Välkomna! How to make the most out of your time in Sweden
“Det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder” or ‘‘There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”. So said Swedish Institute's Head of Department Kurt Bratteby at the annual kickoff for SI Scholarship Holders on September 22nd.
This Swedish proverb was the first piece of advice of the day at the event which took place at Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm. Tips and tricks on how to make the most out of your time here were a significant part of the kickoff with many alumni reminiscing about their first moments here.
You may have got plenty of tips on the day but knowledge is power so here is SI News’ very own tips to help you make the most of your time in Sweden.
Embrace Swedish traditions
To truly enjoy Sweden, you should dive deep into Swedish traditions.
You have probably heard about fika already, perhaps the most important Swedish tradition you’ll encounter! Whether at university, at your workplace or in a café, coffee and cinnamon buns are everywhere. So explore the bakeries around your area to find the best kannelbulle or learn how to bake them, and you will fit right in.
Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se
Swedes love to be outdoors. In autumn, go for a walk in the woods and learn the art of picking mushrooms, especially chanterelles which are now in season. During the winter, be a real Swede and try out some winter sports or activities such as cross-country skiing or innebandy.
“You’ll never regret a swim,” is another famous Swedish proverb. As true as this is, don’t forget to have a sauna nearby! Especially if you’re planning to try out some winter bathing which involves diving into sub-arctic waters before sprinting to the nearest sauna (it’s as bad as it sounds but you sure do get a great adrenaline rush!).
In the summer, the daylight never ends. Go for a dip in the water or spend time with your friends in a park. Mostly, do as the Swedes do.
Socialize
Many speakers at the kickoff reiterated the power of networking. The Swedish Institute’s network is fantastic, so take advantage of it. Join events, meetups or hobby groups to get to know your fellow scholarship holders.
Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad/imagebank.sweden.se
Homesickness might catch you off guard, and the best cure is to meet new people who will make you feel at home in this new country.
Don’t fear the Swedish winter
You might have already noticed the temperatures dropping, but don’t worry: Swedes are great at making winter cosy. Whatever you do, don’t go into hibernation mode: invest in some candles, invite your friends over to socialise or go outside to enjoy the winter light. In short, be active. It might seem counterintuitive to go and freeze outside during the winter, but you should make the most out of the daylight and soak up any ray of sunshine you can get (some people also swear by vitamin D supplements!).
Some say Sweden is the best winter country so take advantage of it: go skiing, ice-skating or sledging. Stay active and dress appropriately by investing in winter boots and a warm coat and you won’t even feel the cold. After all, as we said previously: ‘‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Explore your new country
You’ve just arrived in this beautiful country so explore your environs and other parts of Sweden. From the best museums and galleries to the most beautiful spots in Sweden, there is plenty to do. Yes, even in the winter!
Photo: Helena Wahlman/imagebank.sweden.se
Learn a little svenska
Swedes usually speak English very well. However, you might get fed up with not understanding what people say when out and about, and this could leave you feeling left out.
Dedicate a few minutes every day to learning Swedish with Duolingo or attend Swedish for Immigrants classes. Learning Swedish is a great way to truly understand this new culture you’ve just been thrown into and make the most out of your time here.
Good luck, and enjoy the coming year in Sweden!
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This Swedish proverb was the first piece of advice of the day at the event which took place at Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm. Tips and tricks on how to make the most out of your time here were a significant part of the kickoff with many alumni reminiscing about their first moments here.
You may have got plenty of tips on the day but knowledge is power so here is SI News’ very own tips to help you make the most of your time in Sweden.
Embrace Swedish traditions
To truly enjoy Sweden, you should dive deep into Swedish traditions.
You have probably heard about fika already, perhaps the most important Swedish tradition you’ll encounter! Whether at university, at your workplace or in a café, coffee and cinnamon buns are everywhere. So explore the bakeries around your area to find the best kannelbulle or learn how to bake them, and you will fit right in.
Photo: Simon Paulin/imagebank.sweden.se
Swedes love to be outdoors. In autumn, go for a walk in the woods and learn the art of picking mushrooms, especially chanterelles which are now in season. During the winter, be a real Swede and try out some winter sports or activities such as cross-country skiing or innebandy.
“You’ll never regret a swim,” is another famous Swedish proverb. As true as this is, don’t forget to have a sauna nearby! Especially if you’re planning to try out some winter bathing which involves diving into sub-arctic waters before sprinting to the nearest sauna (it’s as bad as it sounds but you sure do get a great adrenaline rush!).
In the summer, the daylight never ends. Go for a dip in the water or spend time with your friends in a park. Mostly, do as the Swedes do.
Socialize
Many speakers at the kickoff reiterated the power of networking. The Swedish Institute’s network is fantastic, so take advantage of it. Join events, meetups or hobby groups to get to know your fellow scholarship holders.
Photo: Vilhelm Stokstad/imagebank.sweden.se
Homesickness might catch you off guard, and the best cure is to meet new people who will make you feel at home in this new country.
Don’t fear the Swedish winter
You might have already noticed the temperatures dropping, but don’t worry: Swedes are great at making winter cosy. Whatever you do, don’t go into hibernation mode: invest in some candles, invite your friends over to socialise or go outside to enjoy the winter light. In short, be active. It might seem counterintuitive to go and freeze outside during the winter, but you should make the most out of the daylight and soak up any ray of sunshine you can get (some people also swear by vitamin D supplements!).
Some say Sweden is the best winter country so take advantage of it: go skiing, ice-skating or sledging. Stay active and dress appropriately by investing in winter boots and a warm coat and you won’t even feel the cold. After all, as we said previously: ‘‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
Explore your new country
You’ve just arrived in this beautiful country so explore your environs and other parts of Sweden. From the best museums and galleries to the most beautiful spots in Sweden, there is plenty to do. Yes, even in the winter!
Photo: Helena Wahlman/imagebank.sweden.se
Learn a little svenska
Swedes usually speak English very well. However, you might get fed up with not understanding what people say when out and about, and this could leave you feeling left out.
Dedicate a few minutes every day to learning Swedish with Duolingo or attend Swedish for Immigrants classes. Learning Swedish is a great way to truly understand this new culture you’ve just been thrown into and make the most out of your time here.
Good luck, and enjoy the coming year in Sweden!
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