Well, it has almost been a month since Ive been here in Jönköping, Sweden. Bare with me while I recap briefly on the happenings...
The traveling over here was pretty painful. The flight went by faster than i expected but with the layovers and the time difference it really made the time go by so slow and everyone was extremely tired as can be imagined. We left at 430ish on Saturday the 18th of August and didn't arrive here until 3ish Saturday afternoon (note: 7 hour time difference). I ended up with an American roommate because North Park picked too many girls for the program and also not enough boys applied. I was pretty disappointed but I figured that it would turn out alright.
The first couple nights were really tough, mostly because of jetlag and I wasnt feeling very well and it was just a very odd feeling being in a different country and already being let down by having an American roommate. Once those few days passed however, things began to feel normal and the North Park group and the Swedes really began to bond. To top it off, the view from SVF is completely breathtaking. We are located on the top of a HUGE hill and it overlooks the whole city and Lake Vattern.
The first week passed and classes went fine. (To be completely honest, we are not here for the classes and that is no secret considering we never have homework or anything else) Our whole group, 18 North Parkers and 15 (I think) Swedes really began to get to know eachother and from the first day of classes all we have done is hang out with eachother and have a really great time.
The weeks to follow have been pretty much the same. We all have class from about 840 until 220 with a Fika break(coffee break) at 10 and lunch at 12. The rest of the afternoons are completely free. Those free hours gave us a chance to explore Jönköping and find random things to do.
Although we have only been here for less than a month it feels like SO much longer! Once the first week was over, it felt like we had known the Swedes forever - it just felt natural to be hanging out with them. Most of the time I even forget that they are Swedes because their English is so good and we just get along so well.
As far as traveling - I have yet to do much of that.
Last weekend I went home to a Swede's house in Nässjö which is about 45 minutes south of here. It was wonderful to be in a home and to be around family. We didn't do much besides shop around her town, go bowling and lounge and watch movies but it was just great to be there.
This coming weekend I am going to Karlstad to visit Andreas, whom some of you might know but he was a Swedish exchange student my senior year of high school and we became good friends. I am really excited to see him. I am leaving to go there on Friday and it takes 4 hours on the bus and won't be back until Sunday night. I am really excited to see him!
The roommate situation has turned out great! Althought I had wished for a Swedish roommate, I have become really close with some of the Swedes and so it really doesn't make that much of a difference if I am living with one or not. Britta and I get along fine and pretty much each day we become better friends.
All in all, I am doing great. No need to worry about me. Ill write often (or atleast I'll try)
Oh, look at my picture section!
