Following our delegation’s selection at the Swiss National Session, we traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden, to participate in the Swedish European Youth Parliament’s (EYP Sverige) national session. As this was the first time any of us had visited Sweden, the trip was a significant cultural experience from the start. Arriving a day early allowed us to explore the city and immerse ourselves in the local atmosphere - which included the memorable task of purchasing a full kilogram of Swedish sweets for a very reasonable price. We went on a little tour of the city and, although it rained the entire time, it was a very pleasant experience.

The session hotel was beautiful, we were extremely pleased with it. The session itself was an incredible experience, providing a platform to meet many new people and engage with diverse perspectives. We were each assigned to separate committees, allowing our delegation to dive deep into a variety of complex topics. These ranged from tackling organized crime and addressing declining democracy levels in the EU to analyzing security and defense challenges, specifically regarding unidentified drone sightings in Europe. Additionally, being assigned to different committees allowed us to make new connections and talk to a multitude of people. The committee work was not easy, but the fika breaks and energizers made it very entertaining. It was a highly rewarding trip that was a mix of immersing ourselves into the Swedish culture, making ourselves experts on our respective topics, learning so much about the EU and creating lifelong friendships with people from other countries. As melancholy as it is that the session has ended, the memories will stay cherished for a long time to come.