Sweden, “Here are the 10 most livable countries in the world!” One of the undisputed names of the news titled. If there is such a thing as an ideal life, it seems possible to realize it if you go somewhere.. At least that was the impression it left on me.. That’s why this interview with Nilay Kılınç has satisfied all my curiosity and left its place to my desire to visit Sweden as soon as possible.. Nilay explained and detailed everything so well that if she described Halkalı Garbage like that, I guess I would start to show interest in it as well.. I think it is an interview that you will enjoy reading, and if you have a special interest in Sweden, I definitely recommend you to take a look at Nilay’s blog.
Why did you choose Sweden? Is it related to work or school, or is it your personal preference?
There are mysterious events behind my arrival in Sweden! When I was still illiterate, I used to look at nature pictures in a book about Canada that belonged to my father and think, “I wish we lived in a place with deer, lakes, and constant snow…”. Later, a Finnish romance started and when I got to high school, Finland had become a country that was identified with me by family and friends.. Kalevala was my bedside book; I used to listen to Finnish folk music and follow metal bands.. During this period, I started to be interested in the literature and art of all Scandinavian countries in general.. During my university years, I became familiar with the immigration policies of Sweden and Denmark.. While studying these topics, I decided that Sweden was a suitable country for postgraduate studies.. Nature-friendly, women’s and LGBT rights advocate, science-loving Sweden! I started my master’s degree in European Studies at Lund University, thinking that studying in a country that strives for continuous development will feed me in the direction of my ideals.. At the same time, I was working on migration at Malmö University.. Currently, I am working in the same field, this time as a research assistant in an academic project in Gothenburg.. Although I have been in Sweden for two and a half years, I have never been to Finland.. I take no initiative and wait for events to lead me there, I’m very romantic about Finland. After all, my childhood sweetheart!
You spend your life among the trio of Malmö, Lund and Gothenburg. If you had to describe these three cities in one word, which words would you choose?
I say falafel for Malmö, bicycle for Lund, music for Gothenburg.. These were the first associations…
Well, if you had to live in one of these three cities for the rest of your life, which would you prefer? And why?
Although Lund has a special place for me, I prefer Gothenburg. Compared to Gothenburg, Malmö and Lund, it gives me a more “Swedish city” feel.. It also reminds me of Gothenburg Istanbul. The smell of the sea, the smell of fish, the bridge, the activity, the contrasts in the city… Lund is perfect for students, but it becomes a very boring place when you are disconnected from the university because the whole city is built on students.. If you are not a student, the number of bars you can go to is on the fingers of one hand, if you want a cinema, there are two, it will be difficult to find a house.. Student clubs are Lund’s dynamo, and unless you have access to them, you’re doomed to retire. Malmö is more lively and more diverse than Lund.. While the ethnic diversity in Lund is solely due to the university, Malmö is home to different ethnic groups from all over the world, making it a more colorful city.. Malmö is also the city where you can live the cheapest among these three cities.. Not to mention that it’s close to Copenhagen! But it’s still a small city, and at the end of a year you’re back there too.
You know, we are a prejudiced nation.. When we think of Sweden, cold comes to mind.. Is the weather really cold enough to negatively affect life?
I came here because it was cold, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for.. Since Lund and Malmö are in the south it rarely snows and I haven’t seen the weather drop below -10 either.. In fact, when it snows, trains are delayed, and those in the north make fun of the south for this reason.. Continuous rain and gray skies are no different from Amsterdam, Berlin or London. When I went to cities in the north of Sweden, I found exactly the weather I wanted.. The snow was lighting up everything and I noticed that I felt less cold in the dry cold.. Whatever you wear in the humid and windy weather of the south, the cold gets into your bones, but if you dress tight in the north, you definitely do not feel cold.. Of course, the weather is quite harsh by Istanbul standards.. You can see children and old people who lose the battle against the wind and lay their bikes on its side in winter.. I no longer carry a coat on my visits to Istanbul, it really feels very hot after Sweden.
