Ivona: From Croatia to Örebro: My First Week at University

I am from Croatia, so deciding to do my Master’s in Sweden was a big change for me. I was very excited and had so many questions – What would the university be like? What would the professors and other students be like? Would I find my way around the campus easily? And how long would it take for me to feel like I really belonged here?

My first day on campus was when everything started to feel real.
I had already seen pictures of the campus before coming here, but it is different when you see it in person. One of the first things I noticed was how big the campus is and how different it is from what I was used to in Croatia. In Croatia, I was used to university buildings being in different parts of the city, while here the different buildings and university facilities are all part of the same campus.

During the first few days, I was still trying to remember where everything was and checking my schedule more times than I would like to admit.
Another thing I really liked was the atmosphere on campus. Everything was new to me, but I did not feel like I was the only one trying to find my way around. I met other students and quickly realised that we all had similar questions. When everyone is new, it is much easier to start a conversation and meet new people.

The first lectures also gave me a better idea of what my Master’s will be like. It was interesting to see how they are different from what I was used to in Croatia. There is a lot of discussion, students are encouraged to ask questions and we are expected to take part in the conversation.
I think the biggest thing I learned during my first week is that I do not have to know everything right away. It is completely normal to get lost on campus, not knowing where to find something or have ten questions in one day. After a while, things simply start to fall into place.

A few months ago, I was looking at Örebro University through a screen and trying to imagine what it would be like to study here. Now I am on campus, meeting new people and slowly creating my own routine.

I am already excited to see what the rest of my time in Örebro will bring.