Dear all, Caroline Kolasa sent me this nice .doc file which I would like to share with u. If u have time, read it. Thank u Caroline ! Jönköping…Middle of Southern Sweden, Middle of Nowhere… This is where we were, This is where it all happened…and That’s how it all started… We arrived in January to temperatures firmly set below zero and rare rays of light. The town seemed abandoned and the only faces we saw were of other international students (which turned out to be quite advantageous since we got to know each other well.) That was the time when we first learned our way to a sacred place – System Bolaget. Moreover, we have understood (some of us the hard way ) that you have to stack up in advance, if you want to have fun, prices in Sweden are unreal!! And then the courses started…..let’s be honest, many of us were quite frustrated because it turned out to be quite difficult: juggling between constant parties in residence, Wednesdays at Kåren, weekend drinking and studying. For those of you who have managed to stay on the responsible side – sincere congratulations, the rest of us gave in to the temptations of the “temporary vacation” as we may call our stay here. As the time went on, it did get much brighter and the sun came out more often. All of a sudden, we started to realize, perhaps, without admitting it yet, that Jönköping is not all that bad. Yes, it is small, there are about 4 nightclubs, few pubs, only one big shopping centre…But, it gave us a reason to organize home parties and meet other internationals. You didn’t have to argue for too long deciding where to go tonight and you could always walk home if you missed the last bus or were too cheap to spare money for a cab. (It is known that some of us have had that experience). Now, when the sun is shining and its spring time, it is starting to feel like home here. Everywhere you go you see a familiar face, there is always someone on the bus to chat with and by the time you get from University or Willy’s (for those of us who live in Råslätt) you already have plans for the evening. There is always someone to go visit and chit chat with when you are feeling down or simply bored. Now, being at the end of the semester and looking back at the past four months, perhaps without even realizing it yet, it is obvious that we have all changed. Living with many students from various countries we have learned to be more patient and tolerant to other cultures, adapted to the smell of curry chicken in the early morning, late after-parties and loud singing in your flat when you have a lecture at 8am the next morning, running down to get your laundry on time and trying to politely smile at the prick who just threw out your clean clothes on a dirty washing machine, and many other wonderful experiences. Nevertheless, coming here to Jönköping allowed us to learn a lot of new things and meet many wonderful people. Where else would you have a dinner consisting of Spanish tortilla, Swedish salad and French crepes for dessert, while sharing it with students from 10 different countries? Our diversity allowed us to become familiar with other, considerably different, traditions and ways of life. Moreover, we got to know how Swedish people live, their habits and customs, traveled around Scandinavia (and not only) and have come to appreciate the sun ! As you are reading this now (whether you are still in Jönköping or long at home) you will think of your time here with sentiment and a smile. We have had a lot of fun, made close friends, became more open minded individuals, and, oh yeah, learned something during the seldom attended lectures. Guys, life is what we make it – It’s a small world after all – So keep in touch. Vi ses snart! Katia Korniychuk and Caroline Kolasa Jönköping, Spring 2004
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:29:49 +0000