‘Weather is gloomy’: American expat in Sweden explains why many Americans regret moving to Sweden
As an American, I’ve always seen Scandinavia through rose-tinted glasses, home to beautiful scenery, excellent education and healthcare, and a system that seems to work efficiently and actually benefit taxpayers. . Who wouldn’t want to move there?
However, living anywhere has its pros and cons, so recently one expat who moved to Sweden nearly a decade ago said: detailed Reddit explains why pop music and IKEA’s country isn’t right for every American.
It’s common for Americans to glorify the idea of moving to a Nordic country
Image credit: Anette Lūsiņa (not actual photo)
This expat analyzed several ways a move to Sweden could be quite different from what Americans expect
Image credit: Catalina Johnson (not actual photo)
Image credit: anon
The expat later shared an update describing what he loved most about living in Sweden
Expats should expect to encounter many cultural differences wherever they move to
I actually lived and worked in Sweden for a year and loved my experience there, but I can understand where this person is from. A doctor’s appointment was not possible unless I called the following number, which opened at 7:30 am. Dealing with immigration has always been a nightmare. Moving to Sweden as a temporary resident is very difficult. Because you will not receive a suitable personal number with which you can open bank accounts without restrictions, make appointments anywhere and even pay certain things. Having to carry a passport to pick up a parcel from the post office and COVID he ran into a lot of problems when trying to get the vaccine. You can’t expect someone to bend the rules for you.
Similar to moving to a foreign country, expats in Sweden should expect to encounter a lot of culture shock and understand that they will need to learn the local language in order to fully assimilate. But despite all the challenges I encountered when trying to navigate the Swedish bureaucracy for the first time, I didn’t trade my experience there with the world. The nature is wonderful and the summers make up for the cold and dark winters. I loved that culture. Yes, Swedes tend to be more reserved than Americans, so it can be difficult to make friends, but they are very cordial people. I met so many people who took an interest in me and made me feel amazingly welcome.
Image credit:Erik Odiin (not actual photo)
Americans in particular must be prepared to live differently than they do in America.
One great thing this expat on Reddit mentioned is that Americans can move to another country and continue living exactly the same way, or things will work exactly the same as they do in America. Yes, moving to Sweden may give some people a ‘better life’, but it comes with challenges and costs. It’s always difficult to move to a place where you don’t speak the language and weren’t raised in that culture.it is also important to understand yourself before taking the leap to move to another country. If you hate cold weather and are severely affected by seasonal depression, Sweden may not be the place for you. Even in the glorious winter, it can be very difficult to adapt.
according to move to swedenHowever, there are a few things that can make your expat experience in the country of meatballs and cinnamon rolls smoother. and planning. “It is important to check the immigration requirements and the relevant timeframes as the entire immigration plan can depend on this,” they wrote. “What to expect from the Swedish rental and property market Understanding is also essential to setting realistic expectations.” Getting advice and asking for help is also important. Don’t be shy, as there are plenty of Facebook groups where expats who have gone through the exact same process can help you out.
Being a successful expat in Sweden also involves trying to understand cultural differences. You may be surprised by how many you meet, but keep an open mind and resist the urge to think your home country’s way is superior. In fact, you may prefer many Swedish ways. Personally, I love the excellent Swedish cheese slicer and butter he knives. Plus fika she is my favorite time of the day. Relocate to Sweden also says that successful expats strive to learn Swedish and build social support networks. Free Swedish classes are offered by the government to foreigners, so there is no reason not to take them. (But the class is intense, so be careful!)
Image credit: Quintin Gellar (not actual photo)
Moving to Sweden can certainly be difficult, but assimilation is possible with an open mind and determination
If you really want to experience Sweden, you have to explore. “Sweden is a beautiful country with a lot to offer,” writes the Immigration to Sweden team. “Successful migrants remain curious and tend to be adventurous when it comes to trying new experiences such as food, sports and travel. Most Swedes appreciate an active outdoor lifestyle. And interest in the outdoors is also a definite plus, as Sweden offers a wealth of activities in each of the four seasons, especially in the winter season, which offers many surprises for beginners, such as ice swimming, pictured above. brings.”
I will always miss Sweden. I would love to live there forever if I could, but unfortunately life has taken a different turn for now. Pandas, we would love to hear your thoughts on this post in the comments. Have you ever lived in Sweden? Have you ever wanted to Feel free to share your own experiences and countless pop songs in the birthplace of IKEA. Then if you’re interested in another article by Bored Panda discussing cultural differences noticed by an American mother who immigrated to Denmark, you can find that story. Here!
Image credit: John Florent (not actual photo)
Many people joined the conversation and discussed the importance of having reasonable expectations when moving to another country.
