Staff Writer- Jacob Erlandson

“Really over-the-top cookie buffet,” Senior Associate Dean of Admissions Lindsey Owens ‘04 said. That’s enough to get the attention of most admitted students, but that’s just one of many reasons Owens would encourage an admitted student to attend the Twin Cities Fika for admitted students and families at the American Swedish Institute on November 22nd. 

Admits and their families will have a chance not only to tour the Turnblad Mansion, but also to meet with current Gustavus students and faculty in a small group setting and ask all of their questions about college.

“Slowing down and having a chance to connect with each other and Gustavus, I think that that’s a lost art. It needs to be intentional, that’s the definition of fika,” Owens said. Fika, the traditional Swedish practice of taking a break for coffee (or some equivalent) and treats to get your mind off work, is a long engrained tradition at Gustavus.

“I think fika gives a great glimpse of Gustavus and connects really well to our Swedish culture, but also just gives a really personal taste of why our community here matters,” Tour Guide and Junior Elizabeth Simons said. Simons was able to attend the event last year as a student representative.

“One of the nice things about the Fika is just how conversational it is. Students get to meet with students in the same shoes they are, and it’s good to hear the student perspective and the faculty perspective,” Admissions Counselor Chelsea Klaphake ‘26 said. Klaphake was able to attend the event as a student representative last year, and now gets to help coordinate as an admissions counselor.

“It’s a very personal, immersive experience… you’re already getting to build that community,” Klaphake said. Though, this admissions event is far from the only experience Gustavus has with the fika tradition.

“Fika is a word that doesn’t have a direct English translation, which is why it’s become such a part of the vocabulary at Gustavus. It’s not a chance to get more work done which is what makes it so different from American coffee culture. To-go coffee didn’t even exist in Sweden until recently,” Thorstensson, McKnight, Nordstrom Endowed Chair and Professor of Scandinavian Studies Ursula Lindqvist said. Lindqvist had a lot to say about the tradition of fika in both Sweden and at Gustavus.

“I think our identity is something we lean into, and it takes a lot of different forms,” Lindqvist said. 

“One compelling reason to lean into our Swedish culture in particular is that it’s unique and it’s charming. It’s something that a lot of colleges and universities can’t claim. Sweden today is such a diverse society,” Lindqvist said.