Year Abroad: The many faces of Sweden

Having just hit the halfway mark on my year abroad in Sweden, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my experience so far. From the cultural differences to the drastic changes in weather, these last six months have brought about a range of lifestyle changes for me. However, while my experience is unique, it is only one person’s story.

According to data from the 2024 World Migration Report, there were 2.2 million students studying abroad in 2001, and that figure had climbed to 6.39 million students in 2021. That’s a lot of stories to tell. What follows are several questions I posed to some of the people I’ve met from my year abroad so far. With students from Ireland, England, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands, I was very interested in how people from all over the world may experience a new country in both similar and different ways from each other.

 

Why did you choose to study in Sweden?

This is a classic ice-breaker question but also one that intrigues me the most. With the US, UK, and Australia being some of the largest destination countries for students studying abroad, I had never really heard of people choosing to study abroad in Sweden. So, here’s what some students had to say about it…

 

Catriona, from Ireland, who has lived in Sweden for 7 months studying a Bachelor’s in Politics: “I have always wanted to live in a Scandinavian country and experience the culture.”

 

Hugo, from France, who has lived in Sweden for 6 months studying a Bachelor’s in Political Sciences/Law/IR: “Personal interest and curiosity for the Scandinavian culture and their education system, quite different from what can be experienced in the rest of Europe.”

 

A student from Ireland who has lived in Sweden for 5 ½ months studying a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Law/Economics: “Never been to Nordic regions, Sweden has a nice lifestyle. The majority of people speak English but are simultaneously culturally distinct to English-speaking countries, which made it a more interesting choice for me.”

 

Sergio, from Spain, who has lived in Sweden for three weeks studying a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Administration: “Because Sweden is an example to follow in many areas, the society, they protect the environment, renewable energies, no corruption in the political.”

 

What has been the most surprising cultural difference you’ve encountered so far in Sweden?

This question is always a fun one to ask. Whenever you move to a new country, it’s always exciting to see all the cultural differences, whether that be what side of the road they drive on, how they organise their supermarkets, or how people dress. Here’s what some had to say about what they’ve noticed…

 

Ollie, from England, who has lived in Sweden since August 2024 studying a Bachelor’s in Earth Science: “How quiet it is. The streets are very quiet and on public transport.”

 

A student from Germany who has lived in Sweden for half a year studying a Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences: “Talking about food tastes in the past. For example, saying “the cake was good” while only eating the first bite of the slice.

 

Sylke, from the Netherlands, who has lived in Sweden for 5 months studying a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences: “Such a silly thing but here they don’t use sweetened whipped cream on hot chocolate and I think it is a crime.”

 

Paula, from Germany, who has lived in Sweden for three weeks studying a Master’s in Law: “It seems to always be time for fika (drinking coffee, have something sweet and chat), so life here is way more relaxed and chatty. And the people here are very stylish and fantastically dressed.”

 

Hugo, from France: “I can’t really say that this has been very surprising, but the way the social circles work here is pretty different. Families and very close friends are really central, making it maybe a bit harder for an outsider to reach that circle. Once you’re in though, you’ll definitely feel “at home.”

 

What traditions or customs from your home country do you miss the most?

Missing home is an inevitable feeling for anyone moving across the world. Whether ‘home’ is a physical place, a particular feeling, or a certain person in your life, sometimes even the thrill of a new place can’t stop you from thinking about what you miss.

 

Ollie, from England: “Politeness and courtesy in public with strangers. Sweden has felt like everyone is a bit more closed off and come across less friendly, although they aren’t once you speak to them.”

 

Paula, from Germany: “To be honest, nothing so far. Although, I do miss the German bread…”

 

Sylke, from the Netherlands: “It’s the Dutch version of Swedish fika called ‘borrelen’ where from 4pm on a Friday afternoon you meet up with friends to drink some beer or wine and eat deep fried snacks like ‘kaassouflés’, ‘bitterballen’, ‘kipnuggets’, or ‘bamischijven’.”

 

Catriona, from Ireland: “Bank holidays.”

 

Hanna, from Germany, who has lived in Sweden for 5 months studying a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Communication: “Not a tradition, but Sweden doesn‘t have good drug stores and alcohol and eating in restaurants is very expensive in Sweden.”

 

How does the academic system/work system in Sweden differ from your home country?

Some of you may already know my opinions on the academic system in Sweden in comparison to the UK but let’s hear what other students have to say about it…

 

A student from Ireland: “Very relaxed, able to take re-tries which are much more openly available. In my home university it’s looked down upon quite a bit, and it’s very tedious for some students. Also, in Sweden they do courses one at a time, instead of a simultaneous approach; which is nice, but not what I’m used to. In my own country there is very much so a culture of cramming all the subjects during the exam weeks.”

 

Ollie, from England: “Much more relaxed in Sweden. I like how it’s one module at a time rather than multiple overlapping. There is less breaks than in England though as in no Easter break or random “reading weeks”, but on the whole I have found it easier.”

 

A student from Germany: “The dates of the terms differ quite a lot (2 months shifted) and we do not have these 4 periods with only one subject at a time, in contrast to Germany where we often have 6 courses at a time.”

 

And finally, is there anything from your home country that you don’t miss? Is there anything that Sweden does better?

I already dread the day that my year abroad will end. There will be so many things I’ll miss and likewise so many things that I’m not looking forward to returning to. There are many aspects of Swedish life that I wish people from the UK could implement into their own, but let’s see if this is a universal feeling across all students…

 

A student from Germany: “It feels like gender equality is better in Sweden.”

 

Sylke, from the Netherlands: “I love fika, some tea or coffee and a snack and the awesome rocks in the middle of the city.”

 

Hugo, from France: “The pressure that comes with the differences in the academic system maybe!”

 

Sergio, from Spain: “Here is more security, but I miss the good weather!”

 

Ollie, from England: “Sweden seems safer and calmer. I’ve witnessed much less crime in comparison to England.”

 

Catriona, from Ireland: “The education system is much better here. It is more relaxed but not to the point that it is neglected.”

 

Paula, from Germany: “People here are more relaxed and less hectic (in Germany everything always has to be efficient, it’s so exhausting, especially when you realise that it’s not like that in reality). It’s also amazing how much space pedestrians have and how green this city is (or will be). So far, life here has simply been slower, and you appreciate the little things.”

 

Hanna, from Germany: “People are much more friendly, Swedes dress better, Fika.”

 

A student from Ireland: “Trams, school systems, basically varying different structures are improved upon here and the quality of life is higher overall. In my own country there is quite a housing crisis, and the students here seem to have an easier time for cheaper prices without being exploited or have to face terrible conditions.”

 

It may have only been a snippet of people’s lives, but I hope you have enjoyed reading about the diverse experiences of international students across the world. We have all been brought to the same destination, but we have all come from a diverse range of countries. The year abroad experience is one that is lived by many students across the world, but it’s what we make of it that is so unique and inspiring.