ESN Lapland Trip

December 2022, written by Ceri Taylor

With snow the roads and fields are white; But here the forest's clothed with light. And in a shining sheath enrolled. Each branch, each twig, each blade of grass, Seems clad miraculously with glass. 

A Crystal Forest, William Sharp.

Have you ever felt like you were stepping into a poem? I have. 

The breathtaking winter wonderland of Swedish Lapland is just a few clicks away thanks to the Erasmus Student Network and our partnership with TimeTravels. The south of Sweden is beautiful in its own right with its distinctive architecture, amazing public transport system and of course the best city in the whole world, Gothenburg. But nothing compares to the unparalleled beauty of the far north, or to be more specific, Bjorkliden, where I was lucky enough to travel with ESN. 

There’s nothing like being in a cosy cabin in the middle of nowhere with all your friends, surrounded by other cosy cabins also filled with other students. You can easily cabin-hop if you want to visit your friends throughout the day as there is plenty of leisure time to hike, sled, build snowmen or host a gathering in your own cabin if that’s what you feel like doing. 

There are plenty of extra activities to book if you are the adventurous type but a guarantee for everyone on this trip is the chance to make your inner child’s Christmas wish come true with a visit full of beautiful reindeer, the opportunity to feed them, and to learn about Sami and Sami culture. You will also get to visit Kiruna (a city on the move!) and see the totally stunning church. 

Time in between activities is free reign, so whether you want to hike all night looking for wildlife or take the train to the nearby city of Abisko or even if you just want to have a well-deserved nap, the trip is yours to create. 

The one thing you’re probably wondering about is the thing on everyone’s bucket list: the Aurora Borealis - also called the polar lights! Well, there are no guarantees but I certainly saw them when I went. The only way you definitely won’t get to see them is if you don’t secure your place. 

Pack as many layers as you can physically get into your bags. When you think your bags are going to burst open, pack more.