The Newbie Guide to Sweden

We explain Sweden

social

Mastering the art of fika

By 1 Comment

Written by Sara Costa

Fika is much more than just a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. At work, fika is a social event, in which one gets not only to relax and take a break but also to know the colleagues a little better. The art of fika doesn’t rely on the quality of the coffee, as one might think, but instead on the quality of the conversation. In fact, a bad coffee is a very good conversation starter.

As a Newbie is not always easy to blend in and be a part of something that others seem to do so naturally. Especially if the conversation is in Swedish, a language that you might not master yet. Here are some tips that might help, based on my own experience.

Observe the masters

I dare say that every group has at least one fika master, that is someone that can initiate, carry and lead a conversation so well and naturally, that it is never boring to sit around them. Fika masters can turn the most trivial subject into something interesting and worth to discuss. They are usually great story tellers and have good social skills.

Tip: Identify the fika masters and observe them. You will not only improve the art of conversation but also have fun.

Keep it neutral… at first

The themes during a conversation during fika break can vary quite a lot, from trivial everyday life things, like I need to buy a new bag/bike/whatever, to what are your plans for the weekend. As a newbie (not in Sweden but in the group) it will be frowned upon if you start asking personal questions right from the beginning. Instead, keep it neutral until someone asks you a more personal question. This might take a few (or a lot) of fikas, depending on the group, but it will happen.

Tip: You can also show them that you are open to more personal subjects by telling something about yourself without anyone asking. For instance, saying “I saw this movie with my girfriend/boyfriend” instead of just saying “I saw this movie”, will tell your colleagues something about your personal life without actually saying too much. Sometimes that’s the green light they need.

Find conversational themes

A lot can be said during a fika break. Comments about the weather are a good start but they run out quite fast. The best is to engage in a theme in which anyone can and is happy to participate. That theme should be more or less neutral, not related to work and of interest to everyone… That’s a tough one! Actually not. Movies, sports, travelling and current events seem to work pretty well.

Tip: Keep yourself updated on what’s happening in Sweden. Have a look at the news, check how it’s going for the local teams, see which events are about to happen in your city.

Dare, be patient and never give up

I remember my first fika at work. I had just completed the first level of SAS at school and thought I could understand quite a lot and speak reasonably well if given some time to think. The real world proved to be quite different though. The fika room was full of people, many talking simoultaneously, using slang and speaking in different tones and dialects. It was loud and confusing and I felt lost and out of place, but I didn’t give up. I kept going and trying every day. A couple of months after I could not only contribute to the conversation, but I had also improved my conversational swedish more than ever. Nowadays, I still can’t follow every conversation but I can sit comfortably in the fika room without feeling like an alien.

Tip: Remember that listening is also a part of it, so you don’t have to feel forced to participate. Laugh along, smile and be there until you feel like one of them.

Happy fika!

About the Author 
Hej! I’m a Portuguese Newbie in Sweden. I have also lived in Brazil, Poland and the Czech Republic. It’s been fun to be a foreigner in so many different countries and I enjoy learning about other cultures. I’m a fan of sports, some to watch and some to practise, my favourite being running. I also love food, reading and blogging. I hope you enjoy my posts!

Apps to download when you live in Sweden

By Leave a Comment

We live in day and age powered by technology, but often it is not used to its full potential. While travel is often associated with “unplugging”, a big move can be made so much easier with the help of a few apps. I will even go so far as to say: cell phones are the most important travel tools we have.

When we make the leap and move abroad, they act as our connection to family when homesickness strikes, our tour guide when we need to navigate our new city, our travel dictionary when we need to translate, our social support system when we’ve unpacked and are struck with the realization that we have few – or no –  friends close by.

Now, there  are plenty of arguments against apps and technology. It is true that they can take you out of the moment or provide a screen to hide behind in social situations, preventing you from making human connections. They can anchor you to your old life and old relationships, hindering the personal growth that stems from living somewhere new. These arguments are all valid. Face-to-face conversations are the best way to make friends, the best way to make memories, to learn and grow.

However, living in a new country can be overwhelming! Swedish people can be reserved, the language can be confusing, the cities cold and challenging to navigate. Sometimes we need a technological life-line. We deserve all the support we can get!

Below is the list of my go-to apps for surviving Sweden. I hope that you find them as useful as I did.

Navigation Apps

Maps.me

This is, hands down, the best travel app to take with you. Maps.me is a mapp app that shows your location as well as the attractions, restaurants, shops, train stations, etc, in your area. Better yet, it works offline. Never get lost in your new city again.

Google Translate

Frequently, I feel stranded, standing in a grocery store without my boyfriend at my side to translate. Ingredient lists, dietary restrictions or a simple ingredient search can be a hassle if you have yet to perfect the language. Luckily, google translate allows you to download languages offline, so you can search without worrying about data. Download beforehand and pick up Swedish as you shop!

Ryan Air

Flying out of Nykoping, Gothenburg and Stockholm airports, Ryanair has unbelievably cheap flights to the rest of Europe. When the long Swedish winter is getting you down, it can be nice to grab a weekend’s worth of new and exciting – without breaking the bank.

Google Flights

While not technically an app, Google Flights is my personal favourite website to search for flights. Better for flights home, this site allows you to look at flexible dates, locations and airports, showing you the best price for all.

Financial Apps

Xe Currency

This app is the best for real beginners to the country, before you get accustomed to the currency exchange rate. The app shows up to date exchange rates for any and every country in the world. Figure out what things actually cost and how much you are really spending.

Swish

Sweden is quickly becoming a cashless economy, and many things are settled through Swish. The app allows you to make bank transfers quickly and easily. It is often used by Swedes at small booths, informal shops, or as a way to split the cheque between friends.

Social Apps

WhatsApp

Ten years ago, international calling was a major problem. Today, we have the luxury of free wifi-based phone calls and video chats. While iMessage and Facetime work well for iPhone users, Whatsapp is a great tool to stay in touch with all types of phones. Text, call or video chat for free. This helps keep on the grid before you get a Swedish number and is great for staying in touch with loved ones abroad.

