Archive for 'Living in Sweden'
How to ask for directions in Swedish Posted by Katja on Aug 24, 2012
More likely than not you will at some point have to ask for directions or be asked for them. At times like that who wouldn’t want a couple of good phrases up their sleeve? There are some basic phrases which will most likely help you in understanding what the other person is saying. In this…
How to small talk in Swedish Posted by Katja on Aug 14, 2012
Small talking is a very important thing in many cultures, maybe not so much in Sweden as in other places but still not to be underestimated. In Sweden you often try to start up a conversation by finding something in the surrounding area that you both have in common or can see etc. For example…
The Swedish midnight sun Posted by Katja on Aug 7, 2012
One of Sweden’s most wonderful aspects of nature is the midnight sun up in the north, close to and beyond the polar circle. Some people are fine with going to bed when it is still light, others become true night time people and don’t go to bed until 6 or 7 am. A lot of…
Problems arising when picking berries in Sweden Posted by Katja on Jul 31, 2012
Right now the berry season is in full bloom. Many people pick berries around their summer cottages (sommar stugor) where a lot of older people live as well. I’m going to tell you about an incident which occurred not too long ago and even surprised me but which however seems to be pretty normal when…
Swedes eat on average 17kg of candy a year Posted by Katja on Jul 24, 2012
Now that is something amazing, 17 kg/person a year. I’ve heard that Swedes eat most candy in the world. In Swedish there is something called smågodisätande (candy snacking might be a good translation?) and this sums the Swedish way of “candy-thinking” up quite well. Just a little bit (often turns into a whole lot more)…
Stockholm at a lack of student dwellings Posted by Stephen Maconi on Jul 23, 2012
This year, Stockholm University accepted over 47,000 students, 2000 more than last year, setting a record for the university. Of those 47,000 students (both continuing and new), approximately 20,000 need student accommodation for this coming semester and beyond. But when Stockholm only has 12,000 student rooms and apartments to offer, what do you do with…
Learning to drive in Sweden Posted by Katja on Jul 17, 2012
Alright everybody, I’m writing this blogpost while I am experiencing this myself. I am learning how to drive a car. Now, this is actually something many young people get very excited about so it is a big event in the coming of age in Sweden. As soon as you have turned 16 years old you…