The Newbie Guide to Sweden

We explain Sweden

newbie blogger

Blogger testimonial with Silvia López Prieto

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We decided to interview our guest bloggers to share their stories about being a blogger with us at The Newbie Guide to Sweden.

We wouldn’t be where we are now without our capable bloggers. Thank you to all of you.

It’s thanks to our bloggers if we can share different life stories and each one of them with a unique and personal voice. Every blogger is an oldbie (or newbie) in Sweden that had been in same situations as many other newbies, sharing tips and advices based on their experience.

Being with us, our bloggers have the opportunity to learn new skills, increase their knowledge, build a network and, last but not least, add an interesting experience to their portfolio.

Once again, thank you to all of you!

This is the second of our bloggers interview. Today we get to know Silvia López Prieto. Enjoy your reading!

Why did you decide to move to Sweden?

Sweden always interested me as a country. Everything started because of the Swedish music. When I was little, my mum used to listen a lot of ABBA music and I also liked the Swedish Eurovision music. Then I started to also be interested in their culture, the nature, how the society worked, heard about how good the education was etc. I visited Stockholm first time when I was 16 and since that moment, I knew I would like to live here! After I finished my bachelor in Spain, I thought that moving here and apply for a master to improve my education would be fantastic, and that is what I did!

What was your career background before your moved to Sweden?

I had been working as an English teacher and as a cashier while I was doing my bachelor but due to the economic crisis Spain experienced, finding jobs or internships on my study field was almost impossible. After moving to Sweden this has been a bit better, I could study a two years master, do an internship and take part in different volunteers that are helping me to grow and learn many new things.

 

Are you curious and you don’t want to miss the next interview? Follow us in our LinkedIn account where we share everything happening at The Newbie Guide.

Now, let’s keep going with the questions with Silvia!

 

How did you find out about The Newbie Guide?

The Newbie Guide contacted me after being part of the Study in Stockholm team and reading some of the articles I was publishing there. The team was interested in me because I was studying Political Science and I was focussing on human rights and equality.

Why did you decide to become a volunteer blogger with us?

I like to take part in new activities and adventures and, being a blogger at The Newbie Guide provided me with the opportunity of writing about topics that I like and also learn a lot of new things that other members of the team write. I also thought that it would be something that could help me on my career and CV.

What things have you learned being a volunteer blogger at The Newbie Guide to Sweden?

First of all, a lot of things more about Sweden. Writing articles and reading others’ articles have made me learnt about a lot of different topics. Besides, I have also learnt a bit more about editing and publishing things on a website, something in what I did not have any previous knowledge. I think I have also found a great team, always nice and understanding about our needs.

What things do you value the most being part of the newbie blogger’s team?

I think one of the things I value the most is the fact that the team is always welcoming us. When I have been very busy with job and studies, the team understood that I could not write articles, but they have never complained about it. On the contrary, the team has always been welcoming me back and including me in all the projects!

Does being a blogger volunteer helped you in your work career in Sweden?

Not yet. At the moment, I am looking for jobs after I finished my master’s degree, but the situation is not making it very easy. Hopefully it will help me, and I will find a job soon!

Thank you Silvia for the interview and for your experiences shared with of all of us at The Newbie Guide.

We hope you enjoyed reading Rakshita’s experience. Follow us on our LinkedIn account to not miss the next we will publish!

Thank you for reading! See you soon again.

Blogger testimonial with Elina Nomad

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We decided to interview our guest bloggers to share their stories about being a blogger with us at The Newbie Guide to Sweden.

We wouldn’t be where we are now without our capable bloggers. Thank you to all of you.

It’s thanks to our bloggers if we can share different life stories and each one of them with a unique and personal voice. Every blogger is an oldbie (or newbie) in Sweden that had been in same situations as many other newbies, sharing tips and advices based on their experience.