Couchsurfing

This app is designed for travelers to find a free place to sleep while on the road – quite literally, a couch to crash on. However, the app has extended to include a “hangout” feature that allows you to connect with other users in your area. It can be hard to find users in smaller Swedish cities but when you come across one you are almost guaranteed an open-minded adventurer like yourself.

Work Apps

LinkedIn

This app is used by employers in Sweden and can help you connect with potential employment. Linkedin also has a feature to narrow the search for jobs that accept migrants and non-fluent Swedish speakers. Using the hashtag #welcometalent , Linkedin allows you to filter for jobs open to us – the Newbies to Sweden!

My phone is my most constant companion and my most reliable travel buddy, my comfort when

I get homesick and my guide when I am lost and alone. More than anything, it is a tool and deserves to be used as such. Happy downloading!

Written by: Lily Kaufmann

Hi, I’m Lily! I’m 21 and originally from Canada, although more recently I have been backpacking the world. I was an athlete most of my life and a Diver (or, if translated directly from Swedish, a swim-jumper) for the university I attended in Miami, USA. I’m excited to be in Sweden to settle down and to explore my passions and hobbies which include writing, reading and cooking. I am living in Nykoping with my boyfriend, a native Swede.

What to Expect the First Year (in Sweden)

By Leave a Comment

Written by Hayu Hamemayu

People say the first year of everything is actually the hardest. What about the first year living in Sweden? Well, it’s not easy, I must say. But, if you know what to expect, you will know how to deal with that.

1. Bureaucracy

Welcome to Sweden!
First thing first: get your personnumer and your Swedish ID as soon as possible. These two things are essential for your new life in Sweden. Brace yourself during these times, as Skatteverket will be your number one office to visit. Expect a long queue so come to the office early. Make sure you provide every document they need and double check no document is missed.

Then, whenever you are in doubt, ask!

I know that coming to Skatteverket office over and over can be really exhausting (and boring!), but it is unquestionably important to keep your eyes on the whole process. I personally had quite an experience with Skatteverket when my personnumer application was rejected but I didn’t know it sooner because for some reasons I didn’t receive the rejection letter. Later I knew it was because my residence permit was almost expired at that time so I needed to renew it first to be able to apply for personnumer. Thus, if you found something suspicious with your application, like the duration of the process or no reply after two weeks, do not hesitate to check it in nearby Skatteverket office.

2. Language

Feeling confused with Swedish? Relax. You’re not the only one. Luckily, Swedish has some quite similar words to English and they both are Subject-Verb-Object language, so you can guess the meaning based on familiar words as a starter (be aware of “slut” and “bra” though as they have totally different meanings 😀 ).

My newbie advice is to understand the pattern, especially for simple daily conversation.

When you shop in supermarket, for instance, most of the times the shopkeeper will only ask you two questions. First, “Do you have a member card (medlem)?”. Second, “Do you want/need the receipt (kvitto)” These are both the yes and no questions; so, you can simply answer them with “Ja” or “Nej.” Then, when you shop in any stores other than supermarket, there will be another frequently asked question which is: “Do you need a bag?”. Again, it’s a polar question and you can reply it with “yes” or “no”. Once you’ve understood the pattern, you will reach that level of Swedish I call: “Enough to survive” 😀

3. Food

For you who come from other parts of the world where foods are cooked with various herbs and layer of spices, like me, you may find getting spicy foods in Sweden is bit hard. But again, there’s something to anticipate. Most herbs and spices can be found in the “Livsmedelbutik” or “Livs” which simply means grocery. Search on Google for Livs in your area by using these keywords: “Kina” (Chinese), “Thai”, “Asiatisk” (Asian) or “Arabiska” (Arabic). Or, you can simply go to chain supermarkets and find the Asian section. Their collection is limited but it’s still better than nothing.

4. Weather

The template weather in Sweden isn’t just cold, but also windy. And it’s changing pretty quickly so we need to be always well prepared. Install at least two weather apps in your phone for comparison, then prepare the following weather essentials: wind and rain and snow proof jacket/coat, strong umbrella (the one that doesn’t easily blown away), waterproof shoes/boots, skincare products, vitamins and if you have young kid, that overall dress is definitely a must.

5. Housing

There’s nothing unusual with moving around in Sweden. I’ve been living in Sweden for a year now and I’m going to move to my 3rd place by the end of this month. Finding house or apartment is indeed really challenging, especially during the first year. Thus, soon after your arrival, sign your email address up and queue in as many housing providers as possible, both public or private ones. Then, join Facebook groups, Blocket, BoPoolen or any other housing related services in your area. Beware of the scams though.

No matter how desperate you are, never send any money before you see, in person, the place you’re going to rent.

6. Social Life

Moving to a new place can create lonesomeness sometimes. Before the homesick hits you, check the international hubs in your area regularly. They often create event, gathering, tour, seminar, workshop, or other activities. Use Facebook to discover events near you, or visit interesting places like museums or the state library to spend the day. The libraries in Sweden always have different language sections so you do not need to worry about language. Another option is to do voluntary works. You can find these kind of works in the international hubs’ websites, in your kommun’s website or even your kid’s school websites (this particular one applied to me). By doing this, you will meet new people, experience new things, and create new circles.

Now that you’ve known what to expect during the first year in Sweden, I think you are ready for the second one. And counting! ☺

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.

Göteborgsvarvet – Let’s do it!

By Leave a Comment

Written by Sara Costa

Göteborgsvarvet is probably the largest half marathon in the world, with about 60 000 registered participants and almost 50 000 runners. It happens every May in Gothenburg and it’s magic.

Magic? Yes! Those not running go to the streets to watch, support and enjoy themselves and the entire city stops to celebrate. It is like a big party. I may seem guilty as I love running, but I have ran races in many different countries and nothing compares to Göteborgsvarvet and its superb atmosphere. I ran it a couple of times before I moved to Sweden and now I participate every year.

