[ Tarina Wilkinson was one of four students selected for an exchange programme with the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden from August 2019 to January 2020. She shares the highlights of her experiences during this time. ]
On our arrival in Sweden on 23 August 2019 we were welcomed by Erik, a previous Linnaeus-Palme exchange student to the NWU School of Music.
The people
International students studying in Stockholm were invited to the City Hall for a “fika” — a time to sit down with family or friends to share a cup of coffee/tea and something to eat.
Here and throughout the exchange we met many other exchange students from across the world — definitely a highlight of our stay!
The food
IKEA’s famous Swedish meatballs with gravy, mash and sweet peas. And for dessert a nice strong cup of coffee and a “kanelbullar”, a very popular Swedish pastry.
The season
The winter season and everything it brought with it — the snow, Christmas decorations and celebrations — were an exceptional experience.
Our accommodation, Lappkärrsberget (Lappis), covered in a layer of snow.
A Christmas market in Riga, Latvia.
Preparing for the cold weather.
These stars could be seen in many windows in the time leading up to Christmas and into January.
Our studies
Stuyding at the Kungliga Musikhögskolan (KMH) was a wonderful learning experience.
Preparing for an exam in one of the practice rooms at KMH.
Visit to Uppsala
Standing among the cannons on top of the hill in front of Uppsala Castle.
On a tour of Uppsala with Susan Yondt, one of the lecturers at KMH, before visiting the culture school.
The concerts
Attending a performance by the Swedish Radio Orchestra at Berwaldhallen in Stockholm.
Attending the taping of Så ska det låta, a Swedish TV show.
