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All You Need to Know About Halloween and All Saints’ Day in Sweden

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Halloween and All Saints’ Day are both celebrated in Sweden, let’s look at the differences. Halloween – a spooky tradition that now haunts Sweden alongside the rest of the world, and All Saints Day – a day of remembrance of those who have passed on. Both are full of ghosts, but one sports costumes and candy and the other light and reminiscence.

Although many of us may enjoy the cozy (mysig in Swedish) feels of autumn, the crisp air, the beautiful foliage, the candles starting to crop up in everyone’s windows, there are two events that occur at the end October and beginning of November that can really add to the coziness: Halloween and All Saints’ Day.

How is Halloween celebrated in Sweden?

Although Halloween has only more recently been widely celebrated in Sweden and throughout Europe, Swedes and non-Swedes alike have been more readily embracing the spookiness and candy-ness of Halloween since the ‘90s and (mainly) kids participate in the celebrations today. Kids dress up in costumes (mainly simple witches and other ghostly characters) and walk around their neighborhoods saying “bus eller godis” (trick or treat) and ask for candy. Teenagers are now also taking up the mantle and elevate their dress-up to more intricate costumes and go to parties or events. Adults in Sweden have the option to attend parties, events, parades, etc. as well, as some restaurants and establishments will decorate for Halloween and host events.

Halloween and all saints day in Sweden
A local COOP decorating for Halloween.

You will also find the theme of Halloween in the plockgodis (picking candy) aisles – behold many strange creatures and characters!

Local grocery stores often put up displays of pumpkins and other Halloween items such as masks, skeletons, and other fun items prior to Halloween.

Coinciding with Autumn break for many schools, Halloween (October 31st) and All Saints Day (November 1st) are often celebrated while children are at home.

Nowadays, it is a bit more common for pumpkin patches (självplock – choose yourself) to crop up at farms that typically sell other fruits and vegetables throughout the year, although this trend is still quite small and not every farm sells pumpkins that you can pick yourself.

 Halloween and all saints day in Sweden

Pumpkin Patches in Sweden

Choosing and carving your own pumpkin is a time honored tradition in many cultures that Sweden has caught on to. Not only do many grocery stores sell pumpkins these days, (to decorate or eat, you decide) but now many farms are setting up activities for the entire family and growing pumpkins in their fields (patches) in the autumn.

Stockholm

The nearest patch to Stockholm is Thorslunda, about 45 minutes outside of the city by car. You can also get there by bus. They have information on how to get to them on their website (information in Swedish). They also have a café that serves lunch and “fika”.

Southern Sweden

  • In Southern Sweden, you can pick pumpkins at Söderköpingsbonden. They also have tractor rides for the kids, pigs, and a strawberry field.
  • In Malmö, pick your pumpkins and corn at Slattvikgård.
  • In Södertälje, you can find a pumpkin patch and many other items to choose yourself at Trädgårn Södertälje.

Halloween Events in 2023

There are plenty of halloween events around Sweden to keep you spookily entertained. Here are a few from some of the major cities in Sweden. But just google Halloween + evenemang + the name of your city or Allhelgona + evenemang + the name of your city and you will find something more local.

Stockholm

If you fancy an extensive parade to enjoy with the family, Stockholm hosts the Shockholm Halloween Parade, this year taking place on November 4, 2023.

Gamla Stan hosts ghost tours all year, but around Halloween they pull out all the stops to bring an even ghostlier walk. Tours are in English and Swedish, so take a look for on their website before booking.

You can also journey through Gröna Lund amusement park to celebrate Halloween where they host special Halloween themed evenings.

Skansen, the open air museum located near Gröna Lund, hosts some fun fall activities and has a lot to do for the entire family during autumn break.

Drottningholm Slottsteater hosts a haunted theater show during the autumn holidays this year in their usually closed theatre. You book tickets on their website.

Gothenburg

In Gothenburg, there are various activities throughout the city during autumn break. Liseberg, the amusement park, decorates for Halloween and has activities for the entire family. The Culture Center puts on shows, and many more events for young, old, and in between.

What is All Saints’ Day and how is it celebrated?

All saints day

All Saints’ Day is the day to remember passed loved ones and has religious basis dating back to the 7th century. In Sweden on November 1st, many will make their way to Skogskyrkogården, an extensive cemetery and UNESCO World Heritage site. Families gather around graves of those they wish to remember and light candles. Others attend church service in one of the five chapels on the cemetery grounds. Although it is no longer seen as a religious affair, it was once considered a hallowed day, which is why All Saints’ Day is a red day (röd dag) in Sweden.

All saints day in Sweden
Candles light up the cemetery near Stockholm on All Saints’ Day.

By November 1st, Sweden can already be quite dark. But the numerous candles surrounding the gravesites up and down the entire cemetery at Skogskyrkogården is a serene sight. Skogskyrkogården is open to the public and the cemetery, aglow with candlelight, is a peaceful place to visit. If you choose to walk the paths of the cemetery, you are sure to see many families taking part in the traditions of reminiscence.

Other traditions outside of lighting candles at the cemetery include wreath making. They are made from evergreen branches that can be laid on gravesites. The wreaths are usually made to fit around candles and can also be decorated by items that have specific importance. The circular wreath is said to symbolize eternity and lighting candles are meant for remembrance.

Where do these celebrations for Halloween and All Saints’ Day in Sweden come from?

Modern day Halloween comes from Celtic traditions, where evil spirits were warded off by lighting bonfires and wearing costumes on Samhain (October 31st). It is said that the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest on this night. This adds a layer of spook to Halloween celebrations and explains the traditions on November 1st, when All Saint’s Day (Alla helgons dag) is celebrated in Sweden. All Saints Day, also called All Hallow’s Day or All Souls Day, celebrates those that have passed on. They were said to visit family members during the Samhain celebrations the evening before (or All Hallow’s Eve).

Influence from other cultures on Halloween and All Saints’ Day in Sweden

Cultures and traditions often go beyond their physical borders – the same is true of Halloween and All Saints’ Day celebrations. Let’s delve into the influential cultures that have likely shaped Sweden’s celebrations today.

Halloween in the US

The US is a long way away from the simplicity of Samhain. Ghosts are now warded off by lighting a “bonfire” no bigger than the average jack-o-lantern with a tea light candle. But Halloween is often celebrated by child and adult alike. In the US, Halloween is treated as an important event every year. Children go trick-or-treating (or dress up in various costumes and ask the neighbors for candy) as soon as it’s dark out as well as during school hours. Adults partake in similar cosplay but go searching for alcohol instead of (or alongside) candy. Houses are decorated with pumpkins, spider webs, spooky characters, and fake grave stones. Neighbors often camp out on their front lawn dressed as their favorite characters to hand out giant candy bars. Pumpkin patches and haunted hayrides are a common occurrence and you can find them wherever there is a field (or a farm!).

Day of the Dead in Mexico

Mexico celebrates the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) on November 1st. They make offerings (ofrendas) to their family members who have passed on. These can include favorite foods, drinks, pictures, and cut marigolds. This tradition celebrates their loved one’s memory and often includes lighting candles by their gravestones.

American culture brings an over-the-top-ness to Halloween including political statements and giant skeletons. Swedish festivities are usually more simple but still influenced by the US Halloween culture. There is also a similarity to Mexican traditions in Sweden. Many Swedes journey to the cemetery (kyrkogården) to light a candle and remember their loved ones on All Saints’ Day.

Autumn in Sweden comes on quickly and moves just as quickly into winter. But in its midst are fun celebrations for Halloween and remembrance of those who came before during All Saints’ Day.

How do you plan to celebrate Halloween and All Saints’ Day? Do you have similar traditions where you are from? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you!

Weird Swedish foods

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Weird Swedish foods is something you will come across when you are in Sweden for a longer period of time. Every country has its own food peculiarities, foods that you often miss when you are away from your home country. Foods that often also have a cultural significance. And Sweden is of course no exception when it comes to weird foods.