Why should I register?

If a great atmosphere is not enough to convince you there are other reasons. If you are already a runner this is a great way to get extra motivation. I usually have a low period during the winter, in which I run less because it’s cold and I’m not used to it. Having a race booked in May makes me start the new year with less fear of the winter, layer up and hit the streets. It’s a great way to fight the winter blues and you will find out you are not the only one training out there.

Half marathon is too much?

Half marathon is 21 Km and that’s really a lot, but no worries. Göteborgsvarvet has races to all kinds of levels and ages. The week before the half marathon is full of events, like Lilla Varvet, Minivarvet and Cityvarvet, for children and teenagers. There’s also Trailvarvet, 8 Km, for those who prefer a shorter race. In the months anticipating the big day there are seeding 10 Km races all over Sweden.

Half Marathon is too little?

Then you will have to wait until 2021, when Gothenburg celebrates 400 years and the Varvet will become a Marathon. One can actually already register for it. Who would do that? Me, of course. Registered since 2015.

Isn’t 50 000 people too many? It must be a super crowded race!

No, it’s not. I find this race one of the most organised I’ve been to, otherwise it would be nearly impossible to run. There are over 20 start groups, the first one starting at 1pm and the last one at 4pm (or later). People are assigned to a start group according to their estimated finish time, letting the fast cheetahs go first and people who plan to walk most of the way to the end. You are never alone when you run, but one doesn’t feel crowded or even worse, trapped or run over. Besides that, those around you should have a similar rhythm to yours making you feel safe and like one of the team. There’s exceptions, of course, as some people might have given a wrong estimated time or start in the wrong group, but in general it works really well.

When, where and how can I sign up?

Registration for 2018 is now open. Participants can register online through the official website, which has all the necessary information about registration, courses, program and much more. The faster you do it the better, because the entry fees increase and it can become quite expensive.

I’m interested but I’m not sure I’m ready…

Sometimes plans change or training doesn’t go as well as planned and registered participants can sell their entries in the months preceding the race. If you are not sure you will be able to participate, you can always decide later and hope to get one of those tickets. If you don’t get it you can also wait for the year after. However, I know you can do it, and whether you are fast or slow it doesn’t matter, because what’s great is to be there, feel the atmosphere and celebrate.

And for the non-runners is there anything?

Yes, the Göteborgsvarvet Expo! This is where participants pick up their racing bibs, but also where many different sport brands show off their products and sell them at discounted prices. Besides that there’s lectures, demonstrations of other sports and challenges where one can win prizes. Last year, I even met and talked to Charlotte Kalla, the great Swedish skier!

Göteborgsvarvet is not the largest race simply for its 50 000 runners. It is also for its amazing supporters. On race day you can do like many thousands of people and support the “crazy” runners. Gather your friends/family, bring a picnic, write a funny sign and sit down on the side of the racing course. Then cheer and enjoy it all!

The spirit of the Göteborgsvarvet will eventually catch you and make you a Varvet addicted! Just like me!

 

About the Author 
Hej! I’m a Portuguese Newbie in Sweden. I have also lived in Brazil, Poland and the Czech Republic. It’s been fun to be a foreigner in so many different countries and I enjoy learning about other cultures. I’m a fan of sports, some to watch and some to practise, my favourite being running. I also love food, reading and blogging. I hope you enjoy my posts!

My Swedish Language Milestones

By

I started learning Swedish six months ago and during this learning experience, I have defined some milestones for me. I will accept myself fluent in Swedish when I check all these milestones!

Jaha

This one is relatively easy but it is a good first milestone. “Jaha” is fun to say, so when I first learned it I used it a lot, usually instead of just saying “Ja”. But this is, of course, a misuse. Now I use it properly!

“Jaha” has a meaning of understanding, recognizing or finding out some new info, including maybe some element of surprise or revelation at the same time. It’s like “Oh, yes” or “Okaaay” or “I see” 🙂

Nähä

This is also taught at the beginning of Swedish courses but this is the when you start to realise things are getting complicated…It has a similar meaning to “Jaha” but you can use “Nähä” if the counterpart says something negative in the sentence. You’re still understanding by saying “Nähä” but you’re understanding something negative. So good luck with that! 🙂 I haven’t had a chance to use it yet but I feel confident that I can use it when the time is right! So I count this as a check also.

Here is an example of Jaha and Nähä from my Swedish book:

-Jag har en flickvän (I have a girlfriend)

-Jaha.

-Vi bor inte ihop. (We do not live together)

-Nähä.

E-learning course: Your Swedish learning options

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about The Swedish stuff? Where can you learn? How does it work? Can you join the different options if you don’t have a Swedish personal number? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just confusing this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to make a good decision. Here you will learn about:

 

  • The different study options to learn Swedish in Sweden.
  • The differences between study alternatives.
  • How much Swedish (and other things) you need for other educational paths in Sweden as well as to work in Swedish.

After finishing this course, you will be able to make an educated study choice and you will learn the most important key words and phrases for studying Swedish in Sweden. Hopefully, Swedish will start making sense!

 

Sign up to your course here

Absolut & precis

These are the backbone of the Swedish language. If you want to have a flow in your Swedish dialogue you need to use them a lot. You should keep saying “Absolut” or “Precis” frequently while listening someone. This way the speaking person will know you’re listening and understanding what the other part talks about.

I don’t use them too much but I use them sometimes in my dialogues so it helps me with the flow. So this is another check!

Those sounds you cannot describe

There are some non-word expressions that distinguishes an original Swede from Newbies. One of them sounds like you are having a heart attack (like you’re having reeeeally deep breath). At first, I was afraid every time I heard it. Now I am used to it but I’m not sure if I dare use it.