Sweden is considered one of the countries with the highest welfare level in the world.. As a person living there, do you feel that the living conditions are better and different compared to Turkey?
The main reason why I want to stay in Sweden is the high quality of life.. Public transport always works well, the streets are clean, the health system does not let you down, air and water are free, and most importantly, the whole system is organized so that you can have time for yourself and your family.. No matter how rich you are in Turkey, you will be stuck in traffic for two hours with that Porsche.. If you want to live in the most beautiful mansion, your pavements will still be broken.. The man who warned the taxi driver to smoke on the way home from the best restaurant will read what he knows again. What kind of a social life can a person who arrives home from work at 8:00 have? That’s why everyone eats and watches TV shows when they get home.. In Turkey, the quality of life is indexed to money, whereas the quality of life is related to people’s ability to meet their simplest needs without any problems.. You drink water from the tap in Sweden, while Turkey is a place where water resources are abundant, you get water in plastic tubes.. If you want to walk or run, there are no proper ways to do them, even if there is a road, people look at you like you’re out of your mind.. When I come to visit Istanbul from Sweden, I have shortness of breath because the air of Istanbul burns my throat.. These are the simple and basic needs I am talking about, but unfortunately Turkey is a place that does not meet even such simple needs.. There are good examples, for example, Eskişehir is a city that can be lived with its bicycle and walking paths, museums and art houses, and architectural structures.
Is it an expensive country? While asking this question, we ask it by considering many issues, from the price of the water you buy on the street to the rent you pay or the cheese you buy from the market.. (As you can see, we are in great curiosity) How did you create a budget? Can you tell us by giving an example from daily life?
Sweden is so expensive that a friend of mine, who calculated the Turkish lira equivalent of every purchase he bought, turned white! Kidding aside, if you’re going to live in Sweden, you have to work here.. As long as you receive your salary in Swedish standards, you will have a good life, but if your money comes from Turkey by family or government, you may have difficulties.. Rental prices are quite high. The rent of a student room costs around 700-800 liras.. Eating and drinking out is also considered a luxury.. But for example, public transportation is cheaper than Istanbul at least.. Internet monthly fees are also very low compared to Turkey (Internet quality in Sweden is really tearful!) But it is possible without experiencing Miserables.. For example, if you put your lunch in the lunch box like every Swede, bring your coffee in your thermos, go out only on Friday or Saturday evenings, you will relieve your budget a little.. This is how I live so I can get by without breaking my budget.. Swedes are careful with money matters. They buy a good quality product that will do their job and use it until it wears out.. Same with food.. There can never be a menu such as soup, main course, side salad, and then dessert.. They pass it off with some variety at one meal. Where Turkish people live in Europe, “brother, men buy tomatoes by numbers!” That’s the trauma! Abundance (and extravagance) in Turkey do not exist here.
Do you have problems with cultural adaptation? What you find culturally awkward is “what’s going on here?” Were there moments/situations that you said or found funny?
Depends on what we mean by cultural adaptation. For me, it was to be successful in the education system here, to find a job, to have a small group of friends, to improve the language, to be able to say two words when it comes to the culture and art of this place.. I changed myself in some matters. For example, living alone taught me to live with myself, to live in a planned way and to value time.. It is necessary to take the good aspects of the West.. Because if you want to adapt to anything, it means giving up your own truths.. For example, it is not easy to find a place for the elderly here, to organize a meal without getting paid, to help someone on the way, to talk to someone you do not know.. I didn’t particularly want to adapt to them.. There is no such thing as asking money from the person I invited to dinner at my house.. Or, I’ll still give an old person a place, whether he wants to sit down (they usually don’t accept it anyway), but that’s his problem now.. If I see someone in need on the road, I will react, I don’t care what the Swedes do in these situations.. I don’t conform to such social codes, and I show those around me that another life is possible.
The strangest thing I find is Dr.. Jekyll & Mr.. Hyde status. He also said that Swedes socialize and become intimate at a much higher level than normal when they drink alcohol.. If your Swedish friend says to you while drunk, “You’re my best friend, you’re my liver”, wait for the next morning.. As he passes you in the hallway, he greets you and leaves without making eye contact.. Other than these abnormal character changes, there was nothing that I found strange.. I’ve already adapted, I’m continuing to adapt.
