There are many things I love about Stockholm, and one being in the top of my list is certainly the access to water virtually everywhere I go. Stockholm is an archipelago made up of 14 islands (!!!) so it’s pretty easy to find a place where to go swimming.
The water is sea water, but as it is somewhat inland, it is half-salty half-fresh water. You can swim pretty much everywhere (unless prohibited), may it be a small lake in a forest or in a public beach closer to city central.
PC: stockholmswimmingclub.se
I started going on weekly quick swims in April, which is a great way to feel alive in the cold spring! As soon as the sun came out and the days got warmer, more people started gathering by the water to have picnics and barbecues and go for an invigorating swim.
PC: theguardian.com
There are few swimming spots close to most students accommodations where you can go now if you are not afraid of the cold, or later in summer once the water gets warmer. As the days are long, it’s a great way to take advantage of the nice weather and get immersed in the Swedish experience!
Some places where you can swim are identified with stars. They are pretty close to school and have nice views!
As the term is coming to an end and summer starts to set in, you will certainly find me swimming at one of my favorite spots!
If you want the experience the same social vibe of Lappis but still stay in a less noisy locality with gardens and lakes around, then Kungshamra is the place for you.
The model of Kungshamra is quite similar to that of Lappis, with a communal kitchen and private rooms and bathrooms. However, it is much toned down in terms of the social atmosphere. Kungshamra is certainly more peaceful than lappis, less noisy and comfortable.
Kungshamra has a new, active student community who organise gardening activities, pub activities and get-togethers. This makes the atmosphere is more friendly. The mall of Scandinavia which is the biggest mall in Sweden in like 10 mins from Kungshamra.
Kungshamra has a gym open 24/7. It also has a beautiful garden which suits people who like cycling, running. It also facilities for playing soccer, rugby, basketball.
Grocery shopping is hassle-free since it has Coop and Ica which are at a walkable distance. The nearest tunnelbana (metro station) is a 10min walk through beautiful gardens which connects directly to KTH main campus. One can also take a bus to the metro station.
The rooms are cosy and comfortable with single rooms and private bathrooms. The kitchen would be shared with others in the corridor. The rent is around 4200 sek monthly. The price is almost comparable to Lappis.
Communal kitchen where corridor mates socialise Picture Credits: Harsha Vardhan
Last week, we got to visit Lappis and Skrapan. This week we explore accommodation which is right on the campus of KTH – Teknikringen. You could see these high structures from most part of the campus.
If you are the one who wakes up and races in just minutes before the classes start on a cold Swedish winter morning, then Teknikringen is the place for you to be.
Living on the campus has its advantages. It feels much comfortable with regard to attending classes than other accommodations. One can conveniently use the facilities on the campus like the labs, library and gym without worry about when the last metro or bus is. There is nature calling around for running or cycling and the views from the rooms are quite amazing.
Views on a winter afternoon PC: Akshat Jain
The metro station is just a few minutes walk away. Although there aren’t supermarket stores such as Lidl or Willis, the metro connects to most of the places nearby. There is also an Indian grocery store within a stone throw away distance.
However, living in teknikringen feels like living in a private apartment. There are no many communal or social places as in Lappis for parties. People tend to be less social around. Although the department pubs are quite nearby.
The rent is more than Lappis or other accommodations ranging from 5500 to 7000 sek/month. There are regular police patrolling making it safer. The rooms are small and cosy with a shared kitchen with another person. It would have basic furnishing such as a study table, chair, beds. The internet connection would not be included in the rent. It would usually cost around 250 sek monthly.
Kitchen in left: shared apartment right: a studio apartment to impress yourself as a cook. PC: KTH.seleft: shared space right: shared toilet to introspect on great thoughts PC: KTH.se
The cosy corner of the private room PC: Akshat Jain
I would like to give a shout out to Akshat Jain who narrated his experience and gave me inputs and pictures for this blog.
One of the things I learned by moving in a student accommodation is that the way you decorate your room and apartment really impacts your mood when you spend time there. Mysa is a Swedish concept roughly meaning making something cozy, comfortable, and that’s exactly what you want to do with your student accommodation.