Here we have collected a little list of some of the weird Swedish foods and please let us know in the comments if we have missed any that should be added. Also as a bit of fun, let us know if there is any particularly weird foods from your home country!

Saltlakris – salty licorice

In 2012, a proposal was handed to the EU petitioning to limit the permitted amount of salmiak (ammonium chloride) in food. In salty licorice, the amount of salt ammonia is about 70 grams/kg. The maximum levels discussed were as low as 3 grams/kg which would have meant a ban on on salted licorice.

The reason they wished to limit the use of salmiak were studies that show a connection between excessive consumption of the substance and high blood pressure (just like with regular salt).

It is safe to say that this proposal became a BIG deal in Sweden where Swedes eat about 2 kilos of licorice per year, making Swedes supposedly the largest consumers of licorice. In the end salty licorice was considered an essential part of Swedish culture and was exempt from the new salmiac restrictions. Serious business indeed!

Kalles Kaviar – fish paste in a tube

This is really a somewhat required taste sold mainly in Sweden, Finland and Norway. Although if you do get hooked on this rather weird fish in a tube paste, you can always visit IKEA stores in other countries for a hit. Kalles Kaviar was launched in 1954 and is quite far from the fancy caviar you may have tasted before. Kalles is made of mildly smoked fish eggs, mushed together and put in a tube and is by many considered the perfect topping on the breakfast sandwich, the snack or with boiled eggs! What is your take on it?

Messmör – Soft whey butter

Messmör is a soft reduced whey butter with a sweet/salthy like flavor that is popular in Sweden and is packed full of protein, calcium and iron. Many Swedish kids remember having it for breakfast all the way back to its introduction in 1939. You can buy it in any regular shop but if you want to try making your own messmör – check out this recipe.

Mesost – soft whey cheese

This is the sibling of messmör and is usually reported to taste something like sweet goat cheese. The texture is soft and sticky, a bit crumbly and reluctant to be spread, so still very much a cheese. But the sweet-and-sour mixture together with the zesty taste is generally loved by Swedes and a good number of newbies too.

Mesost is also called brunost (brown cheese) and I believe this is when it comes from Norway. It seems that mesost has been largely absent from Swedish shelves in the last few years but that you can still find brunost if you are lucky. For my part, it brings back some fond childhood memories:-)

Ost på tub – cheese in a tube

While planning a trip to the US I was asked by a friend to bring Swedish tube food! It surprised me, tube food has always been a natural part of my life growing up in Sweden. It was something you had on the breakfast table and most definitely on picnics or hikes.

Food in tubes is such a common Swedish occurrence, that Swedes generally don’t realize that this is in fact rather unusual. So unusual and to many fascinating that Karla Marie Batingan Paredes wrote a dissertation on the topic in 2013 – Food in tubes – a retro cool Swedish innovation.

Packaging food in tubes dates to the early 20th century, when the Swedish military used tubes to package foods for soldiers. This type of packaging was practical and efficient, easy to carry and could be stored for long periods. And if you ask me, it’s not only practical but also quite tasty. But I have had it since childhood, so I am likely indoctrinated:-)

Surströmming – Fermented herring

This dish is a particularly startlingly weird specialty where the smell has caused more than one person to throw up. Many years ago I called the police because I thought my neighbor laid dead in his house. Turned out he was only eating Surströmming.

The herring is caught just prior to spawning and packed into a tin of brine to ferment. The fermentation starts from an enzyme in the spine of the fish which causes hydrogen sulphide to produce in the tin. Yummy right?! The fermenting process causes the can to bulge over time, so stand well back when opening. Surströmming is often eaten as a sandwich with waxy potatoes, red onion and dill. And two last pieces of advice. If you are invited to a Swedes party in August double check what is on the menu as surströmming is traditionally eaten in late August. And secondly – open the dang tin under water! Trust me.

Lutfisk – Sodium hydroxide fish

Let’s continue on the fishy end of this food scale. Lutfisk is a gelatinous white fish that is dried and treated with lye. It is soaked in cold water for days, prepared by steaming or baking and is eaten with a white sauce. It looks and sounds rather “interesting” but actually doesn’t have a lot of taste and is only served around Christmas. So give it a go why don’t you:-)

Kebab pizza

The kebab pizza is one of Sweden’s most popular pizzas and was created by Middle Eastern immigrants in the 1980s. It even has cultural status in Sweden. During the pandemic, kebab pizzas was one of the most ordered fast foods in Sweden.

So regardless of what you think of this unorthodox combination, you should make time to experience this unusual pizza. After all it is a cultural phenomenon and it is easy to find and kind on your wallet.

So, I have come to the end of this particular list. There are many more weird food candidates out there, so let us know your weird favorites in the comments.

Take care!

Further reading

10 Swedish words to know in the office

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Why do you need to learn Swedish words for the office? Well, are you looking for a job in Sweden? Or, are you already working in a Swedish office? In that case, just knowing 10 simple words or phrases in Swedish might make all the difference for your experience in a Swedish workplace. Rebecca from SweTeach helps you navigate life as a Swedish office worker. Check out the word list below of Swedish words to know in the office.

This post is written by Rebecca Andersson, an experienced Swedish teacher and co founder of SweTeach, language coaching for newcomers.

En fika (noun) att fika, fikar (verb)

No Swedish word list can exist without including the word fika. In the office, fika can refer to several different things. If you grab a cup of coffee and take it back to your desk, it is not considered fika. A fika has to involve either a sweet treat or a social gathering, both in the best case. 

Fredagsfika might be the most popular type of fika. A Friday fika is a weekly gathering at the workplace, usually on Friday afternoons. Some companies have a fika list where someone has to bring in fika for the whole team each week. 

En matlåda (noun)

In Sweden, many people bring their own lunch box or matlåda to work. This plastic, glass, or metal container often includes popular everyday dishes (husmanskost) such as Spaghetti och köttfärssås, Korv stroganoff, or Köttbullar och potatismos. 

Whether to heat up the food in your lunch box or put it on a plate first is up to you. But, if you would like to be popular among your colleagues, I would advise you to avoid fish. It leaves an awful smell behind after re-heating!

En after-work/AW (noun)

Wait a minute, is this not English? You are right, but only partially. The words are English, but the expression is Swedish. An After Work or AW is a social gathering with friends or colleagues where you enjoy a drink and possibly some food together after a working day. An AW often starts around 4 or 5 pm and lasts a few hours. 

The concept is popular in Sweden and you will see plenty of offers on drinks and food similar to a Happy hour. Some bars also offer activities such as darts, boule, shuffleboard, or a pub quiz. 

En lönehelg (noun)

An AW often kicks off a lönehelg. The word translates to ‘pay weekend’ and is often used as an excuse to spend a little extra when you have just received your salary. Most Swedes get paid on the 25th of every month and the preceding Friday if that date occurs on the weekend. This makes Friday the most common payday, which is why lönefredag is also a thing. 

Since most people in Sweden get paid on the same day, a lönehelg often means a busy weekend for shops, restaurants, and bars. Do not forget to book a table if you plan to dine out on the 25th!

Ett möte (noun)

The Swedish meeting culture is famous, or infamous, even outside of Sweden. There are plenty of different meetings to choose from; breakfast meetings, briefings, lunch sessions, team meetings, evaluation meetings etc.

An essential part of the Swedish meeting culture is reaching konsensus. Everyone should contribute to the discussion and agree on a decision. This can take quite some time, and you often have to parkera or ‘park’ issues and schedule a new meeting to continue the discussion.

Ett friskvårdsbidrag (noun)

Fitness and well-being are hot topics in Sweden gyms are to be found everywhere. Many companies provide a friskvårdsbidrag, which is financial support that you can use to pay for a gym card, massage, or membership in a sports association. 

Some employers also allow you to exercise during work hours or organise weekly group exercises for you and your colleagues. In Sweden, the question is not if you work out or not, but what you do for exercise and how often.

