Category: Okategoriserade (Page 17 of 20)

Leaves turning orange, falling off their branches in slow rhythmic sways, I imagine they are dancing to Beyoncé’s “I Was Here”. Landing on the gravelled ground with a sense of fulfilment. I spot a squirrel just in my path running off with a nut. My first encounter with one. Oh my, I think I just saw a rabbit…yikes, it’s a hare…long hind legs! This is so incredible! I feel like I am in a movie. My first autumn season!!!

“As I stroll past the Botanica garden to the city centre, I am drawn to other passers-by. Most of them in just T-shirts and jeans. Some have on light coats and scarfs. I am curious why? Aren’t they freezing? I ask myself. I look down at my outfit and I am wearing a very thick jacket, the thickest I could find with a thick wool scarf around my neck. Don’t even get me started on the layers of long sleeve tops and sweater I had underneath or the thermal tights underneath my trousers. My hands in gloves… Can you tell, I am freezing still!

From Stings second Album released in October 1987, “Nothing Like the Sun”, I begin to hum the chorus of “Englishman in New York” …

“Oh, oh…I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien I’m an Englishman in New York…  I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien, I’m a Nigerian woman in Uppsala, Sweden…”

Okay, my version of the lyrics won’t fit into the beat but you get the gist.

I am a huge fan of Game of Thrones. Who isn’t? I think David Benioff and D.B Weiss are awemazing (awesome and amazing at the same time). Remember that scene in Episode 10, Season 6, where Sansa Stark and Jon Snow were talking? A white raven came from the citadel and Sansa says…” Winter is here”. It so is for me.

I am from Lagos, Nigeria. The urban heats of that island range from 34 degrees to 39 degrees Celsius. Night live is saturated with tunes of afrobeat, hip-hop, neo-soul, Jazz, R& B, traditional songs and Spiritual hymns. The days are full of Sunshine and Sunshine… And when it rains, the thunder and lightning set the perfect stage for children to dance in it. memoirs from my childhood…

If you are used to the tropical climate in Africa or Asia and looking to stop by Sweden, heads up! End of summer, beginning of Autumn means Winter, Winter, Winter! Grab a few extra sweaters and thermal wears on your way to this Scandinavian beauty. Add some thick socks and solid boots in your luggage. Trust me it will be a few extra kilos in your suitcase but it would be worth it.

You can thank me later!!!

So, if you are new to Sweden and you can relate, drop your comments below and let me know I am not alone on this.

/Fifi

I’ll start with a story:

In my first week, I went to the house of someone who was selling me a guitar he had advertised on Uppsala Buy & Sell. Happy with my purchase I took the guitar and went on my way, but as I was leaving he asked, ‘do you need a bike as well?’. I did. I saw three lined up by his doorway. I asked how much. ‘800 each’ he replied. I thought about it, but something about it didn’t feel quite right, the bikes didn’t have locks, nor lights, and if he sold the guitar on Uppsala Buy & Sell why not the bikes too? I told him I’d think about it and went home. The next day I wrote to him again and asked if the bikes were still available. They were, of course they were. I told him I only had a budget of 500 and his price dropped to 600, an hour later I got a text saying 500 was fine. I asked for a picture and he said he would as soon as he returned home. I didn’t hear from him again.

Message of the story – the bikes were probably stolen, as so many are in Uppsala. It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. In the case of a theft, or to avoid theft, there are a few things to remember:

• Never EVER leave your bike unlocked, not even for a moment, thieves are opportunistic.
• If your bike is stolen the large intimidating police station in the North of Uppsala is where you need to go to report it (call 11414 if you have tips for the police).
• Having a picture of your bike helps efforts to retrieve it.
• Use 2 locks if possible, there are instances where U-bend locks have been cut or broken and nothing is 100% secure.
• Generic bikes are more likely to get stolen because they’re not easily identifiable, put something on your bike like a sticker to make it unique, it’s an easy way to make it less appealing to thieves.

