First Post

Hej alla,

This is the blog that I will be posting updates from my year of studies in Sweden. Feel free to read as much or little as you want. Though you are here by notified that this will be the most exciting blog you have ever read and should check back often. Sort of.

So I arrived in Sweden last Saturday and was met at the airport by Tomas Nygren, the rector (President) of the school, and his wife. Tomas brought me to the school and showed me my room and a quick tour of the school. It is only one building and a dorm so it did not take very long.

I then proceeded to ride with my cousin, Ola, (som kan kallas Olala) for his girlfriend, Emma's birthday. Then after being in Transtrand for less then 20 hours I turned around to come back to Uppsala.

On Monday I began my first day at Johannelund Teoligiska Högskola. I participated in the informational activities for the first year students (Ettan). We played a lot of name games and such in order to get to know each other. It was a good time and very helpful since just about all of the people who I live with are in Ettan.

On Tuesday, I left Ettan to be with the second year students (Tvåan) who I will actually be in class with. Starting Tuesday we began Temaveckan which is actually a course for them about music in services. During this time, we had a variety of different components including a hymn (pslam in Swedish) analysis, a visit from a cantor, and a Swedish gospel singer.

Last night was Ettan´s (and mine) welcome night where Tvåan took us out for a classic dagis (daycare) or elementary class trip to grill and play games. It was fun walking through Uppsala all two by two holding a string in the middle and our "teachers" yelling at us the whole way to stay in line.

Today I had probably my most meaningful experience so far. This morning when the gospel singer (which is not quite the same as an American gospel singer) came to our class there was also a black woman who was also there. When the presenter started to talk, they asked if anyone was good in English to translate for Rhonda. Someone else volunteered to do it and started to do it for the first 15 minutes or so. I noticed that it was difficult for him since he was translating out of his native tounge. So I offered to help out to which he gladly asked me to take over. So then for the rest of the morning, I was able to be with Rhonda who is a pastor in Zimbabwe and came with a group to see how Swedish Lutheran churches work. It was a great experience for me and was a pleasure to get to know Rhonda. I hope she will be at church on Sunday.

Well, that is about all I have to say right now. Please feel free to comment and ask questions about anything I post. I am always glad to hear from you!

Med vänliga hälsningar

Antonio