Being with us at The Newbie Guide to Sweden, our bloggers have the opportunity to learn new skills, increase their knowledge, build a network and, last but not least, add an interesting experience to their portfolio.

Once again, thank you to all of you!

This is the third of our bloggers interview. Today we get to know Elina Nomad. Enjoy your reading!

Why did you decide to move to Sweden?

Honestly, the feeling of being at home. This is such a long story, I made my decision purely on emotion than rational and logical reasons, that sometimes it has felt stupid to follow my heart. I grow up close to Sweden, but never ever considered Scandinavia as a place I’d choose to live. My heart was set on south or very far away lands. Then once I couldn’t find any reasonably cheap ticket for a student pocket back to homeland for Christmas. Decided to look via different countries for my flight. There was an amazing offer: London- Oslo – Stockholm – Riga, all together I paid £25 instead of £80+, so, that’s how my journey began. I fell in love with Stockholm at 3pm on 15th december in 2010.

What was your career background before your moved to Sweden?

This is what I recommend to everyone who wants to move to Sweden – get the real job experience BEFORE moving to Sweden. I made a mistake choosing Sweden as my first new country after graduating from BA in England. I was naive thinking I can get an internship, grow a career just that simply and I had no idea that Sweden is THAT difficult for foreigners. My career background was non existential as only student type jobs in England (barista, cleaner, waitress, etc and student council) and volunteer jobs (art curator for student exhibitions at uni, organizing a creative workshop festival and doing communications for it (before IG existed).

 

Are you curious and you don’t want to miss the next interview? Follow us in our LinkedIn account where we share everything happening at The Newbie Guide.

Now, let’s keep going with the questions with Elina!

 

How did you find out about The Newbie Guide?

As I was an active storyteller through photos on social media about my life in Sweden, then The Newbie Guide somehow appeared in my social media feed. I remember following it from its early start and wished I could tell my hitchhiking stories too, but I felt I am not good enough or a good success story for others.

Why did you decide to become a volunteer blogger with us?

Decided to stop belittling myself, I know I have stories to tell, and have had different experiences in Sweden. I’d like to share and talk about Sweden from a different perspective than only the job situation side and the amazing tax system, etc. Also, it would be good to structure my own text/voice/thoughts into readable material.

What things have you learned being a volunteer blogger with us at The Newbie Guide to Sweden?

To structure my texts, improve again my long lost English. I was diagnosed as dyslexic in English uni, before that I had no idea why I have problems with structuring my thoughts into essays. In the UK I got enormous personal help, so, after studies I only did self kind blogging and with The Newbie Guide I could re-learn and remember how to write well again. I can’t admit I could go into a pure copywriter’s job, but I feel a huge improvement from my first to my latest article.

What things do you value the most being part of the newbie blogger’s team?

A bit the responsibility of reflecting to foreigners the good side of living in Sweden through articles, even though we struggle with many things here. I would say the sense of community, but I havent met anyone from the team in life yet. So my value is purely personal responsibility to portray life as it is in Sweden.

Does being a blogger volunteer helped you in your work career in Sweden?

For a while I have stopped searching for suitable positions, instead doing whatever job I can get which doesn’t need my creative experience. When I have applied for more relevant positions, then showing experience with The Newbie Guide to Sweden has been a plus for content text skills, copywriter skills. I know this experience with The Newbie will show some positive results in the near future.

Thank you Elina for the interview and for your experiences shared with of all of us at The Newbie Guide. You can find Elina on Instagram here.

We hope you enjoyed reading Elina’s experience. Follow us on our LinkedIn account to not miss the next we will publish!

Thank you for reading! See you soon again.

Blogger testimonial with Rakshita Singh

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We decided to interview our guest bloggers to share their stories about being a blogger with us at The Newbie Guide to Sweden. 

We wouldn’t be where we are now without our capable bloggers. Thank you to all of you.

It’s thanks to our bloggers that we can share different life stories, each one of them with a unique and personal voice. Every blogger is an oldbie (or newbie) that had been in similar situations like many other newbies, who share useful tips and advice based on their experience.

