Week three of my internship abroad in Stockholm was easily one of the most memorable yet. Not just because of the exciting new challenges I faced at work, but because I had the chance to experience one of Sweden’s most beloved and culturally significant holidays—Midsommar. From weaving flower crowns to enjoying classic Swedish cuisine and learning to navigate ambiguity in my internship, this week offered both joy and growth in unexpected ways.
Leading up to the weekend, I made a point to ask as many questions as possible about Midsommar to my coworkers at GreenIron. What I learned fascinated me: Midsommar is considered by many Swedes to be even more important than Christmas. It dates back to ancient pagan times, when people celebrated the summer solstice—the longest day of the year and the official beginning of summer. It was a time to give thanks for light and warmth, and to wish for fertility and good harvests. Today, though the religious aspect has faded, Midsommar remains one of the most joyful celebrations in Swedish culture. The festivities typically include dancing around a majstång (maypole), wearing flower crowns, singing traditional songs, eating seasonal dishes like pickled herring, new potatoes with dill, and of course, indulging in fresh strawberries and cream.
My friends and I wanted to do Midsommar “right,” so we decided to leave Stockholm for the day and head to Vaxholm, a charming island town in the Stockholm archipelago. We’d heard it offered a more authentic Midsommar experience, without the overwhelming crowds of the city. It turned out to be a perfect choice. Vaxholm was lively but not overly commercial, and it was easy to see how much the holiday meant to the local community.
In true foodie fashion, we made a pact to café hop our way through the day to get the full Midsommar culinary experience. We visited several bakeries and high-quality restaurants, trying everything from sweet cardamom buns to fresh seafood. At one point, we may have (accidentally!) wandered into someone’s private garden, mistaking it for a pop-up café. The decor was so picturesque and welcoming, we honestly thought it was open to the public. We quickly realized our mistake and beat a hasty—if slightly embarrassed—retreat. Oops.
Later in the afternoon, we attended the maypole-raising ceremony. It was packed. So packed, in fact, that we couldn’t actually see the dancing around the pole because of the thick ring of tourists filming everything on their phones. That part was disappointing, but we didn’t let it dampen our spirits. Instead, we threw ourselves into the flower crown weaving activity, which looked easier than it actually was. What began with high hopes and Instagram dreams quickly turned into a tangle of stems and laughter. Our flower crowns drooped, fell apart, or never really formed at all—but the experience was hilarious and totally worth it.
Back at work, I was grappling with a different kind of challenge. As a new intern, I often find myself in situations where I’m not completely sure what’s expected of me. Sometimes it’s because instructions weren’t as clear as they could have been, but more often than not, it’s because I don’t yet have the full context for how things work at GreenIron. My first reaction when I encounter these situations is usually self-doubt—I tend to assume I missed something or wasn’t paying close enough attention.
At first, I hesitated to ask for help, worried that admitting confusion would reflect poorly on me or annoy my supervisors. But I’ve since learned that this fear is misplaced. One of the things I’ve come to deeply appreciate about GreenIron is the supportive and empathetic culture my mentors foster. They are consistently open, kind, and understanding—even when I make mistakes or ask for clarification more than once. In fact, they often encourage questions, emphasizing that it’s far better to seek clarity early on than to let a small issue snowball into a bigger one. That mindset shift has been a big part of my professional growth here.
I’ve come to realize that uncertainty is a normal part of being new, especially in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment. I no longer see it as a personal failure or weakness. Instead, I’ve started to treat it as an opportunity to practice clear communication and problem-solving. Asking questions doesn’t make you seem unprepared—it shows that you’re engaged, thoughtful, and committed to doing the work well. And in return, I’ve found that colleagues are much more receptive and helpful than I feared.
Overall, this week was a vivid reminder that not knowing everything is okay, whether it’s how to make a perfect flower crown or how to navigate a tricky task at work. Both experiences, the joyful chaos of Midsommar and the ongoing learning curve of my internship, have taught me to embrace the messiness of growth. Uncertainty isn’t something to be avoided; it’s something to work through, laugh about, and learn from.
By the end of week three, I felt more connected to Swedish culture, to my coworkers, and to myself as a growing professional. I’m learning to step into ambiguity with more curiosity than fear, and that might just be the biggest takeaway of all.