By: Hunter Boschert
Sophia Noren is a freshman economics major from Stockholm, Sweden, where she resides with her parents and older brother. She will compete all four years of her post-secondary education at Bellarmine.
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden with a population of more than 2.2 million people. The city is made up of the mainland and 14 islands that extend into the Baltic Sea. With more than 100 museums available to the public, Stockholm is one of the most museum-crowded cities in the world.
Q: What are you involved in on campus?
A: I am on the women’s swimming team where I compete with the breaststroke and a little bit of freestyle.
Q: What is your favorite Bellarmine event?
A: I really liked Late Knight Bingo. Most likely because I won and in my bucket of candy was Starburst. This was the first time I had ever ate Starburst because we do not have them in Sweden, and I really like them!
Q: What do you miss most about home?
A: I, of course, miss my family and friends, but I really miss my pet Rabbit, Sorrow. It is easy to call or FaceTime family members but it is really hard to FaceTime my rabbit.
Q: What is your favorite US city?
A: I have gotten to travel a little with the swim team, but I really like Louisville. The atmosphere and the people are nice and unique.
Q: Why did you choose to come to the United States and more specifically Bellarmine?
A: It is hard to combine swimming and schooling in Sweden, so I thought I would give America a try because sports are such a big deal here. I wanted to try something new and step outside of my comfort zone. I zoned in on Bellarmine since it is a small school and has such a beautiful campus. Once I started to communicate with my soon-to-be coach and team members, I thought it was a great fit.
Q: Is the United States what you expected it to be like?
A: The people are very nice, and the food is very different, but those were really my only expectations. I was not expecting college to be as rigorous as it is because the teaching style is very different in America.
Q: What is the strangest social custom you have noticed?
A: Suing people for anything really because that would never happen in Sweden. An individual would never sue another individual in Sweden. I also find it weird that everyone drives everywhere, and you can get your license at 16 here. Many people bike in Sweden, and you have to wait until you are 18 to get your license.
Q: What is your favorite American food?
A: I really like mac and cheese, and I really like burritos at Chipotle.
Q: What food do you miss from home?
A: I really miss Swedish Meatballs and home-cooked meals. My mom makes boiled potatoes and beef with bearnaisesås sauce, and I cannot find that here.
Q: Do you plan on staying in Louisville post graduation?
A: That is really hard to answer. I really like the United States, but only time will tell. The United States and Louisville has started to feel like home, but at the end of the day it would be really hard to move away from Stockholm permanently.