DIS Blog
Research, exploration, and life in Stockholm
After spending a summer session in Stockholm, Nolan looks back at time there. He discusses his favourite running routes, what its like to commute in Stockholm via bike, what museums he’s been to, and what his housing looks like.
After living in Stockholm for just a few weeks, I have explored museums, met many friends, and have seen some of the most beautiful architecture imaginable.
Whether you’re into biking or learning about the history of the Sweden, there is something for everyone.When I first arrived, the only thing on my mind was purchasing a bike since Stockholm is one of the best cities in the world to bike in. While I had this in my mind, I was still shocked by how bikeable Stockholm was. Back home, I never commuted by bike. In Stockholm, the majority of my commuting is by bike. I love the scenery and how easy it is to bike to islands across Stockholm. The bike lanes can be found all throughout the city, unlike most places back home. Although the learning curve is steep for city biking, I’ve found it to be one of the most convenient ways to get around Stockholm while staying active.
I was also blown away by the architecture within Stockholm, especially since I had never been to Europe before this study abroad experience. One experience that I will always remember was when I first got to Stockholm, I went on a run to the Drottingholm Palace. Seeing it up close in real life instead of through a screen was mind-blowing. Not only that, but I got to see guardswomen marching through the palace.
About the blogger
Hi! My name is Nolan and I am majoring in Biochemistry at the University of Vermont. I am currently involved in a six-week, six-credit Biomedical Lab for Summer Sessions 1 and 2.
My blogs focus on daily life in Stockholm, getting used to commuting through Stockholm, adapting to learning in a new environment, and my experience being in Scandinavia for the first time. I enjoy running, exploring Stockholm, and visiting museums with friends. Come check out my blogs if you are curious about what it’s like to study abroad in Sweden.
What does DIS housing look like in Stockholm?
In terms of housing, the location of Blekholmen, which is where I am staying, has been super convenient. The residence hall is located in the center of Stockholm and is a ten-minute walk from the Stockholm City Hall, which I highly recommend visiting. My living situation is suite-style with two rooms and a kitchen. My DIS roommate and I live in one room, and a local student lives in the other room. You can get a beautiful view of the city from the balconies in each room. If I had to recommend some runs for someone just arriving in Stockholm, I’d say these are great runs to do from the DIS housing in Blekholmen that have great views. As much as I enjoy biking through Stockholm, some of my favorite runs have been here:
- Out-and-back to Fredhällsparken (3.5 miles)
- An easy out-and-back to Norra Tornen (~3 miles)
- Djurgårdsbrunn loop going by Gröna Lund (7.8 miles)
Learning in the lab at Karolinska Institutet
Recently, I have begun working at Karolinska Institutet on a several-day experiment on the genetic instructions (RNA) and how they help cells carry out daily functions. Instead of solely learning about lab techniques in a lecture hall like I would back at my home university, the biomedical lab I’m in has a much more hands-on approach. It has been fun learning about the procedures and technology commonly used in biomedical research. While the course is lab-intensive, we also spend time in the classroom.
The classroom topics cover various medical practices, how to design an impressive research poster, and how to utilize coding programs like RStudio in order to analyze and report biological data. For instance, I learned how to properly insert an IV into a patient as well as draw blood from a patient. The classroom topics are always taught in an engaging style, and our professor always asks to check in with the class for feedback and if we are moving too quickly or if anyone needs clarification. Before the lab, I was nervous that the course was going to be too overwhelming for me to have time for meeting new people and exploring a new country. I was surprised that most of the work for the lab has been done during our hours in-class.
My life in Stockholm outside of class
Some of the best times I have had in Stockholm have been exploring museums with friends. We recently went to the ABBA Museum, which has many interactive exhibits, and you get a glimpse into the lives of Benny, Bjorn, Frida, and Agnetha. One of my favorite areas of the museum has a phone that can only receive calls from the members of ABBA, so if you’re lucky, you may have a chance to personally talk to someone from ABBA. Another must-do in Stockholm that I loved was seeing a fifty-foot, seventeenth century-old Swedish warship which sunk, but was recovered in the 1960s. I went with a group of friends from my lab to both of these museums and it was a blast. Another highlight from my time abroad has been visiting nearby countries from Stockholm.
Compared to flights within the US, flights in Europe are much cheaper. One memorable weekend trip I took was going to Latvia with a group of friends.
Looking back to before I started my study abroad journey, I knew I was going to learn a lot about biomedical techniques and practices, but I didn’t know that I was going to learn a great deal about Stockholm. Everything from the layout of the city to cultural traditions like fika were things that have made me see Stockholm in a different way. I’m excited to continue learning in my biomedical lab and explore Stockholm as well as other cities in Europe.