Because this is the last article of the year, it feels like a fitting moment to look back at the past few months. Whether you’ve been here three years or only arrived this January, there’s one thing we all share: we were all a student in Jönköping this last semester.
For me, being in Jönköping has sometimes felt like being in a little bubble away from the real world. Far away from any real, big cities, Jönköping has been a peaceful place surrounded by calm, Swedish nature. However, while it has been nice to live in a city small enough to always run into someone you know, I wonder if it’s really such an advantage to feel far away from the real world. Where is the line between minding your own business and ignoring real problems?
As a student in social sciences, I like to keep up with the news. During the past semester that has led to some tension within me because two very different things were true at the same time. On the one hand, I was personally having the time of my life this year. Just like many of you, I moved to a new country where I didn’t know anyone and didn’t speak the language, but still managed to find my favorite places and people to create the most wonderful memories with. On the other hand, I could impossibly ignore all of the things that were going horribly wrong in the world at the same time. The contrast between all the bad news in all corners of the world I saw when I opened instagram and the stories I posted of all the fun things I did this year could not have been greater.
While watching the world news develop through a screen without really being affected by it is definitely the most comfortable position to be in, it has sometimes made me fear what is waiting for us after this year where we were all safe and sound in Jönköping. This is not an easy world to be a young adult in, with all the hateful algorithms and polarizing discourses that try to divide us.
Luckily, here in Jönköping I have met so many amazing people that have restored my hope that all is not lost. More specifically in Kulturhuset, I have had conversations with people from everywhere and all ages, which has shown me how important it is to connect with different people, in the end we all just want to talk to people and be heard.
Kulturhuset has played a huge role in my life this past semester, and I recommend everyone to step by there at least once while you’re here. The first time you might go for some delicious soup and amazing bread, but if you like the vibe I highly recommend you volunteer to make some soup the next time. Whoever you are, you will be welcomed with open arms by the friendliest group of people in all of Jönköping. You can read more about the soup kitchen here.
Whether you’re reading this as you leave Jönköping forever or when you are about arrive in August and are frantically looking for any information about the city where you’re about to start studying, I wish you the best of luck with whatever comes next for you, and I hope you have the best time. And if you prefer holding paper in your hands while reading or just want to read more, don’t hesitate to pick up one of our magazines while you’re on campus. They are free to take and written by students just like you and me.
Writer: Louise Keymolen