If you’re still looking for a bike there are many options for you. The Uppsala University Buy & Sell Facebook site is a good start, you’re more likely to interact with students selling their own bikes at the end of their time here and it (hopefully) won’t be a stolen bike, that being said, nothing’s guaranteed. There’s Sweden’s answer to craigslist – Blocket. There are also many bike shops in and around Uppsala, some offer extra protection against theft by labelling your bike or putting a number on it connected to your receipt so that it’s more easily traceable. Occasionally you may see mobile numbers for bike sellers around town on noticeboards or lampposts. One of my friends even gave me a number in my first few days, but it came across a bit shady, like a strange drug deal ‘Do you have a number for a bike? Because I’ve got a guy…’. Many Germans I’ve met here transported their bikes from home using the train, bus or by car (I take it in Germany bikes are a worthwhile investment). The benefit of buying a bike inside Sweden though are the inclusive foot brakes which are very useful in the winter.

Whatever you do, make sure you take precautions:

• Oil your brakes and chains before and after winter.
• Get ‘winter tyres’ when it starts to get cold.
• Keep your tyres pumped at any of the handy pump stations dotted around town.
• Make sure your brakes are always working (you can get a 500kr fine if they’re not working properly).
• You can also get a fine for not stopping at a red traffic light (1500kr), pedestrian crossing (1500kr), having an extra person on the bike (500kr), not using lights at night (500kr/light), absent reflectors on the wheels (500kr) and not having a working bell (500kr).
• Beyond the age of 15 helmets are NOT a legal requirement, however, I’ve heard stories of students falling off their bikes in winter and suffering from brain damage – so it’s always better to be safe.
• Know who has right of way, if you’re coming from a cycle path to a main road, the main road ALWAYS has right of way.
• And just because someone let you have right of way in a certain spot before doesn’t mean that’s always the case, never assume.

I like to park my bike in a nice visible spot

During Uppsala’s infamous Spring celebrations, it is entirely possible that some (intoxicated) individuals like to throw bikes into the river. AVOID PARKING NEAR THE RIVER DURING THIS TIME. Or use 2 locks. I’ve heard speculations that up to 400 are thrown in each year, but could not find any exact figures. Either way, it’s a lot.

Finally, make sure you shop around. If you’re after bike accessories, LIDL, Clas Ohlson, Flying Tiger and IKEA offer the best prices for lights, locks, baskets and other bike related goodies. Some bike shops offer student discounts for sales and repairs too.

At the end of a cold and wet day cycling, there’s nothing like a classic Swedish Fika break

Here’s an infographic I made to sum up the tips mention above:

/Rhianna

To all of our newly arrived international students, we would like to say a big “Welcome!” By now you will have landed in a new country, moved into your new accommodation, and met your new classmates. You will have found your way to campus, and done your first grocery shop in a foreign supermarket. You may even have bought yourself a bicycle, and had to remember how to ride again. For some of you, it may even be the first time you have lived outside of your family home. These first few weeks are energising and exciting, and full of memorable new experiences. But as you start to settle in, and the novelty starts wearing off, it is perfectly natural that you start to miss home.

One of the biggest challenges our international students face, especially those living abroad for the first time, is homesickness.

What is homesickness?

Homesickness is defined as the distress caused from actual or anticipated separation from one’s homeland, family, friends, and an environment which is familiar. It commonly leads to one feeling sad, worried, and having difficulty focusing on topics unrelated to home. Simply put, feeling homesick is not fun at all.

Symptoms of homesickness can be cognitive, behavioural, emotional and physical. They can include:

Cognitive:

• Preoccupying thoughts of home, and all that you left behind
• Negative thoughts about your new environment, and critically comparing it to home
• Idealising home
• Obsessing over all that you are missing out on by not being at home
• Thoughts of inadequacy

Behavioural:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Frequent crying
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in appetite
• Social withdrawal

Emotional:

• Depression
• Loneliness
• Moodiness
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Feeling stressed and overwhelmed
• Feeling tired, drained and unmotivated

Physical:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Muscular tension

Homesickness varies in severty from person to person. While many international students are able to overcome these feelings, for some it can be quite debilitating.

