Written by: Anna Grace Muckerheide | Fall 2024
BU Exchange Semester in Uppsala, Sweden
Studying abroad had never even crossed my mind as an opportunity available for me during my time in college. When I got the email from the College of Education (COE) about wanting to send students to Uppsala University in Uppsala, Sweden, I ignored it like all the other study abroad emails because I didn’t believe it was something I could do. The thought of moving across the ocean from my family and friends was too daunting to even consider. I think I am a pretty introverted person, so having to start all over, create new friendships, explore a new country, live alone, and be so far away from everything I’ve ever known made the possibility of me studying abroad improbable.
But something convinced me to reopen that email about Uppsala University. I told myself I would never go, but it would be fun to hear what studying in Sweden is like. As I was scrolling the email, I saw some of the classes offered, and one was “Swedish Special Needs from a Comparative Perspective.” The class was described as learning about special needs education, which is what I am studying at Butler, from an international perspective. My interest immediately peaked because how cool is that!! I vividly remember texting my mom “not that I would go but look how cool this class is in Sweden.” While I was pretty dead set on not studying abroad, I think a little part of me was trying to open my eyes and peek through to what life could be like abroad. I was letting fear hold me back, but as I continued pushing through, so many dreams and so much excitement came to light, and then I realized, going to Sweden was exactly the direction my life needed.
So here I am, in an incredible country, studying education, and getting to learn from hundreds of other international students about their home countries and what life is like for them. I am not only learning in my classes, but in my everyday life. 
Some of the tiniest moments, like building a snowman with a stranger, walking to the city center and seeing the lights set up for the winter (because the sun sets before 3pm), and feeling at peace as I buy a hot cup of coffee and sit down to study, have brought me a great sense of joy.
As I was preparing to leave for Sweden, all I could think about was how I wished my family and loved ones could experience this trip alongside me. I knew that this was something I had to do alone, but I wanted to share everything with them, so I started a personal blog. Once a week, I write about anything and everything that I want to remember forever. Sometimes all I talk about is my favorite pastry, while other times I share something more meaningful. All these memories could fade over time, and I didn’t want that to happen, so writing about them gives them a place to rest until I find them again.
Writing once a week became so therapeutic for me. It was a way for me to slow down and reflect on my life and to think about all the good things that had come to me that week. After posting a blog, I would get texts from my family and friends about what they liked, how they are feeling, how they wish they could share a Swedish pastry with me, etc. Sharing my writings with them made it feel like they were with me, which is a very calming feeling when you are physically 4000 miles away.
I created my blog on the free GoDaddy website which allowed me to post as many writings and photos as I wanted. Even while I am still in Sweden, I love looking back and reading about the first couple weeks to see how much my life has changed in just a few short months. In my week 3 post, I talked about this salad bar that I tried that I really liked and said I would definitely be back. Now, I find that really funny because the last place I would choose to eat is that salad bar because I have found so many better places after 3 months of living here. Funny things like that to look back on are tiny moments that I would’ve otherwise forgotten about if I hadn’t written them down. There are also deeper posts, such as week 4 when I discussed how my corridor/apartment was beginning to feel like a family. While I was nervous about this living situation, it turned out better than I imagined, with everyone being friendly and caring, and now they are some of my favorite people.
All this to say, considering a study abroad has 
overwhelmed me from the first mention of it, but now that I’ve taken that step, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I know leaving your loved ones is so scary, but there are ways to still connect with them. Writing was not only a way for me to connect and share my experiences with my people back home, but a way for me to connect with myself and stay grounded.
So, think of all the possibilities and take the chance to study abroad. And maybe write a blog about it so you have your memories, of the smallest things and the largest moments, forever.