By the way, in my article on my blog, titled Swede’s Halet-i Ruhiyesi, I explain the general characteristics of the Swedes, the link for those who are curious: http://pippilongscarf.wordpress. com/2012/04/25/isveclinin/
Did you have any difficulties in forming friendships? Yes, we know, it’s completely parallel to your character, but we wonder if the people there are different from us when they form friendships.. A sullen, a “nemrud’s maiden”?
The Swedes slowly build their friendship. I guess this slackness didn’t bother me at all since that’s how I am, but I know people who complain about it.. Looking back I see I made friends, that makes me happy. For example, when I go out of Sweden for work, I miss my friends here.. But I must state that it is not so easy to mingle with the Swedes, to be part of a group.. It takes patience and effort. If you are someone who waits for every step from the other side, your job is difficult.
Maybe it will be a tough question for the country in general, but what about the event/concert/nightlife activity? Does being cold sometimes undermine the fun, or is it to the point where it satisfies anyone living there?
Lund’s entertainment life is clear. If you’re a student, you first do a förfest at someone’s house.. Then you go to one of the student bars, after waiting for a long time in the queue at the door, you enter the bar with enthusiasm as if something wonderful is going on inside.. The bar closes like 2 and then the efterfest, the after-party fun, begins. Again, they go to someone’s house/room, everyone is in a state of distress, and no one says, “What did we do tangibly tonight?” doesn’t say. If you’re lucky, a short film show, a good DJ etc.. maybe that night. The situation is no different in Malmö.. There, instead of student bars, you go to regular bars, some bars have good events, but of course, if you can afford to pay a fee of 25-30 lira only at the entrance.. In Gothenburg, there are more alternatives, at least those who don’t like clubs go to pubs, those who like live music run to that kind of place etc.. As a big city, Gothenburg promises more alternatives for cultural events.. There are many museums here and they are all free for under 25s.. I usually save my hunger for entertainment for Copenhagen. Entertainment in Copenhagen is completely different! There are more comfortable environments compared to Sweden. In fact, if nothing cuts, you can buy a beer from Seven Eleven and have a street fest.. (You don’t have such a chance in Sweden since alcohol is only bought from monopolies called System Bolaget, because they close at 7 on weekdays and at 3 on Saturdays) For example, I went to the YoungBlood Brass concert in Copenhagen Pumpehuset last week, I enjoyed both the concert and the concert venue.. Copenhagen felt very good after a long time.
Did you learn the language? Is it a language that can be learned, or should we not try at all?
I tried so hard that the Southern dialect (Skånska) wouldn’t stick to my language, but of course, because I hear that dialect all the time, there are some regional specifics. sayings and forms of pronunciation inevitably took their place. If there is no deep conversation, I speak Swedish, but I still do not feel comfortable speaking Swedish.. I like the Swedish spoken in Gothenburg (Göteborska), I try to speak it that way.
Which of these 3 cities can be considered more active in terms of effectiveness?
Although university activities are quite intense in Lund, it is not very satisfactory in general. Malmö is a little more active and getting better every day. As for Gothenburg, I think it meets all kinds of expectations within Swedish standards.. Here, too, the university is an important event center, but apart from the university, arts, culture, and sports activities can be found in every corner of the city.
Let us know a few words about the Malmö, Lund, Gothenburg trio. can you advise? While you’re here, are there any things that you wouldn’t want to miss without trying them?
