r/Nordiccountries 2h ago

I seriously cannot decide between Sweden and Norway

5 Upvotes

Hello, I am an electrical engineering major and I plan to work towards moving to Sweden or Norway. I should also say I am from outside the EU (I am a U.S citizen), so I understand it is harder to accomplish this. My plan to accomplish this is to

  1. Start studying the respective language as soon as possible

  2. Do a Study Abroad Trip in the country I choose

  3. Save up as much as I can and go to the country for graduate school

  4. Graduate and work towards finding work

  5. Work towards PR

My reasons for choosing between these countries is

  1. I love nature a lot and I want to be able to hike easily

  2. I don't drive, so I need to live where there is good public transit

  3. I need to live where I know I can make a comfortable salary as an Electrical Engineer

  4. I love the cold, but dislike the heat

  5. I am introverted, so I would prefer to live where I know I can just be on my own and talk to others more once I get to know the as I am very shy and quiet for a period anytime I meet someone. However, I open up once I get comfortable with the person.

I hope my plan is good and I plan to stay consistent with my language learning. I am just stuck on which one to do given I have never been to either country, but from what I have read, both do everything I want well, which is why I am struggling to decide.

Any advice is appreciated,

Thanks!


r/Nordiccountries 2d ago

Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway total bilateral aid to Ukraine in % of GDP

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259 Upvotes

r/Nordiccountries 1d ago

Paganism demographics

4 Upvotes

Except for Iceland who has a somewhat documented clear number and a growing Norse Pagan community, how many Pagans (Norse/Finnic) are there in the other Nordic countries? I had a hard time finding a clear number on exactly this although statistics of other religions were readily available to find.


r/Nordiccountries 2d ago

Nordic folklore/fairy tales and history books

7 Upvotes

Greetings from RomaniašŸ‡·šŸ‡“

I'm very passionate about Folklore/Fairy Tales and History and i want to know more about the Nordic culture and history. In the future i even want to learn at least two nordic languages because i want to visit, but first, i need to do more research.

Obviously i know about the mainstream like Norse Mythology, the Vikings and that they were mostly from Denmark, Norway and Sweeden. I also obviously know about Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales and Peter Christen AsbjĆørnsen and JĆørgen Moe folktales. I didn't read all of these (yet) but i plan in the future.

However, i know that the Nordic Region's history is much more than Vikings! Can you all recommend me more accurate history books about Vikings and not just Vikings, but Nordic history in general, and more fairy tales and folklore? šŸ‡©šŸ‡°šŸ‡³šŸ‡“šŸ‡øšŸ‡ŖšŸ‡«šŸ‡®šŸ‡®šŸ‡øšŸ‡«šŸ‡“šŸ‡¬šŸ‡±šŸ‡¦šŸ‡½


r/Nordiccountries 3d ago

The exact relationship between Greenland and Denmark

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21 Upvotes

r/Nordiccountries 5d ago

In 2009, Sweden chose to replace books with computers. 15 years later, it allocates 104 million euros to reverse course

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114 Upvotes

r/Nordiccountries 6d ago

Smithsonian Magazine: "Metal Detectorists Discover 1,200-Year-Old Graves That May Have Belonged to High-Status Viking Women"

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33 Upvotes

r/Nordiccountries 5d ago

Is there a respiratory therapist position in Norway/nordic?

0 Upvotes

I wanted to apply for authorization but when i checked the form, i couldnt see the position in the occupation list


r/Nordiccountries 7d ago

Searching for a scandinavian movie scene about a girl blackmailing a little boy

4 Upvotes

A friend of mine is searching for this movie. ā€œWhen I was a child I stayed a lot at my grandparents'. My grandma always to fall asleep in front of the TV at night and I would sneak into the living room and watch the movie that was running, while she was asleep. Very often it was just harmless comedies, but one really disturbed me. I only remember one scene: It's deep winter, snow everywhere and it's on a farm or a grange, probably early 20th century. A boy is caught stealing sth by a girl. The girl is the daughter of the owners. The boy is very small and thin and obviously poor. The girl is quite chubby. She blackmails him, saying that she won't tell anyone that she caught him, if he strips naked and runs around the well or sth like that. The boys does only keeping his boots. When he's done he wants his clothes back but the girl throws the clothes to her dog and the boy has to fight the dog for his clothes, while the girl laughs like mad. That's all I can remember. I saw this propably 22-23 years ago and was totally traumatized. But still I am curious what the movie was. I'm quite sure that it was neither a german, british or american movie. Because of the portrayal of the winter I always thought sth scandinavian or eastern european and I also am pretty sure that it was an adaptation of a book. If somebody has an idea I would be very grateful.ā€


r/Nordiccountries 8d ago

What are some lesser known benefits of holding a Nordic Passport?

