Visiting Host Family

Wow, this past weekend was absolutely great. I got to meet my visiting host family and it was one of the best experiences I have had here so far! For those who do not know, as a student at DIS who is not in the homestay housing option, there is an option to sign up for a visiting host family. Essentially, after you sign up for a host family, you get paired with a local Swedish family. After getting paired up, you get in contact with them and set up times to meet throughout your time abroad. This way you can connect with locals, and really get a sense of a traditional Swedish home, without living in a homestay. As soon as I saw this program, I instantly knew it was for me. I highly recommend this to any prospective student of DIS Stockholm! To learn more about this process, click this link! https://disabroad.org/stockholm/semester/meet-the-swedes/visiting-host-program/

Another student and I met our visiting host family this past Friday, and it was the best experience I could have imagined possible. The photo above is of their family! I took the train over to their home, located in a very beautiful part of Sweden where its much more rural. When we first got to there, I felt immediately at home. Their home reminds me of my old lake house back in Quebec, Canada. You can smell the fresh air, the trees, and the wood surrounding you. Their home is also right by the water so you could go for a swim anytime you like. I immediately noticed how their entire family is so family oriented, much like my own. They were so engaged with us, and I could tell they really wanted to get to know us 🙂

All of us kids played a Swedish game outside, and then went inside to eat dinner. We ate burgers and had some delicious sides as well. After dinner, we all decided we wanted to go for a swim. The water was freezing, but it was so worth it. Also, we went right during sunset time, so it was the most beautiful scenery. After enjoying the swim and the sunset, we all went back to the house, and decided we wanted to play a card game before leaving to go back to my apartment. So we played a card game, and I can honestly say thatI have not laughed like that in a while. They are all so funny and I had the absolute best time with their family. They really reminded me of my own family, so I immediately felt connected to them!

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be able to spend time with a local Swedish family. Over the course of this semester, I will be meeting them multiple times, and getting to know them even more! I can honestly say that I am excited to spend some more time with them, and truly get to know them. Studying abroad entails being abroad mainly for school, and thats extremely important. However, making as many connections with people as you can is just as important. I have already made so many friendships with people from all over the world, and human connection is what is most important in life. So if you have the opportunity to sign up for a visiting host family, I would highly recommend it 🙂

Well, my third week in Sweden is about to start, and I can’t wait to see what new things I’ll learn and the new people I will meet🤗 Every week here brings me something different, it is truly amazing.

Bye for now!!

Valerie