Studying in Sweden From an American Perspective Part IV - Swedish Culture

Dear readers,

This blog is a continuation of my last blogs on what it's like to study in Sweden from an American perspective. In this blog I will discuss the Swedish culture and in my next blog (the last one of this series) I will write about Swedish food, as I've been requested to do. :-)

So what's Swedish culture like? Very interesting and unique indeed. There are many things in Swedish culture that revolve around the very extreme weather contrasts that occur on an annual basis here, namely a very cold, long and dark winter, and a short, light and warm summer. The winters generally last from end of October or November to end of March, with December being the darkest months where the sun rises around 8:30 and sets and 14:30. During the summer sunrise may be around 3:30 and sunset around 23:30.

During the winter many Swedes love to go to the saunas. As you probably already know from my previous blogs I also frequently attended sauna sessions during the winter. I think it's a great way to sweat and sit in a warm room where you can forget about the frigid outside winter temperatures.

In addition to going to saunas, many Swedes ski during the winter. There are IDEAL cross-country skiing conditions here during the winter (at least during this winter). There are many cross-country skiing courses close to Uppsala that run along some extremely picturesque winter countryside. Really a great way to get out during the day and get your exercise.

On Lake Mälaren, the lake south of SLU and Uppsala (which also leads all the way down to Stockholm) there are some great ice skating conditions during the winter. During the coldest months the city of Uppsala plows the snow on the ice from south of Uppsala all the way to Stockholm. So there's plenty of distance to go on ice skates. It's free to ice skate on the lake and a wonderful way to experience the sunny but cold Swedish winter days.

During the summer months Swedes are OUTSIDE all the time. As you will also experience, as soon as the warm sun re-emerges after a cold and long winter you will want to be outside and in the sun all the time. Swedes love to be outside and have barbecues. Now as the weather is warming up here more and more people are going out to eat, read, relax, party and barbecue. Lots of fun!

Finally, Swedes are always up for a beer or a nice Koskenkorva vodka with a pine branch in it in the saunas. This is one of the Swedish cultural facets that I love most. A great way to pre-game before a party: do some physical activity or play sports (for example soccer), head into the sauna after that and enjoy some beer and vodka. The night will surely be a fun one! :-)

The northern people- the Swedes' culture resembles our usual impression of the "western" culture, with a few quirks. Swedish people are very, very friendly and helpful. I've never had a problem with rude or unfriendly Swedish people. Finally, Swedish people have a very special sense of humour that I've not fully grasped either and I can't explain. It's strange, that's all I have to say. Strange in a positive way. Quirky is maybe the right word. You'll have to figure that one out for yourselves! :-D

As usual, take it easy my readers and stay tuned for my next blog on Swedish food!


Julian