Att vabba, vabbar (verb)

Even though many Swedes are interested in health, people get sick here just like everywhere else. When you stay home from work with sick children, you get reimbursed by Försäkringskassan for up to 80 percent of your salary for a maximum of 120 days per year. This system is called VAB, and the word is so frequently used that it was made into a verb. At a Swedish workplace, you can get a message from your colleague stating Jag vabbar idag, which means that the person will be off work due to taking care of sick children. 

In the winter, people tend to get sick more than during the rest of the year. This is why Swedes sometimes speak about the month of February as vabruari, the month of VAB. 

Att tidrapportera, tidrapporterar (verb) 

Many people in Sweden are working from home nowadays. This has made it more crucial than ever to report your work hours or tidrapportera, as you say in Swedish. 

In Swedish offices, it is common to have flexible hours or flextid. This means you do not have to start or finish your workday at any specific time as long as you do your hours. If you work more than you should, you can save hours that you can use for vacation later in the year. 

En semester

Speaking of holidays, every person working in Sweden has a lawful right to vacation or semester in Swedish, confusingly enough. A full-time worker has a minimum of 25 paid vacation days to spend during the year and has the right to schedule four cohesive weeks of vacation between June and August.  

Since people in Sweden tend to spend most of their vacation during the summer period, the word semester is closely linked to the summer holidays. If you take time off during other seasons, you can use the word ledighet, which translates to ‘leave’.

En röd dag

In addition to your vacation days, most office workers are also off work on public holidays. These days are referred to as röda dagar, ‘red days’ since they are marked with red in the calendar. In Sweden, there are about 15 such days per year. 

If you want to maximise your days off work, it is all about combining your vacation days with public holidays. Every year, many magazines and Unions publish guides on how to get the most out of the vacation year. 

We hope you learned a thing or two from this list. If you are looking to learn more Swedish, you can get started with the online course Swedish for Beginners. It is a self paced, self taught digital course that you can take from anywhere at anytime and at your own space. And it is very reasonably priced if we may say so ourselves 🙂 Good luck!

Further reading

Sweden and Sustainability: Waste Sorting and Disposal

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Written by Ezinne Edet

Waste sorting and disposal is a common practice in Sweden. However, it may come as a culture shock to a newbie. You will notice that the bins at your home, office, school, or even on the walkway have different labels. As a result, you may find it difficult to figure out how the waste disposal system works.

Imagine finishing a cup of coffee and standing by the bin, reading the labels to figure out the right place to dispose of the cup. Depending on where you are coming from, this may feel a bit awkward.

Sweden is one of the countries that sorts and disposes of waste in categories. If you are confused about how to sort your garbage, where which garbage goes, or what the labels mean, we have compiled a simple guide for you.

waste-sorting-and-disposal-in-sweden
Typical waste bin (on the walkway)

Paper packaging (Pappersfӧrpackningar)

Here, you place paper packaging, like paper cups, toilet roll tubes, shoe boxes, paper bags, milk and juice packs, and the likes.

Organic waste (Matavfall)

You should place food waste, eggshells, kitchen paper, non-dyed napkins, used coffee grinds, tea bags, and wooden single-use items here.

Plastic (Plast)

This category is for plastic packaging containers, plastic bags, plastic wrapping, plastic bottles, plastic tubes, refill packs, plastic bags, packets for crisps, and similar items.

Metal (Metall)

You should place cans, bottle caps, tubes, aluminium foil, aluminium containers, soda cans, jar lids, and empty paint tins here.

Non-recyclable/ Residual waste (Restavfall)

This category is for waste that cannot be recycled, like dyed napkins, padded envelopes, vacuum cleaner bags, razor blades, toothbrushes, and diapers.

waste-sorting-and-disposal-in-sweden
Typical waste bin in Sweden (at the office or school)

Newspapers (Tidningar)
Here, you place recyclable paper, like magazines, newspapers, diaries, catalogues, flyers, drawing and writing papers. Note that newspapers are sorted separately from paper packaging. Also, you should sort bound books and envelopes as residual waste or organic waste.

Coloured and Clear Glass (Fargat Glas, Ofargat Glas) 

Sort coloured glass (fargat glas) separately from clear glass (ofargat glas). Place glass materials like empty wine and beer bottles, jars of mayonnaise and jam, etc. here. However, remember to remove corks, metal caps, and jar lids and place them in their respective categories.

Batteries and Lighting (Batterier, Ljuskallor)

You should place rechargeable batteries, button cell batteries, small-size batteries, batteries for mobile phones and electric tools in the compartment for batteries (batterier). While in the compartment for lighting (ljuskallor), you place LED bulbs, light bulbs, fluorescent bulbs and lamps, halogen lamps, etc.

waste-sorting-and-disposal-in-sweden

Sorting waste may sound like too much work. Nevertheless, a helpful tip would be to, first of all, sort the recyclables—paper, plastic, metal, organic waste, glass, batteries and lighting—then place the rest as residual waste.

Other categories of waste

You should hand in this category of waste at staffed recycling centers (ÅVC) in your municipality. You can hand them in physically at their designated offices or place an order by phone or on their website.

  • Hazardous waste: containers with residues of paint, oil, glue, or solvents.
  • Landfill: pots and pans, ceramics, scrap metal, mirrors, porcelain, and plumbing fixtures.
  • Garden waste: tree branches, leaves, moss, and grass.
  • Textiles: towels, clothing, beddings, and curtains.
  • Electrical waste: computer, household appliances, refrigerator, TV, radio, etc.
  • Bulky waste: these are household materials that are too bulky to fit into the bin. For example, sofa, household furniture, and toys. Exclude interior fittings (e.g, doors and kitchen cabinets) and car parts from bulky waste items.
  • Expired/Unused medicine: deposit this type of refuse (including hypodermic needles) at pharmacies or chemists, where they will be disposed of properly.
waste-sorting-and-disposal-in-sweden
Garbage room of an apartment in Sweden

Why sort waste?

Sorting waste is important because it is beneficial for the environment and communities. It is also useful for recycling.

In Sweden, organic waste is converted to biogas and bio-fertilizers for farmers, while other recyclable wastes are transformed into new products. On the other hand, residual waste is converted to energy for heating homes, powering buses, and fueling taxis.

Sweden is one of the topmost ranked countries in the world for recycling cardboard and newspaper. Hence, it is no surprise that the country topped the charts in the Global Sustainable Competitive Index 2021 and holds second place in the 2021 UN Sustainable Development Report.

If you are a newbie in Sweden, leave a comment to tell us how waste sorting and disposal has been going for you. If you are not currently living in Sweden, tell us how you dispose of waste in your country. We can’t wait to read your comments!

 

About the Author 

Hej! I am a Nigerian studying a Master of Science in Management at the University of Gothenburg. I have travelled around different countries in Africa, but this is my first time living and studying in another continent. I see living in a new country as an opportunity to learn a new culture, language, and create new networks and experiences. I will be posting about my experiences in Sweden, as a newbie, and sharing information to help you settle in fast. Enjoy!

What is it really like to work in Sweden?

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Written by our Content Manager and Writer, Nidhi Dhingra

We went on to ask, ‘What, for you, makes the work culture in Sweden so different?’, and heard back from both newbies and oldbies in Sweden, originally from or having worked in countries across Europe, Middle east, Asia and the Americas, in varying professions.

Putting together the many conversations and our own experience together, here’s the bitter-sweet (though, mostly sweet) of working in Sweden:

Work life balance
Work life balance is woven into the very fabric of the Swedish society

Ask anyone what they would most miss about working in Sweden, and it’ll be the quality time it allows one with self and family.

‘In Singapore, if you leave at 6 pm, it’s like a crime. There is an unsaid mandate of staying till 7.30 pm, whether you have work or not’, Suresh, a Senior Solutions Engineer tells us. ‘Dubai is kinda similar; you don’t leave for home before your boss does’, says Hysen, a Director-Sales & Marketing.

In Sweden, working extra very often to impress your boss will only tell him or her that you can’t manage your workload very well. It also increases the risk for the company that you could burn out, have more days of sick leave, and feel overall less satisfied with your current workplace. Most Swedish workplaces want you to feel good and not squeeze that last drop of working power out of you. ‘Holidays in Sweden are to be respected and enjoyed’, notes Shanalie, an Internal Audit Specialist, from France.

