Swedish Program

Student’s blog

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:39:43 +0000

I think that I was supposed to write a blog post about my first week in Stockholm. Now that I’m finally getting around to it, it’s been six – oops! Any hope of accurately telling you my “first impressions” of Sweden is now completely gone; after all, my ideas of what it means to be “Swedish” or, at least, an American expat in Stockholm, are constantly changing. And what good are first impressions anyway? I think I spent my first week finding out all sorts of things that you probably don’t care much about: that at an apelsin wasn’t an apple, that mellan wasn’t a fruit, and that filmjölk, despite that cute little cow on the carton, sure as heck wasn’t milk. So how about I tell you instead about what’s going on right now in my life as a Swede, starting this morning in the subway with seven seasick sailors on a ship called Shenghai.
Or, på svenska: Sju sjösjuka sjömän på skeppet Shenghai. It’s the beginning of a tongue-twister centered around the sj-sound, a notoriously difficult-to-describe phenome (ɧ for y’all IPA nerds) that doesn’t exist in any language except Swedish. Its sole purpose seems to be to amuse Swedes as they try to get frustrated tourists to pronounce it correctly. Which, coincidentally, is exactly what a few of my Swedish friends and I were doing at 4 o’clock this morning in the Östermalmstorg subway (tunnelbana) station. We had met some Spanish tourists and decided – varför inte? – to try to teach them some Swedish. The ordeal quickly descended into a contest to try to figure out if anybody – Swedish or otherwise – could actually pronounce that dreaded sentence:“Sju sjösjuka sjömän på skeppet Shenghai sköljde sju skjortor i sjön.” (Nobody could.)
But what, then, were we doing out in the T-station at 4 am anyway? Swedish heroine Pippi Longstocking (Långstrump) might answer something to the effect of “Waiting for a train, of course!” But seriously: every Satuday night in February and early March there is a show on television called Melodifestivalen, where every region of Sweden nominates a few artists and bands with original songs to compete for the best song (judged mostly by viewer SMS votes). The winner becomes Sweden’s entry in Eurovision, which is basically the same thing on a larger scale (that is, almost all of Europe). The type of music is something called schlager, which is a kind of ridiculously cheesy dance-pop music that would feel very much at home next to, say, ABBA or the Backstreet Boys. In fact, ABBA’s breakthrough came due to their being Melodifestivalen (and later Eurovision) winners with their hit song “Waterloo!” American Idol is the closest thing we have in America, but Melodifestivalen is way more garish and theatrical – and way more important. You can always expect the front page of the weekend newspapers to be covering the lives of the performers, early reviews of the songs, Spotify listening statistics, predictions, and so forth. It’s essentially the epicenter of Swedish popular culture in the cold, dark winter-time. And so, every Saturday night my friends and I pack into a crowded bar like Torget to watch and vote on performers, and then afterward go out to schlager clubs like Kolingsborg or Zipper to dance to old Melodi/Eurovision hits until the wee hours of the morning. Of course, Melodifestivalen plays shamelessly into the stereotype that all Swedish music sounds like ABBA, but while a certain segments of the Swedish population genuinely despise Mello, I think most would agree that it’s inseparable from Swedish culture.
Anyway, that’s all for now. I could write on and on about räksmörgås, subway art (the Stockholm subway is the longest art gallery in the world), caviar in tubes, hockey, Ingmar Bergman films, and every other bit of Swedish cultural fantasticness, but unfortunately, I do have classes sometimes too.
Hej då!
–Carlos
Carlos Dominguez
Williams College
Spring Semester, 2012

Director’s Blog

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:23:58 +0000

Do you Skype? Do you Spotify? (I know president Obama does!) Do you open milk and juice packages stored in a fridge? Do you buckle up with a three-point belt? Have you ever done an ultra sound? Do you know somebody with a pacemaker? Do you wear clothes with zippers? If so: Have you ever thought about how “Swedish” you are on more or less daily bases? Probably not. Most of the time we don’t think about all the practical, useful stuff we are surrounded with or use frequently. It’s just there, and has been in most cases for quite a while. Who needs to think about all that?

A couple of weeks ago I met a person, who at some point during our conversation asked why so few know about Swedish inventions, and why Swedes don’t talk about it? Why is that? There are so many revolutionary inventions coming from Sweden. At first I didn’t have any answer, then I thought well it sounds so silly to bring up the stereotyped “Swedes are not supposed to brag”-thing. Self-promotion (regardless achievements) is not part of the culture. Simply stay modest. According to Jantelagen (law of Jante) you should not get into your mind you are better than anybody else. Jantelagen was formulated by a Norwegian-Danish author but was soon embraced by the Swedes as well. However, most Swedes are quite ambivalent to it. There are many stories about Swedes leaving a lot out when presenting themselves in resumes, thinking “well, that was just an easy job” or ” oh, that was so long ago – cannot really count”.

