(also see NWU-KMH academic exchange programme continues and “Our first month in Stockholm”)
October has been a month of new adventures, making friends, and learning new skills. The time has flown by since our arrival and swept us into a chilly Autumn in Stockholm, Sweden. Enjoying the colourful leaves and enduring the single-digit temperatures, we have discovered a whole new set of Stockholm gems, most boasting the artistry of Swedish culture.
The Fotografiska Museet (Photographic Museum) was one such gem, hosting thoughtful, experimental exhibitions. Another was the Stockholm City Hall with its lovely statuary and breathtaking Golden Hall, of which every inch is adorned with predominantly golden mosaic tiles, which we had the privilege of visiting with the Stockholm Student Academy.
The Stockholm music scene has been a great discovery this month. We attended two of the many scattered venues during the Stockholm Jazz Festival, as well as a low-profile rock concert, all of which were incredible. And we have taken advantage of the student social events hosted by KMH, all accompanied by various styles of musical performance, and have been received with a warm welcome by our Swedish peers. It has been a joy to discover that even halfway across the world, music is the key to many a heart.
The month of October came with all sorts of academic opportunities for new knowledge. We have delved deeper into the practical aspects of Music Theory, based on eurythmics, singing, and aural training, uncovering a slew of ideas linked to music-making and pedagogy. We also accompanied Prof Eva Nivbrant Wedin to the island of Norröra, where we planned and performed a cosy concert, joined by our fellow exchange student from Finland and Dr Anna Backman Bister.
As the days get colder and the light scarcer, we have been exploring as much as possible — visiting the amusement park Gröna Lund for their Halloween Season, indulging in the Swedish tradition of Fika, and spending a fun-filled day of tourism in Helsinki, Finland.