That said, ‘it is also important to remember that while the system allows for work-life balance, it’s left up to the individual to ensure that he or she does not overwork. Your manager may not be to help you with it on a regular basis’, clarifies Naresh, a Digital Data-Analytics Lead.

fika break sweden office
For Swedes, the fika or coffee break is a key part of the daily schedule at work.

Punctuality is the norm in Sweden, and it is very important to play by this rule if you’re to make a good impression on your teammates. A 2-pm meeting means that your colleagues will be ready for you five minutes prior. Hustling into the meeting room at 2:05 pm will only be seen as unprofessional.

This rule, in fact, extends to Swedish social circles as well. ‘When you set an informal appointment in Sweden, let’s say a 12.30-pm lunch, ten days from now, no one feels that it needs to be confirmed closer to the day. Whereas in Brazil, it is smart to check again if your lunch mate is still up for it’, shares Ivy, a Compliance Counsel.

It is not for nothing that Swedes are notorious for pulling out their calendars to schedule even informal engagements with family or friends.


Open and relaxed work environment

‘A big difference to Bulgaria is that Swedes don’t promise their clients things that are impossible to achieve, be it a deadline or completing a task. They are more realistic. In Bulgaria they would say “yes yes no problem, we fix it”, but most often they are unable to deliver’, remarks Tatyana.

‘There isn’t much out-of-the-box thinking in Sweden. Also, both organisations and individuals take forever to open up and hence collaborations can be challenging’, shares Vidhya, a Data and Information Architect.

Many a times, even for one born in Sweden doesn’t necessarily mean that they know the ins-and-outs of business behaviour. Fret not though – if you’re working in Sweden, irrespective of where you are in your experience of the country, we have just the course for you: Business behaviour: Accepted and expected behaviour in the Swedish job market.

It is designed and taught by Annmarie Palm, an expert in the development of work relationships and communication, and author of the book, Business behavior: Uppför dig ­­– eller tappa affären, which translates to “Business behavior – behave or lose your business”.

‘This fast-paced course takes you through all the questions you might have about the work environment in Sweden. Simple tips that will take you far in your career.’ – Anna Hochdorfer

Go ahead, and sign up for the course here.

About the Author

 

Hej hej! I’m a writer and illustrator originally from India; and now call both India and Sweden home. I have had a 2-year stint in Gothenburg — easily the best two years of my adult life. An explorer at heart, I travel often; armed with a curious mind, a sketchpad, notebook to scribble in and my taste buds – exploring by-lanes, discovering treasures, gaining new friends and experiences.

A one way ticket to Sverige!! Daring to live a life I’d only dreamed of…

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Written by Suzy Greaves

 

“The world is too big to stay in one place. Life is too short to do just one thing.”

I love to hear about people’s journeys, their life choices, the paths they take and the stories they make. Well; I’m Suzy, welcome to my story and my Swedish life. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to write for The Newbie Guide to Sweden. An opportunity to share with you all my experiences, observations and adventures. An honest and hopefully inspiring insight into life as a Brit living in Sweden.

And so it began……

Globally our population is Circa 8 billion. What are the chances of two people, from different worlds meeting and connecting in the same place at the same time?  You guessed it, in the words of Sweden’s Per Gessle (Roxette) “It must have been love”. It all began in a music bar in Liverpool back in 2016. The rest as they say is history!

I’ve always lived quite intuitively. I firmly believe our ever changing dreams, aspirations and ambitions allow us to attract what we need from life. So, what followed my chance meeting was a year or so of travelling. Meeting up with my new partner for weekends in various European destinations. Then, decision day arrived. My path, it seemed was inevitably heading North and leading to an unknown Nordic world, A Scandi life, in Sweden.

person standing on a rock in the water
Here it’s me in Sweden!

This is me……

I was 46 years old when I decided to rent out my UK home. Finally, I was moving to Sweden! I applied for a pet passport and moved myself and my cocker spaniel to Västra Götaland 4 years ago. My two fabulous and fiercly independant adult children had themselves moved and embarked upon their own life journeys. Instead of waiting for the so called ’empty nest’ syndrome to kick in, I was the one that fled the nest!

Back then, I was founder & director of a business creating and delivering food education workshops to primary schools UK wide. I wrote and styled fun interactive lessons linking to and supporting the countries National Curriculumn. I forged collaborations with National supermarket chains, celebrity chefs, local fire service and housing partnerships. A large part of my time was running and organising teams visits into schools daily. Although rewarding, infact awarding me recognition as a finalist of Cheshire Woman of the year 2008, the work became 24/7!  After a hugely sucessful 14 years, the hours, demands and the lifestyle I’d built for myself were actually unsustainable. My mind, body and soul on reflection were crying out for a new way of living.

That was then and this is now…..

In my 20’s and 30’s it was always a little dream of mine to own a house abroad.  Perhaps, a little apartment in a quaint Spanish village or a beachside villa in Portugal but no, it wasn’t to be.

This is where I advise you to be careful what you wish for….. Today I write to you from our newly renovated Swedish home! Contrary to popular belief and in comparison to the UK, house prices here in the Swedish countryside are jaw droppingly cheap. The house we chose to become our home lacked a lot of kerb appeal and at best could of been described as ‘charming’ or ‘traditional’.

The reality meant that my sambo (Swedish name for a couple that live together) and I had to join forces, roll our sleeves up and with the help of some professionals become amateur carpenters almost overnight. A full refurbishment inside and out. Our efforts became such a joint mission that I would suggest it firmly cemented our new found relationship. What a project we had undertaken! As a result, what remains now is a real sense of pride in the place we live and a plethora of newly discovered practical skills.

Back to school…..

Since moving to Sweden, I have secured work here as a supply teacher (Vikarie) in three local schools. One day I can be the English teacher, another a pre school assistant and occasionally I work in the after school club. In other words, `flexibility’ has become my middle name.

The school systems, values and curriculum couldn’t be more different to the UK. The pro’s and cons I know are widely debated amongst expat parents striving for the perfect balanced education for their little ones. I feel the children that I work with here are as eager, enthusiastic and hungry to learn as world over, which makes for rewarding work. These young Swedes also hold a really impressive grasp of the English language from a suprisingly early age. My own language learning however, has not actually been so sucessful yet. It’s one of the biggest challenges I’m facing right now, just so you know though, I’m not a quitter!!

The good life……

So, Is life here all meatballs and lingonberry jam? Not only moving to Sweden but relocating to any new country can be peppered with complications that try and test our resolve. I’m looking forward to sharing, in future blogs what I have learnt along the way.  Living with a Swede and within a Swedish family network has immersed me in the culture, cuisine, traditions and values of the Swedish people. Both similarities and differences to my own British culture I’ve found both facinating and suprising in equal measures.

I mentioned earlier that I believe in creating a life you need and love. Above all, I feel like moving to Sweden has brought out the best in me, renewing old passions such as a focus on health, creative cookery and exercise. Lifestyle choices which are facilitated by the environment here. Sweden’s nature is the perfect therapy and has restored the creative energy that was begining to dwindle with having the wrong work/life balance back in the UK.

I’ve discovered running, cross country skiing, sailing, fishing, foraging and hiking. Now tell me that’s not a healthy bag of interests! Additionally, during the past couple of years, whilst the world has had its travel plans curtailed, we have also been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to  travel and explore this beautiful country. Some people say the key to learning about the culture is through the language; couple this with travel and you will unveil the real Sweden.

person with skis on the snow
One of the activities I’ve discovered in Sweden

Sweden through my lens……

Sweden is a country of stark contrasts. A country with light and shade, four distinct seasons and stunning yet varied landscapes. Ask any Swede where is their ‘smultronställe’ ( A Swedes favourite place) and no answer will be the same. I’ve travelled from North to South and revel in planning our next road trip. From the fjällen in Vemdalen to both Stockholm and the West coast’s archipelago’s. I’ve explored Skåne and even been as far south as it gets in Smygehuk and Ven.

