2024-08-26 13:50:23
Indians have been one of Sweden’s largest groups of new immigrants in recent years, but recent statistics suggest that the tide is turning.
Even so, two-thirds of the more than 80 respondents told a survey by The Local that they would recommend Sweden to their fellow Indians.
Moving to a new country is always an individual choice, so readers also share some things that can help you decide if Sweden is the place for you.
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Cost of living and salary
As anyone living in Sweden has undoubtedly noticed in recent years, the cost of living here is highand it only got higher in the last few years.
For Indians who may be looking to put money into savings during their careers, this can cause issues.
“Don’t expect that your ambitions and performance will be reflected on the take-home salary,” said a research engineer in Norrbotten, who wished to remain anonymous.
“Salary increases are next to total neglect. It is a more social system that one has to enjoy, which is surprising when one comes from India where personal savings are a big part of everyone’s life. “
Despite this, the country “works well for people who plan to live here for a long time,” wrote a 33-year-old software engineer from Gothenburg.
Operate
Despite the low salaries, the excellent work-life balance, and other benefits included in the salary, such as annual leave, parental leave and insurance, often make up for it.
“Sweden is not a country for high savings or luxury life,” a reader named Adarsh told The Local, while adding that there are often “hidden benefits in the salary” , such as complimentary annual leave and insurance.
DEFINITE BENEFITS:
“In contrast to the limited vacation days in India, I enjoy at least 33 days of paid vacation a year in Sweden, which helps in recharging and maintaining a healthy work-life balance,” adds Dilip Elavazhagan. , a senior cloud IT specialist in Dubai.
Neil Pradhan, a data scientist also working in Stockholm, describes the work-life balance in Sweden as “envious”.
“As an Indian living in Sweden for six years, I have experienced the opportunities and challenges that come with moving to a new country. Sweden offers an enviable work-life balance, a close connection to nature, and excellent infrastructure for physical activities, all of which contribute to a high quality of life. Respect for personal space and the freedom to make one’s own decisions without social pressure is refreshing, as is the overall flat structure that promotes acceptance and cooperation,” he said.
Having said that, it is not always easy to get a job in Sweden in the beginning, especially when it comes to subsequent partners, and some readers raised concerns of discrimination against non-Swedish speakers.
“If you come to India with your spouse, getting a job will be another full-time job for you,” says a 28-year-old design engineer from Gothenburg. “Fasten your seat belts. If you add a child, then the burden to provide will come to a point where you question your decision to move to a new country with your dependents.”
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Air
Sweden’s climate was mentioned both as a positive and negative for many survey responses, including weather and winter are the most common listed as a drawback.
Other readers, like a 42-year-old IT engineer from Gothenburg, praised the country for its “pollution-free environment” providing “a better living environment for children”.
“Noise and pollution is something that affects you when you travel back home,” wrote a female IoT analyst based in Gothenburg.
“Clean air is a big plus in Sweden,” said Sachin, 30, who is based in Dubai. “In India it is worse in the big cities.”
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Academic
Them Swedish education system is also mentioned as having both advantages and disadvantages, with answers that praise the fact that it is free, while adding that there may be issues with the availability of quality education, and education in English.
“If you have kids, research the Swedish education system and how it differs from India,” wrote a software architect from Dubai. You can find answers to some of them Common questions about the Swedish school system are under the label ‘schools’.
The 34-year-old data scientist, also based in Stockholm, says the level of education is not always as good in Sweden as it is in India.
“Child education is balanced and consistent throughout Sweden,” he said. “While sports and extracurricular activities are great, the level of education is not good compared to good schools in Indian cities. Higher education on the other hand is very good in Sweden. “
“Private education in English is very expensive,” added a 46-year-old reader based in Dubai, who moved to Sweden five years ago. “Another option is bilingual schools.”
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Clan
Respondents with children are quick to praise Sweden as a great country for families, although there are drawbacks when it comes to visits from family back home.
