that these were the activities that came up this year (August 2025), and they can be subject to change in the coming years. So, bring your curiosity, your stories, and your camera because Uppsala University, Campus Gotland, is not just a place to study; it’s a place to live, learn, and grow.

It’s 3:45pm, and my eyes are already struggling to adjust. The weather app tells me that sunset is an hour and a half away, but I’m not convinced. My classmates and I had a fika at this time only a few weeks ago, but we were basking in the warm rays of sun. Now, I’m huddled in the corner of a cafe, holding my chai latte close, and reminding myself that it’s not bed time yet.

When I was applying to Uppsala University, there were so many things I was excited for – the vast landscapes, a chance to see the northern lights, endless sauna sessions, and of course, ABBA music everywhere! But one thought made its home in the back of my mind: how would I, an Australian who comes to life in the sunshine, survive the winters here?

I won’t lie, I’m still nervous about what’s to come over the next few months. It will get colder. And it will get darker. But there are a few important steps to make sure I’m taking the path of least resistance!

Learning to Cope

My first step was to learn how to cope with the cold, dark days. Before I’d even made it to Sweden, I spent hours trawling through the internet for tips and recommendations to make it through! One bit of advice in particular that I can give is this: if you already know someone who lives up north (e.g. Canada, Scandinavia, Scotland), ask them how they get through winter!

There are of course some practical items that can give you some assistance through the darkest days. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lamps are extremely popular in Scandinavia, as they simulate natural sunlight, and boost your mood and energy levels. They hold up signposts for your body’s internal clock, saying “It’s daytime now!”, when the sun isn’t there to do it. On the same note, I have a sunrise alarm clock, which additionally simulates sunrise and sunset on either side of your day. I find that it helps my transitions in and out of day time to be a lot more peaceful! And any Swede you meet will swear by Vitamin D tablets from your local pharmacy store.

However, there’s plenty of other ways to make it feel more like home in wintertime as well! Filling your room with fairy lights, lamps and candles can help make it feel more cosy and homey. But I would also recommend making the effort to find your favourite cafes to fika and study in, as it’s so important to spend time in social environments and around other people! The warm drink in your hand is just a bonus!

Learning to Rethink

Once I had the basics down, I realised that framing it in my mind as how to “survive” winter was actually pretty counterproductive! If you approach a task or experience, strong in the belief that you have to “overcome”, “survive” or “beat” it, you’re already starting on the back foot. Instead, I’ve been trying to think of winter here in Uppsala as something to experience, rather than endure.

So, in the past couple of months, I’ve been stopping myself mid-thought whenever a negative comment about the weather or (lack of) sun has popped into my mind. I’ve filled my Notion pages and Pinterest boards with cozy images of Christmas markets, northern lights and red snow-capped cottages. Some might call it delusional, but I would simply say I’m learning to appreciate Sweden for all it offers (okay, maybe both are true…).

This approach has made such a difference for me. Instead of comparing where I am to where I’ve come from – and let’s be honest, judging Sweden by the quality of their beaches and amount of sunlight isn’t exactly a fair fight – I’m reminding myself how fortunate I am to be able to study and live somewhere completely new and different to everywhere I’ve been before! On walks and bike rides through Uppsala, I admire how the seasons are changing before my eyes, how red the leaves are, and how the bright-coloured buildings look even more vibrant against the clouds. As I sit in one of the nations’ cozy cellar pubs, I look around at the pink noses of my friends, and am grateful to have people to cuddle up in the warmth and drink glögg with (warm, spiced wine).

Learning to Live

All of these moments – the autumn leaves, twinkling fairy lights and memories I’ve captured – have changed how I see this place, and more importantly, how I feel about moving here. But, the biggest thing I’ve learnt since coming to Sweden is that there’s one more step to take, past learning to appreciate the magic of winter here. I’ve started learning to live, in a slower, softer and more purposeful way.

As someone who in the past prided themselves in having an over-flowing calendar of tasks, appointments and plans, I’ve come to realise that that is completely unsustainable here. Life in Uppsala feels built for stillness. Locals embrace the comfort in their rituals: long fikas with friends, daily walks along the river, and cozy evenings at home once the daylight retreats. I’m learning to let myself rest without guilt, feel the fulfillment of a “quiet day” and an empty calendar, and let the natural light cycles dictate my routines a bit more.

Just as the landscapes around us change, I’m learning about my own rhythms, and how they intertwine with the climate outside. Cold, dark winter days give me time to explore my creative side – to read, write, draw, and play my guitar. My walks outside may be shorter, but I appreciate the crunch of leaves under my feet, and the sharp feeling of cold air in my lungs. I don’t see as many people, but the long evenings over a home-cooked meal bonding with a friend feel even more meaningful to me.

Learning to live in Sweden is not about shutting out the negative thoughts and feelings, or seeking out constant adventure. It’s about embracing all parts of life here in their entirety. I’m redefining what comfort means to me, and discovering it through new rhythms, surroundings and connections.

Most importantly, getting settled into life here is about seeing yourself as a part of the landscape, rather than just a temporary visitor in it. Australia still feels like home to me, but Uppsala is starting to feel like home too. Winter may be coming, but I can’t wait for it. It’s dark outside now, but I’m not dreading it. I’m ready to wrap my work day up. I can’t wait to go home, light some candles, and share my day with my partner over a slow dinner. Because this, too, feels like living.