It’s hardly suprising that my biggest passion right now was born in this beautiful country. Photography. I share my pictures on instagram Feel free to follow and see for yourself how this wonderful country has won my heart.

Finally; If you are considering moving to Sweden then you came to the right place – The Newbie Guide to Sweden – is your one stop shop to actualising your new life. We are all here to help with your transition.

Remember, this inspiring quote from Naeem Callaway ” Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step in your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for my future blogs in the comments below. You can also check out our other newbie bloggers experiences in our blog page.

Thanks for reading and as we say in Sweden “Ha en jättebra dag!!”

About the Author

Hej!! Jag heter Suzy! I’m a Brit who moved to Sweden in 2017 for love!
Travelled, cultured and passionate about health, food, photography and lifestyle. I’m living the Scandi dream!
I’m a freelance writer with a zest for life and new adventures. Follow my Swedish journey on Instagram @suzygreaves1

Why Studying in Sweden is Beyond My Expectations

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Written by Hamzah Dzikri Fadliansyah

In the middle of uncertainty, fate decided that I would study in Sweden, a country that was not my top priority. I could tell you my rollercoaster story of applying for a master’s degree program, but this could be a very long story to tell. Fret not! I will tell you some fundamental reasons why I ended up choosing and living in Sweden for study.

Interdisciplinary Programs

Initially, I struggled to find a master’s program in Media and Communication Studies, which accepts graduates with a bachelor’s diploma in English Language and Literature. Luckily, I found out that many Swedish universities offer interdisciplinary programs in my areas of interest, meaning that I am potentially eligible. In fact, they also provide certain programs relevant to my academic background.

From the interdisciplinary programs, many Swedish universities allow people from various academic backgrounds to choose an area they want to learn. Personally, it gave me a chance to use my skills as transferable knowledge in an area that is new to me. I am learning to use background knowledge so that I can contribute to the discussion in classes.

Moreover, this interdisciplinary system also enables the students to critically examine specific problems that can only be solved using different ways of understanding. It allows the students to integrate different approaches to find innovative solutions. From my experience studying in Sweden, I can confirm that this is true. My classmates and I have learned and shared each other’s experiences and expertise. The discussion in classes is always lively. I can always feel the thoughtful learning environment in my courses.

Team Building

During my study here, I realized something fundamental and similar from my program of study and my friends studying at different programs and universities. Many teaching and learning activities rely mostly on team working or group projects. I could be placed into two to three different group assignments in each course with different people in each group. This is very unusual in my country, where we mostly did the assignment individually.

This is how the education system in Sweden works. They require the students to work collaboratively to solve the problems, manage the diversity, and develop decision-making and time management. This learning style also simulates the real dynamics of an international workplace. It helps students to enhance their skills working in a global environment. Besides, this also helps me get to know my classmates better, improving my interpersonal skills.

Lund University Library
Lund University Library

Academic Flexibility

Moreover, I am also really impressed by the education system in Sweden that allows the students to retake the exam several times until they pass the exam. I still remember when one of my friends told me that his teacher said to the students in the class, “We do not teach you to fail; we teach you to success.” This is something I could not find in the Indonesian education system. Even my friend who is studying elsewhere in a university in Europe also told me that there is no such thing as retaking the exam; once you fail, you have to retake the whole course. It is incredibly inspiring.

In addition, most master’s programs in Sweden are in two-year duration, although some other programs are also for a year. I initially thought it was a terrible idea since I could save time and money if I studied in a one-year program. However, I realized that a two-year program offers many more things to explore. Mostly, during the third semester, many master’s programs in Swedish universities provide their students the experiences to take on internships, exchange studies at other universities outside Sweden, or take courses inside or outside their department or university. This freedom provides flexibility to the student to foster their needs, empowering them to take their study independently.

Unconventional Education Culture and System

Most importantly, the student-teacher relationship in Sweden is also flat, meaning that students are as equal as teachers. Students can speak to and are treated by lectures as equals. I was shocked by the fact that students do not mention their professors with a title here. Everyone calls the teachers by their first name. In Indonesia, it is disrespectful, but it is a sign of equality and a nonhierarchical education system in Sweden.

One other unconventional thing about studying in Sweden is scheduling courses arrangement. In most programs, you only study one class for one term. So, you do not take two or more courses at the same time. It allows you to focus on what you are studying right now, rather than splitting your mind to focus on two different subjects at the same time. This way is also good for managing time and reducing stress for students. After one course finished, you then continued with the next course.

Lagom: Study Life Balance

It is noteworthy that the Swedish work-life balance value also extends in its education culture. In Sweden, studying life balance is a fundamental thing. From preserving this Lagom lifestyle, Swedish universities encourage the students to explore life and develop their interests besides their academic obligations. In fact, a normal study per week usually covers up 40 hours of studying. Therefore, you have plenty of time to discover many things surrounding you or simply have a Fika with your friends.

You can definitely do many things with a lot of time outside of studying. For me, I enjoy traveling around the Skåne area in Sweden. Sweden has beautiful natures where I love to explore. Some of my friends also work part-time in restaurants or other organizations. Some others also do an internship at the same time. Sometimes, studying also gets very demanding, depending on the current rolling terms. Therefore, you need to manage your priorities.

Well, those are the reasons why I ended up choosing to stay and study in Sweden. Life has decided to drive me somewhere that is beyond my expectation through rejections. I felt like this is a blessing in disguise. I really enjoy studying in Sweden, and I never regret my decision to study in Sweden. More importantly, I do not experience significant problems living here, including the language barrier.

In fact, many Swedes are fluent in speaking English, so you can communicate easily with the locals. Yes, most of the master’s programs in Sweden are also in English. However, if you want to get to know them and their culture better, I suggest you learn Swedish as well. In that case, you may be interested in understanding what are Swedish Learning Options available to you.

Are you now interested in coming to study in Sweden as well? What are your reasons for choosing Sweden as your study destination? Let me know by leaving some comments below! And, let’s share some insights with others!

About the Author

Hejsan! My name is Hamzah, an Indonesian student studying in a Master of Science program in Media and Communication Studies at Lund University. While I enjoy binge-watching movies and TV series, talking with friends, and everything involving food, now I have found traveling as a new hobby. Before going back to my home country in the middle of 2022, I want to share my stories about my life as an international student in Sweden with you.

What’s ‘Christmas in Sweden’ without a julbord!

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Julbord – one thing you can not miss out on if you’re looking to soak in Christmas celebrations in Sweden. Literally translated to ‘Christmas table’, the julbord is a buffet of traditional Swedish eats, and a window into the land’s culture, habit, craving and identity.

Written by our content writer, Nidhi Dhingra

The Swedish julbord is a thing of beauty: a long table brimming with robustly flavoured local meats, fish, cheeses, and breads, embodying the Nordic palate. The julbord on Christmas day itself (December 24) is reserved as an intimate family meal to be enjoyed in a private setting. Families travel distances to be with each other, with sometimes 3-4 generations getting together under one roof. Prior to that, from mid-November until just before Christmas, julbords are offered in eateries across Sweden, and are gaily enjoyed with friends and colleagues.

Statistically, 70% of the employed in Sweden are invited to a julbord by their companies — that’s over three million guests at restaurant tables! If you’re new in Sweden, it is a perfect table around which to build or strengthen bonds, for the mood is jolly and hearts joyous with the anticipation of year-end holidays just round the corner.

The history of julbord

The julbord tradition is believed to date back to the early 1100s, with ties to the Catholic advent fast that ended on the 24th December. With tables set up in community spaces, it was a meal inviting all; putting out all the food before it went bad, and ensuring that no one went hungry, be it the rich, poor, or homeless.

