Category: Okategoriserade (Page 12 of 20)

Let me introduce Dag Hammarskjöld to you
Part #1 in the series “People of Uppsala”

Although Uppsala is not too big of a city, it has produced quite some remarkable people. They walked on the same streets as we did, or have lived in close proximity to our corridor student homes. Some of them have been of great importance for our home away from home, Uppsala that is. Others have left an international imprint, or just on us. All of them have one thing in common: we think they are worthwhile to write about. And that is what we will do.

During my semester in Uppsala I work as an intern at the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation. I am involved in their inclusivity project and research how UN agencies operationalize and promote inclusivity at the country level. I am conducting this desk-review on The Gambia, while also contributing to other activities related to their UN 2030 Agenda work. The Foundation has been set up in honour of a great civil servant, the second secretary general of the UN. The man who effectively restructured the UN, who created a base for peacekeeping, who was a exceptional negotiator. The man who died in a plane crash on a mission to mediate in the 1960’s Congo crisis. The man who posthumously has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Last monday, I was all ready to start. I walked towards the office in the snow and although it was -15 degrees, I could not have been happier. The cold did not withhold me to go outside but the office heating was not as strong. Anita, the office manager, told me to go back home. I could take the book about Dag Hammarskjöld with me, to read, to get to know a bit more about the “remarkable man” as she said it. Once in my room I curled up in my chair under a plaid, with the book on my lap (the book is called Dag Hammarskjöld, Markings of his Life and is written by Henrik Berggren) . I realized that all the superlatives used in the same sentence when someone speaks of Dag Hammarskjöld, are indeed not misplaced. Let me introduce him to you, through some quotes I have read in the book.

“Wild roses and night-flowering silene flower on the slope down to the old path. The hawks mother have found their way to the honeysuckles that clings to the east wall. The trees are swollen with lush greenery.”

Hammarskjöld grew up in Uppsala, in the famous red coloured castle. Most of his writings about his youth are not too happy, having a difficult relationship with his father. His father had high expectations of the four Hammarskjöld boys, which they all felt pressured by. This written piece, however, presents a happy memory of his childhood surroundings.

“As a schoolboy here, I was in a certain position – it is not too much to say that it was a lonely one, since the other boys consistently regarded me as a rather critical stranger – and in a sense grew in me of being not only uninteresting but – at least occasionally- “a minus.”

He was remarkable, in the sense that he often felt alone for no good reason.In most of his writings he reflects on his position in life, unsure about it, and how he thought it was difficult to socially interact. These reflections are brutally honest and show a personal insecurity. He is also just a man. A man who dared to present his vulnerable side and exactly that made him strong at the same time, I believe.

“A wind from my unknown goal. Stirs the strings. Of expectation.”

Not only was he unsure about his position in life, his future was also rather insecure. Dag Hammarskjöld graduated as an economist and had imagined an academic career. His PhD time, however, wasn’t as he expected and he decided to follow his father’s path as a civil servant for the Swedish government.

More importantly that his economic background, are the philosophy courses he had followed during his academic years. These courses have formed his values, values he greatly lived by. Especially the value of neutrality, which he considered to be the greatest good of all times. Especially for civil servants.

“To say yes to life, is to say yes also to yourself.”

When Dag Hammarskjöld came to be the second secretary general, he have said: “For all that has been – thanks! To all that shall be – yes!”. This saying clearly shows that he was ready for the new job, for a position where he would not have to struggle (or at least in a smaller manner) with its holy objective of neutrality, as he had done the years before while working in the Swedish government. The quote “To say yes to life, is to say yes also to yourself”, I believe, represents the same attitude while it being more personal. He considered it once in a lifetime opportunity for which he wanted to give everything.

“To observe as Hammarskjöld tackled an international crisis was like watching an artistic masterpiece or listening to an outstanding musical work.”

Urquhart, a UN colleague who was impressed by Hammarskjöld mediation skills and, as you can read in the quote, compared it to outstanding achievements. Dag’s most known diplomatic successes are impressive: the release of American soldiers by China during the Korean war and the resolution of the Suez Canal crisis in 1956. He practiced the form of preventive diplomacy which has been an important heritage for the UN.

“What I ask for is absurd: that life shall have a meaning.”

Let me end with this short but powerful saying. Reading the book, I believe that this quote represents Dag Hammarskjöld and his position at the UN the best. Like I have said, he was also just a man. A man with doubts. Just a man. Just a person.

