Orientation Day 2: Pre-Registration Day

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Schedule:

To Do Checklist:
Pre-Registration Day:

Pre-Registration Day is where you meet with your coordinator - the person who signed off on your Letter of Acceptance. Although it's pretty much an open house where you arrive whenever is convenient for you, I emailed my coordinator Sofi in advanced to set up at meeting at 10:00. 

Stora Algatan 4 is about a 20-minute walk from Sparta. I've been pleasantly surprised by the weather here - today was about 4°c and I was fine in a t-shirt with my puffy coat over the top. Walking around warms you up too! Here's the entrance: 
(taken 16-01-2019)

You're greeted by another International Mentor who will either lead you to where the other coordinators are (by-passing another IT Support Desk), or, in my case, let you through the first door (they need to swipe their key to open the door) on the left to Sofi's office. 

Signing off with your coordinator is super quick and easy - I just had to sign a document with all the courses I had been admitted to, write the date and I was done! It really is that simple and efficient!

I wasn't expecting the process to be so quick so before lunch I decided to do some grocery shopping at ICA (located right outside Sparta) to purchase essentials (a post dedicated to ICA is in the making so stay tuned for more!)

Tip: If you're keen to grab lunch like I was, make sure you get there early! Kristianstad Nation ran out of food at 12:30, when I was still queuing. Still, there was free water, coffee and a selection of teas (+ cow and oat milk) and bread with butter (and vegan butter!) available. At the end they put out some coconut cookies. Plus, some of the other students I met gave me their leftovers AHAHA - no photos unfortunately, but they served vegan sausage with mashed potato + carrot and gravy. 

Novice Pub at Helsingkrona: 15:00 - 17:00 (taken 16-01-2019) 
I don't drink alcohol so I was a bit nervous about rocking up to a "pub" event, but my fears alleviated at the door when a nation member gave me a run-down of what was offered! As well as your usual alcohol they serve non-alcoholic drinks including different sodas and non-alcoholic beers + ciders. I had a non-alcoholic apple cider (SEK20) which was quite nice! 

I spent most of my time talking to a Swedish student (henceforth, friend) who studies Engineering Physics (in his words, "basic engineering"). He recommends the nachos if you head to Helsingkrona - the burgers are, I quote, "okay," but the "drinks and beer are nice!" 

I chose a random table to make myself at home and ended up sitting at a table where every single member was a Swedish engineer. Turns out that the area around Sparta is where the main Engineering campus is - so many engineers (or people who study maths/science) flock to either Helsingkrona or Kristianstad Nations as they are close by. 

Although I've heard that Swedes are more "reserved", I didn't feel that at all during the pub. My friend was incredibly welcoming and an animated speaker and we had an engaging, rich conversation about life in Lund, travel tips, studies, his year in the military, both our experiences working in healthcare, potential future careers and the weather! 

Welcome Reception: 16:00 - 19:30 @ University Main Building (also known as the White Building). 
I was a bit lost getting to the Welcome Reception so I only got there in time for the speech by the Vice Chancellor of Lund, Torbjorn von Schantz. He welcomed us to Lund, spoke for a bit about the practices of the university as research-based and emphasised the best part of attending university here: the vibrant student life and culture. My ears perked up at this fun fact: Lund University was founded by Queen Hedwig Eleonora in the 17th Century (I'm a sucker for Baroque art + architecture + garden cultures and studied her influence in Swedish art history previously, so this was very exciting to learn! She built the famous Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm which is currently on my list of "must visit" places). 
The Vice Chancellor giving his Welcome speech to new incoming exchange + international students
And on another note, just how beautiful is the ceiling and lights in this building? It's like visiting a famous art gallery or church aesthetic. 

After speeches a choir performed a series of Swedish songs, most memorably a serenade to "anyone who has ever felt in love" and a song about "the best things in life - friendship, getting drunk and losing all your money."  
The Choir!
And lastly during mingle time (where light snacks - cinnamon rolls + pretzel sticks and sparkling water was provided), the Lund band performed a series of Swedish songs (while doing some really jazzy dance-moves and acting too!) It was like watching a live musical. Everyone had this incredible energy and welcomed us so warmly. 
Lund Band performing :)

First Mentor Meet-Up: 19:30 - 21:30 @ University Main Building 
My mentors met those who attended the Welcome Reception and we headed over to one of the mentor's residences. We introduced each other, played card games (What do you Meme?), I watched a game of beer pong and ate chips provided. It was a fun and chill night - the highlight was probably seeing my mentors in person and bonding with them over my love for all things Swedish and their passion for sharing their culture and travel experiences. 

Today was exhausting and I'm floored, but in a happy and good way! I'm already falling in love with Lund. 

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