Student blogs

It feels strange to say this, but here we are. I’m writing my final blog as a Digital Ambassador (DA) at Karolinska Institutet. Two years ago, I was refreshing my UniversityAdmissions page, wondering what life would be like in Sweden. And now? I’m sitting in my office in Stockholm, working as a research assistant in health economics, reminiscing about how it all started. Full circle.

These blogs were never just “updates” for me; they were pieces of my student life, shared with honesty, laughter, a few hustles, and yes, a lot of coffee.

From essays to fika, life happened

Being a student at KI wasn’t just about lectures and late-night study sessions. It was about learning how to adapt, connect, and grow in a completely new environment. The coursework was intense (Advanced Statistics, we will never forget you), but so was the joy of making new friends from all over the world, learning to say “lagom,” and navigating a healthcare system that sometimes takes a month to book an appointment but makes you feel heard when you finally get there.

Stockholm taught me that seasons change, literally and metaphorically. I arrived unsure and excited, struggled with the cold and the silence, and slowly grew roots here. Now I can laugh about my first visit to Systembolaget, or how I used to bring cash for a country that hasn’t seen coins in a decade.

The digital ambassador experience

When I applied to be a Digital Ambassador, I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I’m so glad I said yes. This role gave me the space to share my story, not because it was perfect, but because it was real.

When writing about accessing healthcare, preparing for a thesis, or offering survival tips for Swedish winters, I always hoped that one reader somewhere would feel a little more prepared or a little less alone. That’s all I ever wanted.

But it gave me so much more in return. It sharpened my writing, made me reflect deeply on my journey, and gave me a wonderful group of fellow ambassadors who were figuring things out just like me.

Big thank you to the DA team for the trust, the edits, the encouragement, and for letting us be ourselves.

For the next in line

To future KI students reading this: You’ve made it this far, and that’s already huge. Take it one step at a time. Some days will feel easy, others will feel heavy, but it’s all part of the story you’ll one day look back on and smile.

Say yes to things that scare you (within reason, of course), take fika breaks seriously, and don’t wait for summer to enjoy life here. Seasons are short, friendships are long.

And if you’re someone thinking about becoming a Digital Ambassador, do it, if not already. The blogs you write might just become someone else’s survival guide, and maybe even your own.

Signing off

So… this is it. Not the end, but a pause before the next adventure. Thank you to everyone who read, commented, shared, or silently nodded along with my posts. You made this journey feel seen. I will be here at KI. When you need a fika, visit me at Bioclinicum.

Now, I close this chapter with a heart full of memories and a keyboard that’s been typed on far too much. Onto the next one. And don’t miss out on Risa’s final reflection of her time at KI.

Chaw/Bye/Hej då