In the 1500s, upper-class gatherings known as the ‘aquavit buffet’ became common. A separate table would be set up in a side room to entertain travellers and guests, with savoury bites that could be enjoyed while standing, along with glasses of aquavit (made from potato or grains and cured with herbs like caraway, dill, fennel, coriander and anise). Johanna Kindvall, writer and illustrator of the book ‘Smörgåsbord’, says it’s possible that this tradition was borrowed from the Russians who liked to mingle around eating caviar, herring and vodka.

From the mid-1800s the julbord began its transformation into its present avatar — that of a big smörgåsbord meal. The reason most likely was the invention of the iron stove, that changed the art of cooking dramatically. Previously, the food was always cooked, but now the stove gave the option to roast and bake in a whole new way. This gave way to common households making a variety of foods and snacks, often to accompany their aquavit.

Not long after, as many Swedes recall, mothers and grandmothers would be spending the entire December cooking. In a ritualistic manner, they would pick their own herring, bake their own cakes, cookies, and ham from scratch.

By the late 1800s high-end restaurants began serving smörgåsbords. In 1912, at the Olympic Games in Stockholm, the world was introduced to this Swedish specialty. Though it was in 1919 that the Swedish Academy mentioned the word “julbord” for the first time. In 1939, the Swedish Pavilion at the World’s Fair in New York presented it outside of Sweden; and the julbord was here to stay.

“Christmas Eve”, a watercolor impression from 1904 by the Swedish painter, Carl Larsson of a Christmas table

What you find at a traditional julbord

An extensive spread, the julbord begins with glögg (mulled wine with blanched almonds and raisins), and typically has five courses of food — pickled herring, fish course, cold meats, warm course, and desserts.
The conservative julborders have their meal in this very order as a strict rule. You may mix them up; however, just keep in mind that not all dishes go well together.

Pickled herring

Swedish food culture has been immensely impacted by the abundance of fish. The pickled herring is served in varieties; the senapsill (herring in a creamy mustard sauce) now being the most common. It comes from the age-old tradition of preserving raw fish with salt to endure the long winters. Once seen as poor man’s food, it now has a place of pride on the Christmas table. In fact, ask any Swede and they’ll tell you that a julbord without at least 2-3 varieties of herring is unthinkable!

Fish course

The fish course consists of salmon, cod, crayfish and prawns. A distinct preparation is ​​the lutfisk (dried cod), said to have been around since the days of the Vikings. Though it is now more held onto as a concept, than food.

Cold meats

The cold spread of cured meats includes ham, pork, elk, reindeer, moose; often paired with cheese and knäckebröd (crispbread). The obligatory julskinka, or Christmas ham, is the show stopper — boiled with aromatics and baked with glaze and breadcrumbs.

Historically, pigs were the most common domesticated animals as they populated fast and could be fed relatively inexpensively. In the 1800s, when all else was preserved meat, farmers began to hold back a few pigs for slaughter to serve them fresh at the Christmas feast. What a treat! To this day, Christmas is a very significant time of the year for the pork business in Sweden.

Warm course

Swedish meatballs, sausages, pork ribs, janssons frestelse (creamy potato casserole) and dopp i grytan or dip in the pot (a broth made from liquid in which the ham was cooked) are some of the warm dishes that follow. These are served with cabbage (red, brown and green), potatoes and beets.

Desserts

The desserts are no less varied (where’s the room for more food though?!) — from cakes, cookies (almond, cinnamon, chocolate, caramel), and chocolates to semla buns, ris a la malta (rice pudding with whipped cream) and risgrynsgröt (rice porridge dusted with cinnamon and sugar, served with a hidden almond. According to folklore, whomever gets the almond in their risgrynsgröt will be married in the coming year.

While the dishes remain classic, ingredients vary locally with significant dishes special for different parts of the country.

This king-size meal is most often accompanied by wine, julöl (a dark beer brewed for Christmas), or julmust (a non-alcoholic Christmas beverage) for kids. Several million litres of julmust are consumed in Sweden during December; more than any soft-drink competitor can beat.

I was frankly baffled by the dizzying variety I saw on my first julbord — in Liseberg, Gothenburg. The trick is to go easy, keep to the order of the courses, and not overload your plate, so you can make it to the desserts. Luckily, I was with friends who could guide me on the must-try; for there was no way I could’ve even tasted every single dish.

Booking a julbord

Quintessential to a Swedish Christmas, the julbord starts to get booked way in advance, sometimes as early as October. So make sure to get yourself a place before it’s too late.
Find one here, or here.

When you begin your search on the julbords to try around you, remember not to be overwhelmed by the choices; the average Swede will feast on a julbord more than once during the season, and so can you!

Changing trends in the classic julbord

Even though Christmas, like all other festivals, is about tradition for most Swedes, new trends are slowly finding their way into Sweden’s classic julbord. For instance, one of the biggest changes in the last decade has been the emphasis on using organic, fair trade and locally produced food. In response to this demand, organic glögg, sill and mustard are now easily available, while smoked eel is rarely included in the buffet, as it is an endangered species.

Apart from this shift, time and tastes have made way for a wide variety in julbords today, apart from the traditional.

Types of julbord and where to find them

Vegetarian and vegan julbord

Over the years, with more and more people choosing to cut out on meat consumption, the demand for vegetarian-friendly julbords has increased, leading to organisers including vegetarian alternatives in the traditional Christmas buffet. In some cases, the entire table may be created as a vegetarian meal.

Some vegetarian dishes in the julbord include vegetarian meatballs, marinated tofu or grilled turnip pâté as an alternative to the ham, mustard eggplant in place of the mustard herring, and pickled squash to replace the pickled salmon.

Here’s an updated guide we found on vegetarian-friendly julbords:
Vegetarian julbord in Stockholm
Vegetarian julbord in Gothenburg

Fish julbord

With a coastline extending over 3,000 kms, seafood preparations in Sweden are varied and delicious. If that’s your food of choice, look up restaurants known for their fish; chances are that they’d be offering julbords with a focus on seafood.
Fish julbord in Stockholm

Julbord on a cruise

Imagine enjoying your julbord while afloat on a cruise in the Swedish archipelago — enjoying the winterscape outside while the golden-hue lights and candles inside hold you warm in a feeling of ‘mysigt’.
Here’s where to find a julbord on a cruise.

Julbord with a show

If it’s music and laughter you like with your food, go for a julbord with a show. There’s numerous options to choose from, and something for everyone. You may dig into the feast while cracking up over a stand-up comedy, wafting to some jazz, enjoying a play, getting nostalgic over 90s music, or maybe nodding to some rock and roll.
Find one here:
Julbord with a show – in Stockholm
Julbord with a show – in Gothenburg

Hosting a julbord at home

Julbord in a home setting is the most intimate form of Christmas in Sweden

If you’re feeling brave enough, you could host your own julbord and invite friends over.

Daunting as the idea may be, there’s but one thumb rule to keep in mind cooking: Focus on quality, and not quantity. For, a smaller number of tasty, well-prepared dishes will go down better than a large spread of average food, and it’ll be less stressful too.

Here’s a handy link with some staple Swedish julbord recipes. Just pick your favourites from each category and get started!

Remember to serve some glögg to start with, and stock up on some wine and beer to go with the food. You may also look up mumma, an old-fashioned Swedish Christmas cocktail made of four types of alcohol; available at Systembolaget. A low-alcohol alternative to it would be svagdricka, a malt drink that’s dark, sweet, and still made by a few breweries.

Whether you enjoy a julbord in a restaurant or at home, either way, try it you must, for ‘you have to taste a culture to understand it’.

E-learning book: ‘Beyond Fika’: The A–Z of Swedish Habits Demystified

In an easy to navigate A-Z format, ‘Beyond Fika’ is an encyclopedia of common Swedish terminology, history and contemporary life and habits. A handy guide to making you feel at home in Sweden.
Written by Mattias Axelsson, an acknowledged expert on Swedish holidays and traditions, it is the perfect companion for anyone curious about life in this Nordic country.

Buy the book here.

