Transfer Student by EmperorPengwin 5. Nov 2009
I am looking forward to possibly visiting Sweden as an exchange student in the near future. I am becoming very familiar with the language (thanks in part to you at this website!), but I know almost nothing about Swedish customs, or how much of the language and local dialect is necessary for me to know.
Could some knowledgable people inform me? I would appreciate any information that I would need! | lavran 11. Nov 2009
What part of Sweden will you go to? The dialects differ quite much depending on the region you visit. The dialect you hear on this site is "rikssvenska" (national Swedish dialect), which is what most news readers use etc.
In other ways Sweden is a lot like England for example, especially in all the bigger cities. Please give more specific questions about customs if there is anything in particular you feel that you want to know in advance. Hope this helps a bit! | EmperorPengwin 12. Nov 2009
I will probably be in the Göteborg area, but I might just end up anywhere! (I guess that doesn't help much)
As for customs, I am American, so our manners are pretty much based on who's house it is. :)
Maybe I should start out with what an average day's schedule is, or what to expect when I step into the airport. | EmperorPengwin 17. Nov 2009
How should I not offend anyone? | lavran 6. Dec 2009
Swedes would often find themselves offended if a foreigner isn't humble and polite. Swedes normally consider Sweden to be the center of this planet :o). We love speaking English and help English-speaking people out with their questions. That will make us feel that we are needed and important for this person that is connected to the big, continental and cool world outside of Sweden. Of course you might find yourself among younger people that is already used to hanging out with multicultural friends, the above would apply to "normal, average Swedes you meet in the mid-sized cities".
The common difference between Americans and Swedes, from what I noticed and heard, is that Americans are considered very outgoing, and that they are not afraid to speak their mind about anything. Swedes are a lot more careful about what they say, and it can take a while to simply get closer (you become a "friendly habit") and hear us talk about more "controversial things", like politics, money, sex or religion. This is only an average description, but it might give a hint on what to expect :o) | lavran 6. Dec 2009
You can expect a lot of people to be very helpful, and your obvious American accent will most likely also get you more easily forward. People that does not come from Western Europe and has other accents when they speak English will sadly enough by many find themselves underrated and looked upon with suspicious minds. There are some issues in Sweden right now regarding people that has come to Sweden to live and has fled from wars, religious or political issues in Southern or Eastern Europe and similar. We are actually very willing to help out in general, but not so good at actually make all these people feel welcome and appreciated. Sad, but a fact in many ways. We try, though, but it is clear in certain cities that we took on more than we could handle. We are always pushing things to an invisible limit when difficulties exist, but then - all of a sudden - we've had enough and "everybody" make things work better and we find solutions. Odd, but also a fact :o) | lavran 6. Dec 2009
Younger adults/students in Sweden generally love hanging out with friends at night, are often good students but will not totally sacrifice having fun and socializing. People in younger generations are often very internationally oriented thanks to Internet, and know quite much about other countries, world politics and how they feel about general issues. Music, fashion and IT is commonly spread interests. Most people have a stable financial situation with new cells, nice clothes etc, but it would also take an interest from the beginning to for example invest in your interior decoration, travelling or the stock market.
Göteborg is a friendly city (Stockholm would be considered a bit more "stiff" and cool. The dialect is perhaps a bit hard to understand if you meet older göteborgare, but you will get along fine with your American. Starting with Stockholm and moving out in circles from there, the dialect is probably easiest to understand in the center and harder the further out you get. But, people are getting "nationalized" more nowadays, and particularly many younger people talk as much rikssvenska as they can. | lavran 6. Dec 2009
Depending on yourself and who your are, drinking can be a common way to "celebrate the evening". Swedes that go abroad to the sunny beaches are often looked down upon as they really can't handle alcohol very well... But like I said, your company will sort themselves out to be a reflection of who you are, I guess :o)
It will probably not be a problem being in touch with local authorities about your staying, needs etc, but make sure to get in touch with more people and talk about what isn't working or getting solved if you get some kind of trouble. The more involved, the better perspective and chance to find a good solution.
