Today was our first day of classes in Sweden. Over the past weekend, we have had orientation, met other students from all over the globe, and explored Växjö.
The first thing I learned was how to properly pronounce where I am staying. Before I came I was saying Vax-oh. I soon learned, mainly because people looked at me crazy, that it is pronounced veh-quah. But, as we were told, people pronounce it different everywhere. This is also because in this part of Sweden their Swedish is more slurred compared to other parts of the country. The next thing I learned, which I slightly knew before, is their education system is very different. Instead of taking five classes at a time, they take one class for fives weeks and then take an exam at the end of the weeks. With this, they do not meet every day, or even once a week. It is strictly based on the class and the teacher. Teachers are much more relaxed here. They go by first name basis, and they give breaks in the middle of class. I was taken by surprise when my two-hour class got a five-minute bathroom break. Finally, they use programs for every semester, and you continue with these programs until you graduate. They allow you to take freestanding courses, but it is very nice to have everything laid out. They switch languages effortlessly. All of my courses are taught in English; but before, after, and side chatter is all in Swedish. If you are on the bus, checking out at a grocery store, or just walking around. Swedish is their national language, but most students start to learn English in elementary school. I have learned that everyone here, besides the American foreign exchange students, can speak at least two languages. That has amazed me. Sweden has one of the lowest crime rates, but some of the weirdest laws. Did you know, in Sweden you can walk anywhere by foot? There is no such thing as trespassing. There are also (invisibly marked but findable on the web) areas where you can not drink. You can hold the alcohol, but you can not take a drink. We learned these at orientation when a local officer came and talked to us. He was very funny but gave us very valuable information. He explained to us that in Sweden the officers are seen as friends. They do not have a monthly quota of tickets to write, therefore people are not afraid of the police. He also left us by saying "There are two laws that are the same in all countries: the law of common sense and the law of decency. Follow them." Swedes are very environmentally friendly. You have to buy grocery bags if you want something to bring your groceries home in or use the old ones you have. They recycle EVERYTHING. In our kitchen, we have a divider bin that has space for glass, plastic, cardboard, food waste, and everything else. If the housing company sees that you throw a recyclable out, you will first get a warning and then you will get a fine. No wonder their pollution is one of the lowest in the world. As I take time to look back and realize the differences in our cultures, I realize the difference this is making for myself and will continue to make over the next six months. I know it is incredibly cliché to say I will never be the same after this, but I am seeing why people say that. Immersing yourself in a different culture for an extended amount of time is life changing. One of our speakers on Saturday said: "There's a place here for you, a place for you to claim." Here is to me claiming my space ~ Adventure Set Brunette
2 Comments
Carl R Shafer
1/15/2018 07:29:36 pm
Love You
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Megan Cox
1/23/2018 12:01:57 pm
Have a great time! Can't wait to hear more about it!
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AuthorMy name is Emma and I am a student at the University of Southern Indiana. I am starting this blog as documentation through my study abroad journey and future travels. Archives
April 2018
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