What do lingonberry jam, Spotify, and separate trash bins have in common? Read columnist Anindyaningrum Chrisant Rystiasih’s answers here.
As an international student in Lund, it was not long ago that I had to come to Lund for the first time and struggled to accustom myself to the way of life in Lund. This spring, I had the chance to return to my home country for a little while, during which I found myself a changed person in several aspects.
The first changes I realized were about food and drink. I came to find out that some foods were too sweet, too spicy, too salty and thus sometimes less enjoyable than I had remembered. I must have become accustomed to the less spicy food choices more available to me in Europe. Do not get me wrong – I still love Indonesian food, but I miss Swedish meatballs with Lingonberry jam. It’s funny because at first, I had to convince myself that meatballs and jam were a good combination.
Tap water isn’t potable in Jakarta, yet I keep finding myself filling a glass of water from the tap. I stand there at the sink with a feeling that something is not exactly right until I remember that I am supposed to get water from the gallon in the kitchen.
Secondly, I found myself more productive in Sweden. Lund isn’t exactly the liveliest city, thus there are less distractions. In Jakarta I am constantly going to different malls (we have more than 100 different ones in the city), different restaurants, meeting different friends and family too.
However I would attribute the productivity to a few other things, such as internet availability, Spotify, and optimal workspaces. I can work easily online almost anywhere in Lund. Spotify helps keep me motivated at any part of my day – be it study, exercise or dinner with friends. And there are a multitude of study and work spaces available at libraries or school campus that help me get in to the zone.
In Lund, everywhere is basically within walking distance. You don’t need to plan so far in advance for your appointments. In fact, Lund is so calm and quiet that sometimes in my room I can almost hear myself thinking out loud. At home the noise and sounds of the city are never ending, even 3 in the morning the occasional roar of a motorcycle can be heard from my bed.
Thirdly, I have a new appreciation for cleanliness. After baking a cake at home I was left with plastic egg containers, egg shells, and an aluminum which I had prepared to throw in different bins. Then I realized we only had one bin. At first I felt it was actually nice that I would not have to separate trash, but then when I walked onto the street and saw smoke billowing up from people’s yards as they burnt their trash, I immediately missed the super clean streets and sky at Lund.
To all the international students I ask the question,” How have YOU changed?” We are here in Lund on a temporary journey. Interestingly you may find that the things that you struggled with when you came here, are what you miss when you come back home.
