Upon my arrival in Stockholm this August, I was immediately enthralled with many things- the archipelago and the islands on which Stockholm is situated make it absolutely beautiful, with opportunities for water sports everywhere (within the first two weeks I was in a kayak in downtown Stockholm); the Swedish obsession with candles, making everything cozy and warm; and the unbelievable friendliness of the Swedes, to name a few. However nothing quite compares with the tradition of the fika.
Fika is a word that basically translates to “coffee break.” Traditionally, it means that you take a few minutes out of your busy day to sit and have a coffee and a cardamom bun with friends. Most of the time, this is what a fika is, although these breaks are taken quite frequently (up to four or five times a day, I’m told) and can range from anything from having a cardamom bun and coffee to having a soda with a sandwich. Fikas also provide an inescapable opportunity to test all the delicious treats in a Swedish bakery- so far my favorite are the chocolate balls (basically chocolate cookie-dough covered in coconut or sugar-yum!). Fikas are a time for Swedes to talk with friends and co-workers, and rest while sipping something hot. The importance of the fika in Sweden cannot be underestimated, and it is a wonderful tradition. I fully plan on continuing my fikas when back in the States, as a way to remind myself that there is always time to rest and have a chocolate ball.

- Willa Oddleifson, Scripps College