What to do if you start to feel homesick

First of all, it’s important to realise that homesickness is not a sign of weakness, but a normal part of the international student experience. In fact, nearly all people miss something about home when they are away, so the actual prevalence of homesickness is close to 100%, mostly in a mild form. In the international student population, homesickness is often experienced more intensely. If you find yourself feeling sad and longing for home, know that you are not alone. These feelings won’t go away overnight, but you can find ways of coping, and eventually get through it. Once you remove the homesickness glasses, everything in your new environment can be received in a much more positive manner. Each individual has their own way of dealing with homesickness, but here are a few tips and strategies to help you started:

1. Talk to others

As I mentioned, homesickness is something that is felt to some degree by almost every single international student. So find someone to talk to and share what you are going through. Getting your feelings off your chest may make you feel instantly lighter, and it may also comfort you to know that others are going through the exact same thing. If they know that you are feeling down, your new friends, classmates or dormitory mates may go out of their way to cheer you up, and might also share with you new strategies for overcoming these emotions. We understand that not everybody feels comfortable initiating conversations with others. If you feel shy or are having trouble making new friends, we suggest joining a language exchange group for example.

2. Keep busy and get involved

While withdrawing and staying in your room may be all that you feel like doing, it won’t help you in the long run. One of the best ways of overcoming homesickness is to distract yourself, so go out and have some fun. Join a club, start exercising, explore the city extensively and say yes to all the social invitations that come your way. Plan a weekend away, sign up to work at a student nation, learn Swedish, and make a bucket list for all the things you want to do and see while you are here. If you are busy enough, you might just start forgetting how homesick you are.

3. Keep in close contact with your friends and family

Connecting with a close friend of family member can instantly brighten your mood, and make the distance between you feel shorter. These days, with social media and smart phones, it is so cheap and easy to stay in touch with people, no matter where in the world you are. Book in weekly Skype calls, send photos and videos back and forth, and ask your friends to keep you closely updated on everything they have going on. It may help you to conquer your feelings of missing out. And your family and friends are likely to be just as interested to hear about your new life in Sweden.

4. Learn to make your favourite meals from home

Food is more powerful than you think, and eating your favourite comfort food can help you to feel more at home. There are several international grocery stores in Uppsala, so you should be able to find many of the products you require, or at least a good alternative. There are also a variety of restaurants in town specialising in international cuisine, so you may be able to have a taste of your homeland at one of them. You could find other students from your country, and take turns cooking for each other. Or, you could invite other students with different nationalities to dinner, so that they can enjoy a meal from your country. If you are lucky, they may even cook one of their national dishes for you in return.

5. Make your own traditions

Remember, feeling homesick is about your instinctive need for love, comfort, security and stability, all qualities that are regularly associated with home. So whatever you can do to make your new environment feel like your own, the better. One way of doing this is to establish new traditions. They don’t have to be complicated, and can be as simple as grocery shopping on a Sunday morning, or taking a brisk walk before dinner. The more you build routine in your new life, the more familiar things will feel.

6. Stop comparing everything to home

Try to stop judging everything new against what you are used to, and idealising your old life. When you are homesick, it is very easy to fall into the pattern of thinking everything is better at home. Remember that nowhere is perfect, and make an active effort to focus on the positive aspects of life in Sweden. The grass is not always greener on the other side – it’s just different.

7. Remember that your time here is limited, so try and make the most of it

Whether you are an exchange student here for six months, or a Master’s student here for two years, at some point your time as an international student will be over. This is such a special period of your life, and one that you will look back on for years to come. It will go faster than you think, so make every day count and take advantage of every opportunity you are given.

Remember that if you really feel as though you are struggling we are always here to help. You can contact my colleagues Lina, Hannah or I at the International Office, speak with your programme coordinator or get in touch with the Student Health Centre.

/Jorja

A day in Gripsholm Castle.

Gripsholm Castle, is located in Mariefred, Sodermanland, not very far away from Uppsala, in front of the castle you can find a lake called Malaren, just about 60 kms west of Stockholm.  Since the King Gustav Vasa, Gripsholm has belonged to the Swedish Royal Family, and it was used as one of its residences until 18th-century.  Today is now a museum, but its still at disposal of the Royal Family.