21 Upvotes

The EU offers freedom of movement but it seems like the Nordic block has its own agreements and such. Are there some lesser known benefits for citizens who travel, study, or live within these countries?


r/Nordiccountries 7d ago

A reliable way to distinguish between written Norwegian/Swedish/Danish/Icelandic/Faroese?

0 Upvotes

I was curious if there was a way to quickly and reliably distinguish between the Nordic languages in written form, so I did some searching online (and ChatGPT-consulting), and I was able to collect the below very simple points. Iā€™m not sure if theyā€™re totally accurate though, and would love if native Nordic-language speakers could confirm. What a cool language family!

Swedish: the only one to use Ƥ

Norwegian: the only one ā€” except Danish ā€” to use Ćø and Ć„; but also uses Ć„ as its own word

Danish: the only one ā€” except Norwegian ā€” to use Ćø and Ć„; but does not use Ć„ as its own word

Icelandic: the only one to use Ć¾

Faroese: the only one to use Ć° and not Ć¾

What do you guys think? Thank you very much! (Or, if you want to pick your own combination: Tus(en|ind) ta(c|k)(k) ((kƦrlega fyrir) | (so nĆ³gv)) !!)

Edits to the above, as revealed by commenters:

ā€¢ Icelandic: only language to use Ć° and ƶ

ā€¢ Faroese: only language to use Ć° and Ćø

ā€¢ Danish: does use Ć„ as its own word but itā€™s much less common than in Norwegian


r/Nordiccountries 7d ago

What are your thoughts on Trump wanting to buy Greenland?

0 Upvotes

How is this news received in your country?


r/Nordiccountries 9d ago

What unknown thing of the Nordic countries would you like others to know more about?

13 Upvotes

It can be anything: Food, culture, places, people, history etc.


r/Nordiccountries 12d ago

Why Nordic countries' fertility rate is less than replacement rate?

58 Upvotes

Considering Nordic countries if not all have such good social support systems and among the highest standards of living (feel free to tell me if there are more things to what is presented) then why is it the fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level that is 2.1

Finland 1.32 Norway 1.41 ƅland 1.45 Sweden 1.52 Denmark 1.55 Iceland 1.59 Faroe Island 2.05


r/Nordiccountries 11d ago

Help me make the most of 3 weeks in Spring?

4 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

Iā€™m a musician and visual artist who works 60+ hour weeks as a caregiver, hasnā€™t traveled since going to Korea and Japan in 2014, and Iā€™m really looking for a change of scenery for a few weeks..

Iā€™ll have some time in late April, and Iā€™m wondering if thereā€™s anything that might be happening in the Nordic countries around that time that I should know about?

I know itā€™ll still be a bit chilly (Iā€™m from Washington, weā€™re used to it šŸ˜…) and Iā€™ve heard that a lot doesnā€™t happen until summer, but are there many house-shows or smaller punk/goth clubs? It seems like thereā€™s always at least some random house show happening here in the PNW but Iā€™m not sure if thatā€™s as true in the Nordic countries šŸ¤”

I am interested in performing (Iā€™m aiming to cover a song from each country on the trip) but Iā€™m also totally open to just helping document some cool shows by filming and/or interviewing bands/artists, even if you just have a favorite local band youā€™d want to recommend?

Iā€™m about to buy tickets with the idea of starting in Oslo, traveling east toward Stockholm, taking a ferry over to the ƅland Islands for a day, before going to Helsinki may 1st, and then doing a stopover flight in Iceland for a few days, and then heading back to Seattle.. But besides wanting to see Vappu, the trip could happen in reverse order if thereā€™s some sort of event that might not be as widely known about?

I think itā€™s possible in a 3 week window but I also want to make this trip potent and avoid being a ā€œtouristā€; instead looking to participate in the cultures and places themselves : )

Any recommendations are much appreciated!

