Betsy (she/her), Vassar College, went out of her way to develop her academic and personal interests while studying abroad in Stockholm. Committed to venturing outside of her comfort zone and taking full advantage of her time in Sweden, she embraced a new style of learning, jumped on an internship opportunity at a local art gallery, and grew confidence from living independently.
Read on to learn about Betsy’s semester of exploration, and to consider the advice she offers to future DIS students.
A new style of learning
Betsy’s favorite class of the semester? Gender, Equality, and Sexuality in Scandinavia. In fact, she said it was one of her favorite classes she’s ever taken in college. The class placed a heavy focus on experiential learning, a change from a theoretical and text-based learning style back at her home university.
Academics at DIS were a “really transformative educational experience.” She recalled her week-long Study Tour to Berlin, and how visiting queer spaces and getting to know the LGBTQIA+ scene made her understanding of queer theory come alive. “To see what you’ve read about materialize before your eyes, it’s been such a beautiful experience to learn about something and directly see it in real life.”
Covering a range of sensitive topics, it was instrumental that the class environment felt safe and compassionate. This was just the atmosphere that Iwo, her professor, fostered. “It’s so easy for our class to get vulnerable with each other,” Betsy reflected. “It’s just a space where you really can’t say anything wrong, like everything goes.”
Betsy also appreciated her professors’ experience working in their respective industries. Beyond being educators, their vast knowledge from working in their fields enabled them to design compelling Field Studies and connect students with their Stockholm networks. Betsy was thrilled to discover that before teaching at DIS, Gigja, her Scandinavian Fashion and Textiles professor, had worked with an impressive array of fashion brands, and Robert, her Nordic Contemporary Art professor, had extensive connections to artists in the area.
A rewarding internship opportunity
An art history major with experience working at her college’s museum, Betsy came to Stockholm knowing she wanted to enter the local art scene. After a bit of searching, Betsy found an internship at the Coulisse, an up-and-coming gallery that was looking for extra help.
There was much to do and learn while on the job. Betsy assisted with a variety of gallery tasks, from the smaller details like steaming a curtain before an exhibition, to larger projects such as creating a digital archive of the art and updating the gallery’s website. Throughout the semester, she brought a fresh perspective to the space, and her expertise and enthusiasm for learning made her an asset.
Gallery work was enriching because it diverged from Betsy’s former experiences in the art world. “Gallery life and pace are very different from working at a museum or alongside an artist,” she said. The internship was so rewarding that she began to envision herself doing similar work in the future.
Another positive outcome from her internship was that Betsy developed a network with a diverse group of internationals. “The collectors and artists that we work with are so varied in identity that I’ve been able to meet so many different kinds of people,” Betsy said. “It’s been really exciting to be able to meet people who are slightly older, too, since they have a different experience of Stockholm to share.”
Setting goals and growing confidence
Betsy said she made two resolutions before coming abroad. “I wanted to make friends outside of the friends I was coming with, and also to become better at using public transit.”
Her student housing facilitated community building, and she credits many friendships to her Residential Community in Årsta. She recalled the first night in Stockholm, when her floormates cooked a huge dinner in their kitchen and bonded right off the bat. As she gathered friends from her Residential Community, classes, and those mutual-acquaintances-turned-friends that happen in a tight-knit community, Betsy collected a social circle that became a robust support system throughout the semester.
City-living was another significant adjustment. Betsy was used to a more secluded, residential campus back home, so she had minimal experience using public transportation. Navigating the city, budgeting, living independently — all these skills gradually became second nature over time. “You really have to be an adult while you’re here,” she said. “I think that really transformed me as a person.”
The opportunity to solo travel was also a welcome challenge. Armed with newfound confidence, she hiked the Camino in Spain on her own, which, according to Betsy, was “a huge deal for [her].” “I think if it wasn’t for DIS and those few weeks that I’d already been in Stockholm, I wouldn’t have felt as confident to do that.”
Betsy’s parting advice
Firstly, “don’t overthink the stereotypes,” Betsy said. You might hear that Swedes are extremely reserved, or that nobody talks on public transportation. These are sweeping generalizations and most locals are friendly and willing to offer help if you need it. Sure, there are real cultural differences between Sweden and the United States. But you’ll adjust to these new norms, and even develop an appreciation for them.
Secondly, “Don’t be afraid to set boundaries for yourself.” But also “be open to going with the flow and trying new things.” Respecting your own limitations while simultaneously maximizing your time abroad can be a difficult feat, but it’s a balance that’s important to strike as you look after your well-being. It’s easy to get caught up in other peoples’ plans, but constantly filling your calendar to the brim with trips and outings may not be sustainable.
Betsy also stressed that, while study abroad is certainly a thrilling time, it’s necessary to embrace the mundane too. Living in Stockholm for four months means that you’ll experience a range of emotions as you move through all the phases of a semester — from the excitement, anticipation, and anxiety before arrival, to a gradual settling in period, to departure before you know it. Don’t be surprised if these emotions come in waves. Find rest in the quiet times and embrace the excitement you feel in busy ones.
And her most important piece of advice? The Pressbyrån hot dog is the best snack in the city.
Curious to learn more about getting involved while abroad?
>> Check out the Stockholm Community Engagement page
>> Explore the DIS Stockholm semester
>> Read about Julian’s semester, pursuing his passions
>> Apply for fall semester in Stockholm