This event aims to give international students the tools to face and enjoy the Swedish winter. Rebecca, psychologist at Feelgood, will talk about what happens in our minds and bodies when the daylight hours are reduced and the temperature drops, and Nils from International Centre will cover winter activities and how to stay active and warm.
Already the days are a lot shorter than when the semester began. The temperature has fallen, and it will continue to get both colder and darker for a while longer. The longest night will occur around the 21st of December, but the temperature will likely reach its lowest in January or early February.
So how do we cope and even thrive in this dark and cold season? A student assistant who worked for us once coined the expression "embrace the dark" in answer to just that question.
That mindset is key to dealing with the Swedish winter. During this event, we will talk about what actually happens in the mind and body when there are fewer daylight hours in the day, but also about activities especially suited to the winter and how to dress for the cold. In short, we aim to give you the understanding and keys to "embracing" the dark and the cold.
On stage you will find Rebecca, registered psychologist from Feelgood, who will take the stage for the first half of the programme focussing:
1. Psychologically: How and why does the winter darkness affect us? Why is daylight so important to keep our spirits up?
And Nils, from International Centre, who will take charge of the second half:
2. Staying active: How can we stay active when it is cold and dark and all we want to do is nestle under a blanket and wait for spring? We give you our best tips on activities, dressing for the wintry out- and indoors, and other advice.
This is primarily an on-site activity, but we recognise that not everyone are able to attend in person and we are therefore going to stream the event via Zoom Webinar as well. If you are able to attend in person, however, we do recommend that.
Rebecca Barahona works as a registered psychologist at Feelgood, the Student health care for students at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg. Her work involves meeting individual students as well as holding lectures and workshops.
Nils Pasi Nävert: Since 2015, Nils works with the Welcome Programme and activities for international students at the University of Gothenburg. Before that, he was part of the welcoming committee for international students at the student union. He is fond of singing, loves taking photos, and enjoys being in the nature.