A following thought was that it is rather related to the idea that life should be easy to live. That practical things help to abridge work and spare time? Swedes love spare time. Swedes work to live, they don’t live to work. To get as much spare time as possible you need to simplify your daily practices at all levels. That is even more important when Spring arrives. Spring means final count down for the summer, and vacation. Spring, summer, and vacations mean bring the bikes out. Safety is another prestige word (safety match…). How do you protect your head and at the same time keep your hair style in shape when biking? A year ago or so a new Swedish invention saw daylight. Two female students created an invisible helmet called Hövding (Chief – the head of…). It is an air bag stored in a collar!

Thinking about inventions and of the stereotyped silent, reserved Swede makes me wonder why on earth Swedes are so eager to develop communication systems? Isn’t that quite a contradiction? In the beginning of the 20th Century, Stockholm had most telephones per capita than any other city in the world. Much thanks to LM Ericsson – it was also his company who developed the most used (again in the world) and the first computer run digital switchboard system AXE. And then Niklas Zennström together with his companion the Dane Janus Friis created Skype. What would study abroad students do today without Skype? So give it a thought: How “Swedish” are you really?

Student’s Blog

admin — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:41:19 +0000

The first thing that I noticed about Sweden was just how organized everything was. I have been here for 50 days and I have not once gotten lost on public transit. As someone who has never lived in a large city before, this is incredibly comforting. Not only is the Tunnelbana system very clear, but the busses are also easy to use, even later at night. Stores and banks are also incredibly organized. Most include some sort of queuing system, where you pick up a number when arriving and wait for it to be called. It is so much better than the jostling that is done in America. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised to see how people used escalators. In the US, it is common for people to stand on a step together and chat as they go up. That would never happen in Sweden. Here, everyone stands on the right side so that the left can be used by people who need to get somewhere in a hurry. There aren’t even signs telling people to do this; they just do it naturally. It’s amazing.
I was also surprised to see how children are treated in Sweden. Contrary to the United States, advertisers are not allowed to advertise to children. There are no commercials for toys on either television or billboards. It was weird, but also pleasant. It’s nice to know that boys and girls are not being pressured by advertisers to buy a certain toy. The public television stations don’t even have advertisements at all! It was so nice to watch one of my favorite shows, Sherlock, without any commercial interruptions. On the other side, the commercial stations will frequently have fewer commercial breaks, but make them really long, around 10 minutes sometimes! While these breaks can be annoying, it’s nice to know that you have enough time to go to the bathroom and get a snack if you want to without fearing that you will miss anything.
As far as the program is going, everything is fantastic! All of my classes are incredibly interesting and taught by fantastic professors. I feel like I am learning quite a lot in every class period. I have especially enjoyed my Film and Television class. In our discussions, we usually end up talking about Sweden and its cultural heritage just as much as the movies themselves. What a great way to get to know Sweden!
Emily Asp
Oberlin College
Spring Semester, 2012

Student’s Blog

admin — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:36:06 +0000

My internship with the Stockholm International Film Festival definitively shaped my experience in Stockholm. The Film Festival hosts numerous volunteers from all over the globe, facilitating opportunities to form lasting friendships with people from all walks of life. My colleagues were Swedish, French, German, American (from Hawaii!), English, and countless other nationalities. Like Stockholm and Stockholm University, the Film Festival boasted a lively international atmosphere.

While my official assignment—as an editor/proofreader for the festival’s English language version of the catalogue—required more time in the Festival’s office than out and about in the city, working with the hyper-cool and laid back staff of the festival made my time in Stockholm that much more enjoyable. It also doesn’t hurt that their office is located in a fun neighborhood right in the heart of central Stockholm.

The festival doesn’t exist in a singular space or venue in Stockholm—rather, it’s a pervasive presence throughout the city in November. Movies are shown in numerous venues and theatres; finding each of the screening locations became reasons for me to explore parts of the city that I may have otherwise missed. Some host theaters are new, modern facilities, while many others are Stockholm legends in their own rights, each with its own rich history.

As just one of the many perks of the job, I was able to see films (A LOT of films)–for free! From indie flicks to more widely known productions, I saw countless films as a festival volunteer. A perfect complement to my class in Swedish Film and Television culture, the festival provided even deeper insight into Swedish film culture and its relationship to the international film world.

