Menu
Expat.com

The other side of the Swedish postcard

Post new topic

Julien

Hi,

As a tourist in a foreign country, very often, we are enchanted with what we discover.

Living abroad is different. It's a rich experience but there are also some difficulties to face.

When people ask me for advice on living abroad, I then tend to say that one should also look at both sides of the postcard.

As an expat in Sweden, how would you describe the two sides of your Swedish postcard?

Thank you for sharing your experience,

Julien

Down Under i Sverige

Lol, where to start.....

mloev

The other side is the years of time required as investment in learning the language and making enough connections to find a job that one might actually choose as opposed to accept.

Suzette Smuts

When you move to another country, you will change.  It takes quite a while to adjust to living in a foreign country and there will probably be as many different opinions as there are expats because everyone's circumstances are unique and the individual reactions vary so.  It takes adapting to the different customs, food, the language, inside jokes and making new friends - assimilating to the culture.  You miss everything from back home, from the big things like family and the weather to the simple ritual of how it was drinking your morning cup of coffee, everything gets compared to how things were.  The challenge is to be open minded, remain respectful and be patient as you realise that not everything will be as you expected.  Have integrity and remain true to your values and morals but respect different opinions, the whole experience will build your character.  The foreign country will either remain foreign where you feel like a stranger or it eventually becomes your home.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Sweden

  • Sports activities in Stockholm
    Sports activities in Stockholm

    Sweden has turned out several famous sports stars like football player Zlatan Ibrahimović and swimmer Sarah ...

  • Buying property in Sweden
    Buying property in Sweden

    With most of Sweden's major cities facing a housing shortage, it will very often prove easier to find a ...

  • Buying property in Stockholm
    Buying property in Stockholm

    If you are planning to buy property in Stockholm, its best to understand as much as possible about the local real ...

  • Choosing your neighbourhood in Stockholm
    Choosing your neighbourhood in Stockholm

    Stockholm spans across 14 different islands. Before deciding where to buy or rent a place in Stockholm, you need ...

  • Accommodation in Malmö
    Accommodation in Malmö

    Being Skane's biggest municipality, Malmö needs no introduction as a diverse and welcoming place for ...

  • Accommodation in Uppsala
    Accommodation in Uppsala

    Looking for accommodation in Uppsala? Here are some tips to guide you.

  • Childcare in Sweden
    Childcare in Sweden

    Sweden's high taxation suddenly makes sense once you consider how it funds childcare. The level of childcare ...

  • Leisure in Sweden
    Leisure in Sweden

    When moving abroad, leisure is almost an essential part of everyday life. Here are some of the leisure activities ...

All of Sweden's guide articles