Indeed, when you move in your new place in August, you may soon get bored of the white walls and two lamps you have. But worry not! With a few simply additions you can make your standard copy/paste student room a nice place reflecting your personality where you’ll enjoy spending time.
1. Buy plants
PC: laurenrink.com
One way to instantaneously give life to a space is to add some greenery to it. All accommodations have big windows, so you’ll be able to give your plants the sun they need. Begin with only one or two plants that are easy to take care of; you can go to a florist and ask them about it. Supermarkets also sell some plants at pretty low price (my local Hemköp currently sells plants for 50kr and I’ve been fighting the urge to get a new one every time I go 😅).
You can also buy herbs at the store and use those as plants. Be careful, they require lots of water and can die-off pretty easily.
2. Put something on your walls
PC: teenvogue.com
When I left Canada, I packed photos, some art that I had and posters to hang up in my new home. It shouldn’t be the first item on your list when you pack, but you’ll be happy you have it when you arrive. It’s a little something to bring from home and it will enhance your decor.
If you want to do the same, find things that are small or easily packable so it doesn’t take too much space in your luggage. You can also look for cheap wall art like band posters or paintings at second hand shops when you arrive, or get creative and make your own wall art (a quick search online should give you inspiration)!
3. Lighting is key
PC: blog.ocm.com
Another way to make your room look very mysigt is to have different lighting options. You can buy those cute hanging lights, or get some candles. Many of my friends started putting candles in old wine bottles and putting them by the window, giving a nice warm atmosphere to the room.
In my last weeks’ post, we travelled through life at Lappis. This week, we explore other student accommodation – Skrapan. If you are the one who isn’t comfortable sharing your kitchen with 10 other people or doesn’t want a party place like Lappis but still wants to be in the centre of Stockholm, then Skrapan is the place for you.
The best thing about Skrapan is that its right in the centre of Stockholm with Gamlastan just a stone throw away.
This adds to the vibrant feeling of the place with shops and malls around. Every Saturday there is a flea market happening on the campus where you get to buy things from fresh groceries to antic jewellery and second-hand items. Occasionally there would be open theatres and plays to keep you entertained.
Weekend Vibes! Picture credits: Ravina Adsul
The apartment would be shared by two people consisting of a hall, kitchen and a bathroom. But the thing which stands out the most is the big windows which every room has. This gives access to amazing views, especially during this quarantine. I will let the pictures do the talking here.
Why go out when I can see the world from my window 😛 Picture credits: Ravina Adsul
It also has an active basketball court. The rent is, of course, cheaper here than Lappis. Being in the centre of the city, the metro station is just outside the campus. Unlike Lappis which only has ICA, there are tons of options for shopping at Skrapan. The backside of Skrapan would be the student community isn’t that organised as in Lappis and it would feel like staying in any private apartment.
A typical apartment in Skrapan Picture credits: Ravina Adsul
A rare bright sunny day at Skrapan Picture credits: Ravina Adsul
I would like to give a shout out to Ravina Adsul who narrated her experience and gave me inputs and pictures for this blog.
My friends and I made many plans for spring and summer, but the pandemic cut our ambitious short. One thing we wanted to start doing is painting all together, following a tutorial by Bob Ross. If you don’t know who this is, I strongly suggest watching one of his youtube videos (don’t be fooled, he is not your typical youtuber), and be soothed by the sound of his voice. He has spent 10+ year hosting a painting tutorials show on public television in the 80s-90s, and has become some kind of a meme in the past years because of his happy and positive personality.
So the idea was still in my mind, and I wanted to have some much-needed creative time, so I organized a painting party, over Zoom.
Everyone’s painting!
Everyone bought their supplies, and I shared my screen with the chosen video and we painted away for a good two hours. I was really fun and also a nice break from all the school work, and we got to see everyone’s interpretation of the tutorial.
If you are not into painting, I’m sure you can easily find another activity and a youtube tutorial of it, and just plan a Zoom call and have fun with it!
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