March 1997 Article 1
To the Land Of The Midnight Sun
By Andrew Kwok Vi-Kong, MPE 4
 
"Senare", a voice greeted me on a cold Tuesday morning after a 15-hour flight. That says it all. this was certainly no dream. I was in Lulea, Sweden. On 15 August 1995, together with three other MPE students (Lee Keen Sing, Lee Boon Liang and Leow Kok Wah) I arrived at the Kallax Airport in Lulea to commence my one-semester student-exchange program in Lulea University of Technology followed by a six-month industrial attachment. The city of Lulea is situated close to the Arctic Circle. Lulea is the principal city of the northernmost quarter of Sweden. The exotic location of the city leaves one with fascinating impressions - the midnight sun in summer and the starlit winter skies with flashes of the northern lights. One is able to experience the long hours (20 hours) of daylight during the summer and also the cold winter where the temperature drops to a low of -30 degree celsius.

Being the first batch of Asian students on the exchange program, the Swedes gave us a very warm welcome and were very interested in learning more about us. I was enrolled in a 2-week orientation program along with other first year students in the university. During the orientation, I had my first taste of the Swedish way of life, language and culture. I was given the opportunity to become ambassador for my university and country.

Studying in a Swedish university has been a great experience. The small student-teacher ratio in the tutorial sessions and lectures made learning very condusive. I found the staff in the university very approachable and friendky and the relationship between teachers and students excellent. As there were many exchange students from all over the world in Lulea, I was totally immersed in an international community. It was gratifying meeting a varied bunch of young people, some whom have become my personal friends. We held discussions and debates on almost any topic under the sun, from political ideology to even the prices of the certificate of entitlement for cars in Singapore! Through these interactions, I have begun to appreciate the diversity and beauty of mankind - the different culture, social background, moral values and customs.

At Lulea University, I got to experience many different sports and activities like down hill skiing, ice skating and "gypma" (Swedish workout session). I also had my first taste of being a DJ at the university radio station. There is also a university pub and disco for the students to booze and boogie till the wee hours of the morning. I had the opportunity to travel and visit many places of interest in Sweden.

The 10-month stay in Lulea has been a tremendous learning experience for me. The memories are vividly etched in my mind and I will always treasure and cherish the experience which has been enlightening in every aspect. It has widened my horizon, broadened frontiers, changed my perspectives and most important, renewed my zest and enthusiasm in life.