Before I met my boyfriend, I have never imagined my life living in another place or country. I was born and raised in The Philippines, which is too far from Sweden. Long story short, after I met my partner for a couple of months, he invited me to come and visit him to his country, so it was totally a changed of life perspective after I lived in Sweden. Honestly speaking, I really don’t have any idea of what my life would it be after I arrive there. I don’t even have a background about the country aside from the fact that it is located in northern Europe and it’s a cold country.
I remember the first time I arrived in Sweden last summer. It’s almost late at night when my plane landed and the sun still shining at that time. I was so mesmerized in my surroundings, the trees, the buildings, the people around me. Wow, It was so magical and I feel in love in Sweden on that day.
Days have passed living in Sweden, a lot of self-taught and self-discovery I really noticed and learned. There are so many things I can differentiate between Sweden and the country where I grow up.It was one of those days I almost discriminated my country. I love my country so much and I’m proud of how resilience we are, we have been through a lot but that’s the day I really realized how we Filipinos treated and fooled by our government. Not only that, I realized also how behind my country and co-Filipinos in the world. Sweden widens up my mind and my life a lot, I’m so envious how their government treated them so good, how things going so well in their country and how productive and smart the Swedish people are.
Things really I love about Swedish Life:
The health and life insurance:
Everyone knows that Swedes pay a lot of tax; Sweden is as noted for its high personal taxes but look what they got? One of the things I wish to have this back in my country is the Swedish life health and life insurance. As a foreigner in Sweden, I’m so jealous of how Swedish people enjoy these benefits.
Education:.
From the age of six, every child has equal access to free education in Sweden. The Swedish school system is regulated through the Education Act, which ensures a safe and friendly environment for students. The act mandates nine years of school attendance for all children from the year they turn seven.
Transportations:
The majority of Swedish person owned a car since everybody has the money or can loan in the bank to buy their own car. Most of the major railways are very accessible and maintained, Fast Trains and buses are available.
Job Opportunities:
The unemployment rate in Sweden is 6% and so most people work for the living.
Nature:
The untouched nature is one of the things I do love in Sweden. Yes! its so cold in Sweden during winter but in summer you will see how magical and how beautiful and preserve the nature.
Can you imagine that 97 percent of Sweden is uninhabited? This means there’s a lot of nature to preserve, and national parks and nature reserves cover a tenth of the country’s land area. Let’s take a closer look at the love story between Swedes and nature.
Child allowance:
Child allowance is paid until the child attains the age of 16. After that, children who continue at the compulsory school receive extended child allowance. Parents may share the child allowance. Special rules apply to children who are abroad for longer than six months. How I wish we have this system in my country, My parents would not sweat in blood working just to support us.
Alcohol restrictions:
Wine, spirits and strong beer are sold only from State-licensed “Systembolaget” stores to customers aged 20 or older. Systembolaget stores are generally open Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, Saturdays, 10am-3pm. Alcohol may be consumed at bars and restaurants from the age of 18, and light beer is sold at supermarkets to customers aged 18 or older.
Outdoor gym and children parks:
You will be amazed how well maintain the parks and outdoor gym in Sweden.
Other things I love about the Swedish life is the fashion style. We all know that Sweden is the home of H&M, Ikea and much more.Swedish life and style are simple, clean, and elegant, in almost all aspects. Homes usually look more modern in style. I’m so hooked of Swedish Lifestyle. The majority of the people in Sweden really focus on their health, staying active and eating healthy is the trends.
Ever since I came to Sweden, my life changes in so many ways.The healthy lifestyle in Sweden influenced my life a lot. In the Philippines I don’t care what I ate, We are more into fast food and now I woke up to reality and realized the value of health. A lot of pros and cons I encountered when I lived in Sweden. At first, it was so hard for me to adopt the life in Sweden, I have to adjust the new living environment, the language barrier, the climate, people, rules but after all I survived and fell in love the life in Swedish way but of course I still love the country where I came from.
2 comments
Yes you are right, Swedish people are very fashionable. It’s great that you fell in love with Sweden, I did to 🙂
And you are so lucky having a Swedish partner. They are so good looking ?
One of my best friends come from Sweden, now I know a little more which is good, thanks for sharing