The other one reminds me of gulping down or swallowing air really fast (hope you get what I mean because even I’m not sure I get it). Obviously, it has a meaning of approval. People say it is common among young people so since I’m getting older day by day I can excuse myself from that one 🙂

And then there is the continuous “A,a,a” expression. It has both meaning of confirmation and “keep talking / I’m listening”. I actually started to catch myself saying “A” sometimes within the dialogue. I am not still at the Swede level but I’m improving 🙂

Ju

This is the nirvana for me and I will definitely accept myself as a fluent Swedish speaker when I’ve managed to use it in an ordinary sentence.

“Ju” doesn’t have a direct translation in English but it gives the sentence the meaning of “as you know / obviously / of course” So actually any sentence can survive without that word and when you remove “ju” from the sentence it’s still a regular sentence with pretty much the similar meaning.  

This is like an impossible mission for a non-Swede to use it in a sentence. So for me it’s a good graduation point!

Honestly, I’m in the beginning of my Swedish language journey so I might make some mistakes while explaining the meanings. Feel free to correct or improve my explanations! And just let me know if you have other milestones in Swedish, so I can enhance my road map 🙂

Written by Busra Zenging

Hej! I am a Newbie who is close to become an Oldbie in Sweden! I’ve been in Stockholm nearly for six months, I already did so many “fika”, swam in cold waters of Sweden, walked barefoot in Stockholm’s parks during the summer and, of course, had too many interactions with the Swedish bureaucracy 🙂 So far so good! My next challenge is job hunting – we’ll see how this will go 😉

The social guide to understanding Swedes

By Leave a Comment

In most cultures across the globe, people have habits and quirks that make perfect sense in that particular country but that can totally baffle a newbie. Swedes are no exception and have certain lifestyle codes which can be good for newbies in Sweden to keep track of.

As a newbie, it can sometimes be hard to understand why the locals do things they way they do – no matter in which country you are. So here we have taken some fairly typical Swedish traits and explained them a bit. Let’s dive into The social guide to understanding Swedes:

1. Lagom

Lagom: The social guide to understanding Swedes

“Lagom” is a lifestyle. Not too hot, or too cold. Not too close, or too distant. It’s the philosophy of balance and “just right” and Swedes appreciate it in all aspects of life.

2. FikaFika: The social guide to understanding Swedes

“Fika” is a coffee break. It’s (an almost mandatory) relax & fun moment in the afternoon and a great occasion to get to know your workmates better. If you don’t show up, it can be even considered a bit suspect by some people.

More on fika

Want to go for a fika?
Short & Sweet – fika

E-learning course: Your Swedish learning options

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about The Swedish stuff? Where can you learn? How does it work? Can you join the different options if you don’t have a Swedish personal number? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just confusing this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to make a good decision. Here you will learn about:

 

  • The different study options to learn Swedish in Sweden.
  • The differences between study alternatives.
  • How much Swedish (and other things) you need for other educational paths in Sweden as well as to work in Swedish.

After finishing this course, you will be able to make an educated study choice and you will learn the most important key words and phrases for studying Swedish in Sweden. Hopefully, Swedish will start making sense!

 

Sign up to your course here

3. Shoes

Simple and easy. Everybody likes to be comfortable at home – and keep the place clean, right? That’s why in Sweden having colorful socks is quite a trend!

What to expect from a Swedish visitor

4. Punctuality

Punctuality: The social guide to understanding Swedes

In other words, arrive 5 minutes early. 🙂

5. Avoid conflicts

Swedes consider opinions to belong to the very core of your soul – the most private part, that should be treated carefully. That’s why conflicts of opinion are often avoided.

How to make a good impression at work

6. Dress code

Here is “lagom” again. Or as one of our bloggers said – “the dress code is Darth Vader“.

7. Dating

Swedish dating style can be confusing to other cultures. Things happen naturally and not necessarily in the traditional order. Besides, marriage is not a strong institution. You can just be “sambo” (move in with your partner) and live happily ever after. You can raise kids together and never wear rings. Either way, love is what matters. Always.

And if things don’t work out – this is how a divorce works in Sweden.

8. Personal space

Regardless nationalities, some people are just reserved. Swedes just happen to be reserved most of the time. If you can understand that, it will be easier to get closer  – and yes, we do know it is a bit contra-intuitive 🙂

9. Bring some drinks!

If a local invites you for dinner at his/her place, you should probably bring some alcohol. First, because it is a contribution, second but not less important, people like it! For those who do not drink, you are welcome to bring any other kind of beverage.

The wonderful world of System Bolaget

What is typical Swedish food

10. Communication at the workplace

Just keep it short, it doesn’t equal rudeness. Find out more on how to communicate with your Swedish colleagues in the digital course Make a good impression at your new job.

How to act like a typical Swede

By 7 Comments

Unsocial, cold and candy lovers is often how people describe the Swedes. However, I had noticed many more things in Sweden, but I couldn’t quite figure out what it was. I decided to really pay attention to the Swedes around me and wrote down everything I noticed. Here is 5 things to know on how act like a typical Swede.

The dress code is Darth Vader

Swedes are very fashionable and you will almost never see a Swede dressed up like a slob in central Stockholm. Long, black jackets and black pants are the dress code in Sweden, preferably with black boots and a white warm hat. Swedes don’t really want to stand out of the crowd by wearing bright colours and flower patterns, although of course everyone has their own taste and there are people that prefer that.

Swedes stare a lot, get used to it

But really, STARE. Whereas other people would maybe look at you for around 2 seconds, Swedes do that for like 5 seconds with a pokerface. Don’t feel uncomfortable when they do that (plus you tend to do the same thing to check if they’re still staring…), I’ve asked around and many just responded that they’re thinking about something else and don’t notice they’re staring at you!                                                           

Look at your phone constantly while waiting 

Don’t  you dare just look around, you would look like a weirdo!… Joking, you wouldn’t actually look like a weirdo of course, but it often feels like you are the weird one when you’re just waiting without looking at any electronic device. It’s the perfect way to avoid eye contact and strangers won’t suddenly talk to you; the ultimate Swedish nightmare!!

