SWEDEN & SWEDES Vanessa Molina Gabinus

Sweden was top in ”The Good Country index”

8th place for science & technology

3rd place for culture

52nd place for International peace & security

11th place for World order

7th place for Planet & Climate

1st place for Prosperity & Equality

1st place for Health & Wellbeing

www.goodcountry.org

1574 km long

9.7 million inhabitants 85% live in cities Aprox 120 000 islands Aprox. 100 000 lakes All mans right

SWEDEN

GOTHENBURG

Founded in 1621

International from the

start

Divided up into themes

Scandinavian hub

Photo: Stendahls

The Law of Lagom?

LAGOM

• LAG (Team/Law)

• OM (About/Around)

Swedes: • Avoid standing out

• Choose silence over words

(avoid speaking)

• Are humble in their achievements • Individualistic, whilst considering what

is best for a group

FIGHT FOR EQUALITY

At home, at school and at work

• No matter gender, nationality,

religious background or sexual

inclination

• Sweden has the highest

percentage of working mothers in

the developed world.

• 480 days of parental leave (60 are

reserved for each parent)

• Children’s rights

Studying in Sweden

First name basis

Academic 15 minutes

37,000 students in

GU

Speak in weeks

Group work: Meet often, Consensus

The Swedish experience

Listen – do not just speak

Recycling

Equality – not hierarchy

Go out in nature

Try new sports and activities

Diplomatic

honesty

Lunchbox Take a number

Remember

lagom

Any excuse for a fika

Socializing with Swedes

AT HOME:

• Shoes off!

• Bring a contribution?

• Informal dress

• Look into my eyes!

• Insist for Swedes to serve themselves again

EATING OUT: • Expensive • Lunch menus • Fika • Grilling • Split the bill

FORMAL DINNER: • Take indoor shoes • More than 8 guests? • Sitting to the left of the hostess

Major holidays and traditions

• In August/September: Crayfish party

• 31 Oct- 4 Nov: Höstlov/Autumn break

• 6 November: All Saints Day

• 13 December: Lucia

• 24 December: Christmas eve

• 25 December: Christmas day

• 31 December: Year’s eve

CRAYFISH PARTY

• Wear silly hats

• Sing songs

• Drink snaps

• Sing more songs...

TRADITIONS – LUCIA & CHRISTMAS

Jens Gustavsson/Lena Granefelt/ Goran Assner/Cecilia Larsson/Miriam Preis/imagebank.sweden.se

The Archipelago of Gothenburg

North Islands South Islands

Björkö Hönö Öckerö Travel by bus or car

Styrsö Brännö Donsö Vrångö Travel by Tram and boat

Gothenburg Walks & Culture

MUSEUMS:

- Konst museum (Fine Arts)

- Röhska museum (Design)

- Stadsmuseet (City Museum)

- Världskulturmuseet (World culture)

- Universeum (Korsvägen)

- Maritime Museum

- Natural History museum

- Konstepidemin

THEATRES: - GöteborgsOperan

- Stadsteatern

- GEST

- Folkteatern

PARKS:

- Delsjön

- Botanical Gardens

- Slottskogen

- Trädgårdsförening

- Liseberg

How to behave with Swedes and other cultures to break boundaries?

Listen more than you speak

Ask questions: show interest in the person in front of you

Try and not to think in stereotypes

Be open-minded and positive to embrace differences

Fill your melting pot with new values and customs

FUN FACTS ABOUT SWEDES

ENJOY! Vanessa Molina Gabinus