Our first full day in Sweden kicked off with an amazing breakfast- sandwiches, followed by a scenic hike through nearby forest trails, led by our wonderful Swedish hosts, Malin and Kerstin. With their local knowledge and cheerful energy, they showed us hidden paths and shared little bits of Swedish nature trivia along the way. Surrounded by towering pine trees, we walked, talked, and laughed as we made our way through the peaceful landscape.

After building up a serious appetite, we made our way to a cozy local restaurant for lunch. The warmth inside was a welcome contrast to the brisk and cold spring air outside, and the smell of sizzling burgers hit us the moment we walked in. Sitting around tables in a rustic, wood-panelled dining room, we enjoyed hearty meals, shared stories, and slowly began to feel like we were settling into our Swedish routine.

Later that afternoon, we took a short walk to a nearby lake and gave fishing a try. While some of us channelled our inner outdoorsy selves, others quickly realized that patience was not their strongest virtue. Despite the lack of any actual fish being caught (unless you count seaweed), the experience was full of laughter, light teasing, and a few overly dramatic near-catches.