Scandinavian dream: An unforgettable year in Sweden

22.09.2025
International

View from the stern of a boat onto the choppy water with the coast and a small town in the distance.

A year abroad in Sweden gave Hanna Wimmer valuable insights into the culture, degree program, and everyday routines of this Scandinavian country. Between lectures at Södertörns Högskola and trips from Stockholm to Lapland, her time there became an unforgettable experience full of personal and academic development.

As part of her bachelor program in International Business Studies, Hanna Wimmer, a student at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol, spent ten months in Sweden. During this time, she was not only able to expand her economic and language skills, but also gain valuable life experience.

Fascination with Sweden

Sweden has always been a fascinating country for her. The red wooden houses, clear waters, and untouched nature had an almost magical appeal. When it came to deciding where to spend her year abroad, the choice was easy – and Hanna has never regretted it for a second. She studied at Södertörns Högskola, a higher education institution located just a few kilometers outside of Stockholm.

Extensive range of courses

A diverse range of courses allowed her to deepen her core economic skills and discover new topics. For example, in the event management course, she planned a global sporting event. In sustainable economics, the focus was on sustainability and its economic significance – a topic that is particularly close to her heart.

Student Hanna on a walk through the town of Huddingen, along a small harbor with a few moored boats.

Between city and nature

Outside of her degree program, she also had plenty of time to explore her new home country. She was particularly taken with Stockholm. With just under a million inhabitants, Stockholm is significantly larger than Kufstein, but still easy to navigate and quickly familiar. Each district – from the charming old town to the elegant streets of Östermalm to the trendy shops and bars in the south – has its own unique character. The cityscape is characterized by numerous bodies of water that divide Stockholm into several islands and blur the boundary between city and nature. Hanna's personal favorite place was Skinnarviksberget, from where you can watch breathtaking sunsets – for her, the most beautiful place in the city.

Culture and leisure

Typical of Sweden is the culture of Fika – a daily coffee break with friends or colleagues, where you consciously take time to enjoy life. Preferably with a freshly baked cinnamon bun. Those looking for exercise afterwards can stroll through the numerous green parks or explore the surrounding Schärengärten by ferry. This is a coastal landscape consisting mainly of small rocky islands (Schären). For the particularly brave, there is even the option of jumping into the ice-cold water.

An unforgettable highlight was a trip to Lapland in December. We took the bus to Rovaniemi, Finland – the home of Santa Claus. There, we not only got to ride on a husky sled, but also marvel at the breathtaking Northern Lights – a moment that will remain in our memories forever.

Three students sit in the snow on a wide plain and watch the breathtaking northern lights.

Experiences for life

Hanna can definitely recommend spending a year abroad. For her, this experience went far beyond her degree program. Living in a foreign country taught her important lessons about responsibility, resilience, and independence. New cultures, new challenges, and leaving her comfort zone had a decisive impact on this period of her life. She grew not only as a student, but also personally – more confident than ever.

The year abroad may be over, but the memories remain. Friendships around the globe, countless new impressions, and a second home in Sweden – she will never forget any of it.

Tack så mycket, Sweden – we'll definitely see you again!

A group of students gathered around a barbecue in the courtyard of their dormitory.