Studying Abroad in a Highschool in Sweden as a 16 year old black?

[Anonymous]

In August I’m moving to Sweden to spend a year abroad during senior year. I’m not sure what to expect when I get there but I’ve heard a lot of things. One being the fact the Swedish people are the friendliest of people which means I might have a hard time making friend in school while I’m there, but I wanna know if this is actually true. Also some advice about the place would be nice. I’ve talked to a couple of people from Sweden but I’ve never actually been there so I’m not sure if what to expect. What are some things I should avoid doing and what are some things I should expect. Is it actually hard to make friends in high schools there?

[Flatmanlewis]

My only advice is this. In America race tends to be defined clumsily and generically. Black & white being the best examples. In much of the world, in my experience, it’s more nuanced. This means what you may call “black” in some nations is more specific in others: Kenyan, Panamanian, Sudanese, and so on. Just like Hispanic cultures have a lot of commonality they are also just as different. (Call a Cuban a Puerto Rican or vice versa and they will happily educate you. Call a Scotsman & Englishman and they’ll make sure you understand.).


Blacks in the US are particularly comfortable lumping white into a large “white people” lump whereas the French are proudly a different race than the Germans, who are different than the Italians who are totally different than the Czechs. The Irish are not the Scots and none of them are the Russians. My point is the US is a melting pot and understand that you’re visiting the native land of its own unique people with their own traditions, norms, and culture. These are less noticeable in your age bracket and teenage kids pretty commonly do teenage stuff everywhere but just understand that.


The Nordic nations are notoriously friendly and you’ll be fine. Probably be among the best times of your life. Enjoy it and have fun and be warned - they aren’t known for their cuisine!

[Forceinhand]

Well I'm swedish. Swedish back all the way back to the viking age. Keep the swedish bubble. No standing too close at bus stops, absolutely do not sit next to someone in the bus if other seats are free. (They'll think you insane).

Let's see what else... shoes inside is fine unless told otherwise. English is also fine, we're the best non-native speakers in the world so everyone are practically fluent BUT do make an attempt to learn swedish. It'll show respect for our culture and earn you extra points. Especially with teachers.

If you're invited out just be yourself whatever that looks like. We're big on authenticity and the typical American bombastic displays for show aren't popular. If you put up a front they'll know it.

[Forceinhand]

Oh and none of that race-centered mindset you Americans run with these days. That doesn't fly here.

[Anonymous]

on average swedish are less friendly than americans. another thing i noticed about them is that theyre not sincere, or genuine. in fact, there are a lot of ghettos in sweden, and a lot of blacks, and other dark people hang out with one another because they are kept out of the white swedish circles. overall, i would not expect much. maybe it will make you appreciate your home country a lot more when you do go there. I've met a bunch of swedes and most are not friendly, but you can also say that europeans in general are not

[Opinion Owner]

swedes very open minded towards lgbt, and dogs. dark humans, not so much

[2_beHappy]

From what I Heard about Sweden, they are super open-minded and friendly, so I suggest you to focus on studying, because friends are very easy to make. The important thing is what kind of friends you re going to make.

[Anonymous]

It is not as racist and Homophobia as the USA. It still does have its problems. The Nordic countries require parents who have children in school to go to therapy. The benefit of that is they can find children who are being abused right away. In some Nordic countries, parents are not allowed to hit their kids to discipline them like in the USA. In the USA, therapy is less available, and a lot more kids are physically abused or punished more harshly. So, there is an increase in bullying in a lot of American schools. It's because kids are abused, and they believe it is normal, so when they go to school, they bully other kids because they think that is acceptable behavior.

I believe the Cyber-bullying laws are more strict than in the USA. For the most part, I think it is pretty for black people. My black friend went there, and many Swedish women dated him. I guess it's OK for black people. If you are coming from the US, it might be an improvement. Again, it is not perfect. There is still hatred, like in every country, but I don't think it is as bad as in some other places. You are definitely going to run into some issues, but I believe it is one of the better countries.

[D_Bone_Steak]

Don't be surprised if some worship the ground you walk upon simply because you're black like their favorite rapper. And also don't be surprised if some approach you with caution because they've had bad experiences with black people before. You're a female so... I think you'll see more of the positive reactions. Depends on how you view people who are total sycophants and put on a gangsta rap accent when they talk to you. It can get annoying just knowing what is going on.

Beware of these guys as well

I hope you're going to meet people who just want to get to know you, instead of hanging out with you just because you're black. But expect at least some of them to be that way. You might even be a target for romance simply because you're black. You seem smart... you'll know it when you see it.

[Asker]

Thank you so much your advice means a lot to me😭

[D_Bone_Steak]

No problem... seriously... good luck out there. I think their race issues are deeper than here in the States. It's gonna be different. That's all I can say. Good luck.

[Asker]

I hope you don’t mind me asking but are you from Sweden?

[D_Bone_Steak]

No... I'm from Finland and I think those guys are fags.

[D_Bone_Steak]

https://youtu.be/MdgLR9RttZQ?si=jymMayzvCuK5l01Y

[Asker]

Swedish people?

[D_Bone_Steak]

Yahya gay people right?

[ButtFloggedTroll]

I've never been in finland or sweden but grew up in near northern Europe and so far @d_bone_steak was always spot on. It's consistent with everything else - Sweden is made of fаggots.

[lightbulb27]

you have to go to their movie theatre... quite a spectacle.

definitely date a Swedish girl and get some swedish meatballs. No... I don't know why... why not?

Beyond that, I don't recall much of it, maybe my wife remembers...

@midnightmoon05

[RavVid]

I saw a funny photo set labeled Swedes social distancing (during covid) and Swedes before social distancing. Both showed people with a lot of space between them.

I think not having preconceptions is probably best but realizing you may need to moderate to fit in. I'm sure you will find people are friendly to a visitor.

[Avicenna]

It should be an interesting experience for you. Expect to get a lot of questions about the US, but I doubt you'll get a lot about race- Europeans are more likely to see people as being different by nationality rather than race.

[BlissfullyCurSed]

@Forceinhand I suppose that dude was Swedish. Maybe, he can give you some tips on how to get along well with Nordic people lolol.

[Forceinhand]

Friendly if you become our friends lol but that can sometimes take a lot of time. We're slow to trust but big on loyalty once we are in fact pals. They'll probably be a mix of aloof and mildly curious at the start.

[TadCurious]

If the Swedes are the friendliest of people then it stands to reason that it should be easier to make friends.

[Nikki1989]

Swedish people are far easier to get along with than Americans. You will be fine.

[Alex-Snow]

Enjoy the experience... every Swed I have met has been wonderful

[jimmy2]

Better make sure no war there or you be running for your life
Expected Russia conflict