After traveling to Gothenburg and living there for 6 months I have experienced life the Swedish way and have come to understand more about the culture than I ever thought I would. I arrived having seen the largest snow flakes I have ever encountered and made friends who I will keep for life. Through exploring the city and surrounding areas it is easy to see why Scandinavia has such a great reputation from the majestic Pine trees and vibrant red squirrels to the crisp divide between the old and new Scandinavian styled architecture.
Gothenburg has so many draw cards, there is space everywhere you look devoted to different things, you would be forgiven for thinking that Gothenburg is a student city since it boasts two universities and the University of Gothenburg itself sprawls all over the city with its main building in the centre and specific faculty campuses scattered far and wide. The university also has ties with regional towns to aid with research. The following photos show some of the campuses around the City.
Studying for an Assignment Seulki Kim and Shiu Kan from The Swedish Model and Equality: Family Policy and Gender Relations
Many of the Swedish university courses offered to international students are designed to help the global understanding of the Swedish culture, where it has come from and how it benefits society. In comparison to Australia there are many more stay at home fathers the parenthood responsibility is shared equally, and there is a greater equality for women particularly in pay rates.
Attractions within the city's reach by public transport include the Archipelago Islands, Slottskogen park, Liseberg, botanic gardens, many lakes and inlets, a great bar scene and as much shopping as you could possibly need!
A friendly local
Of course there are also Semla Buns up until the end of March, they are available everywhere whilst they are being made and the bun has to be one of the best sweet cakes I've ever had. Whilst most Swedes only have 4-5 a year I'll admit to having one most days they were available for breakfast, best matched with Swedish filtered coffee!
Svenska is very different from the English language however it has some linguistic ties to Bahasa Indonesia which I have studied in the past, I therefore picked up the vocabulary reasonably quickly and was able to read context after a couple of months. When it came to speaking the language most Swedes know English and asking them if it was okay usually returned a smile.
During the winter Sweden is cold and dark - when we arrived the sun was rising around 10am and setting just after 3pm so there wasn’t much time for daylight. The snow helped by reflecting the moonlight when it was visible and also the streetlights but the best experience came from the candles lit everywhere during the winter. On top of this the summer was the complete opposite - if anyone is reading this and intending to go during summer, make sure you have blackout blinds! The photo below was taken on an iPhone at 11:58pm and yet there was still light in the sky from the sunset!
Studied four courses on the exchange with 3 related to Scandinavian economic history and one on the Economic Integration of the European Union. After jumping in at the deep-end having not known anything about the EU up until this semester, it was quite a shock learning a level 3 course on the subject. I feel as though I have brought back some knowledge that would be useful in moving Australia forward and now feel like we should integrate the whole world. It is very clear that for such a community with such a far right political environment, Sweden is one country with the right way to do it. Everyone in the community seems very happy and even though the taxes are so high Swedes are happy and willing to pay them! You wouldn't ever here that in a country like Australia! So the government in Sweden much be doing something right.
Upon coming home from my experience I would not change a thing! Its already time for me to start planning the next one and any time someone asks me about my experience so much has happened that its difficult for me to stop and let them speak!
Have you been to Sweden or anywhere else in Scandinavia? I'd love to hear of your experience!
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!steemitworldmap 57.7089 lat 11.9746 long 6 months living in Sweden for one lucky Australian D3SCR