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Before I moved from the United States to Northern Sweden, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what Sweden was like. After all, I had heard about it for years. News stories, social media, documentaries, YouTube videos, and political debates all painted a picture of life here. Depending on who you listened to,…
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When I first moved from the United States to Sweden, I thought I had found the perfect country. Like many Americans, I had heard countless stories about Sweden. The country is often praised for its healthcare system, work-life balance, safety, beautiful landscapes, and high quality of life. Depending on who you talk to, Sweden is…
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When I first moved from the United States to Sweden, I thought I had Swedish people figured out. Like many Americans, I had heard the stereotypes. Swedes were often described as quiet, reserved, difficult to get to know, and not particularly interested in talking to strangers. Coming from a culture where casual conversations happen almost…
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When I moved from the United States to Northern Sweden with my three dogs, I expected certain things to feel different. I expected colder winters, different food, and a new language. What I didn’t expect was how different everyday life itself would feel. Not in a dramatic way. Not in a “better or worse” way…
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It’s late at night—almost midnight—and the sun is still shining. Not fading. Not setting. Just… there. When I first moved to northern Sweden, I knew this was coming. The Arctic summer, often called the “midnight sun,” is one of those experiences that sounds almost surreal until you’re standing in it yourself. And now, as the…
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For most of my life, I never really questioned what “normal” looked like in the United States. Like many people, I grew up assuming that the pace of life, the systems, and the daily stress I experienced were just how things were everywhere. But after spending time living in Sweden, that assumption quietly started to…
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Moving to a new country always comes with surprises—but living in Sweden as an American has been an experience that’s exceeded my expectations in ways I didn’t anticipate. After spending the past four months here in Northern Sweden, I’ve had enough time to move beyond the “newness” and start experiencing what everyday life is really…
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What does a normal day look like in the Arctic? When many people think about life in the far north, they imagine extreme cold, endless snow, and long dark winters. While those things are certainly part of the experience, daily life in Swedish Lapland is often much quieter and slower than most people expect. In…
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My Experience at Luleå on Ice in Sweden There are winter festivals, and then there are winter festivals that could only happen in the far north. My recent visit to Luleå reminded me just how creative people become when winter fully takes hold. Each year the frozen harbor becomes the stage for Luleå on Ice—a…
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What Living in Northern Sweden Taught Me There’s a particular kind of silence that only exists in the far north. It isn’t empty or lonely. It’s thick. Heavy. Almost sacred. When we first moved to Northern Sweden, I imagined the cold as something aggressive—something to endure, to fight against with layers and heaters and stubbornness.…
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Before moving from the United States to Sweden, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of what life here would be like. Like many Americans, I had heard all the common talking points. Sweden is known for its healthcare system, strong social safety net, work-life balance, beautiful nature, and high quality of life. Depending…
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At first glance, Narvik feels almost unreal. Snow-covered mountains surround the town, Arctic water stretches into the fjords, and everything moves at a slower, quieter pace. It’s the kind of place that feels peaceful the moment you arrive. But beneath that beauty lies one of the most important stories of World War II. I recently…