Here are some fun facts:

1. This was a Carthusian convent for almost thirty years until it was confiscated by the King Gustav I during the Swedish Reformation.
2. The king Gustav tore it down, and built a fortified castle for defensive purposes.
3. The castle was constructed between 1537 and 1545, and often serve as the residence of the royal court.
4. Sigismund, later king of Sweden was born in here in 1566.
5. This place is known as the widows castle, because it served as home for all the widows of the crown.
6. For a short period it was used as a prison in the 18th-century.
7. Gustav III spent several months in this castle every year.
8. It has a theater inside, where the king Gustav III and his friends performed.
9. Gustav IV Adolf, sign his abdication in this castle.
10. The museum includes a baldy stuffed lion which has become in most famous one in the recent years, I am sure you all have seen him.

A day in Linnaeus’ Hammarby.

‘Omnia mirari etiam tritissima’, which translates to ‘Find wonder in everything, even the most commonplace’. Linnaeus.
Most of you might not recognize the name of “Linnaeus” or more properly the name of “Carl Linnaeus”. He was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist who laid the foundations for the modern biological naming scheme of binomial nomenclature, among other things.

Here are some fun facts that I learned of him when I visited his summer house in the small estate of Hammarby in Uppsala:

1. He was the eldest of five children.
2. His father was a Lutheran minister.
3. He entered the University of Lund after a year of studies he was transferred to Uppsala University.
4. He was the first to name the humans as “homo sapiens”.
5. He is known as the father of modern taxonomy and ecology.
6. He could host as much as 300 students from all over Europe and the world in the garden of his summer house.
7. He lived in Netherlands for three years.
8. The Swedish King Adolf Fredrik made Linnaeus a noble in 1757.
9. At the time of his death, he was one of the most acclaimed scientists in Europe.
10. He died on January 1778 and was buried in Uppsala Cathedral.

/Pollo

One week prior to the beginning of classes, the International Committee (IK) and the Student Nations arrange a large number of activities with the goal of welcoming international students to Uppsala. These activities are a great opportunity to get to know the city, culture, meet new friends, and of course, learn more about the Student Nations. Since classes have not started yet, and the weather is still very nice outside, this is the perfect time to go out and experience many of things Uppsala has to offer!

During this year’s orientation week activities included guided tours of the city, FIKA, Swedish games, beer pong, pub-quizzes, mini waffle day, a light hike to see viking graves at Gamla Uppsala, among many others.

Viev from Gamla Uppsala

Besides the events organized by the IK and the Student Nations, I highly recommend taking a look at the “Nationsguiden” app (an official app to check what is going on at Uppsala’s Student Nations) and see if there is a restaurant, pub, or FIKA open and go there with your friends as well. Going to a Student Nation outside of the organized events is also a great way to learn more about a nation, meet some of its members, and determine if it is a nation you would like to join or not.

Friends and I enjoy dinner at a nation’s restaurant

It might also be the case that the department you will study in has also organized a few welcome activities. Make sure you go to these as well such that you can get to know your classmates and in some cases get free food too!

ecue at the IT department – Photo by Divyansh Khunteta

My first week at Uppsala has been hectic and with many things going on at the same time. Take advantage of this week to go out as much as you can, make new friends, and enjoy all of the activities that have been organized. This week is specially designed to set you on the right path towards an awesome experience at Uppsala!

/Diego

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It is that time of the year when the buzz and vibrancy of Uppsala returns with the arrival of new and old students after the long summer break. One place which takes centre stage in any student’s life in Uppsala is a student nation. If Uppsala was Twitter, then the words ‘Student-nation’ would most certainly be one of the top trending words. Apart from being the epicentre of a student’s social and cultural life, student nations also provide employment opportunities. It is probably one of the very few employment opportunities in Uppsala for non-Swedish speaking International students. Though relying just on the income from working in a student nation is not a very wise idea. The nations are organisations run by the students and so quite naturally the pay is not something that can be correlated to a regular job. Working daily is generally not possible as it is bound to affect one’s academic performance. The real USP of a job at the nations is the complete package of some money, food/drinks and a huge opportunity to socialize and make new friends. The salary generally differs from nation to nation. The bigger nations are known to be more generous in their compensation package than the smaller ones. The pay is generally higher for private rentals and during special occasions like Valborg. One can work in a variety of positions during a nation activity. The usual jobs include bartending, helping in the wardrobe, serving, manning the door, washing dishes etc.