They are very open and friendly with friends, don’t judge too fast 

They can go from the Darth Vader, pokerfaced, ‘avoid eye contact as much as possible’ -person to the most hospitable person in a millisecond. When you first meet them they might seem very reserved, but when they’re talking with friends you often see them laughing really hard and being happy in general. Often they have a great sense of humour and you can really laugh with them!

Keep conversations simple

“Jahaaa.. ja precis.. nej..oj!.. ja.. jahaaa.. jahaaa.. nej…oj!” *goes on for minutes like this*. You will get used to people “talking” on the phone like this, believe it or not, even today I’ve heard 5 people doing this! Even normal conversations are quite simple as they try to avoid small talk. Just get straight to the point.

Be relaxed when driving

Unfortunately, you can’t go faster than 110 km/h on this forest road when you’re biking this time..

Driving in Sweden is really relaxed, and it’s really not done to drive like a southern European here. Don’t use the car horn, just chill, relax, everything will be okay! Even if people are jaywalking everywhere in the centre, just be careful and stay calm.

Complain about Denmark

Did you know that it is totally legal for a  Dane to hit a Swede with a stick when the Swede is walking in the direction of Denmark? Yeah, it’s pretty serious between Sweden and Denmark as you can see! Although this is a really old law, the countries still joke about each other. “Danish is just Swedish but with porridge in their mouth”, and yeah, it really does sound like that… Sorry dear Danes!

Enjoy fika food and other candy!

Don’t always think about being healthy, exercising, dieting, and so on. You deserve to go for a fika with good coffee and the best cakes or other treats, especially when it’s still pretty dark and cold outside. Swedes love candy as well, they consume the most candy in the world, and you see the candy shops everywhere. As you can see, Sweden is really about balance: your health is very very important, but enjoy life!!

Written by Lydia Hallie 

I’m Lydia, a 19-year-old Dutch girl living in Stockholm. I try to write many helpful posts to help younger people who recently moved to Sweden to get to know the country and how everything works here! 

Swedish supermarkets – what can they teach us?

By 5 Comments

Written by Sara Costa

If you want to know more about someone, go and look in their fridge. If you want to know more about a country, go and look in their supermarket. There you will not only find out about the most common shopping routines of the locals, but also other hints about their culture. Is it clean or dirty? Is it organized or a mess? Do you feel good in there or more like running away? I like Swedish supermarkets and, believe it or not, that did have some weight on my decision of moving here.

When I was small I had a childhood best friend who I only saw on the weekends because we didn’t live in the same neighborhood. She was the youngest of five and together with her brothers and sisters built a play supermarket. They saved empty boxes, jars, and packages, and the result was as realistic as it could get when you are a child. I loved it. I joined them in the play many times and I was only sorry that I couldn’t spend as many hours there as they were allowed to.

That experience ended up having a significant influence in my life since I love going to the supermarket still today. Every time I travel to a new country I have to go to a supermarket and look. For me, it is just as important as any other sight or museum. And maybe I have learned as much about other cultures this way.

For instance, in Brazil, I found loads of fresh tropical fruits but the meat was sometimes green. In Argentina, just south of Brazil, I found fantastic meat but the fruit section was not as interesting. In Italy the supermarkets are noisy while in Finland they are so quiet, one can hear a pin hitting the floor.

What can we learn about Sweden by visiting  Swedish supermarkets?

The experience is influenced by other factors, such as location and size both of the city and of the supermarket, and it can also vary within different stores. However, if you take a local average supermarket you can find all the hints you were looking for.

Source: Pixabay

Organized and clean

The supermarkets are well organized, with well-marked sections for the different types of products. So is Sweden. The supermarkets are in general very clean. So is Sweden.

Technology and smart ideas

Swedes love smart and simple ideas, especially the ones that make life easier and less complicated. There are quite a few examples in the supermarket. The coin-counting machine at the cashier, that protects employees from the dirtiness of money and saves them the trouble of counting a lot of coins. The split conveyor belt, that allows you to pack your things without trouble or rush, as the cashier can just send the next costumer’s products to the other side. The guess-the-vegetable scales, that although are not yet in all supermarkets can be found in more and more. The self-scanning and self-payment machines, that make our lives so much easier every day.

Source: Pixabay

Easy and efficient payment

In most swedish supermarkets, there are many payment options available. One can scan while shopping and just pay at the end. One can scan and pay alone at the end. One can simply go to the regular queue and have a cashier do the scanning. There’s also membership cards, from more simple to more advanced, that work as credit cards. All of these combined with some of the technology described above make it so that shopping for groceries is simple and easy.

I don’t think I have ever been in a queue here for more than 10 minutes and I finally understood why my Swedish boyfriend always gets so annoyed by the long wait in other countries.

EKO, EKO, EKO

The Swedish concern about the environment is well expressed in the supermarkets. For almost every kind of product, there is a more ecologic version of it, whether it is in the section of fresh produce, staples, toiletries, or others.

Not noisy, not quiet

There’s no constant advertisement on the loudspeakers, which make the supermarkets a quiet place. Although, they are not as quiet so it gets uncomfortable. I would say they usually have a good amount of noise. Just like any other public place in Sweden.

Big variety and international food

I have heard a few times from Swedes that two decades ago the variety of produce in the supermarkets was quite limited. Things have changed and the supermarkets here, especially the larger ones, have a huge variety of products. That also means that the international section is usually quite large. There is a big range of Mexican products (Swedes love their tacos and tortillas), a decent Asian section, good Mediterranean and middle-eastern ingredients, among others. This is probably a result of the multicultural population of Sweden but is also one of the reasons why foreigners enjoy it here.

The truth is once one moves abroad you will never stop missing some things, whether it is from home or from other visited countries. I miss food, ingredients, and dishes from each place I have lived in. In Sweden, I can start missing a certain dish, spend the day dreaming about it and then go to the supermarket and cook it in the evening. This was not possible until I moved here.