/Lidewij

What you can do in Uppsala libraries are more than academic study

If you come from the places southern than Sweden, the first challenge of your adaption in Uppsala around this season is definitely the cold. Just check the weekly temperature on the weather forecast(minus 7 to 11, minus 16) or take a glimpse at the snowy scene from the window, it is shocking enough to attempt me to stay indoor. However, staying in a ten to twenty meter room for a whole day sounds very boring and pessimistic. Then where can I go to avoid the cold but also have some fun and gain new knowledge? Libraries in Uppsala is a good option. They are not merely the places where people always associate with academic study. Among all university and city libraries in Uppsala, I choose three libraries to display their multi-functions which we all can benefit from. By taking this library adventure, you can more or less a have partial understanding of Swedish culture in terms of their interior design, value of life, and the accumulation of social and cultural assets.

• Carolina Rediviva (Uppsala University Library)
• Karin Boye-biblioteket(Karin Boye library in English Park Campus)
• Stadsbiblioteket (City Library in Uppsala)

Karin Boye-biblioteket  A personal space for relaxing and self reflection

Sometimes, after the fight for a hectic day, our body and mind are in need of a personal space. The space is not necessarily to be totally silent or private, but we expect the environment and atmosphere to be cozy and free enough. In that moment, we earn our personal time either to reflect our whole day, our next plan, or simply just to take a break. To find this place, many people think it is mostly to do with the personal status, but there is something special a space can do to stimulate this feeling. I found these elements in Karin Boye-biblioteket during my first visit.

Just a couple of days after my arrival in Uppsala, I asked the librarian where I can find a meeting room inside the library. The librarian nicely explained to me, “There is no specific meeting room in the library, but you can find almost everywhere in the campus with compartments or chairs and tables put together for people to discuss.” Next, she showed me a graphic about volume use suggestion in different areas of the library from normal voice & group study area, low voice area, quiet area, to quite reading room. Though it is a suggestion, a clear division between collaborative and individual learning shows respect for different users and ensures all of them can enjoy good quality time in the library. Before climbing up to the first floor, at the small corner right next to the stairs I found a basket. Some fluffy blankets sit right inside the basket. They are provided by the library for anyone who needs to keep warm during their reading at the library. Once everything I needed is well taken care of, I grabbed a seat against the window.  While dropping myself off to the story, though my physical being stayed in this warm space, I was free to be brought to anywhere without hindrance of any kind of weather condition.

Carolina Rediviva – A living museum to appreciate historic architecture and installation

Have you ever thought of making a pilgrimage to the library? This is not an exaggeration but the attitude I hold every time when I visit Carolina Rediviva. No matter the building itself as a historic architecture or the interior installation of collections and reading area, every piece of this library displays itself as a precious treasure that you feel like you are visiting a private museum.

The building have sit on one tip of the triangle together with the cathedral and castle since mid-18 century. At first, it was university’s main building and not used as a library until late 18 century after the new university building was built. From the perspective of landscape, the way of my entry has to go through an upward slope, which somehow creates a sense of holiness.  Currently, the library is under renovation, so visitors have to enter from the side door. The ground floor looks simple but precise. While taking a bird’s eye view from the first floor, the carpet with several white lines extending to the end becomes the background of all the objects and gives fluidity to the space. Following these lines, I am lead to the great reading room (A). In front of me is a hemisphere area, a bust of marble sculpture poses himself in the center surrounded by other bookshelves filled with art related portfolios and books. My right and left hand side are rows of study tables heading to two book walls symmetrically echoing to each other. The colorful book covers shine upon the tall beige columns and ceiling. I am in awe of this incredible scene where the magic power of knowledge has been ingrained in this particular place for more than three hundred years.

Stadsbiblioteket – A social venue to exchange ideas

A municipal level of library is a melting pot where gathers people with all kinds of backgrounds. Not being limited to students or researchers gives me a wider perspective to examine whether Uppsala deserves the prestige: the city of learning, from the social functions that Stadsbiblioteket possess.

Outside of the library, first of all, you see a row of posters promoting the latest cultural activities. The topics range from political, gender, environmental, social issues. Going up through the stairs, the magazine and newspaper area is at the right hand side, but it is rather chaotic for these materials are usually for quick and skim reading and encourage casual conversations or multitasks while reading. If you want to find a more quite place, go straight to the main building. The reception desk is a three dimensional circle cut into five pieces. As long as you have questions, get a number from the machine, and wait for your personal librarian’s assistance. For an international student who has zero Swedish, asking for help is nothing shameful. From the official website, direction boards, indication on the bookshelves, and some practical paper information are almost in Swedish. Even I tried to use google translation in advance, it is not easy to find what I want on the spot. As a simple sentence from its official websites said, “At the library, you can get help finding a book for you.” This slogan is not only for people who have language difficulty. It also applies to different types of learners such as those who need bigger text print, audio service, sign language, etc.