Being with us, our bloggers have the opportunity to learn new skills, increase their knowledge, build a network and, last but not least, add an interesting experience to their portfolio.

Once again, thank you to all of you!

This is the first of our bloggers interview. Today we get to know Rakshita Singh. Enjoy your reading!

Why did you decide to move to Sweden?

I moved to Sweden with my partner who is working here as a software engineer. It was a good opportunity to explore a new country and new career options.

What was your career background before your moved to Sweden?

I was working as a Senior Researcher on a Bill and Mellinda Gates Foundation project in India.

Don’t miss the next interview! Follow us in our LinkedIn account where we share more testimonials of our blogger’s team.

 

Now, let’s keep going with the questions with Rakshita!

How did you find out about The Newbie Guide?

I found it through Instagram.

Why did you decide to become a volunteer blogger with us?

Writing was my passion and I had free time, so I decided to hop on to this opportunity.

What things have you learned being a volunteer blogger with us?

I have learnt a lot about SEO, readability of content and the working of WordPress and also how to write content that people love to read.

What things do you value the most being part of the newbie blogger’s team?

I am so happy to be a part of a team that has people from all around the world and its great to learn from everyone’s experience.

Does being a blogger volunteer helped you in your work career in Sweden?

Yes, it did. My employer really liked my work as a blogger.

Thank you Rakshita for the interview and for your experiences shared with of all of us at The Newbie Guide.

We hope you enjoyed reading Rakshita’s experience. Follow us on our LinkedIn account to not miss the next we will publish!

Thank you for reading! See you soon again.

A Farewell Note

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Written by Hayu Hamemayu

It was all started in one of those dark and gloomy days in November 2017. During a regular browse on the Internet, I came across this announcement in The Newbie Guide to Sweden website where they’re looking for a volunteer blogger. It was naturally interesting for me because the writing was the thing I wanted to invest myself in ever since I moved to Sweden, so I thought that could be a good opportunity.

But I hesitated at first

“What should I write? What’s so special about my experiences? Why would people read my stories?”

Then I realised that the idea of the blog section in the Newbie Guide website is to share stories of living in Sweden. Any story. It doesn’t have to be inspirational; it’s enough with being informational or even just personal.

Besides, living abroad is not always easy. Just like living elsewhere, it has its ups and downs. So if we can read other people experiences, it may not give you an instant solution but at least, it makes you feel that you’re not alone. I think that’s quite important when you’re living far from home.

So I decided to join the blogger team.

My first posts are mostly about the excitement of living in Sweden. I started with the story about me as a new kid on the block, how I felt when I first arrived, the anxiety that I had, and some practical tips such as the apps you should have when in Sweden, and how to save a little bit of money in a not so cheap country.

Then, when I was pregnant to my second child, I decided to write a series on my expecting journey from pregnancy to delivery. This series is about what to expect when we are expecting in Sweden, including the rights as a mother, pregnancy in Sweden dos and don’ts, until the process of delivery itself.

I also write a lot about Lund, the Swedish city where I live. Most of them are daily life hacks such as where to shop second hand in Lund, where to buy Swedish souvenir, where to get your dose of Asian foods, and so on.

I tried to cover my experiences in dealing with Swedish culture as well: the popular media I use to learn about Sweden, the foods, the habits, everything. And I think newbies in Sweden find this kind of stories really speak to them. My story entitled The “This is Sweden” Moment is still the most shared story by far.

Looking back to all those stories I’ve written for The Newbie Guide to Sweden, I realise how far I’ve come since the first day I stepped out of the train in Lund Central station.

Now I’m no longer a newbie, not yet an oldie. I’m an inbetweener.

And this comes with a feeling that maybe my stories are no longer relevant. I no longer have the spark of the novice, yet I haven’t possessed the wisdom of the old.