Do you have a similar relationship with Swedish supermarkets? Have you spotted any other cultural hints that I might have missed?

About the Author 
Hej! I’m a Portuguese Newbie in Sweden. I have also lived in Brazil, Poland and the Czech Republic. It’s been fun to be a foreigner in so many different countries and I enjoy learning about other cultures. I’m a fan of sports, some to watch and some to practise, my favourite being running. I also love food, reading and blogging. I hope you enjoy my posts!

“Learning Swedish isn’t difficult”

By 7 Comments

If you’re planning on moving to Sweden, you have to start learning Swedish. Yes, Swedes are very good at English, but you really have to know Swedish for many small things! You probably saw the term SFI often, or svenska för invandrare, on many websites. These are free Swedish courses provided by the government, however, you really don’t have to do this in order to become good at Swedish.

By doing the following things I became good at Swedish in a very short time, without SFI!

Use the app ‘Memrise’

Memrise is a really good app to learn both basic everyday sentences, but also much more difficult and detailed ones, depending on your level. This app is much better than Duolingo in my opinion, as a native Swede pronounces the words and sentences with a realistic speed (not like Duolingo), and they keep on giving you sentences that you will actually need in your daily life. I’m sorry Duolingo, but hopefully I will never have to use the sentence ‘the turtle ate the orange cat’, like you taught me (that’s ‘sköldpaddan åt orange katten’ in Swedish by the way, in case you urgently needed to know it).

E-learning course: Your Swedish learning options

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about The Swedish stuff? Where can you learn? How does it work? Can you join the different options if you don’t have a Swedish personal number? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just confusing this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to make a good decision. Here you will learn about:

 

  • The different study options to learn Swedish in Sweden.
  • The differences between study alternatives.
  • How much Swedish (and other things) you need for other educational paths in Sweden as well as to work in Swedish.

After finishing this course, you will be able to make an educated study choice and you will learn the most important key words and phrases for studying Swedish in Sweden. Hopefully, Swedish will start making sense!

 

Sign up to your course here

Listen to many podcasts

If you just started to learn Swedish, you should listen to ‘Radio på lätt svenska’. They talk very slowly and you can find what they say online, so you can study the new words and focus on pronunciation. If that’s too easy for you, I’d recommend listening to sommar/vinter i P1, or if you like crime: P3 Dokumentär. You probably won’t understand everything, but unconsciously you will improve your listening skills a lot!

Watch Swedish vloggers

I often watched Clara Henry, Keyyo, and Therese Lindgren, but they might not be the best choice for everyone J There are more than enough choices though, it’s good to just quickly watch a short video if you don’t have time to study, so you can still learn some new words and sayings!

Switch your phone and computer to Swedish

Okay I’ll have to be honest: I accidentally deleted 60 pictures right after doing this the first time (don’t ask me how.. I don’t know), but it really works! By making everything around you as Swedish as possible, you are forced to read it every day, and you will learn many words that are often used.

Watch Swedish movies

If you don’t like crime or investigation movies, it’s pretty difficult to find good Swedish movies. I often watched the Swedish version of Disney or Pixar movies, which is perfect as the language isn’t that difficult, and they’re always fun to watch! If you have Netflix and you’re in Sweden, always turn on Swedish subtitles when you’re watching a movie in another language.

Talk to Swedes online

I use the app ‘HelloTalk’ to meet Swedes  who would like to learn another language (sometimes they want to learn Dutch, but I often just ask if they can help me with Swedish). It’s really good to type a lot in Swedish, you’ll realise that it’s pretty difficult to come up with sentences yourself and that you don’t know many important words. As with everything you do: the more you do it, the better you get. You might even end up getting good Swedish friends you can fika with!

Download Swedish news apps

SVT Nyheter and Aftonbladet are probably the best ones, with long articles and news reports. Of course this is good for your vocab, but it’s also good to know what’s going on in Sweden!

Read an easy Swedish book

Or a book that you’ve already read before, but that depends on your level. I read many Astrid Lindgren books, as I already knew what the stories were about, so I could guess the meaning of many words. Reading helped me a lot with understanding the structure of the sentences, and of course it’s great for your vocab.  

Buy Swedish study books

Captain Obvious, yes I know. If you are focused enough to study out of a book in your free time, this is the best way to do it though. The books På svenska 1 and 2 are really good, but I’m sure that there are many others I don’t know about. Make sure it’s not too easy though, so it doesn’t get boring!

Learning Swedish isn’t difficult, it just takes a while and a lot of concentration to become good at it. But remember that in the end, it’s definitely worth it! Lycka till!

Few tips on how to act like a typical Swede 😉

 

Written by Lydia Hallie 

I’m Lydia, a 19-year-old Dutch girl living in Stockholm. I try to write many helpful posts to help younger people who recently moved to Sweden to get to know the country and how everything works here! 

How to go from being a visitor to a resident in Sweden

By 3 Comments

When I was younger, I always said that ‘I’d never move to a country that’s even darker and colder than the Netherlands!’. Little did I know that not many years later, I’d be walking (or more like ice skating) at Drottninggatan in the centre of my new home city with a kanelbulle from Pressbyrån, listening to P3 Dokumentär, screaming URSÄKTA! to all the tourists that suddenly decided that their map or phone was more important than the people around them. I had moved to the dark, cold city that’s Stockholm! How to go from being a visitor to a resident in Sweden

During my teens, Scandinavia started to fascinate me. The beautiful Norwegian nature and the relaxed mentality of Sweden really attracted me, especially since I come from a country which doesn’t have either of these. It was really nice growing up in the Netherlands, but after I graduated high school I just wanted to leave as fast as possible! I decided to volunteer in Iceland, Sweden and Norway to learn more about the Scandinavian culture, and to get more information than just knowing it’s cold up there and there are some wolves and moose walking around. After having spent weeks in the Norwegian fjords, Icelandic volcanoes and Swedish countryside, I came to the conclusion that it would be best to move to Stockholm already and get to know the city and people.

