News and commentary on the life of the person behind this blog and on events in Sweden and around the world. Personal anecdotes, OP-Eds, reading suggestions, etc. Enjoy, and comment!
Yes, I have been back to Sweden since my year of living there, although not near as often as I wish I could!! I'm still in close contact with my host family and was there most recently in 2003 for my "sister's" wedding.
The statistic that I was quoting on wellbehavedwomen was NOT about all Swedish marriages/sambos, it was only the rate of success of the relationships between a Swede and a foreigner, from any country, when the foreigner relocates to Sweden. Many of the people I was reading about on Amerikanska moved to Sweden with no language skills, no job, and not knowing anyone except their significant other. That’s really hard. And while I admire them for moving halfway across the world for love, I think they have a big uphill battle. I had a wonderful time in Sweden, love the country, love the language (ya, jag prater jettebra Svenska, men skriva inte alls bra) and wish I could live there, so while I feel bad that these expatriates are having a rough go of it, I’m jealous. :-/ I know life in Sweden isn’t perfect, but when I was 17, it sure seemed perfect to me.
Sorry for leaving such a long comment, but I wanted to be clear that I wasn’t suggesting that all marriages in Sweden don’t last. The divorce rate here in the States is high too, you were correct that it is around 50%. Thanks!
I see! I got it a bit wrong. Yeah, you are probably right, it's hard to move across the world to a completely new place without knowing the language. I was once in a relationship with an American and though for a while I was prepared to move to the States with him I'm glad now that I didn't. Because even though I know the language and have lived a total of over 1.5 years in the States, it would probably been an extra strain on the relationship.
Hi Anna-
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on my blog.
Yes, I have been back to Sweden since my year of living there, although not near as often as I wish I could!! I'm still in close contact with my host family and was there most recently in 2003 for my "sister's" wedding.
The statistic that I was quoting on wellbehavedwomen was NOT about all Swedish marriages/sambos, it was only the rate of success of the relationships between a Swede and a foreigner, from any country, when the foreigner relocates to Sweden. Many of the people I was reading about on Amerikanska moved to Sweden with no language skills, no job, and not knowing anyone except their significant other. That’s really hard. And while I admire them for moving halfway across the world for love, I think they have a big uphill battle. I had a wonderful time in Sweden, love the country, love the language (ya, jag prater jettebra Svenska, men skriva inte alls bra) and wish I could live there, so while I feel bad that these expatriates are having a rough go of it, I’m jealous. :-/ I know life in Sweden isn’t perfect, but when I was 17, it sure seemed perfect to me.
Sorry for leaving such a long comment, but I wanted to be clear that I wasn’t suggesting that all marriages in Sweden don’t last. The divorce rate here in the States is high too, you were correct that it is around 50%. Thanks!
~Lucy
Hi Lucy!
ReplyDeleteI see! I got it a bit wrong. Yeah, you are probably right, it's hard to move across the world to a completely new place without knowing the language. I was once in a relationship with an American and though for a while I was prepared to move to the States with him I'm glad now that I didn't. Because even though I know the language and have lived a total of over 1.5 years in the States, it would probably been an extra strain on the relationship.
Yeah, Anna, it's like, you don't get it...ha ha ha ha...
ReplyDelete