Now, after three years and 30 articles, I bid my farewell

I would like to use this last post to express my sincere gratitude to the whole team in The Newbie Guide to Sweden, especially Julieta, who has been really welcome and helpful since the very beginning, even though we never meet in person.

I’d also like to thank all the readers who had read and shared my stories. It’s been a real honour and true happiness to know that some people find my stories interesting and even relatable.

While a thank you is probably not enough, a farewell note could probably do the justice.

Thank you for having me. This is not a goodbye. This is just a reason to fly.

Tack så jätte mycket,
Hayu Hamemayu

About the author

Hayu Hamemayu is a Lund-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Jakarta Post, Media Indonesia, Kompas, Majalah Kartini, and Indonesia Travel Magazine among others. A traveller mommy by nature and random thinker by inclination, she keeps memories in her Instagram @hayuhamemayu and writes her everyday stories in her blog.

Things You Might Want to Know about Lund

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Written by Hayu Hamemayu

It’s old, it’s small, yet it’s full of charm: It’s Lund!

Sunrise over Lunds Domkyrka. Photo by Hayu Hamemayu.

Less known than cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö, Lund is actually one of the oldest cities in Sweden. Its roots can be traced back to the Uppåkra settlement from around 100 BC. For this reason, Lund is rich with history and remarkable landmarks. This small city is located in the Skåne province, the southernmost of Sweden, which was once part of Denmark before the Treaty of Roskilde was signed in 1658. Famous as a religious centre in the past, the city is now better known as a centre of education and innovation.

I’ve been a Lundensian for almost two years now and have been to other Swedish cities as well, but Lund is still my favourite. Below, I compile the most frequently asked questions about it.

Isn’t Lund too quiet?

Not really.

With less than 100.000 inhabitants, Lund can be a little bit empty indeed, especially during summer, when students enjoy their summer break and most stores close for sommarstäng. However, the city is also home to numerous interesting events such as Lundakarnevalen, Kulturnatten, and Lund Comedy Festival. So, living in here doesn’t mean you can’t throw a party or have fun like in other cities.

How is life in Lund in general?

In terms of living cost, Lund is cheaper than the capital city Stockholm (thanks to its reputation as a student city!). Everywhere is either walking or biking distance. The winter is also slightly warmer even though the wind can be really harsh just like any other part of Sweden. Here, the university dominates much of the centre. Some museums are part of the university. More than half of the population either work or study in Lund University. The university is also one of the factors that turn Lund into a cosmopolitan city, a melting pot for people from all over the world. That’s why everyone here speaks fluent English.

The White Building of Lund University. Photo by Hayu Hamemayu.
Universitets Biblioteketet (UB) building. Photo by Hayu Hamemayu.

What to do in Lund?

Plenty! You can visit Lunds Domkyrka and see the Horologium mirabile Lundense, an astronomical clock from the 15th century. Spend the day at Kulturen, the second largest open-air museum in Sweden. Have fika at the coffee shops in Klostergatan (do not forget to take away kardemummabullar from Broder Jakobs and the award winning coffee from Love Coffee Roasters). Stroll through Lund’s medieval cobblestones street layout. Bring back home souvenirs from Hökeriet and Gretas Hemslöjd or find out the most recent science invention at MaxIV.

Craving something more vibrant?

Don’t worry. Copenhagen and Malmö are within less than an hour from Lund. So, whenever you feel an urge for a short city escape, just hop on the Öresundtag to get to those bigger cities.

Lund’s cobblestone street. Photo by Hayu Hamemayu.

I know that Lund doesn’t have the character of a metropolitan city, but for me, Lund has a perfect combination of tranquillity and aliveness.

Everything here represents well the idea of lagom. Not too much. Not too little. Just the right amount 🙂 .

Featured Image: bjaglin on Flickr

Hayu Hamemayu is a Lund-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Jakarta Post, Media Indonesia, Kompas, Majalah Kartini, and Indonesia Travel Magazine among others. A traveller mommy by nature and random thinker by inclination, she keeps memories in her Instagram @hayuhamemayu and writes her everyday stories in her blog.