Behind the reception desk, a small podium is set there. Two sofa and an advertisement board give me a hint for this setting must be a book forum. In this same area, special book stands present the book suggestion from the librarians based on the monthly theme. At the periphery of the rectangular library, rooms for language practice particularly Swedish, youth books and games, biography, novel, audio collections are available, down to the basement for children books, or to the second floor for collections of foreign languages and studying room.  The library also hosts activities to increase social interactions such as lectures, exhibitions, book club, help for homework, etc.

The latest PISA assessment result (2015) shows students in Sweden score 500 points, on average, in reading – above the OECD average of 493 points. Their performance stands competitively out from the total 72 participating countries and economies. Reading is an ability to learn new knowledge, which easily happens in the library. As libraries are not just a place for academic study, its versatility becomes the stimulus to attract people’s continued visit. As long as going to the library is like an adventure, a habit of doing cultural activities, various motivations are satisfied, and that could bring about a power of life in all stages and seasons.

/HuiYu

Hej,

Welcome to a new semester in this beautiful town of ours, which offers so many opportunities to everybody who is ready for adventures, new friends, and cold nights. My name is Layla, I am an exchange student, and just five months ago I was in the exact same situation as all of you newcomers. I did not know anybody in Uppsala, could barely understand the Swedish cashier, and was completely overwhelmed by the concept of nations. So, in an attempt to give you all an insight, I today want to take a moment to talk about my nation story so far.

And no, sorry to disappoint, I am not here to tell you which one to join. All 13 nations are wonderful in their own way. That burden of choice rests upon your shoulders. However, I am here to tell you about my experience of getting involved and working at my nation this past semester, because it honestly was the best decision I made back in August.

My Position: Klubbverket

So, let’s get started! This past semester, I was a club worker, which is one of the most intensive jobs to have at nations. If the full-timers are the backbone and brain of the nation, as a club worker you are the limbs. You are the hands that make burgers and the feet that work long shifts. Without club workers, nations cannot function.

More concretely, I was the main responsible for one shift at the pub or kitchen every week. In addition, I worked the gasques (= formal dinners) and cleaning days, which both take place around once a month. And yes, that adds up to quite a lot of hours, unpaid hours in fact! I do not want to sugar coat this: Some days, I spent more time at the nation than at home. However, I was lucky enough to have a pretty low-intensity study load, which definitely helped me coordinate the on-average 15 hours of club work every week with the rest of my schedule. In fact, as an exchange student, I very much enjoyed choosing more emphases than ‘just’ university.

What I Learned

As a club worker, I learnt a lot. First off, I learnt how to function with little sleep and lots of coffee. During my first proper week on duty in September, I worked a gasque (~ 20h) and my regular pub shift (~ 10h) a mere eight hours after. That was rough. However, that also meant that I very quickly made friends with my fellow club workers. And as an international student, you will know that it isn’t easy to make friends with Swedes! However, I succeeded and still am very close with them till now.

Second off, I learnt a lot of practical skills. I learnt how to pour beer correctly, how to cook some bomb burgers in a professional kitchen, how to stick to Swedish alcohol laws, and how to clean even the worst of stains. I memorized a lot of Swedish songs and had discussions on politics with customers at 1 am. Being a club worker taught me so much about Swedish culture, people, and traditions, which would of have been difficult to learn outside of the nation.

My Favorite Memories

In addition to my position and learnings, I would lastly like to talk about my favorite memories to also show you the really fun part about club work, ‘cause who wants to work all the time?! Definitely not me.

As a club worker, I got the KK-card, which enabled me to access all släpps (after-parties) and nation clubs for free and skip the queue. That meant a lot of nights spent on the dance floor. One of my favorite memories is therefore with my club worker friends blasting out the lyrics of some song we had insider jokes with at any kind of party. If you spend that much time together, you quickly have lots of shared funny stories. And lots of funny photos.

I also got to attend a gasque and ball by the Kurators Konventet put on specifically for all the club workers and full-timers. That was really cool, since for once we all did not have to work but got to dress up and be served by others. From experience, I can tell you: Those who work the hardest, also party the hardest. After the ball, we danced for hours and then ended up chatting till 6 am at one of our homes. At 7 am, I bought toilet paper at ICA Folkes while still wearing my floor-length ball gown.

