The fashion culture in Sweden is not only diverse but unique. Unlike all of the runway-themed looks you see online, Sweden is a fashion potluck. The looks I was able to encounter looked like anything from punk rock to dainty fabulous. The fashion looks matched the ambiance of the olden modern looks found throughout the entire country. The most shocking moment of Swedish fashion personally was when I was able to find a puffer jacket that was minimally puffed but warmer than Florida’s 90-degree weather.
The cities in Sweden typically have a similar structure where the center cities are filled with local shops and malls so that individuals can gather necessary items for a consistent standard of living. I was able to explore the city center where local markets and grocery stores are found under the mall’s main shopping district in Jonkoping, Sweden. I was able to see where grocery stores were laid out for citizens to take public transportation and make it home cohesively.
In Sweden, the concept of Fika is a traditional short coffee break or pausing to help the absorption of thoughts or large movements that are occurring within a social gathering. Fika is also a tradition where you can invite someone over to get to know them, however, you don’t have to let them stay long enough for dinner. Fika is often implemented in school to allow the brain to take a break and be rejuvenated by a small snack and the help of caffeine. In my time in Sweden, I attempted to drink coffee because after being there on an extreme school schedule, I found myself growing tired. Their coffee is very strong, even with 5 packets of sugar I realized that coffee wasn’t for me. However, during my time in Sweden, I was able to find a new favorite tea of mine, a peach chamomile tea that’s not only refreshing but rejuvenating. I realize now that consistent tea drinking might have been what helped me during the summer cold outbreak. Consistently consuming natural produce in Sweden allowed my immune system to stay strong. The concept of walking everywhere for transportation also helped my immune system.
The history included along with the factory work are attributing factors to the look of youth within Sweden. In my time there, I met people anywhere from their 70s to 90s that looked well for their age.
I think one of the attributing factors to Sweden’s sustainability would be the desire for self-improvement. With long winters and a growing population, the responsibility for the stability of products leads to a new development of products being designed. The mountains being mined up north allow for the funding of other countries to help Sweden’s ever-growing economy continue to thrive. The use of the mountain’s unique structures helps a diverse new agricultural business begin to flourish. The use of nature implemented in the Swedish way of life allows for a consistent yet enhancing way of life to be created.
Personally, what intrigues me most about Sweden are the ideologies that not only pushed forward Sweden’s past but enhanced the way that Sweden is viewed and views the world around them. Another interesting concept about Sweden would be the language. The language itself is difficult. However, I notice that people in the surrounding North areas can see similarities between the Swedish language. Someone who is from Finland, or Poland may have a better opportunity to understand Swedish than somebody from Africa or even America.
Even with the opportunity to study in a new environment I was still a student and found consecutively eating out was expensive. I was able to find spices like Garlic, cumin, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, and a bell pepper trio seasoning that made meal prep a feeling like home with similar fun flavors. I found the spices were not only cost-effective but rich and different from those at home.
The purpose of my attending in Sweden was to school. The course I took was “purchasing logistics for the global perspective”. My professor was one of the best professors I’ve had in my entire academic career. She not only had a diverse background in her life, but she also had a diverse background for her understanding. The structure of the course was light and triggered both my engineering thinking processes and also my business thinking. I enjoyed the practicing process because the differences between the American ideologies and the ideologies that were centered in this Swedish course were enlightening. I realized especially in such a diverse group of students that your region affected negotiation tactics in a real-world setting. I also learned that culture and environment can often influence the way a business meeting or proposal can be negotiated or understood. Considering not all of the students, even from America, are coming from the same region, the negotiation standards even with the Americans alone were different. I noticed that the Italian, Singapore, and British students also all had a more peaceful approach towards the negotiating tactics, offering a diverse outlet. The most interesting part about the course is realizing that regardless of your background, the entire negotiation process is beneficial regardless of where you originate. The course allowed me to understand that even though we’re all in different parts of the world, we all think similarly.
Sweden was a beautiful place to visit. The rich history was enjoyable to learn not from a textbook but from the individual who had stories to pass down. I enjoyed the fresh vegetables and spices available. I greatly appreciated the warm environment that the Swedish people offered. And oftentimes I think they were as intrigued with me as I was with them. I learned that brands like H&M were Swedish and offered more than what is available in America. While I was staying in Sweden the Study Abroad Course allowed me to meet people from all over the world. Something I hope to bring back from Sweden would be the Fika breaks!