Hello Sweden, it's Core Course Week!
Stockholm, Sweden: Sept. 8-10
My roommate Meghan and I wanted to do some independent travel before core course week officially began; we chose Stockholm, and let me tell ya, this city is so charming! Gamla Stan, the old town area, is a maze of cobblestone paths and bright orange houses. We felt that the best way to see a city was to get lost in it, and that is exactly what we did. Meghan and I wandered all around Stockholm, peeking into the most aesthetically pleasing home decor shops and probably the best chocolatier I've ever been to. If you are going to do touristy things, I would 10/10 recommend Fotografiska, a photography museum right on the canal.
Meghan snapped a picture of me looking at an art display along the canal in Stockholm. (That's me in the denim jacket!)
A courtyard we hung out at in the center of Gamla Stan. Peep the orange house!
In the name of transparency, I have to be honest with y'all. My phone and ID cards were pick-pocketed my last night in Stockholm. I still loved the city, and this could have happened anywhere, but this is a warning to everyone to BE SMART while traveling. We've all heard stories of this happening to a classmate, and you don't ever think it'll happen to you until it does. Just use more common sense than I did.
Malmo, Sweden: Sept. 11-12
Meghan and I returned to Copenhagen Sunday night, but I was on a bus heading right back to Sweden less than twelve hours later Monday morning. This time, I was with my Prostitution and the Sex Trade class for our core course week! Sweden has a very unique system of regulating their sex industry, and it's something we have been studying in detail. In Malmo, we had the opportunity to hear from Alex, a former sex worker and activist, and Gunilla, a lawyer who helped create the Sex Purchase Act that made sex buyers and all third parties illegal. Hearing their stories pushed me to question where I stand in the debate, realizing that it is not as straightforward as it seems.
After the lectures, my class participated in a fun escape room-esque activity. Let me be the first to tell you that strategy games and puzzles are not my strong suit. My group did not come in first (or second, or third, or fourth), but it was still fun to race against the clock and our other classmates!
Gotenborg, Sweden: Sept. 12-13
On Tuesday morning, my class and I headed about three hours north to Gotenborg! We heard from Anna Hall, who dedicated her PhD research to trying to understand the sex industry. She pushed us to see even further passed this dichotomy of empowerment vs oppression and to see how complicated the issue truly is. After Anna, we heard from two counselors at Mikamottagnignen (I still can't pronounce it either), who provide therapy and personalized help to sex workers and victims of trafficking. Their organization is funded by the Swedish government, which is an incredible concept to me. Regardless, their work is so important in getting these women the assistance they need.
We got lunch at this very cute French place. The food was good, the atmosphere was posh, and the bathrooms played French and Spanish Rosetta Stone.
For our bonding activity of the day, we went to Boulebar Rosenlund to play boule. Even after playing almost 8 rounds, I still can't really explain the game, but I do know that it was a ton of fun! Because there are two sections of the PST class, we went head to head to see which class was better at boule. Naturally, because of my amazing skills I'm sure, my section won!
I know, I know. That's a nice medal.
Lastly, shoutout to Steve for spending his 21st birthday in Gotenborg with us.
Back to Copenhagen: Sept. 13
On Wednesday, it was time to leave Sweden, so we piled into our bus once more. On the way, we stopped at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. This was a place I have been wanting to visit, so I'm so glad we had the opportunity to go. The exhibit we focused on most showcased the work of Marina Abramovic, a performance artist who sought to challenge the concepts of gender, sexuality, and pain. Her art is unlike anything I have ever encountered, and I truly recommend everyone pay Louisiana a visit.
Another one of my favorite exhibits was Yayoi Katsuma's Gleaming Lights of the Souls, a mirrored room with hundreds of light globes.
Because we are doing birthday shoutouts on this post, Wednesday was my mom's birthday! Hi mom! Love ya!
Core Course in Cope: Sept. 14-15
After a much needed good night's rest in our own beds, we were back to DIS on Thursday for an exciting lecture from Rikke, a woman who entered an escort service and brothel not for the money but to get a deeper understanding of herself and the industry. It was definitely interesting to hear such a unique perspective. Then we attended a screening of the 2015 Sex Workers Film Festival, which was a collection of documentaries and PSAs made about sex workers by sex workers around the world. It concluded with the film American Courtesans, which was a collection of interviews and stories from women in several aspects of the American sex industry.
To conclude our week, Friday morning we heard from Stinne, a representative from the human rights NGO Amnesty International. They recently announced their support of decriminalization of prostitution, as they believe this will lead to safety and human rights for sex workers.
Throughout the week, my views were challenged, questioned, and changed. I'm eager to continue to hear more perspectives and learn even more about this complex topic. I hope that this insight can help me to stand up and advocate with women both at home and all across the globe.
For now though, I'm heading back to bed for a lazy, rainy day in!
-Mary
(Day 28)