 

About the Author

Hej hej! I’m a writer and illustrator originally from India; and now call both India and Sweden home. I have had a 2-year stint in Gothenburg — easily the best two years of my adult life. An explorer at heart, I travel often; armed with a curious mind, a sketchpad, notebook to scribble in and my taste buds – exploring by-lanes, discovering treasures, gaining new friends and experiences.

3 ways to increase your job opportunities in Sweden and integrate into society

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Written by Chia May

Congratulations! So you’re moving to Sweden 🙂 and you have a million questions on your mind. Here 3 ways to increase your job opportunities in Sweden and integrate into the Swedish society.

After 2 years of discussing and planning, I finally received my residence permit card.  My mind went into a slight panic and anxious mode, on top of being super ecstatic and excited.  What should I do next? I had so many questions  and since information is so scattered, I didn’t know which information was the best to take.

So I was glad that I stumbled upon the courses offered by Newbie Learn. As a newcomer, these courses might interest you, as you prepare to start a new life in Sweden.  The Newbie Learn courses covers questions that you’ll have on personal life, work-life, and your pets as well!

Start planning for your move to Sweden!
Start planning for your move to Sweden! Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters from Unsplash.com

Here are the top 3 ways to find job opportunities in Sweden and to integrate yourself into Swedish society

  1. Options when learning the Swedish Language

Learning the language of the country where you are moving, is generally encouraged.  Not only does it help increase your job opportunities, it will also help you integrate into the new city that you’ll be living and working. You’ve probably heard about SFI (Swedish for Immigrants). But did you know that there are several options for you on your pathway to learning the Swedish language?

In the beginning,  I did not know about the options available and assumed that a most language classes are the same and for everyone.  It was a wrong assumption! In the course from Newbie Learn I learned about the different requirements you need to fulfill for different types of Swedish education. And that some professions such as doctors, architects or engineers have Swedish Language classes that are tailored for them!

It opened my eyes to the options that are available for me, as I would like to broaden and improve my Swedish to help me integrate for both my personal life and job opportunities in Sweden. Think about all the new adventures – and of course having the courage to speak a new language (embrace it! I know you’ll be doing great! ). Hopefully, from this course, you will be able to make an educated study choice.  Even though the course is not a language course per se, it tells you the steps and options that you have when it comes to HOW to best learn the Swedish language.

2. Understanding the Swedish working culture

I took this course out of curiosity. Every country has its own way of doing things and everyone’s culture is unique. Obviously, the Swedish culture is bigger than just the Fika culture (haha!), but I had no idea how the working culture is in Sweden. Usually one can have an idea of how this works from a TV show or in movies, perhaps, but I’ve never watched a Swedish TV show or movie before! You have to know that it’s fine that you are completely clueless ( like me! hi friend! ).

As I like to be prepared and do my research before starting something new, I thought this particular course was a lifesaver.  Personally, this has been great navigational advice in the workplace for newcomers like me. Taking this course from the perspective of a newcomer,  it was interesting to see the explanations of the Swedish ways. Cultural and behavioral insights are elaborated here, and also the formal workplace law and regulations.  I can’t wait to experience this all when I start my new job!

3. Getting the salary that you deserve

This was a rather interesting subject for me. To start with, I would definitely need a job, but second, how do I negotiate for the pay that I deserve? Especially when I’m new to Sweden?  It was a rather technical question and something that one should ponder before agreeing to the job and the salary that it offers.  I would recommend that you search for the median salary of your profession, and from there, you can use the course.  This course explains why and how negotiating your salary works in a Swedish workplace.  It was a great insight for me to understand the technicalities of how a company determines your increment as well.  Hopefully, that knowledge allows you to think ahead when you’re in the interview discussing your salary with your employer. 

Going through these courses has made me feel like I’ve learned something new about the country that I’ll be moving to.  I’ve had such an eye-opening experience reading and I can’t wait to experience all of these in real life!  I’m looking forward to my new Swedish life and I hope all of you are too!

 

About the Author

Hi! I’m Chia May. Born and bred in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I moved to Sweden at the end of 2020. My background is in Architecture, and my passions are exploring new cities and literally looking at it’s building, people watching, trying out new restaurants, listening to a good story shared by a stranger and petting all the cats and dogs that I can while taking a walk. Since I’m new in this city I can’t wait to share my perspective as a Newbie! I hope you’ll enjoy my post.

 

Minority groups in Sweden

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Written by Silvia Lopez

If you think about the population in Sweden, you probably first think about the Swedes. But, did you know that there are also five official minority groups in Sweden? These groups are: the Sámi, the Swedish Finns, the Tornedalers, the Roma and the Jews. In this article I will present them a little bit to you!

5 minority groups with five minority languages

Sweden recognizes five official minority groups: the Sámi, the Swedish Finns, the Tornedalers, the Roma and the Jews. 

These minority groups are official minorities in Sweden due to their roots and significant population in Sweden. Furthermore, also their languages are recognized by the Sweden’s National Minorities and Minority Languages Act (2010) as official minority languages in Sweden. These languages are: Sámi, Finnish, Meänkieli, Romani and Yiddish.

Why these minority groups?

Sweden considers that those groups having a historical presence in Sweden, and an influence in the development of Sweden’s culture through the years can be considered as official minority groups.
But, thinking about the language… are there any requirements to be an official minority language? Yes! There are two conditions in Sweden:

  • To be a language (not a dialect).
  • To be spoken by three successive generations, or for a 100 years in Sweden.

How are these minority groups included in Sweden?

Since each minority group has its own culture, language and traditions, preventing their exclusion is fundamental. For doing that, the Act on National Minorities and Minority Languages states that:

  • Minority languages have to be protected and promoted.
  • Authorities must inform national minorities about their rights.
  • National minorities have to be able to maintain and develop their cultures, specially children.

Additionally, it is also important to point that it is the public sector the one responsible for protecting and promoting these minorities and their rights. For doing that, institutions have to make sure that these official minority groups have the same opportunities than the rest of the population. Besides, these minority groups must be able to participate in social life, but also have to be able to decide in those issues that affect them.

Minority groups in Sweden

Sámi: (Also know as ‘Sami’ or ‘Saami’, who are inhabiting the area of Sápmi).

Semi woman feeding a reindeer

Sámi people are not only a minority group, but also an indigenous group living in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Russia. There are between 20.000- 35.000 Sámi in Sweden, and their influence in Sweden’s policies began in 1950, with the creation of associations to protect Sámi’s rights. Since 1993, Sámi people have their own Parliament, called Sametinget. 
There are 51 Sami villages in Sweden, the largest one is in Jokkmokk, in the region of Norrbotten, the northern region of Sweden. Sámi people have the right to work in reindeer husbandry, being able to build everything they consider necessary for them. Additionally, they also have fishing and hunting rights (regulated in the Reindeer Husbandry Act).

Swedish Finns

With a population between 450.000-600.000, Swedish Finns represent the biggest minority group in the country. This group is formed by those having Finnish roots but living in Sweden. The population is very mixed, some of the Swedish Finns are Swedish speaking Finnish while others  are Finnish speaking Swedish.
The roots of Swedish Finns in the country have a long history. In the 13th century many Sweden’s military campaigns went to Finland, since that moment many have been the relations between Sweden and Finland. During the World War II, around 70,000 Finns moved to Sweden and, afterwards many Finns have settled in Sweden because of work.

River Torne

Tornedalers

This minority group of 50.000 people, lives primarily in the region of Norrbotten. One particular aspect is that the group is also considered part of the Swedish Finnish community. However, they are considered a different minority group due to their settlement around the river Torne. Besides, Tornedalers do not speak Finnish, they speak Meänkieli or Tornedal Finnish. This  maintenance of their language during the years made them another minority group.


In 1981, the Tornedalers created the Swedish Tornedalian Association (Tornionlaaksolaiset) with the purpose of protecting their culture and traditions, but also their language, creating a Meänkieli dictionary.