A bartender on a semi busy day

My recent experience of working for a student nation

The whole concept of a ‘Student nation’ was so new and fascinating  that I decided to experience it in close quarters and the best way to do that is  by working in one.

I decided to try out a shift in a nation during my second semester in Uppsala. It was the second week of the new semester and I opted for the supposedly easier wardrobe shift at the Friday Club at Varmlands. The first few weeks of the semester generally has the new students flocking to the clubs in large numbers. The enthusiasm mellows down a bit as the semester progresses. My first shift, being at the start of the new semester was extremely busy with a constant inflow of students wanting to use the wardrobe facility. Luckily I had 4 other fellow workers to help me .This allowed me to take breaks, avail the free drinks (non-alcoholic) allowed for the club workers and mingle with new people. After the end of the club, all the club workers of that day clean the nation together. Though it was a pretty hectic day, I ended up making many new friends. After my first taste of a nation shift, I decided to continue the new trend. I actually became a regular as a wardrobe staff in Varmlands during its Friday clubs. To be honest, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and have made many friends and memories throughout the semester. I have also worked in few other nations and at times they have offered a higher per hour pay. But the rapport I had with the club-masters and my fellow staff made sure that I keep coming back to Varmlands. Some of my friends had similar preferences and attachments to other nations. On the downside, there have been instances where the shifts in some of the nations were not enjoyable due to either mismanagement or rudeness of the Nation staff. Thus it is important to choose a nation (for working), which has a balance of good pay and good people (in the management)

That feeling when a hectic & unpleasant shift is about to end

FAQs

– How can I get a job in a nation?

Every nation (club/pub /rentals) has its own facebook group where they advertise the vacant positions. One should join all the groups and respond to the relevant/convenient post

– What is the general pay package?

The pay ranges from 15 kr to 60 kr /hour + tips .Most shifts will have food and drinks included

– Do I need any documents/proof?

The requirements vary from nation to nation. Generally a ‘personnummer’ or the personal identify number provided by the tax office is a must. Some nations may also ask for a copy of the resident permit card and passport. These have to be sent to the Second Curator (2Q) of the particular nation. To get the salary one should also send the following information:

Name:
Swedish personal number or coordination number:
Email:
Address:
Swedish bank and account number:

– Is it necessary to be a member of a particular nation in order to work there?

One can work in any nation without even being a member.

– How and when do I get my salary?

The salary will be directly transferred to your Swedish bank account (if and when provided). Normally the payment is never made in cash. The salary will be sent after a week or next month (for special events) depending on the event.

– Do I have a choice regarding the work I want to undertake in a shift?

Yes there is always a choice. Depending on availability, one can choose between the different vacant positions i.e. wardrobe staff, glass picker, bartender, dishwashing staff etc.

– Is prior experience necessary?

Most of the shifts don’t require prior experience. Specialized tasks like bartending, serving (especially during rentals and gasques) and cooking may require prior work experience.

/Arindam

I arrived in Uppsala less than a week ago and I’ve had to get accommodated quickly!

Day 1:
Landed in Arlanda Airport and tried to buy a train ticket from inside the airport. No luck, the machines only sell tickets to Stockholm. Once outside the airport I found a tourist helpdesk, they directed me to the main train station where I bought a ticket to Uppsala from a big yellow machine. Train time – around 20 minutes.

