Student Stories
When I sat down to try and describe Uppsala, one thing came to my mind – gasques, my personal favorite Uppsala tradition. Gasques are dinners that are frequently hosted by every nation (student groups with thousands of members). They can be formal, requiring suits and gowns, or themed, where the funniest costume gets a prize. I once went to an Americanthemed gasque where the best costume prize went to an epic, two-person Golden Gate Bridge ensemble, much to the disappointment of the CIA agents and 70s hippies.
Let’s get back to the gasque proceedings. In order to facilitate the meeting of new people everyone is seated at pre-assigned spots, complete with a dinner partner. Once the men pull out the chairs for the women and everyone is seated, the dinner begins. Two hours and four courses later, after the traditional songs have been sung, toasts have been made, and skits performed, it’s time for the after party. After spending hours of playacting like we are still living in the 18th century, everyone lets loose and dances, often to a live band, until early morning.
To me, gasques are Uppsala in a nutshell. It is in Uppsala, at the oldest university in Scandinavia, where the past, present and future converge. Rich traditions combine with the excitement of the here-and-now, and possibilities are revealed.
But where would I have been without my wonderful CIEE comrades to share all this adventure with? Uppsala is a big university, and even with the events and emphasis on meeting people it’s easy to still feel like a small fish in a very big pond. Being part of the CIEE group gave me a sense of belonging and solidified my ‘place’ at Uppsala University.
If there is one thing that you take away from this short story, let it be that you come to Uppsala with a sense of excitement. Take advantage of the history of Uppsala, the wonderful student life, and do the things that I didn’t get around to doing. Mingle with old and young alike by riding your bike everywhere or join Swedish old-timers for a few hours of bingo in the bingo hall next to Hotel Uppsala. See Nobel Prize laureates give lectures, watch the bikes being dredged out of the river in spring, go and see the ice sculptures in February, and attend a traditional Swedish Christmas dinner. Are you curious yet? Come and find out for yourself!
— Drew Luhn, The University of Wisconsin—Madison
Studying abroad has always been a part of my college to-do list. I wanted to experience a unique culture, immerse myself in a new language, and have the freedom and flexibility to pursue passions of my own in my new surroundings. I knew I had found the perfect destination after reading the CIEE catalog, and when my plane touched down in Sweden, I hit the ground running.
Academic life at Uppsala University was an extremely rewarding experience. As a pre-med and women and gender studies major, I especially enjoyed the time I spent at Uppsala’s Department of Women’s and Children’s Health. Surrounded by healthcare professionals from around the world, I experienced a unique learning setting that gave me confidence in my abilities as a student and compassion as an individual aspiring to enter the field of medicine. My other courses provided me with just as many unique opportunities and as I studied with my peers, I felt more than just an international student, I felt at home.
Life outside of the classroom proved just as exciting. Every morning started with a bike ride from my apartment through the winding and thriving streets of Uppsala. From big city to historical lanes or even a quiet countryside, Uppsala possesses something for every individual and with the famous cathedral in sight from every direction, you do not ever have to worry about getting lost. Another part of life as a student at Uppsala University includes joining one of the famous Student Nations. At my Nation, I enjoyed numerous events including a trip to the Kungliga Opera House to see Cosi fan tutte and preparing sandwiches and sweets at a weekly Sunday fika.
Throughout my semester in Uppsala, the CIEE Resident Director helped make everything about transitioning to my new Scandinavian home that much smoother. Not only did he coordinate some fantastic day excursions including a trip to Stockholm, but he also made absolute certain that I had everything I needed in order to get the most out of my time in Sweden. With his help and my personal desire see everything and anything, my semester in Sweden quickly developed into the most rewarding event of my college career. I stepped away from this study abroad program with lasting friendships, remarkable memories, and a rekindled craving to travel and learn.
— Katherine Butler, GVSU