An Alien in Sweden

A blog about my move from England and my new life in Sweden.
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My swedish teacher

May 16th, 2013 by Dean

A lot of people ask me how I have been learning Swedish since I moved to Sweden.

I started out using Rosetta Stone, though this is quite an expensive way to learn it does go far beyond the basics of just ”tourist Swedish”. The comfort is also that you can do it at your own pace and time. When I finally got my personal number sorted I applied for SFI, which is the government run language school for immigrants.

But in all honesty the best way I can advise people to learn Swedish before they move, or after if they can financially do this, is over Skype.

I found a website called Verbal Planet and there they have a good range of teachers that can offer lessons over Skype. Usually the first one is free so you can get an idea of how it operates and also get a good indication of if the teacher is right for you or not.

I had a few lessons but in the end settled for a teacher called Jessie. Jessie is from Linköping and now resides in Scotland. Jessie worked as a teacher here in Sweden and she is nothing short of excellent. Her methods of teaching make each lesson something to look forward to.

Jessie is calm, patient and has a great way of helping you with how you want to learn Swedish. Her rate is around 19 pounds per hour. Which may seem like a lot but trust me, I was paying double that rate in London.

My advice for anyone moving to Sweden in the future, wanting to learn or who have already moved is to give Jessie a try.

I will put a permanent link on my blog page.

I thoroughly recommend Jessie as a great teacher.

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Glad Påsk from Sweden!

March 31st, 2013 by Dean

Wishing all my friends in Sweden and back in the UK a Glad Påsk & Happy Easter!

påsk

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Please Mind The Gap!

March 20th, 2013 by Dean

mind

Mind the Gap! Three words you hear nearly every day in London. But based on the past few days I think the same could be said here in Sweden. Not the gap between the platform and the rail but more distance between two people in proximity.

I noticed it first when I was in my local Coop store. I had happily paid for my shopping and was then packing my bags as normal. Yet the elderly gentleman who stood next to me seemed insistent on not only packing his bags but moving as close to me as possible, close enough to force me into the gap near the next checkout.

Close Encounters number two was on the train yesterday, it was a packed train from Norrköping to Stockholm, and I had not reserved a seat. I stood in what I deemed to be a quiet spot. When the train got to the next stop another man got on and stood close by. There was enough space I would say to stand 20 people, but he decided that he wanted to stand as close to me as possible. Any more closer and we would have needed to change our Facebook relationship status to “In close proximity with a Swede”

Then at the football it was number three. I stood in a safe spot, but the spectator in front of me decided not only stand right in front of me but we were almost “touching trousers”.

I spoke to a Swedish friend who says this is fairly normal. Is it British to say, “Excuse me” when you feel people are too close? I’ve not actually encountered this before, but even today I was in my local store and noticed the same thing happening to other people.

I think next time I may just be polite and stand to one side, or maybe I will stand my ground. Either way please Mind The Gap!

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Why can’t the UK handle a little snow?

March 12th, 2013 by Dean

snow

Reading today about the snow in Sussex. Several inches fell, and many were stuck in their cars for hours. Some even abandoned their cars to walk to a service station.

I remember the same thing happened in 2002 when I was traveling back from Bristol to London. It was the first real snowfall we had seen in about eight years. The next significant snowfall was not until 2007 if I recall.

Yet every year since then it had snowed when I have been in the UK. What used to be something of a rare snowfall is what I would be describing as seasonal norm. So why is the UK not able to cope with a few inches of snow?

Of course, Scandinavia gets more, and it lasts a lot longer. But here life seems to continue. Cars drive on the roads (with winter tyres), the trains run on time, planes land and depart. The difference, I feel, is that Scandinavia are far more prepared.

The UK has weather warnings, yet you only see the gritting lorries and snow ploughs when traffic is piled back. Here each morning, afternoon and night, they are out making the roads easier to navigate.

The UK will never be prepared for adverse weather. In 2010 when the airports were shut due to an inch of snow all other European countries seemed to carry on as it was everyday business.

Next year stock up on grit invest in more snow ploughs and gritters and make it a 24 hour service on the roads and not just when the snow falls. No excuse really! Reading today about the snow in Sussex. Several inches fell, and many were stuck in their cars for hours. Some even abandoned their cars to walk to a service station.

I remember the same thing happened in 2002 when I was traveling back from Bristol to London. It was the first real snowfall we had seen in about eight years. The next major snowfall was not until 2007 if I recall.

Yet every year since then it had snowed when I have been in the UK. What used to be something of a rare snowfall is what I would be describing as seasonal norm. So why is the UK not able to cope with a few inches of snow?

Of course, Scandinavia gets more and it lasts a lot longer. But here life seems to continue like it should. Cars drive on the roads (with winter tyres), the trains run on time, planes land and depart.