How to Save (a little bit of) Money in Sweden

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Written by Hayu Hamemayu

It’s a common knowledge, I think, that living in Sweden is not cheap. According to a data from Numbeo (February 7, 2018), “Cost of living in Sweden (rent is excluded), is 15.47% higher than in United States.” However, thanks to the Swedish ways of life, there are some things that we can do to save a little bit of money. Here is the list based on my personal experience:

1. Shop “home brand”

When you shop at Swedish supermarkets, you’d better check their home brand first for comparison, as their price could be much cheaper. Some of these home brands use the supermarket’s name like ICA; some others use totally different names because they have cooperation with certain suppliers, like Garant and Eldorado. But, you can tell which ones those are from their simple, plain and usually duo-tone colours packaging since that’s how they keep the prices low. The quality of these home brand products is okay especially when you need to save money for the rainy days. ☺

Pantamera

2. Pantamera

Don’t worry if you can’t find a definite translation for this phrase. It is actually a combination of two words: “panta” (recycle) and “mera” (more) and is used as a slogan to encourage people to recycle more. Pantamera itself is considered an essential activity in Sweden and is famous among Swedes; they even made songs about it (you can see one of the videos here).

So, how exactly does this pantamera thing helps you save some money?

Pantamera gives you “immediate reward” when you buy coca cola, bottled water, cider, and any other products that aren’t the healthiest and heavily taxed to discourage the public from consuming them. These products have a recycling logo along with the amount of money they are worth, like 1 kronor or 1.5 kronor, on their labels.

This works by returning the cans or bottles to the pantamera machines in the supermarkets and you will get money/coupon as a return. You can also donate the money you’ve collected from pantamera by choosing the option “donate” on the machine so it’s like saving the world and your money at the same time.

3. Buy second hand

Recycling is a lifestyle in Sweden. So, unlike in some parts of the world, there’s nothing shameful in buying used stuff in Sweden. In fact, it gives you more advantages, as the prices are obviously low while the quality can still be good. You can get pre-owned stuffs in second hand shops (of course! 😀 ), Sell and Buy groups, Online Marketplaces and Loppis (garage sale). Some loppis are permanent and you usually find them at the flea markets in your city’s squares (torget) on the weekend.

4. Bike and Walk

Whenever possible, take a walk or ride a bike in Sweden. It is healthier for your body and “healthier” for the environment and your pocket as well. With its well-developed network of cycle paths, biking in Sweden is a reasonable option. Getting a cheap bike is also easy especially when you live in a student city like Lund. So, instead of spending money on public transportation, you can invest your money to buy a bike or simply walk if your destination isn’t too far. As Steven Wright argues, “Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.”

5. B.Y.O

Bring your own: your own bag, your own bottle, and your own lunch.

By bringing your own bag when you shop, you will save the cost for plastic or paper bags. Then, by bringing your own bottle, you don’t need to spend your money on bottled water as it is safe to refill it with tap water from the kitchen or at a refill station.

What about bringing your own lunch?

Well, the average price for lunch in Lund is 59-79 kronor per portion for a single menu and 89-119 kronor for a buffet, while the price for groceries, vegetables and fruits are way cheaper (a loaf of bread costs you less than 25 kronor for example). Thus, making (then bringing) your own lunch is another way to save some money.

I agree, though, that these five things will not turn you into millionaire. But after a few months, I can guarantee that you will see the difference. After all, a kronor saved is a kronor earned. Don’t you think so?

Hayu Hamemayu is a Lund-based freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Jakarta Post, Media Indonesia, Kompas, Majalah Kartini, and Indonesia Travel Magazine among others. A traveller mommy by nature and random thinker by inclination, she keeps memories in her Instagram @hayuhamemayu and writes her everyday stories in her blog.