Seizing Your Time

You have now heard about my experience as a club worker, however, there is also so many other opportunities for you as an international or exchange student to make your stay in Uppsala more memorable. Nations make that process much easier, since they offer many ways to make your voice be heard. One of my most valuable realizations this past semester was: Nobody else is going to make my year abroad special. That obligation lies with me. Only I can make these ten months I’ve got wonderful by being open, taking chances, and getting involved.

Therefore, I want to encourage you to truly make the most of your stay! Get out there and experience Uppsala student life! It has something for everybody and promises not to get boring. And don’t worry, not everything is as intense as club work! Right now, you are probably swamped by everything, but at the end of the day, it does not really matter which nation colors you are wearing, as long as you seized the time you had. Worry less, enjoy more!

If you have any questions about nations, student life, or club work – please feel free to leave me a comment! I hope to meet as many of you as possible during the five months I’ve got left.

All the best,

/Layla

It’s Christmas time! Are you also looking forward to candles and Christmas trees and presents? When I first came here, I missed out on a few Swedish traditions, just because I did not know about them. That is why I am sharing my Christmas time bucket list with you this year.

This is what I am planning to do:

• Baking lussekatter with friends. You will find these pretty yellow saffron buns in every supermarket, but they taste way better when you make them yourself!
  
• Seeing a Lucia-concert in the cathedral. On December 13, Swedes celebrate Santa Lucia’s day. I am sure you have heard about it. It is magical to see a dressed-up procession singing Lucia songs. The songs, the candles and the whole atmosphere create an instant Christmas-feeling. Have a look here!
• Going to a Christmas market, even though they might not be as impressive as in my home country Germany. 😉
  
• Watching SVTs julkalender every day. It is a tradition that Swedish television produces a Christmas calendar in form of a children’s series that releases a new episode every morning, from the 1^st to the 24^th. Perfect for you who is learning Swedish… and really cute!
• Having a Christmas celebration with my friends with a loooot of tasty food (Try googling a Swedish julbord).

All these activities make it easier to get over the homesickness that comes inevitably before Christmas. They light up the cold and dark as well! What are you planning to do in the next weeks?

Happy Holidays to you all! God jul!
/Anne

If you are a student in Uppsala and sociable to an average extent, you are most likely member of one of the 13 student nations. And if you like devouring good food, pretending to be fancier than you are, and drinking too many different alcohols, chances are high you have also attended either a gasque or a sexa. These fun, often physically detrimental events have one common theme, which always gets to me: the songs.

Every five minutes, a slightly intoxicated guest will raise their glass and propose a song, which all attending Swedes will magically know by heart. It might be an increasingly fast song or a song with movements or a song where suddenly everybody will stand on their chairs. They are beautiful and traditional, but as an international student something about them annoys me: I have no clue what I am chanting and cheering about. So, in an effort to help us all, let’s unravel this mystery.

For this article I chose the three most common songs. Due to my limited knowledge, I know them as the ‘thank-you-song,’ the ‘drinking-song,’ and the ‘ending-song.’ You will sing them at every dinner in addition to your nation’s individual anthem, so listen up: This is important.

The ‘Thank-You-Song’: Det var i vår ungdoms fagraste vår

Let’s start with the most difficult song, because IT IS NOT IN THE SONGBOOK. This still gets me mad. Det var i vår ungdoms fagraste vår dates back to the 1700s, but the version we sing today is from around 1900. It was further popularized by the band Sven-Ingvar’s 1965 hit, however, they sported different lyrics. Since it is not in the book—which we all paid for(!!)—I will bless you with it here:

Det var i vår ungdoms fagraste vår,
vi drack varandra till och vi sade gutår!
(Och) alla så dricka vi nu N.N. till,
[solo:] (och) N.N. han (hon) säger inte nej därtill.
(För) det var i vår ungdoms fagraste vår,
vi drack varandra till och vi sade gutår!

This song talks about how in our youth’s most beautiful spring, we drank to each other and raised our glasses in a toast to N.N. (insert your name, if you’ve been a good person), and N.N. will not say no to the toast. As an alternative to this, people will also frequently make up a funny rhyme in response to being thanked, because LIFE IS NOT DIFFICULT ENOUGH ALREADY. (laugh-cry)

You will sing this song to club workers, cleaners, song masters, and basically everyone you want to thank. During the last Städdag (= cleaning day) at my nation, I was elected cleaning queen and had this song sung to me for the first time. I could not do the solo, because I had not memorized this song. Don’t be like Layla. Prepare!

