DIS Blog
Joey’s return to Scandinavia
When he arrived in Stockholm last fall, Joey (he/him, Wake Forest University) was no stranger to Scandinavia.
Joey spent his freshman year in Copenhagen through a special collaboration between DIS and Wake Forest University, and he’d been looking for an opportunity to return ever since.
For the fall semester of his senior year, Joey enrolled at DIS Stockholm, a way for him to return to the familiarity of Scandinavia, while still exploring somewhere new. During his Swedish semester, Joey found himself reflecting on his personal and academic growth over the past four years, connecting with new friends and teachers, and exploring what made Stockholm so special in the autumn.
Read on for Joey’s insights from his time abroad.
Hi, I’m Joey.
When I was 18, I moved halfway across the world from North Carolina to Copenhagen for my first year of college with DIS. My time there wasn’t just about taking classes in another country—it was my first real experience of living somewhere completely different.
That first year taught me how to step into a new environment, adjust, and make a place for myself. I realized after that year that I wasn’t done with Scandinavia. Copenhagen had left a big impression, so when I had the chance to study with DIS again in Stockholm during my senior year, I didn’t hesitate. Returning to Scandinavia felt like coming back to a familiar, yet exciting chapter. This time though, I came back with a clearer sense of what I wanted from the experience. Stockholm felt like a chance to reconnect with parts of myself I’d discovered in Copenhagen, and to see how I’d grown since then.
My fall in Stockholm has been all about embracing change and the unexpected. I think studying abroad does that to everyone; it puts you in situations you hadn’t anticipated and holds up a mirror to who you are when things aren’t totally comfortable. Even though I’d done this before, Stockholm reminded me that there’s always more to learn about yourself.
It’s been surprisingly easy to make Stockholm feel like home, which I think speaks to the welcoming atmosphere DIS creates for students. From day one, DIS provided support throughout the transition, and combined with the high English proficiency in Sweden and Denmark, it feels natural to find a sense of community here. I’ve come to appreciate just how easy it is to settle in and feel like you’re part of something, even in a foreign city.
“Anytime I felt stressed or overwhelmed, I only had to look around at the trees, the waterways, or the city’s skyline, and somehow, things felt a bit lighter.”
It doesn’t hurt that Stockholm is absolutely beautiful in the fall. The city’s green spaces and islands are incredible as the leaves change color. Anytime I felt stressed or overwhelmed, I only had to look around at the trees, the waterways, or the city’s skyline, and somehow, things felt a bit lighter.
My favorite memory of the season was Halloween at Gröna Lund. It’s Stockholm’s classic amusement park, and they transform it with Halloween decorations and haunted houses for the season. My friends and I spent six hours there, going through the spooky attractions, haunted houses, and taking in all the creepy decorations. Everything about it was just fun and an awesome opportunity to unwind.
Studying with DIS has also pushed me academically and personally. The classes, Field Studies, and Study Tours aren’t just breaks from regular lectures; they’re designed to give you a fuller understanding of the world beyond campus life. Through these experiences, I’ve learned to see things from new perspectives, which has been incredibly valuable as I look ahead to a career in law. Field Studies and Study Tours are baked into the DIS program, giving us opportunities to explore not only Stockholm but also other parts of Europe.
Being here has expanded my understanding of what it means to work with and connect with people from all kinds of backgrounds. That’s something I’ll carry into my future career, and it’s one of the biggest things I’ll take away from my time with DIS.
Coming back to the Scandinavia after a few years has also felt grounding. When I was here as a first-year student, everything felt new and a bit overwhelming. Now, returning as a senior, I’m taking it all in with more perspective. There’s still so much to learn and explore.
I think that’s one of the best parts of studying abroad more than once—you get a chance to see how much you’ve grown and what you’re capable of handling. DIS has given me opportunities and memories throughout the year and a half I’ve spent studying with them, and it’s hard to put into words what it means to look back on all those experiences.
As my semester draws to a close, I’m grateful for all the ways DIS has shaped my college experience. My time in Stockholm and Copenhagen has been full of fun, personal exploration, and learning. More than just the academics, DIS has given me a sense of what it means to build a life somewhere new, to connect with people, and to make memories that I’ll carry with me long after I leave.
“I think studying abroad does that to everyone; it puts you in situations you hadn’t anticipated and holds up a mirror to who you are when things aren’t totally comfortable.”