A couple of weeks later, I said bye to my family and dog, and took the plane to Arlanda with as much stuff as I could pack, ready to start my life in another city. Luckily it wasn’t my first time in Sweden. Seeing the å, ö, and ä in almost every word wasn’t scary anymore, and hearing the magical Swedish language wasn’t as funny as it was the first time hearing it. I knew the do’s and don’ts. Sort of. You’re surrounded by Swedes, so you still never really know if you’re doing it right or not. But seeing all the forests, the calm people, and all the space around you immediately made me feel welcome!

Although I had been studying Swedish for two years, it was so much easier to just speak English as everyone’s English is perfect here, and it’s so easy to make awkward mistakes (is it ett or en, and do I say sk or sj?). I walked through Stockholm with the ‘Stockholm’ app which guided me to every tourist place imaginable,  but somehow still kept on getting lost in the small streets of Gamla Stan. It was getting colder and darker every day, but the Christmas lights, markets, and snow made Stockholm even cosier! I found English speaking jobs, and basically kept on living my life like I used to, just in a different city with different people.

Even though I’d been living there for a couple of weeks, I still didn’t really feel like I was part of it. I tried to figure out why not, and the answer was rather easy.. I didn’t speak Swedish, I still wasn’t very comfortable with the awkward silences on the train, “lagom”, standing 7 meters apart from each other at the train station, walking on the left side (yeah that’s a thing), and so on. I was living here like a tourist. It is very nice that Swedes speak English so well, and that you can live here without changing too much (depending on where you’re from), but you really shouldn’t do that if you want to feel at home in Stockholm!

So I decided to change it all. I started to not care anymore if I made mistakes in Swedish, I just wanted to speak their language and not feel like the ignorant foreigner. I switched my phone and computer to Swedish, started reading Swedish books,  and really tried to start liking the cultural differences between Sweden and the Netherlands. Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone for a short while in order to feel much more comfortable later.

And indeed, it didn’t take that long before I felt so much better! The feeling of being the outsider is practically gone, and I feel much more self-confident. I don’t  live like a tourist anymore, but like someone who actually lives here. I love the silence on the train now,  I don’t even notice the antisocial behaviour anymore, and “lagom” actually makes a lot of sense. 

Stockholm is an awesome city to live in, but you have to change some things in order to feel at home. I know it’s really easy to just speak English all the time and act like you always did, but you will never feel like “one of them”. Be brave, act as Swedish as possible, and don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone. Fake it till you make it! 

Read more stories by lydia here.

Written by Lydia Hallie 

I’m Lydia, a 19-year-old Dutch girl living in Stockholm. I try to write many helpful posts to help younger people who recently moved to Sweden to get to know the country and how everything works here! 

Books that will increase your understanding of Sweden

By 1 Comment

Books have the ability to open up unknown worlds and adventures for the readers. Newbie blogger Sam introduces two books that deepen his understanding of Sweden, the Swedes and their cultural codex. 

The Imigrants by Vilhelm Moberg; A Historical Perspective with modern relevance for Newbies

The epic trilogy “The Imigrants” by Vilhelm Moberg is widely available in English translations and the original Swedish and these books have been taught in Swedish classrooms for decades. There are several film versions as well for those who would rather skip the books. Personally I found the film versions to be a bit dated, while the books, despite their age, were compelling and enjoyable to read.

The trilogy begins in Småland in the 1850’s, the first book introduces Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson, their three young children, and others who make up a boatload of Swedes fleeing the poverty, religious persecution, and social oppression of the era.

Despite being set almost 170 years ago and published nearly 70 years ago, The Immigrants provides glimpses of the historical forces that have shaped modern Sweden. Not only in its rich descriptions of daily life but also through Moberg’s subtle political lens in post war Sweden.
Dive into the worlds of books.

Although it details a migration away from Sweden, the descriptions of the decision to leave behind all that is familiar are sure to resonate with anyone who has done the same. I especially enjoyed the many humorous descriptions of the Immigrants struggle to learn a new language. Not only is the reader exposed to the Immigrants struggles in a new land, but also the politics of the author and his times are transparent throughout the novels. Moberg was an influential figure and his depiction of the plight of the poor and downtrodden was a constant theme in his works. This focus and perspective are representative of the Social Democratic movement which has greatly influenced Swedish society and culture.

For me, these books were page turners! Although I do admit to skipping a few sections once the point was made, for the most part the need to find out the rest of the story made the pages fly by. I would recommend them as a drama filled way to soak in some historical perspective for anyone new in Sweden trying to understand Swedish culture.

Fishing in Utopia, by Andrew Brown; More on Social Democrats, Fishing, and Learning to Live in Sweden

This short and fun work of non fiction is also available in both English and Swedish (at least at Stadsbiblioteket here in Lund). And it is filled with some great observations from an Englishman, Andrew Brown, who moved to a suburb of Gothenburg in the early 1970’s. As he tells us readers about his life in Sweden, Brown mixes in a humorous and fascinating commentary on life in the Social Democratic State of the 1960’s-70’s. In contrast to the simple style of the Immigrants, the writing in Fishing in Utopia is slickly modern. In his descriptions of trips to Systembolaget and of its continuing evolution I can see a metaphor for the changes that have taken place since those years.

“Inside the shop we always queued. The goods were not on display, but listed in catalogues that we read in the queue. These were not designed to sell: anyone who didn’t speak Swedish would have mistaken them for bus timetables…Nowadays, when you go into a Systembolag, which could be in a town as small as Lilla Edet or even Nodinge, you are given a trolly to push around the shelves. The catalogue is illustrated; the decoration is aimed at selling, not repelling.”

