Andrea Swedenklef
When I first moved to Sweden nearly three years ago, I wasn鈥檛 quite sure what I was getting into. After raising my daughters in the vibrant, fast-paced city of Hong Kong, I thought I had a solid understanding of what it takes to adapt to a new country. But moving to Sweden was a different kind of experience entirely.
A newcomer in the second act of life
I was in my 50s, and though excited about the adventure, I also carried with me a quiet fear: was I too old to start over?
Originally from the U.S., I arrived in southern Sweden with no children, no job, and no Swedish language skills. Despite having experience with international relocations, I quickly realized that settling in here would take more patience and persistence than I expected. Starting fresh in a new country is very humbling. Skatteverket, Transportstyrelsen, and Handelsbanken made sure I knew that.
Finding my place in Southern Sweden
At first, everything felt unfamiliar. The language, the social codes, even the way people stood in line! Swedes are famously private, and small talk felt like a foreign concept. Finding a job was perhaps the most difficult part. I sent out over a hundred applications and received just as many rejections. After a year of trying and not getting anywhere, I made the decision to shift gears. I enrolled in classes at Lund University, learning simply for the joy of it and to keep expanding my curiosity.
I also enrolled in SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) and began learning the language. More importantly, I met people there, others navigating this big life transition. Those early connections grew into meaningful friendships. We bonded over fika and shared struggles, and we celebrated small Swedish victories together.
Creating My Tribe
Over time, I learned to appreciate the beauty of the Swedish rhythm. I joined language caf茅s, started attending events, and found ways to connect through volunteering and meetups. I became involved with the International Citizen Hub Lund (嫩草影院), the Social Hub, and the American International Club of Malm枚 (open to all passport holders). These groups have been fantastic not only for job networking but also for finding your community and a social lifeline. And as someone with more life experience (and maybe a few more candles on my birthday cake), it鈥檚 not always easy to find your social circle. I don鈥檛 have young kids to meet other parents, and my classmates are closer in age to my daughters.
One of the most important lessons I鈥檝e learned is that in Sweden as well as any new relocation, you need to find your tribe. Swedish people can be reserved at first, and casual friendships don鈥檛 happen easily. But once you find people with shared interests, the connections are real and lasting. I found my place through joining a sailing club, starting a recipe/cooking club and now I even host 嫩草影院鈥檚 monthly After Work social on the first Thursday of each month (just a little plug).
It takes time, but it鈥檚 worth it
It鈥檚 been an adjustment鈥攂ut I鈥檓 genuinely happy. I spend time exploring Sk氓ne and have discovered a new love for history and archaeology. Sweden may reveal itself slowly, but it offers so much once you find your rhythm.
To all those just arriving, it鈥檚 okay if things feel slow. It鈥檚 not a race. The biggest lesson I鈥檝e learned is this: integration isn鈥檛 about rushing to fit in. It鈥檚 about slowly growing roots. You will learn that Sweden has a way of opening up, little by little鈥攋ust like the first crocuses of spring. Just give it time. Your next chapter might be your most unexpected and rewarding yet.
/Andrea
听
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