By far, though, getting to hang out with my colleagues (other interns as well as festival admins) was the coolest part of my job. Whether I was in the office laughing at jokes my boss cracked, at a hyper-hip festival premier party, or at a volunteer get-together in a cool pub, I loved being around the festival staff. Not to mention, my festival friends/colleagues became newfound, willing subjects upon which I could practice my broken Swedish. (And watching all those films—either in Swedish or with Swedish subtitles—couldn’t have hurt my Swedish, right?)

Hälsningar!

Taylor Hamrick,

Davidson College

Fall Semester, 2011

Student’s Blog

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:21:38 +0000

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

Director’s Blog

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:20:58 +0000

The semester has reached its mid-point. And we just rewinded the time – back to “wintertime” as we say in Sweden. It is nice to get the light back in the morning, however it is amazing how quickly you forget that darkness arrives so much earlier in the day. So far the Fall has been unusual in terms of sun and warmth. Right now we have more than 5 degrees warmer than normal. Feels even stranger when reading about the snow fall on the American East coast. Very few Swedes consider November a favorite month. Nevertheless, the month of November offers a lot of things no other month of the year can match. One can, for instance, visit the Stockholmsmässan in Älvsjö, where the Scandinavian Boat Fair, the largest Nordic food Fair, and The Winter Show will take place in mid-November.

Allahelgonadagen (All Saints Day) is still an important day for many Swedes. It has its’ roots in the roman-catholic church, but abandoned after the Reformation. November first was, during medieval times, also considered the first day of winter. Today the holiday is focused on the memory of lost family members and friends. The tradition is to visit the cemeteries and light candles on the graves. In Stockholm, the Woodland Cemetery (A Unesco World Heritage site) has become a place for people to visit. It is a fantastic sight to arrive there late afternoon and see all the candles burning. The Woodland Cemetery was created in the early 20th century and one of the ideas was to make the architecture blend with nature. The creators did indeed succeed – I think all students taking the Art and Architecture class think the same – it is one of the sites visited during the course.

Lastly, November is a very cozy month. This is the time when most people move inside again. We (well many do) buy an awful lot of candles and allow ourselves an extra fika (a delicious and very traditional Swedish bun).

Student Blog: What a Spring

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:41:15 +0000

Deciding where to study abroad was an almost tortuous experience for me. All the programs sounded fantastic and the various locations looked so beautiful that I wondered if I could just extend my college career a decade or so to experience a handful of them. Unfortunately this wasn’t an option so my choices had to be narrowed. I ended up deciding on The Swedish Program, and if I was to revisit this decision I would pick Stockholm again in a heartbeat.

I managed to arrive without knowing another person and depart with spectacular new friends from all across the country. I got to dance onstage at a concert, watch the American ambassador play in the second-annual Stockholm Diplomatic Cup hockey tournament, and have the best meal on the planet (kanelbulle and coffee) every morning.

I could rant and rave about gorgeous Gamla Stan, the almost frighteningly clean and on-time Tunnelbana, the exceptionally polite nature of Swedes and how a great number appear to speak impeccable English, and copious other aspects that made my months in Stockholm some of the most memorable of my college life. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, one day’s experience in the Capital of Scandinavia will trump whatever I could say.

Max Williams
Hamilton College
Spring Semester 2011

Student Blog: What a Spring

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:37:41 +0000

I had some worries before I left for Stockholm. I was nervous about my first time travelling alone overseas. Would I be able to get around? What would I do in a country that didn’t speak English? However, from my arrival to my departure from Stockholm, I always felt comfortable and welcome. I have nothing but compliments about the Swedish Program staff and my teachers at Stockholm University. And everybody speaks English.

My apartment turned out to be a great space to call home and my worries about not being connected to Swedish society were baseless due to my wonderful contact family. And then there are all the friends I made. I couldn’t imagine exploring the city with a different group of people. Stockholm has a really great music scene, and people were always game to check out the bands playing at Debaser or Strand. Wednesday nights at the Yellow House student pub were always entertaining, and offered up a good way of meeting other Stockholm University students. I even found people willing to hunt around the city with me for Rose & Born, a luxury menswear store where we could barely afford the socks#. In short, I met a gang of people that I was not only willing to spend my three and half months with, but genuinely loved spending that time with.

And this past spring, we had such beautiful weather. When spring arrives, it brings with it a whole new atmosphere and vibrancy to the city. After making so many great friends, it only made the experience even better to shift it outside, where grassy expanses and cloudless, blue skies allowed us to trade our pants for shorts and scarves for sunglasses. My time in Stockholm was some of the happiest of my life. I made memories I actually will hold dear forever. One million thank yous’ to the Swedish Program for making that possible.