 

Roma

There are 50 000 – 100 000 Roma living all over Sweden. Historically, Roma have been in Sweden since -at least- the sixteenth century. However, since that moment, many have been the waves of migration from different places, such as Russia, Finland, Poland or Romania.
In 1999, the Romani language was considered an official minority language in Sweden. Nonetheless, it is important to say that there are also different dialects. The situation for this group has not been easy in Sweden, facing a big discrimination during the years and being considered one of the most marginalized minority groups in the country. To revert this situation, the Swedish government stablished in 2012 a strategy to achieve equal opportunities for this group by 2032.

Jewish man

Jews

Between 20 000 – 25 000 are the Jews in Sweden nowadays. However, their presence in Sweden is not recent. It was at the end of the 17th century when jews started to settle in Sweden. Unfortunately, during many years Jews needed to convert to Christianity if the moved to Sweden. In 1774 the first jew was allowed to live in Sweden without converting to Christianity. His name was Aaron Isaac, and he founded the first community in Stockholm.
In 1951, Sweden implemented freedom of religion, what produced a big change for the jews in Sweden.
Their language is Yiddish, and it is also a minority official language in Sweden.

 

Are there any possible future minorities?

Becoming an official minority group in a country needs a lot of time. Nevertheless, many have been the discussions about if refugees coming from Syria should become an official minority group in Sweden. In 2018, the second biggest ethnicity in Sweden came from Syria (1.8%) as IndexMundi reports.
In addition, in 2012, Arabic was the 3rd most speaking language in Sweden. The last data from 2019, shows that Arabic has become the 2nd biggest language. However, the previously mentioned conditions to consider a group and a language officials in Sweden, makes this a debate but not yet a definitive decision.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:  
  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen.
After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner.   Sign up to your course here
About the Author

Hello! I am a Spanish living in Sweden. I have studied my master in Political Science at SU and I’m also learning Swedish!
I love music and watching football and hockey but, my favourite thing is travelling, discovering new food, new places, new people and learn about other cultures!

How to survive the Swedish winter?

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Written by Malena Rasetto

Let it cool down a bit and talk about my experience in a Swedish winter. Unfortunately, I’m no longer in Sweden to talk about the summer. Instead, I spent 5 months in such a country, I had the real experience of  Swedish winter. 

Jockmock – December 2021. Photo by Malena

I lived in such winter last December until April 2021. It was quite an experience I really enjoyed! But how to survive the Swedish winter? I mean, me coming from Argentina, where winter is not colder than 0°C and the maximum is 16°C… 

How to survive the Swedish winter?

I knew that all I needed was good clothes. So, before moving to Sweden, back in December 2020, I bought a second-hand snow trouser, and I had thermal t-shirts and tights. However, that was not enough! I also needed good gloves and a hat. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t have good gloves, so my hands suffered the cold, sometimes I used to borrow gloves from my hosts, which were made to survive the -30°C. 

And what about the boots? Ok, yes! You’ll really need special boots, those kinds of boots your feet won’t breathe but won’t suffer the cold either.  Plus, thermal socks; or if you wanna feel Scandinavian for a bit, those cool wool socks everyone wears on Christmas (you can buy them in second-hand shops). 

My experience

Östersund - February 2021. Photo by Malena
Östersund – February 2021. Photo by Malena

Now, you may be wondering what I have done for months up north when it’s cold and dark! Well, I enjoyed life. I caught few Northern Lights, learnt how to ski, walked in frozen lakes, and froze standing on a frozen lake waiting for Northern Lights that never appear… Do you remember watching movies where the guys are standing outside and ended up completely white like in Home Alone? Ok, that was me the whole of January trying to survive a Swedish winter.

When it comes to such weather, you need to enjoy life, go out despite the cold. A place is as beautiful in winter as it is in summer. 

I remember being in Kiruna for Christmas, I had 2 hours of daylight from 12 am to 14 pm, but I woke up at around 8 to go on tours, and enjoy the snow. I spent Christmas in Kiruna, what an amazing experience! I booked a tour in a sled and had dinner in the mountains trying to see the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see them, but that didn’t ruin my experience, or even, my Christmas. I was living the dream. 

If I have to recommend spending winter in Sweden, I would say be prepare. It may sound silly but during the night, given it is so white outside, it looks daylight. The landscape, the view, and the experience worth it! So, sit back, get ready and enjoy the Swedish winter.

E-learning course: Preparing your move to Sweden

Are you already feeling a bit overwhelmed about all the stuff you need to figure out how to move to Sweden? We’ve got you covered. Over the years we’ve been repeatedly told just stressful this process can be so we created a digital course with all the information you need to move. Here you will learn about:

 

  • Short (and long facts) about Sweden.
  • The history and background of Sweden in regards to democracy, religious freedom, gender equality, social security, child welfare and LGBTQIA+.
  • The types of visas and residence permits that are available plus the requirements.
  • Important Swedish agencies, and trust us, you DO need to know about these ones.
  • How to find a place to stay and how to avoid rental fraud.
  • How to pack for your move depending on the season.
  • And there will be some quizzes to make sure you are paying attention and not falling asleep at your screen.

After finishing this course, you will have a greater understanding of what has made Sweden what it is today, how you best prepare for a move here and to get your stay here started in the best manner.

 

Sign up to your course here

About the Author

Hej! I’m Malena. I’m an Argentinian travelling Sweden. After living in Ireland for 2 years and a half I decided to start backpacking Europe. I’ve been living with different families since then. I love to be around different cultures, I love outdoor activities like hiking and swimming. I love blogging, reading and writing. You can find me on Instagram as @malenarasetto. I really hope you enjoy my articles! Vi ses!

Bringing Sweden Home

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Written by William Mansell

Scandinavian design, what images do you get? Many people around the world turn to Sweden & Scandinavia when it comes to design, and it’s clear to see why. As a designer, I am constantly inspired when creating interiors. Here are some tips for ‘bringing Sweden home’ & making your home extra Swedish, whether living in Sweden or not.

In short the design principles of Scandinavian design are simple; interiors are minimalist & clutter free, creating impact from a select few objects that are functional, sustainable & aesthetic.

Paired back colour palette

The go to White, black & pastels often with pops of vibrant colours. White is great for reflecting light, especially on the darkest of days, while black provides a visual contrast. Other colours can be added throughout to brighten & liven spaces up.

Natural materials

Used in flooring, cladding, furniture & accessories, woods add much needed warmth to interiors as well as strengthening the connection to nature. Soft furnishings like reindeer or sheep skins and plants also help.

Geometric patterns & graphic prints

Whether through wallpapers & art or cushions & blankets, in small pops, geometric patterns are great for adding visual interest throughout every room in the house.

Signature pieces

A signature piece of furniture is often at the heart of any great Scandinavian interior. Typically beautifully crafted & more expensive, items such as a slim, wooden low sideboard or an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair propel an interior to greatness.

When I say Sweden, you say IKEA! The first place people think of when talking Swedish design is IKEA. Created by Ingvar Kamprad in 1943, the furniture store has revolutionised flat-pack culture and made furniture & other interior products available to the masses at great prices. With a large product range, IKEA has allowed people to create entire spaces on budgets.

While IKEA is the talk of the town, there are so many other places you can visit to buy Swedish design or simply collect inspiration. Notably Stockholm is home to many chain & independent stores, so check some out!

DesignHouse Stockholm, Svenskt Tenn & Design Torget are amongst my favourites offering beautiful products & furniture in the higher price bracket, however they are worth the money, especially for those well crafted signature pieces.

Scandinavian design at other stores

  • Clas Ohlsen – Low price range
  • Lagerhaus – Low price range
  • Design Torget – Mid-High price range
  • DesignHouse Stockholm – High price range
  • Svenskt Tenn – High price range

Find out more here.

Let us know in the comments if you’ve made your home extra Swedish or how you plan on bringing a slice of Sweden home!

About the Author

I’m a wannabie Swede, currently living in the UK, hoping to soon call Sweden home! A designer, creator and all-round Swedish fan, I am highly interested in the culture, music, design, nature & of course Fika! When I’m not travelling, I also love to watch Scandi noirs, listen to Swedish music & I watch Melodifestivalen every year! These have all helped me to develop my Swedish language skills!