He goes on to describe his shame in carrying the clinking bottles to the recycling center. In telling these personal stories, alongside tales of trade unions and the politics of Olof Palme, Brown weaves a poignant and informative history of the Social Democrats. Not to mention his treatment of Swedish winters and a foreigner learning to live in Sweden. Oh, and he also gives some great tips on fishing in the many waters of Sweden. As with the Immigrants, Fishing in Utopia should appeal to those new to Sweden as they are likely to connect with the author in his observations on living with Swedes. For me, it was his descriptions of attempting to peel potatoes with his wife’s family looking on that really hit home. I would highly recommend this book for anyone in need of a little humor with their history.

Written by Samuel Adams Reitman I am 35 years old, American and married to a Swedish woman. We have lived in both Sweden and the U.S. and are currently down south in Lund. Having been a newbie in Sweden I was happy to get the chance to share my experience with others through this platform. Living in any new place always provides opportunities to observe and record; and if those observations strike a chord with others, all the better. My interests in Sweden and life include, but are not limited to, literature, scuba diving, history, snaps songs, and being out in nature. Hope you enjoy!

Why It’s Awesome Living Outside Of Stockholm

By 1 Comment

When we first moved to Sweden, like many foreigners, we landed in Stockholm. We were lucky enough to live the city life for a full six months (thanks to my husband’s employer). We spent every weekend exploring neighborhoods, discovering the best playgrounds and playspaces in the museums, and becoming a connoisseur of child-friendly cafes and restaurants.

Life in Stockholm was as amazing as it looks and for us, the city life was great…for a while. It became tiresome hauling our stroller (or pram for you Brits) up five flights of stairs and even more tiresome trying to cram into the tiny 19th-century elevator/lift that was apparently designed for much smaller people than exist today. The point is, the everyday hassle coupled with the skyrocketing pricepoint of Stockholm apartments sent us searching for wide open (and more affordable) spaces.

We headed out to the suburbs in search of a house with a yard/garden for less than 6 million kronor—something that doesn’t exist within Stockholm city limits. It turns out that you can buy a nice four-bedroom house in a suburb for a fraction of the price of a closet-sized apartment in Vasastan.

Suburban life was looking good on the surface but would it measure up over time? We accepted that our priorities had changed—we weren’t taking advantage of the benefits of city life anyway—and we found a nice house in a small town on the Baltic. A town with a name that even the locals pronounce differently, which makes telling people where you live even more of a linguistic adventure.

Here are the reasons why I love our small-not-Stockholm-town

1. It’s on the Baltic

Stockholm is based on Lake Mälaren and a bit on the Baltic Sea depending on where you live, but our town has both lakes and access to the sea in spades. The northern archipelago is at our doorstep, and a quick ferry ride brings you to one of the most beautiful uninhabited islands I’ve ever seen—Ansjö. Every year we pack a picnic and take a long day trip to one of Sweden’s few National Parks. Living further away from the city means that you can find quiet space and picnic and swim in private. Time to bathe like a Swede (and by that, I mean, naked, hello!).

2. Nature in our backyard

When we lived in Stockholm, we often took a train to a more remote location to go blueberry picking and mushroom hunting. Green space was readily available in the parks, but to find berries, you have to go to a forest.  In our town, our neighborhood has pockets of forest nestled between the houses that are bursting with edible berries. Our house is a few minutes’ walk away from a nature reserve. We have families of deer who eat the apples in our backyard, and my neighbors have reported moose and wild boar though we have never seen them ourselves. (Moose, if you’re reading this, please swing by our backyard, so my kids will believe we have a magical wonderland behind our house, okay? Thanks!)

[adrotate banner=”6″]

3. The Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis

Due to the lack of light pollution, we have seen the aurora borealis from our back window—I’m not joking, it surprised us too. While perhaps not as bright as those seen in Kiruna, we were able to stay warm in our pajamas and watch the show for free. We don’t live that much farther north from Stockholm, but we were able to see the lights when they’d be otherwise undetectable in the city due to the ambient light. Take that, city slickers!

4. Freedom to play

We lucked out and found a house in a neighborhood with children all around the same age. With a set of loose rules (i.e., “Stay between our house and their house) and other parents who are keeping an eye out, our five-year-old son heads out the front door in the summer time and disappears with his friends for hours at a time. Our doors remain open, and there is a stream of kids in and out of all of the houses. It feels like a close-knit, trustworthy, and warm community. Sometimes, the neighbors feed my kids lunch and other times, it is my responsibility to feed a hungry horde of famished children running around the neighborhood. I couldn’t ask for a better group of families in our community.

5. Quiet beaches

My small town has a population less than 50,000, and in the summer, most of those people head off to their summer houses. We usually stay behind and enjoy the best Sweden has to offer in July—heading to the Baltic or our nearby lake for warmer waters. More often than not, we have the place to ourselves. Quiet and solitude on the beach soaking up the sun. What could be better?

6. Cross-country skiing out our back door

We live near a golf course that is a popular cross-country skiing spot in the winter. Literally, open our back door and walk for a few minutes and you are on a ski trail. Do I know how to ski cross-country? No, but the option is always there and someday I’m sure that I’ll pick it up as a hobby…maybe.

7. We randomly run into people all of the time

To be fair, this also happened in Stockholm, and it boggled my mind how often I would randomly bump into friends on the street, but this occurs with increased frequency in our small town. I look like quite a popular American when grocery shopping and I am stopped every few minutes with people saying hello and giving me hugs. I love it when this happens while I have out-of-town family visiting—it helps reassure them that we aren’t isolated or lonely living far from “home.”

In summary, living in Stockholm is pretty fabulous, but there are a lot of benefits to living out in the “countryside” especially if you have a family. We unquestionably love living in our small town and the community that we have discovered and helped build.

Written by Lisa Ferland

Lisa Ferland is a US citizen who has lived in a small Swedish town for nearly five years. She has published two anthologies about the cultural differences experienced during pregnancy, birth, and parenting abroad called the Knocked Up Abroad series. Find more on her blog here.