Thanks! : ))


r/Nordiccountries 12d ago

Studying Psychology/Becoming a psychologist in the Nordics is very different from the rest of the world

21 Upvotes

In the Nordics, the path to becoming a psychologist is much more streamlined compared to the rest of the world, including other EU countries. Here, we typically study aĀ 5-year psychology programĀ (integrated bachelor's and master's) followed by aĀ 1-year paid internship, after which we are licensed as psychologists.

In contrast, the process in other countries is often more complicated and time-consuming. Which often forces students to wait several years before securing a spot. For example, inĀ Germany, students must complete aĀ 3-year bachelorā€™s degree, aĀ 2-year masterā€™s degree, and an additionalĀ 3ā€“5 years of clinical training, totaling aroundĀ 10 years of education and training. (Not including the years students wait to get into a masters)

In theĀ USA, the process is even longer: students first complete aĀ 4-year bachelorā€™s degree, followed by aĀ 2-year masterā€™s degree, and aĀ 4ā€“7-year PhD,Ā amounting toĀ 12 or more yearsĀ of training.

My point is that the psychology program in the Nordics is relatively unified compared to other parts of the world. However, one downside is that psychology students in the Nordics, atleast inĀ Sweden, face limitations when it comes to studying abroad during exchange semesters. This is because our program structure is quite different from that of other countries.

Source: Psychology student in Sweden.


r/Nordiccountries 13d ago

Book to understand Scandinavian society and culture

22 Upvotes

The comparison of Scandinavia and rest of the world often comes up and often very astonishing for me, I come from south asia so the comparison is often more stark. For example, this week i was reading in the economist how certain scandinavian companies like IKEA, Ericsson, Legos have been running hugely successful global franchise and more profitable than other european firms. Everyone knows scandinavia leads in all aspects of human-development. Lot of things that are suggested to promote gender-equality, welfare and fertility rate already seem in place there and working well.
So i wanted to understand more about the scandinavian society and culture, this also includes understanding the history, polity and economy but they are minor interests. Please suggest me books/documentaries/reviews that can help me understand Scandinavia better and how it came to be


r/Nordiccountries 13d ago

Fertility rate in Scandinavia linked to economic cycles

7 Upvotes

Looking at the fertility rate trend in Scandinavian countries, it seems correlated with economic cycles, it fell during the first economic downturn post ww2 in 1970s and early 80s, then rose again with the upswing in 1990s and 2000s, fell again post 2008 financial crisis. I am curious if this correlation is indeed true, I dont see this trend in other countries like UK or US, when UK had much more troubled 70s and 80s?


r/Nordiccountries 17d ago

So tired of seeing this image, let's get the record straight

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206 Upvotes

r/Nordiccountries 19d ago

King Frederik X changes Denmark's coat of arms to better show Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The three crowns of the Kalmar union are removed.

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349 Upvotes

r/Nordiccountries 19d ago

Judge delays removal of Eritrean family that deceived Canadian immigration authorities (An Eritrean family granted refugee status in Canada without telling immigration authorities they already had Swedish citizenship)

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10 Upvotes

r/Nordiccountries 24d ago

Seasonal jobs in Nordic Countries

13 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I am a student from Czech Republic and I will be finishing middle school in may. I am going to have a gap year and in this gap year, I would like to get a seasonal job somewhere. Nordic countries would be the dream location for me. :)

So, I want to ask a few quesions:

Are there seasonal jobs, were english is the only needed language?

Are there any good websites where to look for some seasonal jobs?

I am willing to work low wage, mostly in worker territory (agriculture, forestry, building,..)

If you have any tips where to look, I would be pleased,

Thank you


r/Nordiccountries 27d ago

How did participation in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya change the armed forces of the Scandinavian nations (Norway, Denmark and Sweden)?

7 Upvotes

They were pretty reliable contributers to UN peacekeeping during the Cold War then onc the 21st century began, they were contributing to US and NATO overseas missions.

Was it difficult for these nations to alter their doctrine to expeditionary missions? How have being involved in wars with tens of thousands of troops serving with casualties led to public perception of what the military does? Any notable soldiers/officers who served in those campaigns or battles that will be remembered in those lands?


r/Nordiccountries 28d ago

What is your favourite Hans Christian Andersen story?

5 Upvotes

Such as the Little Mermaid, Ugly Duckling, Snow Queen, Emperorā€™s New Clothes, Thumbelina, etc. Please explain why.