Lund is a very cute student city and also an important trade and religious city in the years it was under the Kingdom of Denmark. being a center, it is a place where very old architectural structures have survived until today (historical texture was preserved because Sweden did not participate in the World Wars). In Lund, be sure to visit Lundagård where the university buildings, the castle (AF Borgen) and the Lund Church (Domkyrkan) are located and see Scandinavia’s visit Kulturen, one of the largest open-air museums. From there, walk to the Botanical Garden and see the Amazon Forest section in the greenhouse. Head to Helgonabacken for the University’s enormous library building and while you’re at it, take an art tour of the Skissernas Museum. For Nils Oscar beer at the Ariman Café, where the young people of the city hang out, you can try Ebbas Skafferi or St.. Take a coffee break (or fika as the Swedes call it) at Jakobs. Have a Swedish dessert with your coffee, such as semla, vaniljhjärtan, kanelbulle, mazarin etc.. Most importantly, get lost in the narrow cobblestone streets of Lund, your way will surely lead to the center anyway.. If you’re going to stay in Lund until the summer, head to Stadsparken for Valborg, the city’s biggest festival.
Visit Moderna Museet in Malmö , you will surely come across a good exhibition. For a short trip to Malmö’s history, go to Malmö Hus. You can dine at Lilla Torg, full of cafes and bars (My favorite is Piccolo Mondo if you’re going to eat, Folk Å Rock if you’re going to have a coffee and watch a record)). You can go there to have fun and see what’s available for the evening on Moriskan’s website.. If the weather is nice, you can first sit on the lawn of Folkets Park, sip your beer in the company of young people playing music, and then proceed to Moriskan.. You can go canoeing on the canal or join small boat tours.. If the weather is nice again, you can go to the Limhamn beach and swim in the sea.. There is also a sauna facility.. An ideal place to go and have a barbecue with a large group of friends.. To hang out in the Kreuzberg atmosphere, you can go to Möllan, have a coffee or a beer in Simpan, and have a very cheap förfest at Ölkaféet.. If you are only going to wander around the city center in Malmö, everywhere is within walking distance.. Otherwise you have to get a Jojo card (i.e. public transport card). Jojo is available in both Malmo and Lund. If you’re in Malmö the last week of August, you’ve stumbled upon the city’s best time. Within the scope of Malmöfestivalen, every part of the city is filled with concerts, seminars, workshops and many other events.. For example, you can watch a band like the Hives for free.
When you’re in Gothenburg, go to sushi and Thai restaurants, they’re pretty cheap.. There is so much to do in Gothenburg, but if you have limited time, you can at least visit the Gothenburg Museum, Gothenburg Art Museum and the sprawling amusement park Liseberg. If you’re someone who listens to alternative music or pursues Berlin hipsterism, hang out at Andra Langgatan. Second hand shops, coffee baristas, cheap pubs available. My favorites are the Pustervik at the corner of Järntorget (always having events), Andra Långgatan Publikk (salmon salad and their craft IPA are pretty good) and Kelly’s (thinks the cheapest beer in town is here!) in .. You can go to Haga for a coffee break and beautiful shops. Desserts of Le Petit Café are fresh and delicious. It is also very pleasant to sit by the window and watch the passers-by.. I think you can walk all the way down Linnégatan, the most beautiful street in the city, and have a vegan dinner at the bar Hagabion (or Kino in the city).. Above the bar is the cinema, if you’re lucky you can watch an art film in English or any other language you understand. If you are wondering how the city is ecstatic on Fridays and Saturdays, you can go to expensive bars and clubs in Avenyn. If you want to get away from the city, there is a ferry to the islands from Saltholmen, the southern end of the city.. No bagels and tea, but still gives an Istanbul feel. I love the island of Brännö, but it gets very secluded in winter. Finally, when Gothenburg is mentioned, it is impossible not to talk about music.. First of all, you should definitely get a Hakan Hellström and a Broder Daniel CD.. And if you’re in Gothenburg around the beginning of August, don’t miss the Way Out West festival!
If you want to learn more about Swedish food and drink culture, two articles on my blog may be of use to you.. “Let’s not go back without eating what, let’s skip what to eat?” to http://pippilongscarf.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/yemek-kulturu-101-6/, to learn what is Swedish drinking etiquette, http://pippilongscarf.wordpress.com/2012/06/24 /haydi-iciyor-skal-2/ and http://pippilongscarf.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/ol-yanlis-anladin-ol-isveccede-bira-demek-2/.