Fika with Sarah Bernhardt

I finally feel really settled here in Sweden. I say ‘finally’ because there was a period at the start of my time here when I would spontaneously burst into tears at the mention of things like ‘library card’, ‘photocopier’ and ‘bank account’.

The good vibrations Sweden and I are currently surfing on can be attributed to one phenomenon. The word is ‘Fika’. Simply put, ‘fika’ is a hot drink (tea or coffee) and a bun eaten with friends. A race

Vicious Cycle

Up to the age of twelve, I was incapable of riding a bike. There were several reasons for this. Firstly, I abhor physical exercise. Secondly, we live on a hill so steep that cycling it would require Red Bull to live-stream the descent. Thirdly, my very limited skill-set does not lend itself well to a situation in which you need to stay on the correct side of the road, navigate roundabouts and distinguish left from right.

In 6th class it

Hej! I’m Niamh.

I thought for this first post I would start with the basics, or the not-so-basic as the case may be; my name – Niamh.

First things first. In case you don’t know me well (in which case you will soon stop reading due to the uncomfortably narcissistic nature of this post) I am an student of English literature and Gaeilge (Irish language or ‘Gaelic’) from Co. Tipperary, Ireland and I’m currently on exchange in Sweden.

If you come from somewhere other than Éire, firstly be happy that you aren’t followed around by a temperamental rain-cloud all-day and secondly