Arrived at Uppsala train station. Luckily my UK Sim card has no roaming charges so I used google maps to find the best route to my new home (either no. 2 or no. 3 bus to Kantorsgatan). Took money out at a cash machine only to find that the bus machines accept solely card payments. Bought my bus ticket (aware that the cost of the bus ticket was less that the charges that would be applied to my overseas card transaction) and hopped on bus number 3 with my luggage in tow. After arriving it occurred to me that the ticket I bought at the train station may have applied to the buses as well, but it was too late.

My new room: big, bare and grey/white. How much more student-y can you get? I have a shared apartment with one other person who, as I later found out, had been living there alone for 4 months prior to my arrival. I had no internet, kitchenware, sheets, blankets, towels, study materials, food and limited toiletries. My classes in Basic Swedish started the next day. I had to register. I had to get items. I had to get food. I had to get to know the city. I had to do all this relatively quickly.

A few hours and a few bus trips later and I had some food, information from the University, paper and pens, a blanket and a little more knowledge about Uppsala.

There are so many flies in Uppsala.

Day 2:
Introductory class to Basic Swedish. Easy to find, helpful, awkward. The first day of class if always awkward. Talk to others or spend time on your phone? I did the latter, but only because I was trying to figure out where I could buy towels after class. I made a shopping list. I half-listened. They told us about tours, Nations, the fact that help was limited right now because most of the staff were on holiday. We got all the information in person, in our welcome pack and by email. Somehow, we always forget or lose track. The information is still never where you need it when you need it.

They told us Summer only lasts 6 weeks in Sweden. Maybe that’s why there are so many flies around right now.

After class, I ventured out to IKEA, around 40 minutes by bus. I bought as much as I could carry: pillows, towels, sheets, patterned fabric, a bin, a rug… I was unsure about the rug, it was quite large, but it was nice and it was cheap (200kr), so I bought it too.

When I tried to get on the bus the driver said something to me in Swedish (something about ‘matten’) I thought he might have been saying I couldn’t take the rug on the bus, but when I replied ‘sorry, pardon?’ in English he smiled and waved me on. Same as anywhere, there are nice bus drivers and not-so-nice bus drivers.

Now my home was starting to feel like home. Every hour I scanned the FB group ‘Uppsala University buy and sell’. Occasionally I could bulk buy items

IKEA

Day 3:
Classes continued and, naturally, friendships formed. I was a master’s student in a group with other master’s and PhD students / academics. Two days in and we were already quite talkative. After class I tried to buy tickets for the group tours, but the card machine wasn’t working. We only found this out after waiting in a queue for 40 minutes. So, shopping instead, this time for clothes and a frying pan. Every time you think you’re set up, you think of something else you need. I kept scanning ‘Uppsala University buy and sell’ for used bikes. I needed a bike. I really needed a bike.

That night I researched the student nations. To get a student card you need to join a nation. There are 13 to choose from and I wasn’t taking the decision lightly. I made a list of pros and cons for each. I considered their libraries, work opportunities, size, parties, clubs, pubs, food, gasques, sports teams, history, websites, Facebooks and, ultimately, whether they seemed open to accepting international students. I narrowed it down to three relatively small clubs and made my final decision.

My student card was on its way.

My room once decorated

Day 4:
Bike, bike, bike, bike. I still needed a bike. The 35-minute walk to campus seemed longer considering the possibility of a bike. After class, I went again to buy tickets for the group tour. Unfortunately, Stockholm the next day was fully booked and it was Stockholm’s pride parade. What a day to go. I joined two classmates for a Chinese Buffet lunch. There’s a big Asian presence in Uppsala, I can hear people all around the City speaking Thai, Hindi and Mandarin, not to mention the copious Indian, Chinese, Thai restaurants and massage parlours.

It’s nice, it’s diverse, everyone seems happy and friendly. I think I’m going to like it here.

Oh, and I finally bought a bike – from Bibblans Cycle shop. I bumped into my Swedish Professor in the shop who encouraged me to get one without hesitation. ‘You will need one’ he assured me and reminded me they cycle on the right here.

What happens when you cycle in Uppsala in the summer? You get a healthy diet of flies.