Robinson Schelhas
Spring Semester, 2011
Oberlin College

Director’s Blog: Spring

admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 08:29:25 +0000

Blue skies, crystal clear air, a huge sun shining: it was a beautiful morning walk to the university. At Stallmästargården (a old 18th Century Inn) I noticed a group of people lined up, leaning against a wall, facing the sky. Seeing them enjoying the warm temperatures, reminded me of some of the many things people comment on what a Swede is. Sometimes I have no problem in understanding the cultural constructions we are carrying – other times I simply don’t recognize those peculiar images.

The love for nature is a frequent image of Swedes. Certainly there are many explanations to be found. One might simply be the sharp contrast between the four seasons; the drastic changes in temperatures and light/darkness. You have to be alert to follow these swifts in order to get adjusted. Nature is also close, even in the cities. Water, parks, natural parks, forests and lakes for instance surround Stockholm. You might even go fishing t in the middle of the city!

This love for nature does at times take extreme turns. Like the Vikingarännet (Viking Skate Race) and the Vasa Ski Race, two real challenges for enthusiasts. The Vikingarännet runs from Uppsala to Stockholm along an old viking route in the end of February (if the ice holds) and the Vasaloppet, which always takes place the first Sunday in March. Vasaloppet is a legendary ski race that starts in Sälen and ends in Mora. More than ten thousands of skiers fight to either win or just win for personal reasons – to make it, and do it as fast as possible.

Gustav Eriksson Vasa came to Dalarna in 1520 from Lübeck, Germany to where he had fled to from being held POW by the Danes. Kristian II, the Danish king ruled. Kristian goes under the name Tyrant by the Swedes, not the least after the famous Stockholm bloodbath, when among others Gustav’s dad and brother in law were executed. Gustav knew many in Dalarna were against Kristian and hoped to gather a large group of rebels to fight the King of Denmark. It was not easy of course. According to the legend one part of his adventures was skiing from Mora to Sälen, a distance of 90 kilometers.

There is a town named Mora in the US as well, in Minnesota. If you don’t want to go all the way to Mora Sweden you can run the alternative race next year, in the US!

Last week we celebrated the Waffle Day; yet another Swedish tradition, with quite a strange story. Why do Swedes eat Waffle every year on the 25th of March? Well, the 25th of March is Annunciation, in Swedish Vårfrudagen (Our Lady’s Day). Nonetheless, “vårfrudagen” is not that easy to pronounce properly, so it ended up in a distortion: Wafel Day.

There are many traditions in Sweden still kept in shape. A very popular tradition is the celebration of Walpurgis Night. For students it is a special night of celebration. This spring festival is really big in old university cities, such as Lund and Uppsala. As Uppsala is closer than Lund, it is easy to go and participate. A traditional “Sista April” (Last day of April) starts early in the morning with Champagne breakfast, followed by a raft along river Fyrisån, through the center of Uppsala. The “vessels” are home-made, one more crazy than the other. At 3 pm sharp, the official greeting of the spring takes place at the main university building Carolina Rediviva. Rector Magnificus (the president of the of Uppsala university) stands on the balcony and lifts his white student cap, and so does everybody. Shortly thereafter the tradition of singing songs of spring begins, also to celebrate the arrival of spring. Later in the evening the bonfires will be lit and shred light and warmth. Something to look forward to!

Cecilia Olsson
Director

The Semester Begins!

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:13:43 +0000

The day after we picked up all the students at the airport, all students and staff went on a two day archipelago trip. The island we went to is called Finnhamn and it’s far out in the Stockholm archipelago. The weather was absolutely beautiful so it was the perfect way to experience the last days of the Swedish summer. The most brave ones even went swimming in the ocean. We stayed in small cabins in a lovely hostel. The hostel was built in 1915 as a summer manor for a Swedish coal-dealer.

Apart from the archipelago trip, the guided tour in Gamla Stan (the Old Town in Stockholm) is one of my favorite activities during the orientation week. The old town is fascinating with all the old, beautiful houses and its rich history. During the summer it is easy to get mixed up with all the other guided groups, but it is easy to understand why it is so popular.

By the end of orientation week all the students with contact families met their family for the first time over a “fika”. Fika is probably the first word you learn if you come to Sweden. It simply means that you have a coffee or a tea often together with something to sweet to eat, and that you sit down and talk for a while. Almost like having a coffee but just a little bit more. And we Swedes just love our fika!

The orientation week has been a lot of fun but I think that everyone is glad that the courses have started now. It is nice to get into the rutin. Now it is time to get to know Stockholm for real!