The ‘Drinking-Song’: Helan Går

Oh, Helan Går. This is the song you chant to your neighbors while waiting for the main course. You already know you have not been responsible and now are giving up on feeling okay the next morning. Traditionally, you sing this song as the first so-called snapsvisa (= Schnaps song). It was officially played in an 1845 opera, but many historians believe it to be of much older origin. Fun fact: When Sweden won the 1957 ice hockey world championship in Moscow, not all team members knew the words to the national anthem Du Gamla, Du Fria, which is why they sang Helan Går. So, yes, everybody knows this song.

One advantage: It is super easy. As all toasting songs, it does not have many lyrics, and content can be compensated by volume anyways. ‘Helan’ means ‘the whole’ as in the whole glass and also ‘first Schnapps’, and ‘går’ means it’s going down, so basically ‘Bottoms up!’. The remainder of the song talks about how if you do not drink the first shot, you will not get the rest either.

This is the song you should remember from your time in Uppsala, because you can easily teach it to your friends back home and make them believe you actually learned Swedish! Also, it’s fun! (Drink responsibly, though!)

The ‘Ending-Song’: O Gamla Klang och Jubeltid

We have thanked, and we have toasted. Now it is time to wrap this up and send everybody to the Släpp (= after-party) or home depending on their state. The soundtrack to mark this occasion? ‘O Gamla Klang och Jubeltid’ of course! This song originates from 19^th-century German student tradition where it is known as ‘O alte Burschenherrlichkeit.’ Although the lyrics are very close to the Swedish version, due to history the song is no longer popular in Germany. However, it was translated to Swedish in the 1920s and is now an essential part of nation life.

This song is all about how wonderful it is to be a young, careless, and irresponsible student, and how this time goes by too fast. It keeps repeating ‘O jerum, jerum, jerum / o quae mutatio rerum!’ This basically means, ‘O Jesus, Jesus, Jesus / O that things change!’ (Don’t worry, I also did not take Latin. It’s Google Translate.) Because of its historicity, the song only talks about four main scientific branches. Therefore, if you study neither medicine nor law nor theology, just sing the philosophy part! And don’t forget to stand on your chair during the last stanza as the song proclaims to raise your glasses to your friends, while you are both still young gods, so that your bond will remain forever.

Notwithstanding, however beautiful student life is, we do all want to graduate at some point, so DO NOT SIT DOWN after this song or—legend has it—you will sing it forever.

This concludes my short dive into nation songs. I hope you could learn a bit more about what you have yelled on numerous occasions and will maybe retain some of it until you are back in your home country. I love the tradition of these songs, because they are uniting and so fun. What is your favorite nation song? Does your culture also have songs everybody knows? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Until next time!

/Layla

Studying will always be one of the most profitable investments we can make. Undoubtedly doing a master’s degree can expand your unique abilities and open doors even in unique places where you could never have imagined arriving. That was my reasoning when I carry out the decision that it was time to ambition more! My trip started a little over a year ago, in Bogotá, Colombia, a democratic country located in South America just around the corner, only 9,644 km away! A long jump from South America to northern Europe, as we colloquially say in my country “jump the puddle” (Popularly referring to crossing the Atlantic Ocean and in my case the Baltic Sea also, a triple jump!).

If you live in South America, and start to thinking of higher education, in general, the first viable options to come instantly to your mind are the countries of the North American continent (Canada, the United States), and the traditional ones of Europe (England, Spain, France, Germany), but, Sweden? Mm, to be honest maybe not. That’s what I sincerely want to talk to you about: look beyond what you typically know!

Sweden is undoubtedly a magnificent country. I will not describe you about what it is like to typically live and diligently study in Uppsala, my kind words fall short, but what I can undoubtedly tell you are that you can, fortunately, discover a boundless sea of unique opportunities and possible options that can solely be limited by your own fears. I’m not going typically writing to you about the weather seasons, on how to instantly fall in love with autumn or flirt with spring and summer or understand and appreciate the rare beauty of winter. Nor about new customs like taking breaks in the typical day to traditionally have a fragrant cup of hot coffee invariably accompanied by a delicious cinnamon roll, a local custom known as Fika (If you are an assiduous reader of our blog, you may have a clear idea of what Fika is.). Much less of the tranquility and personal security and of the profound peace that you can get to discover while you are cycling along the several kilometers of bike paths that exist throughout the city. Nor do I faithfully intend recreating in your mind walking along the Fyris River, crossing the beautiful bridges adorned some of them with lovely flowers of exquisite vivid colors and to sit one Sunday afternoon in one of the many benches or stands that exist on the riverbank to heartily enjoy the pleasant sight,  to shoot charming pictures, read a delightful book or just to talk to a dear friend or a potential love story. No, my dear reader, I earnestly desire you to discover it for yourself.