Hope you'll have a good stay and find a lot of positive experiences from you time as an exchange student! | EmperorPengwin 7. Dec 2009
Thanks a lot! Sorry if I put you through any trouble, but I am very serious about this. (My friends can attest to that!)
The hardest part about learning Swedish seems to be that you speak faster than we are used to listening!
Culture-wise, I could fit in with what you to have described pretty well. And I am a BIG hockey fan! :D However, could you hint at which phrases or gestures to avoid? I am very conservative when it comes to language, but I don't want to accidentally insult anyone. | lavran 13. Dec 2009
Avoid cursing/using bad words when you are new to the language, of course. And there are tons of expressions, figures of speech etc that will be tough on you to catch on to, might as well prepare you on that one. You know; don't use "break a leg" directly translated to Swedish, since that would be literally offensive to us :o).
Instead we would simply say "lycka till!". Also, good to not be overcomplimenting people. A small one "snygg jacka!" or similar would be good, while a bigger one "åh, du ser verkligen skitsnygg ut i den där!" might take the people around you to a level of suspiciousness (what does he want with him/her?") The more intense and positive, the closer you should be to the person receiving the compliment.
Never joke around to much (only after some time when you know your friends better), that will likely give you back people that feel a bit uncomfortable (who is that guy, seems nice, but is he trying to cover his real self up behind a facade?)
We often have a quite dry sense of humour, you know - not smiling in an obvious way when we are funny. This might take a little while to get used to and learn to detect. Be sure to not joke about sensitive things, like abuse, people with lesser abilities etc until you are very safe and certain among well-known people, if you ever feel a need to joke about that. | lavran 13. Dec 2009
Hockey is great, many Swedes are really into that :o) We joke around a lot about "my team/your lousy team" and similar. Also a good idea to be friends with people before doing that. In fact - never be judgemental in your comments or jokes when not knowing people, no matter how funny you think they would find it. Humble attitude, show that you wish to understand and follow the conversation/eager to learn, and show that you appreciate their jokes and funny comments whenever you catch them (by smiling or laughing, not by saying "that was funny).
As for gestures, I think we are pretty americanized with that. Most things are alike, and I can't really think of anything that you wouldn't already feel is offensive to not do in Sweden.
No problem with the trouble, it is interesting to look at ourselves from outside for a moment :o)
(We do speak fast among ourselves, and a lot is understood in what is not said, but most foreigners with a normal interest in learning the language will pick it up really well, so don't worry :o) ) | Dino 15. Dec 2009
My fiancee and I lived in Sweden, in Sundsvall, for the first 6 months of 2009. We absolutely loved it, and found the people so friendly! We tried very hard to learn the language, but found most Swedish people wanted to speak to us in English. We are Australian, so have very different accents to what they were used to, so we got many stares in the street and restaurants. As Australians, we are very outgoing, and fairly loud, but we never found we offended people, and in fact, many people commented how it was great that we would talk to anyone and were really interested in the culture. We loved Sweden so much, we have moved back to Gothenburg! I have been seeing a Swedish tutor and using this website, so my Swedish is coming along well. My advice is that the more you try and speak the language to others, the better you get. Ask people to correct you and to ask you questions in Swedish so you can practice answering. Just be yourself, from my observations the Swedish will respect that. Enjoy your time there, it is a beautiful country. | EmperorPengwin 15. Dec 2009
Thanks so much! I am not a very out-going person at first, so it sounds like I should find Swedes with similar personalities. If you feel I need to know any more, I would appreciate it, but I think you have helped me out a lot. I hope I will get to see Sweden very soon!
Also, in case you were wondering: I do like the Pittsburgh Penguins. | lavran 19. Dec 2009
(I find it great to get some help from an "insider foreigner" in this attempt to give my best advice about Swedes! Thanks for sharing, Dino - I am really glad that you have had these experiences with "us" :o) )
Good luck to you, EmperorPenqwin, in case I don't meet you here again. | EmperorPengwin 3. Feb 2010
Is it hard to understand different Swedish accents or dialects? Are words changed, or just pronounced differently? | EmperorPengwin 12. Apr 2010
Never mind my previous commet. Thanks! :b | Escagen12315 9. Feb 2017
I've learned alot from here.thank you for the comment... |
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