WORKING AND LIVING IN LONDON – A SWEDISH PERSPECTIVE

Written in the perspective from a member of the Freedom People team

When I was asked to write about working in Sweden, I found myself reflecting on the last twenty something years.

Because apart from a short stint in a local restaurant over a snowy school holiday, I have never actually worked in my home country, Sweden. I left small town glory for a foreign City, pre social media, internet and mobile phone access.

A work-study-travel scheme brought me here on what was initially a six month placement. First to Leytonstone, then Streatham, then Finsbury Park.

Living in various house-shares, my house mates and I routinely got lost navigating the streets using the ‘A-Z Of London’, dined cheaply at the local greasy spoons and made sure to cram in as many club and gig nights as physically possible. A time of endless balancing of cash, but always enough pounds left for the call-charge cards.

Nowadays, of course, your never further away than a free video call. Your family have instant visual access to view, assess and assure in equal measures.

I often hear and see newly arrived swedes and other nationals. I love overhearing their often animated conversations about their new life here. Watching them navigate their way around and discovering London fills me with a mixture of self-realisation and excitement. I feel their energy, hope and uncertainty.

The years pass and when The Pandemic put her foot down, firmly telling us it was time slow down and appreciate life and everything that goes with it, we all listened.

It is a real privilege to be able to travel and gain new experiences. Whether it’s a career move or personal it will always be invaluable and unforgettable.

As for working abroad. The term means so much more. Perhaps it is a temporary stint, perhaps you’ll turn the abroad into the new home.

I am writing this listening to my teenage children talking (borderline bickering) with each other in English. My “foreign” language and culture.

As said, that work stint abroad surely can have the most unexpected outcomes.