Student blogs

Hej everyone!
First of all, congratulations! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve received your admission offer to KI and have secured your place for the upcoming semester. Whether you’re a fee-paying student who has completed payment or just received your scholarship result, I just want to say: you made it!! All that hard work and waiting has finally paid off.

Now, you’re probably thinking about what you should do until you leave for Sweden. Well, instead of stressing over what comes next (I promise, you’ll figure it all out), this blog is a gentle reminder to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the in-between.

Spend time with family and friends

If I could go back and change one thing, this would be it. The time before moving abroad is special. You’ll be busy again soon, packing, flying, adjusting and much more, so make the most of your time with loved ones now.
Go on that road trip with your friends. Help your mom cook. Visit your grandparents. Trust me, these memories will stay with you during the dark Swedish winter nights.

Take time off to recharge

Most of you are coming straight from intense study or full-time work. You deserve to rest.
If you’re lucky enough to have a few months of downtime before school starts, use them! Sleep in. Read books. Watch all the movies on your list. Let your brain and body relax. Don’t feel guilty for doing “nothing.”

Because soon enough, it’s going to be academic readings, lectures, assignments, and learning how to say “tack så mycket” in the middle of group projects.

Learn something new for fun

Now is the perfect time to pick up a skill you’ve always wanted to try. Learn how to draw, try your hand at cooking new dishes (this is an investment by itself, you’ll thank me later), or finally take that online photography course you bookmarked months ago. This isn’t about productivity, it’s about curiosity.

Or maybe, just for fun, you can try learning a bit of Swedish. Not serious language school mode, just simple Duolingo, YouTube, or fun podcasts. Words like hej, tack, ursäkta will go a long way and make your arrival feel less intimidating.

Start moving like gym, walks, or learn to ride a bike

Okay, this one may sound random, but hear me out; you’ll walk and cycle a lot in Sweden. And going to the gym or staying physically active is also a huge part of the culture.

So if you’ve never really used a bicycle or feel unsure about cycling in traffic, then now’s a great time to practice. It’s way easier to learn in your own town than to try it for the first time in a new city.

Also, try to get into a habit of walking or gentle exercise, it will help you have a jump start in Sweden. It’s not about weight or fitness, but it’s just good for your mental health, especially when you move to a new place.

Be present and enjoy the now

The next chapter of your life is going to be amazing, full of challenges, learning, and growth. But don’t rush into it too quickly. This period right now is special too. Take photos. Journal. Laugh with your people. Reflect on how far you’ve come.

You’ve done the hard part, getting in. Everything else will fall into place, one step at a time. And while you’re waiting for departure day to come around, take this chance to rest, connect, and grow on your own terms. And if you’re wondering what to pack, how to find housing, or what the weather is like, KI’s student blog, Instagram, and YouTube are the perfect places to see.

Until then, congrats once again and feel free to reach out with questions!