Do your homework. What typically do you like to do? What is undoubtedly your genuine passion? How do you visualize your dear life not in five but in 10 years? What would you like to promptly change at this precise moment? What steps are you taking to attain that goal? Do you have dreams? The most critical thing before seeking a master’s degree is, to be honest with yourself! Do not worry about the economic resources; there will always be a decent way to gain access to this specific item.

If you already have a little clearer what kind of professional and personal life you sincerely want, then it’s time to eagerly seek a master. To typically study in Sweden, you must promptly go to the web portal that traditionally groups all the accredited universities of this specific country: https://www.universityadmissions.se/intl/start. Since October 16 and until January 15, official registration is open for the academic semester that begins precisely in September, so you, fortunately, possess enough appropriate time to comply with the specific requirements, remember the masters are usually taught in academic English, so do not worry for the Swedish language at least from the academic point of view. I would cherish you to consider the University of Uppsala for your master, but that conscious decision is precisely yours alone, search, research, read, in other specific words, take an informed decision.

Taking on new challenges will always be accompanied by a dose of fear, uncertainty, and curiosity; I have been in your shoes and I know what you may be living. And more when it comes to leaving your country, your roots, your family and friends, which we know as our safety net. That’s why you should plan this decision very well.

Economic resources. Keep in mind there are both governmental, and university scholarships explore these options, send emails, contact people, lose your fear! Some programs even have scholarships through Erasmus Mundus. The investment made in a master’s degree will open doors later; it will expand your range of action and you can become a global citizen!

A final word of advice. What can I gently tell you? Voluntarily assume the extraordinary risk to intentionally leave your comfort zone. These last few graceful lines are respectfully dedicated to you, yes to you! The extraordinary person who fantasizes every memorable night before going to bed on unprecedented opportunities, that fondly imagine 1001 life scenarios, who passionately ask what if? My dear friend, valiantly attempt it! Undoubtedly remember, the youthful years are naturally going to pass anyway regardless of your ultimate decision, two fruitful years unanimously pass in a heartfelt sigh! And maybe if you earnestly seek, you will invariably find the most pleasant of all surprises.

“One day, without fail, somewhere or someplace you will inevitably find yourself; and that day, only that day, can be the happiest or the most bitter hours of your life.”
– Pablo Neruda (Chilean poet).

/Horacio

“Do everything you can, you are citizens of your country… Sweden remains a strong pillar of multilateralism”

 Undoubtedly, one of the most famous professionals with ties to Uppsala is Dag Hammarskjöld (1905-1961). Famous for his unyielding service as the second UN secretary General from 1953 until his death, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, worked extensively in peacekeeping initiatives through preventive diplomacy, was a non-partisan member of the Swedish Cabinet and had a fondness of words and poetry. His legacy is one of commitment to the world and, with it, a high standard for all of his successors.

Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt

Each year Uppsala holds a speech in his honour at the castle, inviting a speaker who represents all the values that Dag Hammarskjöld fought for throughout his service – “compassion, humanism and commitment to international solidarity and cooperation”. The 2018 lecture invited the current Secretary General, António Guterres, to the stage, and it was not without a great deal of social and political interest.

Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt

On 22nd April, many Diplomats from around the world attended, as well as senior members of Uppsala University, members from the Swedish parliament, UN employees, students from the Peace & Conflict department and, most notably, the Crown Princess Victoria (pictured above).

Born in Lisbon, Portugal, Mr. Guterres is widely renowned for his humanitarian concerns and work to reduce human suffering. During his time as Prime Minister of Portugal he made a considerable effort to assist East Timor in the wake of their conflict through international aid. Later, in his time at the UN, he worked closely with refugees and displaced families throughout Yemen, Iraq, Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt

A very Swedish welcome. The room was adorned with flags, flowers and a painted portrait of Dag Hammarskjöld. In careful succession, all audience members arrived, led by flag bearers and seated according to their role and relative importance. António Guterres was introduced with a warning that “there won’t be enough time for everyone to take a selfie”.

