I'm Moving to Sweden!

The Wololo Wombat on 08/05/2020 - 13:03
Last edited 08/05/2020 - 13:03

Remember that week where life was still normal, but Italy was getting smashed and people were starting to wake up to the fact that COVID-19 was a serious threat…?

That's the week my wife and I accepted jobs at an English speaking public school in Sweden! Starting in August.

We're both teachers and wanted a new challenge/adventure before we have kids (both in our late 20s). We'll be heading to the city/town of Eskilstuna, about an hour west of Stockholm. Honestly, the reputation of the school we're heading to is a lot worse than the schools we're at now + the pay is about 60% of our current salary… but… carpe diem… I guess (lol)!

We weren't quite sure we'd actually be able to go… but we've secured flights, residency + work VISA for Sweden and the Swedish Embassy assures me I'll be fine to get in. Sweden's policy on COVID seems pretty lax… might be a good thing! Still waiting on the Aussie government to approve me to go… but I think I meet their criteria for being able to leave. We've resigned from our current jobs, so we're kinda screwed if not.

Why I am telling you all this personal info?

Well, I really feel like a part of the Ozbargain community, so I wanted to say goodbye (at least for a few years!)

But more importantly (lol), how will I keep up the good deals in Sweden?

What's your advice on the country? Any opinions, ideas, resources to share? Words of warning?

Travel Sweden

Comments

  • ju2au on 09/05/2020 - 19:00
    +1

    I'd like to just say congrats and certainly the smart thing to do before kids arrive. However, don't wait too long to have kids, the Biological Clock waits for no one.

  • shutuptakemymoney101 on 09/05/2020 - 19:21
    +2

    @OP, make sure you both get a statement of service from your employer before you come back - you'll be able to have your teaching service overseas recognised for salary purposes when you come back to Australia and start teaching again.

  • Hamlet on 09/05/2020 - 19:55

    I'm envious of the adventure you'll have up there! Sounds like a big move especially with teaching under a different education system but do it while you're young, am I right? I'm curious about the package. How long's the contract and are there any requirements they were looking for? How'd you hear about it?

  • Randxyz123 on 09/05/2020 - 20:02

    All the best and good on you for following your dreams. Pending this pandemic calming down I’m moving to London next year.

    When Italy starts opening up again go and show them some love.

    Keep us posted

  • nansnake on 09/05/2020 - 21:48
    +3

    Man, you never say goodbye to ozbargain. Just log on sometimes, and look at the beautiful deals & discounts that you probably weren't gonna take advantage of anyways. Leave good comments and cheer up everyone. :)

    • LFO on 10/05/2020 - 16:04
      +1

      And remember that every dollar not spent with beautiful deals & discounts is a dollar saved … which is the aim of OP's Swedish endeavor!!

  • infinite on 09/05/2020 - 23:27
    +1

    Have a nice time OP, hopefully you get some good work experience over there.

    I really enjoyed my time working over there for 2 or 3 years back in the early 00's. I worked in Malmo down in the south of the country. Really really glad I had the experience I did back when I did, because no way would I ever return to what the place has devolved into now.

  • Gelato on 10/05/2020 - 12:02

    That's a very courageous decisions, something i'm not able to do (cant leave my comfort zone).
    Good luck and enjoy your time in Sweden!

  • [Deactivated] on 10/05/2020 - 20:13
    -4

    Good don't come back 😂

  • kaleidoscope on 10/05/2020 - 21:54

    all the best. enjoy home of ikea 🤓

  • jedimaster on 10/05/2020 - 22:57

    Hope you like the cold and staying indoors during the winter months and prepared for the super long days in summer(16.5-18hrs sunlight) and super short days in winter

  • popsiee on 11/05/2020 - 06:47

    Seriously you going to a country with a much larger infection rate at 60% of your current wage . Suggest you look up effects of young people who have recovered from the virus and can hardly do anything physically , it’s not all about death rates . You wouldn’t make the team of playing above the odds lol .
    Don’t whatever you do is consider all the people who would pay millions to be stuck in moat Australia if they could pay their way in .

  • RG419 on 11/05/2020 - 11:51

    sweden is basically fully cashless
    -people get questioned about unsual bank transactions
    -you can be tracked without being suspected of crime (phone, internet,etc)

    makes me wonder why they dont have lockdown…
    maybe no need

    Im not a conspiracy theorist but feel its important to take everything with grain of salt and process all sources of info and news and do own research and have own mind.

    this convid19 seems like perfect excuse to pass further control and privacy laws
    US current proposed bill HR6666 does not look great atm

    just have to wait and see….

  • OzCheapo on 15/05/2020 - 13:41

    Hey Wombat, out of curiosity, did you leaving the country get approved by the government? From what I read today, biosecurity restrictions will remain until Sept 17. If you haven't it'd be a good idea to clear this up.

  • capslock janitor on 04/06/2020 - 23:28

    soome bad news bout sweden recently, they sure let lots die

  • Taegukgi on 11/01/2021 - 23:42
    +2

    All the best mate. Just saw the post now. Hope you’re enjoying the winter!

    • The Wololo Wombat on 11/01/2021 - 23:43

      Haha cheers mate! It's snowing right now! I was actually on Ozbargain just as you commented :)

      • Taegukgi on 12/01/2021 - 10:57

        I was in Finland a couple of years ago. So wish I can move there but we now have baggage….

  • brisdaz on 15/02/2021 - 18:22

    The wombat you organised the OzBargain Meetup right?

    Just saw this post. Hope you're well!

    • The Wololo Wombat on 15/02/2021 - 19:08
      +1

      Thanks Brizdaz! Miss the Ozbargain community - but I still login every other day :)

      Sweden has been really positive for my wife and I, making great friends and enjoying the work/life balance here.

  • Some Guy on 02/03/2021 - 00:42

    What an adventure! I'm curious to pry about the pay cut in one of the most expensive countries on earth. I ask, with tongue in cheek, "Just how much do teachers earn here that 60% is sufficient there? Also, it's often said that teaching in Scandinavian countries is highly respected, lucrative and thus admission is sought after. Your experience suggests otherwise. What gives?

    • The Wololo Wombat on 02/03/2021 - 06:41
      +1

      People confuse Finland with Sweden. Sweden's PISA scores (global education standard) are not good… Finland, for a long time, was excellent (still is, but not as OP).

      I make 30,000 SEK per month here, which is about 20-25% less than I should be in Sweden… because my school network (English speaking schools) can get away with it.

      • Some Guy on 02/03/2021 - 11:08

        Good to know, thanks. Good to hear of experiences like this too. A good mate of mine did academic sabbatical there a few years ago and his young daughters really enjoyed the schooling they received. Top notch apparently.

        • The Wololo Wombat on 02/03/2021 - 22:18
          +2

          Yes. It would depend on where you went to school.

          The truth is, if you like in an area with a high immigrant/refugee population (most of Sweden now), the quality of the schooling/class environment is at risk of being affected. I realise this is an uncomfortable statement, but it certainly has been my experience here… and I am confident its accuracy. That said, I love teaching the multicultural backgrounds myself personally… it just adds a challenging dimension that does affect student outcomes.

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