The UK has weather warnings, yet you only see the gritting lorries and snow ploughs when traffic is piled back. Here each morning, afternoon and night they are out making the roads easier to navigate.

The UK will never be prepared for adverse weather. In 2010 when the airports were shut due to an inch of snow all other European countries seemed to carry on like it was everyday business.

Next year stock up on grit invest in more snow ploughs and gritters and make it a 24 hour service on the roads not just when the snow falls. No excuse really!

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Worrying time for those in Sweden paid in Pounds?

February 24th, 2013 by Dean

One thing that has remained constant in my Swedish journey has been the economy. In the many times that I have traveled, I have often had to use currency exchange apps to make sure I am getting a good deal. But here is Sweden it’s always been fairly easy, roughly one pound is 10 Kroner. So to make the price in pounds just remove the last digit.

In the past few trips to the UK, I have noticed that the exchange rate had dropped to around 9.7 Kroner to the pound. Yet it was my last trip that got me worried. When I went to exchange what Kroner I had I was stunned to see the exchange rate at the airport was 8.9. No longer could I use the 10 Kroner to the pound method.

I looked up the Exchange rate on XE Exchange, and this is the value of the Pound against the Kroner since 2009.

Peaking at 13 in Aug 2009 to a low of 9.4 in January 2013. Currently it’s rising back to the 10 mark which is a relief, but I will admit it is a bit of a worry when you are getting paid in Pounds.

I wonder what the reason is, both countries are in the EU yet retain their own currency. Is the global recession hitting the UK more than we thought? Or has the Kroner simply gained strength? Either way it’s a concern I will keep my eye on.

I may have to use an exchange app soon!

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New Year – New Start

January 4th, 2013 by Dean

This break back home has been the longest I have had since I moved to Sweden. It seems like forever that I was back in Norrköping. But as with all New Year’s it gives you time to think about what you want to do in life.

The past year I have not actually done much in Sweden. Following the first year of seeing most of the country I spent 2012 just in Norrköping mainly working. But since I have been in the UK I have found myself missing things from Sweden. The food, the local bar and mainly the countryside.

Speaking to some Swedish friends I realise that I need to go out much more and see more places. One of the beautiful things about Sweden is that the trains are cheap and far more reliable than the UK, so there truly is no need to have an excuse. Of course, the weather can be a pain at times, but it’s a country that is a must see all year round.

2013 will be a year of change for me. Most of the past will be left behind, and a new future will begin. One thing I can say is that I have been somewhat lazy last year when meeting new friends in Sweden. That changes now!

Happy New Year to you all and make it a good one.

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Continuing the journey in Sweden

December 1st, 2012 by Dean

Hard to believe that I have been in Sweden this long. It only seems like yesterday that I was thinking of the big move from the UK to a new country.

So much has changed since I arrived. I had neither knowledge of the culture, the people nor the history of Sweden. In fact, I would go as far to say that my level of Swedish knowledge was that of a tourist. Yet no matter what the reason that took me here, one thing has remained, and that is my love of Sweden.

Of course, there have been many challenges along the way. Understanding a social democracy, learning a new language, surviving without the company of family and friends. Yet as, I look in the mirror today, almost two years on I realise that I want to make Sweden my home for as long as I can.

The reason I moved here was love, and that relationship ended, so I found myself with two options. I could stay and continue my journey in the country that I fell in love with, or I could have simply pack everything up again and board a plane home. Moving from London to Norrköping was never going to be easy. I left behind family and friends, and though trips back home gave a taste of what I had, it was always keen to return to Sweden.

Making friends here has been the hardest thing I have done, but I am lucky to count many of my closest friends as coming from Sweden. Yes it is different to the UK in many ways, but these friends, I know will be friends for life.

As I approach 2013, my future is never certain. I think my time in Norrköping is coming to an end. It’s been a fun and exciting, often challenging journey and one that I know will be part of me forever. But I feel it’s time to move on.

If that means moving to a new city if it means just moving to Linköping I need a new start here, a new place, a new beginning.

Sweden is my home, for how long only time and fate will tell. But throughout all my adventures here, the ups and downs. One thing has remained true. Here I truly feel at home.

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All change! But life goes on

October 16th, 2012 by Dean

Sometimes life changes remarkably quickly.

An event, moment or decision can mean that your world suddenly changes from one of familiarity to one of confusion. We all feel these moments in life, and we all deal with them differently.

When I first moved to Sweden it was for a reason but now the situation is different. Of course, I could have just packed up my life and moved back home, but that would have defeated the object of a life ling move. When life takes you to places new it doesn’t mean that one significant change has to be the end.

I believe that every end dawns a new beginning. Things have changed, life has changed and it all different now. But when life does hit you hard it’s about how you keep moving forward that matters.