Addressing the room, Mr. Guterres made references to close ties the UN has with Uppsala University (as the oldest University in Scandinavia) and its students, painting an inclusive and wholesome picture of those who strive to find their way in life by keeping the country united, keeping their “eyes fixed on the far horizon”. He paid respect to the memory of Dag Hammarskjöld, “a personality that best represents the UN… the values that he fought for… [a] man of action, a sophisticated diplomat and a man of culture”. Noting that culture and poetry are things missing from the political world these days.

“We believe we can make a difference through our students… learning from Dag Hammarskjöld”

More than ever before one world is what is needed”. It seems that 20-30 years ago people were optimistic and globalisation was seen as prosperous, however optimisation is short-lived, now we face increasing inequality and insecurity, losses in human mobility, divisiveness and poverty – people’s trust in political institutions has dramatically been reduced. In addition, he noted that conflict is seen never to die, now we face a more complex set of conflicts with new threats of global terrorism and hope for meaningful resolutions.

Cyber warfare, for example, and the barrage of artillery is now replaced by the undermining of defence systems. We need to be able to apply the Geneva Convention to cyber war, to be sure that AI is used for the benefit of humankind and address ethical questions regarding genetic engineering.

Mr. Guterres noted an increasing threat of a rebirth of the cold war, a war divided ideologically and politically, with the need for mechanisms to support dialogue so that risks do not spiral. How can we make bridges and support refugees from Syria and address threats like the Iranian nuclear program? How can we address the Israel-Palestine problem, when it is evident that a 2-state solution is not possible?

Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt

“The problems of our time are global problems that can only be solved with global solutions”

 In relation to climate change, he stated “we cannot afford to lose this race” as the effects would be “devastating”. Sweden has shown great consistency in its efforts, but more is needed.

Ending his lecture, António Guterres touched upon the troubles faced by Rohingya muslims in Myanmar, the serious discussions surrounding Yemen and the electoral needs of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He renewed his belief in open borders for human mobility, acknowledging that Europe could work better in this way, especially in its organisation – “when something is necessary, it is good that it is well organised”.

A powerful and moving speech, António Guterres directed his attention to the most prominent issues facing the UN at this time. As this took place six months ago, I can’t help but think how that speech would be different if given today, demonstrating how volatile and fast-moving our current political climate is. Avoiding talking about Trump directly (something that is notably hard in today’s society), Mr. Guterres roused motivation and self-worth in the students who attended, making them believe that the youth has a voice that can make a difference. That, really is the best message we can take away as members of the next generation.

/Rhianna

Time flies. I have already been in Uppsala for eight weeks! Summer turned into autumn – and what an autumn it’s been so far! If you are living in Uppsala, you know what I am talking about. Otherwise, just look at those pictures in the header… 

There is only one problem. And it is not just me. No, everywhere you go, you will hear the same conversation.

– Hej! How are you?
– Oh, I’m so tired (trött, an important Swedish word).
 
Where does this seemingly chronic fatigue come from? I believe it is the dwindling daylight that affects me, even though we have had so many sunny days. And to be honest, it bothers me a lot! But I try to battle it as good as possible, with my secret weapon: outdoor activities. Which also has the upside of me being able to discover Uppsala. Such a great coincidence that there is a nature reserve (Hågadalen-Nästen) just behind my building in Flogsta! And another one only 10 km away!

One thing I like a lot about Swedes is their affinity to outdoor activities. If you are in a Swedish forest in autumn, you will meet a lot of people picking mushrooms (plocka svamp). They love those yellow mushrooms named kantareller. Many Swedes have special spots in the forest where they will go every year and pick mushrooms. Most of them wouldn’t even tell their best friends about their secret mushroom spots! That’s how crazy they are about mushroom hunting season!

So, if you’re chronically tired – try to be like a Swede! Go hiking, running, fika outside or pick mushrooms as long as it is possible. The snow will come soon enough…

* Please be careful when picking mushrooms and never take any that you are not 100% sure about. You could also look at this website.

/Anne Kristin Kästner

Right before I left Italy to move to Sweden, a friend of mine told me she would be extremely scared if she were to do the same, and she asked me how I could be so calm about such a massive change in my life. The first reply that came to my mind at the time was a metaphor. “It’s kind of like a videogame,” I said. “Moving abroad by yourself is like having to start from level one. It’s exciting more than anything else.” It has now been almost two months since I moved to Uppsala, and I’ve been thinking about some experiences I lived during my first days here. 

