Fika is the Swedish soul.
Fika is coffee/tea/juice/whatever-except-alcohol.
Fika is our daily excuse to savor cinnamon rolls/pastry/cake/cookies.
Fika is a daily routine at our work places. Twice a day actually.
Fika is when Swedes are not taciturn.
Fika is #fika on twitter.
Fika is at home. At the office, at a café.
Fika is at the playground, in a park and in our gardens.
Fika is for business and pleasure.
Fika can be just a cuppa.
Fika is always right.
Two days ago I participated in a seminar on social media. Again the discussion on kids and the internet arose. It probably does with every new phenomenon. I read somewhere that it was the all same when radio started to broadcast. The discussions and fear of ruining the young were just the same. Of course we see it differently today – how could radio be harmful? The internet is an exposure on a whole different level. Not only personal safety is on the agenda but also the impact on health issues. We as parents are faced with new challenges compared to generations before us – we are the first generation to have absolutely no clue about what the future for our kids will hold.
To give you some food for thought and hopefully insights you can visit the open free lecture arranged by “Föräldrar emellan” in Kungsbacka. Micke Gunnarsson will talk about our changing world and digital media, and the impact hereof on children and their parents! The lecture is in Swedish. No need to sign up.
Thurs March 21st, 18.30-21 se link to Föräldrar emellan for details. Also in Swedish.
Updated facebook profile pics yesterday. Below is the picture I made and used for the globatris account. Colors are much more pinkish on my laptop screen than on the iphone. :/
Most people change during an international assignment. We grow from challenges, we get new insights, we learn to see things from different perspectives. In what ways have you changed? Which changes are most important to you; which ones are you most proud of?
What new skills have you acquired during your international assignment(s)/sojourns?
Cold winter temperatures are back. The almost ever present (at least it feels that way) West coast wind makes it even more freezing. I spent a few years in Mid Sweden and it never felt as cold there in the winter as it does in Gothenburg. It’s all about humidity and wind. Cold days usually mean clear skies though and the sun is doing its best to brighten up and warm our days! There’s not much color outdoors for photography, so light and frost can make all the difference!
What are your major struggles learning Swedish?
Replies to this question via twitter and IRL include trying to actually speak it. Most people in Sweden are fairly happy to speak English which makes it easy to avoid using Swedish in every situation that holds the opportunity.
Another common answer is the prononciation of “sje-ljudet”.
Fitting Swedish classes in in a busy schedule, or having babies and young children at home all day also make it difficult to study. Here Skype works well – no time wasted on travelling to class and you can do it with babies and toddlers at home. Want to learn more?
Knowing at least a bit of the local language is important to adapt to a new culture. Learn how to greet before your move, and how to say thank you, and teach your kids too. This is a good start when arriving. I remember my mother taught me how to say “play” in German, on the ferry, when I at the age of seven went to Germany for the first time. It was a very good word to know to start playing with other kids on the boat.
Also for vacationing purposes it is fun to know a bit of the local language. When I was working as an Italian teacher the basic courses usually involved a lot of tourist conversations – food, restaurants, travelling, shopping, accommodation. And the text books contained quite a few pretty pictures 😉 .
Some try to learn the language before they go, some start once they get there. I have done both. What about you? What worked well?
Accompanying spouses need to take on many new roles. Let me introduce to you
Many employers and relocation organizations count on them. What about acknowledgement? I once heard of a spouse that received a “thank you” from her husbands employer. She said it was easily done but meant a lot to her.
What are your experiences?