“Sweden’s commitment to fellow Indians, especially families, is well-founded because of supportive family policies, a higher education system, and a safe, healthy living environment,” Kuhelee Chandel, researcher and lecturer at Gävle who lives in Sweden with said 11-year-old.
“Sweden offers generous parental leave, child tolerancewe had free education,” he added. “The health system is inclusive and comprehensive, ensuring well-being for all family members. In addition, the emphasis on outdoor living and general safety and stability make Sweden an ideal place for raising children in a fair and constructive environment. These factors make Sweden a top choice for Indian families considering moving abroad. “
On the other hand, it is not always easy to be away from home, especially considering the fact that it is so hard for parents in India to get visas to visit their children and grandchildren in Sweden.
“Being far away from family is hard for Indians. The Schengen visa is expensive, hard to apply for and is given for a limited time,” said Avinash, a senior scientist at AstraZeneca in Mölndal.
“My mother has visited me in Germany three times and returned to India within the stipulated time without causing problems,” he added. “However, you have to produce all the documents to visit me once more. There is no path to extended visa (eg US ten-year visitor visa option) which makes it undesirable for Indians.”
One respondent, based in Gothenburg, went so far as to say that the government risks missing out on top talent if they do not provide such a visa for visiting parents.
“There are cases where the Swedish Migration Agency denies parents a short-term or long-term visa,” he said. “That gives a strong negative message to the Indian community, because for Indians their family is not complete without their parents. We don’t leave them alone in their old age like we do in Sweden. “
“If Sweden wants to attract top talent then they must think about this aspect, otherwise you will see more and more Indians leaving. Indians are a great asset to the Swedish economy and if the Swedish government does not consider this seriously then it will be difficult for Indians to stay. “
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Belongings
As the District previously reported, it is it is not easy for immigrants to find affordable rents in Sweden, and the conditions are no different for Indians coming to live in the country.
Rahul Arora, 35, wrote: “There is a general shortage of apartments. “The queue for first-hand contracts is huge. Most apartments are small with only one toilet. In India, it is common to have a toilet attached to every room.
“The rental market in Sweden is very complicated and unfair to newcomers,” writes Avinash, the aforementioned Indian based in Mölndal.
“For an Indian who has just moved to the country, they will not be assured of living here for a long time for the first two years and will therefore prefer to rent rather than buy a property. First-hand rentals are almost impossible to get in big cities (which is where the jobs for Indians are) and second-hand rentals are a no-brainer. My friend was asked to leave within two months of receiving her lease agreement. People are paying more than 40-50 percent of their monthly income on these rental houses that they see on Blocket or Samtrygg.”
HOME FINDING:
“If you want to buy a house as a family then it is better that both of you have jobs so that you can live a comfortable life (financially). It is at the mercy of interest rates,” added senior hardware architect Harsha Aithal.
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Culture is different
Culturally, Swedes and Indians are definitely different.
“Sweden has a more individualistic culture, while India is more collectivist. Understand local cultures, norms, and values,” said one respondent, a software architect in Stockholm.
A number of respondents added that “loneliness” was a big word, with PhD student Sanjay Sukumar describing the country as an “introvert’s paradise”.
BE A FRIEND:
“The aggressive nature, cold weather and reserved people in Sweden are definitely cons compared to India,” added researcher Bharat Mehta. “Arguing and arguing are as much a part of everyday life in India as negotiating with fruit vendors and arguing for a better work environment.”
Despite this, he would also encourage other Indians to make the move.
“Although Sweden and Swedes are happy against the cultural trend towards India, every idea has to be open if you plan to leave India,” he said. “This, to many citizens and Indians will be a little easier in my opinion! If you open your mind, Sweden is a beautiful country with nice (albeit reserved) people, a functioning public system and an excellent overall quality of life. “
Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey. We received more than 80 responses so we can’t include them all, but we tried to take a representative sample. If you would like to add your own thoughts to the conversation, please feel free to do so in the comments below.
If you have any future ideas, feedback or questions about life in Sweden for the Community editorial team, you are always welcome to email [email protected].
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