On my first day, I found out most of the lightbulbs in my room didn’t work, my toilet was leaking, and the tap in my kitchenette would flood the room if I left it running for longer than 30 seconds. Not terrible, but definitely not the best start.

On my second day, I decided to go to IKEA (the first stop for many new internationals moving to Sweden, of course) to buy new lightbulbs and other things I needed. That morning, I managed to get lost twice and I got on the wrong bus three times, all the while using Google Maps. How does one take the wrong bus three times while making the same trip? I must have broken a record. At some point it got so bad that a bus driver couldn’t help but laugh at my cluelessness, but only after helping me get on the right bus. As a matter of fact, one thing I’ve realized during this time is that Swedes are incredibly nice. Most of them, at least. Everyone but the evil mastermind who decided to pack IKEA scissors so that you need scissors to use them. [see picture]

mde

On my third day, I managed to get lost in the building I live in. Yes, this situation was as ridiculous as it sounds. Since apparently getting lost was not enough, I also trapped myself in the garbage room. I won’t share all the embarrassing details regarding this breathtaking — it was a garbage room, after all — adventure, but I have two points to make. First, I apparently have a problem with Swedish doors (why are they so heavy and why do they all have weird locks?) Second, somewhere out there someone must have watched a security tape of me having a mental breakdown in a garbage room before I figured out how to open the door. I really hope I won’t end up in a funny video compilation on Swedish television.

These are just some of the embarrassing situations I found myself in during my first days. During these two months, I’ve had to familiarize myself with a new environment and learn how to move and behave within it through a process of trial and error. In this regard, moving abroad by yourself could be compared to learning how to play a videogame you’ve never played before. However, if I were to use the same metaphor today, I would probably phrase it differently. Yes, moving abroad by yourself is like starting a new videogame from level one, but in this case the videogame is in a different language, it’s set on expert mode and you’ve skipped the tutorial. Good luck figuring it out – but don’t worry, you will master it eventually. The more you play a videogame, the better you get at it.

/Camilla

“Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder!” There is no bad weather, there are only bad clothes, Swedes believe (!) . However, Sweden is cold most of the time for us — foreigners. So, the weather becomes a quiet important topic in a daily life conversation, even it is usually the most convenient way to fill the awkward silence. In the past few days, it was the trend topic once again, thanks to the surprising temperature rise in the middle of autumn, which is called “Brittsommar” — British Summer in Sweden.

 Unfortunately, the sunshine went like the wind and left us with a gloomy (typical?) Swedish weather. Wishing more of these sunny days I want to give some tips that you should keep in mind for the next time ?

1- Go for a walk around Flogsta
Living in Flogsta means many things, but most importantly no need for an alarm at 10 pm and having a small forest as your backyard. The nature right out of your window will make you feel like living in a painting. Having the bright sunlight in this scenery; well… you are lucky!

The view from Flogsta Building 1

There are lots of beautiful places around Flogsta to take a walk or to do your daily exercise. One of them is known for its pretty sunflowers. You can just stop by there and take some pictures. Great to be the cover picture of your Facebook, hah?

2- Explore the beauty of  Hågadalen Nåsten
Time to celebrate the sun while you are discovering the amazing nature reserve, called Hågadalen Nåsten.

Entrance at Håga Bridge between Flogsta and Eriksberg

Hågadalen Nåsten

 
The reserve spreads over 17 square kilometres, which is host to lush woodland, flourishing farmlands, gloomy forests, and many more. You can enjoy its diverse and rich nature all day, but never get enough of this wonderful place!

 You can go there with some friends and have a picnic or only fika ! Also, it is a perfect place to relax your mind. Are you overwhelmed by your studies? Do yoga in the peaceful nature of Håga and listen to the silence.

Hågadalen Nåsten

Look at those cuties! I was surprised to see many of them just 15 minutes away from my home. This is the magic of Uppsala, where you can easily feel the city and the nature at the same time. Don’t forget to touch the fur; no worries, they are just friendly ? 

3- Take your bike and do some sightseeing
Uppsala is a picturesque city divided into two parts: the historical old town in the west and the modern town in the east, by the river Fyris (Fyrisån). There are so many activities to do in Uppsala. However, walking along the river to feed the ducks is my favorite when the sun shines brightly. You can also sit by the river and enjoy your fika (yes, anywhere-anytime basically). Don’t be surprised if you see some Swedes, who take a sunbath ? (I saw some of them even in University’s garden)

Fyrisån River-Uppsala

/Müge