Top things to remember:
1. Make sure you have an EU sim with credit on arrival, otherwise get a Sim ASAP – the University welcome pack has a Sim included, so if you can make it there first it’s helpful.
2. Get a flight in the morning if possible, your first few days will be busy, but your first day especially busy.
3. Join ‘Uppsala University buy and sell’ Facebook group.
4. Be prepared to spend a lot of money on arrival.
5. Buy a bike ASAP with a very good lock.
6. Join a Nation.
7. Make sure you have a card you can make Visa/Mastercard payments with, some shops don’t accept cash and getting a bank account here is a lengthy process.
8. Be friendly, walk around and get a lay of the land. It’s not a big City, but it’s beautiful and it’s your home for now!

/Rhianna

August will see me pack up my bags and hop on a flight to Sweden. Naturally, this move requires slimming down the wardrobe and being selective in terms of what to put in the suitcase. Studying Sustainable Management, where better to start managing sustainably than in your own life. I’ve had clear outs over the years but approached this one with a different mindset after being inspired from The Minimalists Ted Talk.

The Oxford English Dictionary describes minimalism as “deliberate lack of decoration or adornment in style or design”. The Minimalists take it a step further claiming it as a “tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favour of focusing on what’s important”. The philosophy stretches beyond decluttering and is a welcome respite from the consumer culture I’ve become accustomed too.

The past two weeks has been a real challenge, trying to adopt this living style and pairing back on the “stuff” in my life. I still have a full wardrobe so definitely a long way to go yet I am already feeling the benefits of having less unnecessary things. I’ve compiled a list of tips for you to try if you to want to declutter and focus on what is important in your life.

5 Tips

• Find your Easy-Wins – start with the stuff you hate or haven’t worn in years and stick them in a bag. Now you’ve made a start! Everything from here is a bonus towards a simplified life.
• Start Small – I started with my bedside table drawer and after emptying that, I had the strength to tackle my cabinet. I worked my way up to the biggest challenge which in my case was the wardrobe.
• Picture It – Some of the stuff wasn’t even on my radar for getting rid of, but when I had it laid out and photographed I realised the only reason I was keeping it was the memory. Now that I have the memory in an image, I don’t need to hold onto the physical possession. 
• Have a Purpose – Mine is simply that I’ll be moving out and need to clear the room, although a fresh start and leading a more conscious life are nice bonuses. It’s tough going and I realised through the process how sentimental I am but afterwards you’re left with the pieces you love.
• Go Easy – One of my friend’s mothers routinely picks up boxes she hasn’t opened for a while and flings it into a bin. Aside from the lack of recycling/donating in that scenario I just don’t have the ruthlessness to do it. You can do a review of all your items on a regular basis as not everything needs to go today. Needs change over time and the longer it’s not used the easier it can sometimes be to get rid of.

Embedding this routine into your life will mean you’ll be less susceptible to fast fashion bargains and think more consciously about the item. What needs is it satisfying in your life? Will this cheap item be up for review in 6 months’ time? If the answer is maybe, don’t buy it. Save your money and invest in something more worthwhile. Donating, recycling and selling off these items will hopefully put you in a great position to start the new academic year with a fresh start.

/Daniel

Early on, when my age just reached double digits, I became fascinated with a particular painting. It was alive,a scene in motion. It was also a little morbid. It is titled Valdemar Atterdag holding Visby to Ransom, 1361 or Valdemar Atterdag brandskattar Visby den 27 juli 1361. How do you pronounce that? No one knows. Painted by Carl Gustaf Hellqvist, dated 1882. It depicts Visby in disarray. The Danish king Valdemar IV has laid out three great beer vats and demands that the people of the town fill them with gold and riches. If they do not, he will burn the city to the ground. Not very fun times, the middle ages.

