Are you interested in a move to Sweden? Not sure what to expect? Here are some of experiences and observations being a foreigner living in Sweden.
1. Fashion
Everyone wears skinny jeans. And by everyone, I mean everyone. While they may not be as tight on older people, no one wears flared jeans. It’s usually a give away that I’m American if I choose to wear my one pair of flare jeans around town.
2. Money
It’s weird to pay in cash. I mean, you can, but most people use their card. Also, if you do use cash, you tend to get a lot of 1-crown coins, which easily add up to being worth something, but it’s strange to pay in a bunch of coins.
3. Language
Everyone speaks English, but they always assume that I’m Swedish! Of course they then get excited because they have a reason to speak English, but it’s still strange to be constantly talked at in a language I don’t understand.
Swedes tend to mix up the words ‘fun’ and ‘funny’ when speaking English.
Everyone asks me ‘What is this word in English?’ since I’m a native English speaker, but from being surrounded by non-natives, my English proficiency has gone down. It’s much easier to simplify sentences than having to explain things over and over.
4. Food and Drink
Peach as well as raspberry common common flavors. There are also quite different fruit mixes for flavored water and sodas like raspberry-peach, or Exotic flavored Fanta which tastes kind of like fruit punch, but better. Also, orange Fanta tastes like carbonated orange juice…not as syrupy as the American way!
Swedes love their coffee and are willing to pay big bucks for it. Fika is basically a coffee date non-date where you take a break from work or whatever’s been happening during the day and just sit down, have some coffee/tea/soda and a treat like a cinnamon rolls or cheesecake or a muffin! It’s a time to catch up with a friend, or have a casual semi-date
There is no such thing as Ranch Dressing here. They also use baby spoons instead of forks for cakes and pies and such.
5. Transport
Swedes prefer public transportation to personal cars. Plus, their public transportation is WAY better than anything I’ve used back home. The bus is easy to manage, and trains are the best way to travel somewhat long distances within the country and into Denmark.
6. Pets
It’s quite common to have pets, even as a student living in student housing. Dogs especially. Plus, it’s common for Swedes to take their dogs on walks without a leash on. Cats are also ‘outside cats’ and it’s strange to keep it in the house all day long.
Apply to work in Sweden today!