I knew when I decided to study in Sweden that I would learn a great deal about Swedish life and culture. During the past four months it’s safe to say that I’ve learned some weird – but totally awesome – things about Sweden.
1. Fika
One word. Four letters. Multiple times a day. At this point I’m surprised I’m even able to sleep at night given the numerous “fika” breaks I find myself taking with Swedes and Non-Swedes alike. I never had coffee prior to coming to Sweden, but now it’s safe to say that I am wholeheartedly a coffee-lover.
How the Swedes aren’t an overly obese population given the numerous fika breaks, and even more importantly all the delicious desserts that are so tempting to have for fika, is beyond me. Nonetheless, fika is possibly my new favorite Swedish word I’ve learned.
2. Compulsive Recycling
I’ve been in Lund for about four months now and I still have no idea how the trash/recycling system works here. I am probably single handedly ruining Sweden’s no-waste reputation. Sometimes I end up hoarding trash in my room simply because I have no idea which trashcan to dispose of it in.
I’ve even caught myself walking out of my way towards the public trashcan because I’m scared of throwing away my trash in the wrong bin, so I just use the public bin for all the trash instead. If someone is willing to teach a class on what trash goes where, please, let me know and I will gladly attend.
3. Almost all of the cars are hatchbacks
Is there some Swedish rule that says that the only car you can drive is a hatchback? At the local mall parking lot I swear 99 procent of the cars were hatchbacks.
I’m sure they must get great gas mileage and have efficient storage, but all I’m saying is that a little more diversity in car choices wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
4. Yogurt
The Swedes are obsessed with yogurt. Or so it seems. I have never come across the notion of drinking yogurt until coming to Sweden. I suppose drinking yogurt is both time saving and eco friendly as you only have one carton to dispose of (in what trashcan though I have no idea).
Aside from the option to drink yogurt, you have about 5 different kinds of “natural” yogurt, as well as greek yogurt that isn’t really greek yogurt, at least not the kind we have back in The States.
Then there are the soy yogurts, the lactose free yogurts, the yogurts that you think are yogurts but they’re actually cottage cheese, and rumor has it there’s a spoiled milk option, although I don’t know if that technically counts as yogurt or milk. Needless to say, if you’re ever craving yogurt then Sweden is the place to go.
5. Everyone is incredibly well dressed
Walking around campus is like walking through an H&M photo shoot. Quite literally from head to toe nearly everyone has perfectly matched outfits and accessories.
In The States the norm is to wake up five minutes before leaving for class, looking disheveled and exhausted. Here in Sweden, however, you can actually tell that people put effort into their appearance.
It’s both refreshing and intimidating to see so many well dressed students out and about. I definitely have taken some pointers on how to color coordinate while here, so even if I fail my classes I will have at least learned some fashion tips along the way.