Sweden is a beautiful country with many fabulous and passionate people. This winter will certainly not be one of staying in watching TV. This winter I will be traveling the entire country, visiting and meeting new people and then we will see just what happens in the Spring.

Everything happens for a reason, and we take the good and leave the bad and life will always work out in the end and the people that we meet along the way are the ones that define life for us.

Sweden is my home, for how much longer? I will leave that up to fate. But no matter what happens from this moment on, I am going to make sure I enjoy every single minute

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My parents first visit to Sweden this weekend

September 4th, 2012 by Dean

My parents are visiting from Sweden this weekend. Though I have been living here officially for almost two years it will actually be there first visit. They are what I would define as “Sun worshippers” so what they are going to make of a rather overcast Sweden is anybody’s guess.

Were not going to take them to Stockholm this time, instead were staying in Östergotland as I feel there is plenty to do here. My dad’s first words were “I cannot wait to see what a traditional Swedish pub is like”. Now when the ‘traditional pubs’ are named The Black Lion, The Highlander, O’Leary’s, The Cromwell and Harry’s I think he may just feel like he never left England.

I have a feeling that my mother will be in her element. Parks, open space, lots of flowers and a country that has a real love of dogs. Maybe she will want to move here. But my dad, well I will need to find something to entertain him with! There is a lake that shares his name. Maybe a trip to there will make it something he can remember! I don’t think you have to necessarily visit a capital city to see a country in its true self and you can’t really say you have “Been to” a country just by visiting one city.

Sweden is a beautiful place to visit and no matter what I take my parents to see I will ensure that they have a memorable time and take back with them both happy memories and of course one or two souvenirs.

Will post up some photos next week to show you how it went. I wonder how they will find pickled herring?

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Tourist of the week interview

July 27th, 2012 by Dean

Recently did this for visit Sweden website. Link is here

This week´s tourist of the week is actually not really a tourist anymore; he has moved to Sweden! But we love his blog and wanted you to meet him so here we go… ;o)

Hey Dean, we think you´re great. Fancy telling us a bit more about yourself?

Sure, no problem! I am originally from Bristol, England but lived in London ten years before moving to Sweden a year ago.

So, why Sweden?

Good question! Well my initial answer is that I moved to be with the one I love, but I was also curious about Sweden. I have lived in Australia before and the challenge to move to a new country was appealing. Sweden is a country that not many really understand beyond the stereotypical misconceptions of Abba, Ikea etc. So I wanted to use my writing to really let the world know just what an amazing and beautiful country Sweden truly is.

Amazing, what made you fall in love with this country?

The relaxed atmosphere, the ridiculous price of a beer, but more importantly I fell in love with a society that always put its family at the forefront of social activity. Back home in the UK I often felt lost with how we had isolated ourselves when families get together. Family is important and I want my family in Sweden to have the best life possible. It took time to get used to Sweden! You cannot see it all or live it all in one month let alone a year, it´s a country you need to explore from North to South and it’s a never ending journey.

Wow, you really seem to love it here!

I love a lot about Sweden. Though I am not longer a “tourist” it has taken a while to adjust from moving from the UK to Sweden. I moved during the late winter if 2011 and it was, in Östergötland the worst winter in 90 years. So I had to get used to snow once more. The things I love most about Sweden are the love of the outdoors. We may have several dark short winter days but in the summer there are many places to visit and enjoy that are not just subjected to Stockholm and Gothenburg. Sweden is a BIG country compared to the UK, yet has less population than London. A country with many hidden secrets.

So where’s your favourite place in Sweden?

During the summer many will say Gotland. Stockholm and Göteborg are always going to be the most visited places. But every part of Sweden has its own initial beauty. For me the best place I have been to in Sweden since I moved here is Västervik. It has a stunning Archipelago and the scenery is just phenomenal. Linköping and Norrköping are also great places to visit all year round.

How would you compare Swedes to the Brits?

Always an interesting question! Most people tell me that Swedish people are cold and unapproachable. This is so no true! Swedish people are polite, courteous, and respectful just like they are back home in the UK. If I had to compare both I would say the biggest difference would be that Swedish people place more of an emphasis on spending time with family more than we do back in the UK. But, of course, I am speaking from personal experience. Of course there are cultural differences that I still need to get used to, mainly Fika, expensive beer and Melodifestivalen.

Hehe… So, your blog is very popular! What is it about?

My blog is going well. It’s a small window to my world and I have links to my blog about moving to Sweden and also my Twitter and Facebook pages. Being a writer I like to be creative and blog as much as I can but sometimes it’s not always possible to do so. My Swedish blog has made me friends here and has also helped those who are considering moving to Sweden a possibility. My main work is in the books and movie scripts that I write but blogging is always a great way to meet new people. If you ever want to move to Sweden, my blog is just one of many out there that can offer advice and help in moving to this amazing country!

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