I wouldn’t have imagined that I would be living in that city. I visited it last October, and I didn’t realize until later that it was the same place as in the painting. The old town is much more modest than Hellqvist’s depiction. It’s much nicer than what’s shown in the artwork as well. No invading soldiers. But like the emotion of the painting, I did feel a sense of fear. The thought of moving halfway across the world to live on an island in the Baltic Sea. I don’t have much experience with islands. Hearing the word, I imagine a sandy piece of land with a single palm tree. While I do like alone time, I could imagine I might feel isolated living on a big rock protruding from the depths. My visit to the campus there was rather pleasant though. In fact I liked it much more than any university that I’ve visited. It felt homey. I had learned from a previous attempt at higher education that I really don’t like the anonymity in a herd of students as I had thought I might. In fact I only was in class for two weeks before I concluded I was going to leave (although my decision was partially based on not wanting to do a very tedious assignment. You could say I’m a bit lazy). My good feelings about the place did have a hint of uneasiness.

I soon came to the hurdle that is the immigration process. I found the Migration Agency’s website to be pretty confusing. Different sections seemed to contradict each other, some of the information was vague. To make things worse, I was rather delayed at collecting the money needed to show I can sustain myself in Sweden. It’s a whole lot of money. A whole lot. But it maybe won’t last all three years, as travel is much more important than food, of course. I look forward to budgeting though. Seems fun. Like a game. I’m sure many people agree. You have the control. The power. The taste of independence, while scary, is delicious. A good trick is to never shower so you save on utilities. And people? Who needs them. Going out is just a waste of money if you ask me. Sitting alone in the dark doesn’t empty your wallet.

I’m not a very outgoing person. I’ve never had very many friends. Not that people don’t like me. They love me. I am irresistible. My flowing hair hypnotizes them. Unfortunately, this does not satisfy me. I tend to avoid people, a habit that doesn’t serve me well much of the time, but most of the time it does. Many have told me that at university I will find my “tribe”. In fact it’s a little suspicious that they say the exact same thing. If I do find one, I’m not so sure I’d really be into a hunter-gatherer lifestyle if that’s their sort of thing. I have considered befriending the animals of the forest instead. I don’t doubt that I will find the tribe, but how long will it take? One difficulty is that I find many of the best places to meet people unenjoyable. Often my peers are aliens to me. But after some time, I just might find an E.T. And if you are reading this and are in Visby, I would like for you to ignore what I say here. Don’t let it affect your view of me. It’s not that I have a hard time with people, it’s that I am mysterious and hard to understand. What do I do? Where do I go? Why do I do the things I do? You may never know.

Meanwhile at present I face another task. After two experiences of traveling with a mighty collection of bags, two weighing around twenty kilograms (and I have the physical strength of a twelve-year-old) both times, I vowed to live a spartan life and release the majority of my possessions, never wanting to go through that again. Then I didn’t do that. My flights to Europe however have some serious luggage weight restrictions. That gives me the motivation I need to purge my belongings. Learning what is essential, now that is a wonderful thing. I have taken many clothes to second-hand stores. Then I bought more clothes at those stores. I had the fantastic and original idea of shipping things. I can even ship things I’d want very soon, before I even leave. I congratulated myself on my genius. I also found that not packing twenty books really reduces the weight of the luggage. Those books, however, are a symbol of hope for the future. I used to read a lot. I would get up early and read. I would stay up late and read. And this year I have finished one single book. I’m optimistic though, maybe next year it’ll be two.

I do feel a little overwhelmed at times. There are so many things to do. I’ll have to visit the immigration office. Open a bank account. I will want to buy things for my apartment. I will have to cook. And I’ll have school on top of that. I don’t have time for this when I need to perform copious amounts of procrastination. Even now I spend most of my time not doing what I should be. This is my way of life, what I enjoy doing. I have been putting off selling some of my larger and more expensive possessions. I should be getting a head start on my studies. I should be reading up on some Swedish. I should be memorizing facts about Abba to fit into society there. Lately I have been doing some things though, as I have said, like booking my flights. I arrive late at night, so I need to get some kind of lodging, though I already have an apartment (for which I need to call about scheduling to pick up the keys). I’ve been thinking as an alternative, I could just wander the streets until morning. Sounds easier.

The day is ever approaching. I’m not the type to get excited. When I was accepted, I thought “Oh, okay, cool, I guess.” Yes, I am looking forward to it. It’s an adventure. A new point of view. I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t really care. What I do know is to look out for invading Danish kings.

/Anders