It's looking very likely (not certain, but increasingly likely, at least) that I will be moving there in a couple of months, to do a course, for 10 months.
I know that people will have varying opinions on Sweden, and its politics - certainly, I'm not a fan of a lot of it, but... It's definitely quite different to Aus, so there's that.
I would be living and studying in the sort of "Greater Stockholm" area, I guess. That part of the country, anyway (a couple of hours away), in a fairly small place.
I'm fairly well-versed in Swedish culture (more so than the average Australian, I would argue, anyway), having dated three Swedish women, having a few other Swedish friends, and... Exposed myself to Swedish media, I guess. But yeah, as an extremely sociable person, I think that is going to be... Interesting. I fully expect to not fit in, but that's ok. I am prepared for that.
But yeah, wadda ya think, people who've been there/are from Europe, or maybe have family there?
I'm not really going there "because Sweden". That's part of it, but it's also a course that is only offered there, so I figure why the hell not.
Would appreciate your thoughts, even if they're just "commie shithole", lol!
Nah, I'm not like that stereotype at all, lol.
Just used to dealing with "icy" Swedes on a very personal level, obviously, ha... And I've heard things about Jante, very hard to make friends, etc.
But yeah, I need it, ha.
I'm hopeful it comes through, but I'm no longer at the point in my life where I'm willing to risk being left "in the lurch" if it doesn't, so I'm already working on Plan B, and even C, just in case...
Cheers for all this, anyway! I will take it all on board. :-)
Where I would going is south-west of Stockholm proper, down Sodertjalle way, if you know the area. Looks alright.
Lots of islands and coastline and forest, anyway, so I shouldn't get too bored, at least!
Law of Jante is both a curse and a blessing. People can find happiness living a simple life and won't look down on you just because you don't consoom all sorts of crap. SEK is currently low so right now exchange rates will be great and everything will seem much cheaper.
It's a bit exaggerated too, ain't seen much people who are jealous, which would be the main issue with law of Jante, it's no official law, more of an unwritten rule. Suburban sprawls outside the cities are almost as bad as in America, car dependency, consoomer culture and everyone in severe debt.
If you're the social type a church village is the best place to live, homes are cheap $50k for a 200sqm on a 3000sqm yard on average, and it's very easy to speak to anyone there and get new frens. Look for a 30+ year old Volvo as your primary car, it's tax free and very easy to find spare parts, also won't crap out on you in the winter and won't take damage when you crash into a pile of snow.